Medicine

Overview – Types of Medical Practice
There are three different types of medical practice to consider:
- Allopathic – MD
- Osteopathic – DO
- Naturopathic – ND
- Podiatric – DPM
Students apply more than a full year in advance of starting medical school, which typically begins in the fall. For example, those applying in Spring/Summer 2023 are aiming to start in Fall 2024.
Applications
Application Timeline
Requirements vary by program. This is not an official planning sheet and should be used as a reference. Please consult with an advisor to plan out a timeline that fits you.

- Start science prerequisites – General Chem, Organic Chem, General Bio, General Physics, Biochemistry, Statistics, Calculus – UWB Career Services Coursework
- Network: Join pre-medicine clubs, Shadow physicians
- Clinical Hours: Volunteer at hospitals/clinics
- Summer: Enrichment/Research programs – Applications due in January/February – UWB Getting Experience
- Continue: Prerequisites, Volunteering, Shadowing, Gaining research & clinical experience
- Plan Ahead: Research medical schools, Start thinking about MCAT timeline
- Consider financial plan
- Summer: Begin studying for the MCAT – Explore resources and begin foundational review
- Medical College Admission Test (MCAT):
- October: Register
- Aug-Dec: Continue intensive studying
- Jan-April: Take MCAT
- Gather Materials:
- Draft activities log
- Request letters of recommendation
- Draft and revise personal statement
- Collect transcripts: Use centralized application service for MD/DO/ND programs
- Summer: Interview – Prep Mock interviews, practice questions
- September–February: Attend medical school interviews, send thank-you notes
- October–March: Rolling admissions – decisions released!
- April–May: Make final school choice, submit deposit
- August: Begin Medical School!!
Primary Applications
Submit the primary application depending on the type of medical school you wish to attend.
- AMCAS (Allopathic schools)
- AACOMAS (Osteopathic schools)
- NDCAS (Naturopathic schools)
- AACPMAS (Podiatric schools)
Visit the Apply page for more on prerequisite coursework and grades, transcripts, activities, personal statements and letters of recommendation in general.
Prerequisite coursework and grades specific to Medical Schools

Use this grade conversion chart to see how AMCAS will calculate your UW grades. Remember that they will consider both your BCPM (science) GPA and your AO (all other) GPA in addition to your overall GPA, and all attempts of repeated courses are counted. The AMCAS Grade Conversion Guide is for personal reference. Do not enter the estimates on your AMCAS application; you must enter course information as it appears on your official transcript.
Here is an accessible version of the Grade Conversion Chart.
Transcripts specific to Medical Schools
AMCAS requires that you download an AMCAS Transcript Request Form to be submitted with each of your transcripts. This form includes your AMCAS ID number, so it is an essential piece in matching your transcript to your application and avoiding unnecessary delays.
Activities specific to Medical Schools
AMCAS will allow you to designate 3 “most impactful” experiences on your activities log. For these 3 activities, you will be granted more character space for your reflection on how the experience impacted your growth/development as a healthcare professional/prospective physician.
Letters of Recommendation/Evaluation specific to Medical Schools
Most admission committees require letters of recommendation. The UW School of Medicine requires a minimum of 3 letters from individuals who can speak about characteristics such as your academic ability, interpersonal skills, clinical or research experiences, etc. Letters must be submitted through the AMCAS Letters of Evaluation/Recommendation service. Students are also advised to check with each of their chosen schools to determine specific information that should be included.
Secondary Applications
If a school is interested in you after reviewing your primary application, they will invite you to submit a secondary applications that are specific to that school. Secondary applications usually include more essays and an application fee for the school. You should plan to submit the secondary application as soon as possible to secure an interview.
Resources
- Application timelines for medical schools
- Guidelines for your letters of evaluation (to give your recommenders)
- Information about post-baccalaureate programs
- AAMC’s Anatomy of an Applicant guide and profiles of successful applicants
- Most Medical Schools will conduct interviews as part of the secondary application process. Students are advised to prepare for their interviews by scheduling a mock interview with the Health Professions & Natural Science Pathways Manager. Students should also become familiar with the type of questions that may be asked during their interview.
- AAMC’s Interview Resources for Medical School Applicants includes a comprehensive guide to navigate the medical school interview process.
- Preparing for Your Interview
- Five Steps to Preparing for Your Medical School Interview (The Student Doctor Network)
- The Multiple Mini Interview (The Savvy Pre-Med)
- The Types of Medical School Interviews (MSHQ)
- Samples of interview questions: UW Medical School Interview Questions, Ten Commonly Asked Questions (MSHQ)
- Bastyr University – Naturopathic – Kenmore WA
- Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences – Osteopathic – Yakima WA
- University of Washington – Allopathic – Seattle WA
- Washington State University – Allopathic – Spokane WA
- AACOM (American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine)
- AAMC Store – Resources including MCAT prep, medical school information, managing your finances while in medical school, etc.
- Aspiring Docs – AAMC (Association of American Medical Colleges)
- ChooseDO.org Explorer– Database of Osteopathic medical schools
- Core Competencies for Entering Medical Students
- MSAR (Medical School Admissions Requirements) Database of medical schools, prerequisite information, acceptance numbers, etc.
- Pre-Med Calendar
- Step Into Podiatry
- The Student Doctor Network
- Selecting a Medical School – Important questions to ask
- Paying for Medical School
- AAMC – FIRST (Financial Information, Resources, Services and Tools)
- Cost of Applying to Medical School
- Education Loan Finance – Medical School Loan Refinancing
- Fee Assistant Program (FAP) – Financial assistance when applying to medical school.
- HRSA – Health Resources & Services Administration – click on “Loans & Scholarships”