This service is part of Student Academic Affairs and Advising and is open to all Mason community members interested in pursuing a graduate degree in the health professions.
Applicants > Sophomore entry programs > George Washington Early Selection
Students may be admitted to the Early Selection MD program upon successful completion of 60 credit hours in their fourth college semester (end of sophomore year). Here are the general criteria.
Applications are normally due by the end of March. Accepted Early Selection Students are not required to take the MCAT, but must maintain a 3.6 or higher GPA and good academic standing. Decisions for admission to Early Selection are made in the summer after the fourth semester grades are officially posted on the applicants' transcripts.
Interested freshmen and sophomores should attend appropriate meetings in the fall semester, must submit a Pre-Application for Health Professions Advising by February 1, and complete the George Washington Early Selection Application by the stated due date (usually March 15). Ideally, the Health Professions Advisor will schedule MSAC interviews before Spring Break to transmit the composite evaluation on time.
Students who are admitted starting their junior year do not have to take the MCAT and can pursue a more self-fulfilling or service-oriented series of experiences over their final two years of study at Mason. Instead of fretting over the MCAT, an admitted student can participate in a year-long study abroad program or participate in a research project (among other options). Admitted students have to submit their two-year plan of study as part of the process, so any changes need to be taken up with the GWU Early Selection Program Director and the Mason Health Professions Advisor.
The best part is that admission to the medical program at George Washington is for the most part a moot point. Admitted students must complete the AMCAS and GW secondary applications, but generally those are formalities to officially account for the student in admissions statistics. Admitted students would not have to worry about secondary application essays to other programs or interviews. If a student wishes to apply to other programs, their participation in the Early Selection Program becomes void.
However, it should be mentioned that what applicants do in the junior and senior year is develop a further understanding and deepening commitment to the profession of medicine and health care. Admitted students will be participating in selective programs geared specifically to Early Selection participants on the GWU medical campus. As long as the student maintains the GPA and a good academic standing (and graduates on time), the program is an expedited route to medical school.
This program is not exclusive to Mason students, but there is no limit to the number of Mason students who can be admitted. Non-science majors and students from diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply if they are eligible.
Brian Kim (2007 applicant, entering 2009)