Pre-Med Sophomore Entry Programs

Early Selection is a competitive program that gives gifted, talented, and committed students who’ve achieved academic distinction at George Mason, the opportunity for provisional acceptance at the George Washington School of Medicine and Health Sciences.

Eligibility:

• Open to current sophomores at GMU who will have completed 60 credits by the end of the semester they are applying in.
  • Fewer than 60 credits earned at the end of sophomore year are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
  • Sophomore transfers ineligible, but freshman transfers are reviewed on a case-by-case basis
  • AP/IB coursework are reviewed on case-by-case basis
• Open to U.S or Canadian Citizens or hold U.S Permanent Residency at time of application.
• Applicants expected to only apply early selection to GW. Applicants will be disqualified if they apply to other medical programs.

George Mason University Coursework & GPA (minimum requirements):

• Minimum 3.5 cumulative GPA with no grade below a B- in science coursework
  • Two semesters of chemistry AND two semesters of either biology OR physics
  • Prereq classes must be taken for a grade, not P/F.
• Pursue a non-science major or minor

Additional requirements:

• Resume/CV that includes the total number of hours completed for each activity
  • Significant college-level extracurricular experience (could include clinical, volunteer, research, student organization involvement) in line with the expectations to be a competitive medical school student
• Two letters of recommendation (at least one from a science instructor)
• SAT or ACT scores required (full score report is preferred)
• Transcripts (official transcripts are preferred, but unofficial transcripts may be accepted)
  • High school
  • Previous institutions (only if dual-enrollment was completed)
• Unofficial George Mason University transcript
• GW Application for Early Selection Admission

Timeline: 

1. The 2025 GW Early Selection Application is now available!
   
   2025 GW Early Selection Application
   Important: Please leave Question 2 (GWID) blank and ensure responses to Questions 18-21 are succinct (max: 3 lines)
   
   2025 GW Contractual School Guidelines
   
   • All application materials (application, two letters of recommendation, unofficial George Mason transcript, high school transcripts, SAT/ACT reports, and a resume/CV including the total number of hours completed for each activity) are due virtually to the Health Professions Advising email ([email protected]) on or before Sunday, March 2, 2025 by 11:59pm EST. Late materials will not be accepted.
   • Answers should be typed, your name should be clearly labeled on each document, and all materials should be submitted in PDFs.
   • If you would prefer to submit separate documents for the Questions 16-17, you may do so, but please clearly label the additional document with the corresponding application question number.
   • Unofficial high school transcripts and SAT/ACT reports will be accepted (directly from applicant) but official copies are preferred.
   • Letters of recommendation must be emailed by the letter writer to [email protected]. Please ensure your letter writers submit letters on official letterhead and sign their letter with their signature.
     • The third letter of recommendation from the Health Professions Advisor will only be provided for selected candidates chosen after being interviewed by the Health Professions Advisory Committee.
       
2. Health Professions Advisory Committee Review: Monday, March 3, 2025 – Friday, March 7, 2025
   
3. Interviews of preferred candidates: March 17, 2025 – March 21, 2025
   
4. All candidates will be notified of a decision by the end of March 2025
   • Successful candidates will be put forth to GW for review and interviews with GW will be scheduled later in the spring semester.

The Preferred Applicant Track is a program for students who have demonstrated outstanding academic preparation, professional conduct, dedication to the profession, and personal maturity at George Mason, the opportunity for preferred consideration at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine.

Eligibility:

• Open to current sophomores at GMU who will have completed 60 credits by the end of the semester they are applying in.
  • Non-transfer applicants must complete four semesters and a minimum of 60 credits at GMU by end of their sophomore year.
  • Transfer applicants are eligible and must have completed at least two semesters at GMU; must have 60 credits completed overall, including 30 credits at GMU.
  • Coursework from other universities and AP/IB credit are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

George Mason University Coursework & GPA (minimum requirements):

• Must have at least a 3.5 Cumulative GPA and a 3.4 BCPM GPA (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Math courses) at the end of sophomore year.
  • Prerequisite classes must be taken for a grade, not P/F.
  • Completed majority of the following courses at the time of application
    • Two semesters of Math and two semesters of the following with labs: Biology, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, and Physics.

Additional requirements:

• Resume/CV that includes the total number of hours completed for each activity
  • Must have significant clinical experience and non-clinical community service prior to application
  • Research experience is highly recommended but not required
• Three letters of recommendation
  • Two different science department professors and one non-science individual (either academic or professional in nature).
• Transcripts (official transcripts are preferred, but unofficial transcripts may be accepted)
  • High school
  • Previous institutions (includes dual-enrollment)
• Unofficial George Mason University transcript
• VCU Preferred Applicant Track Application

1. The 2025 VCU Preferred Applicant Track Application is now available!
   
   2025 VCU Preferred Applicant Track Application
   
   
   • All application materials (application, three letters of recommendation, unofficial George Mason transcript, high school transcripts, and a resume/CV including the total number of hours completed for each activity) are due virtually to the Health Professions Advising email ([email protected]) on or before Sunday, March 2, 2025 by 11:59pm EST. Late materials will not be accepted.
   • Answers should be typed, your name should be clearly labeled on each document, and all materials should be submitted in PDFs.
   • Unofficial high school transcripts will be accepted (directly from applicant) but official copies are preferred.
   • Letters of recommendation must be emailed by the letter writer to [email protected]. Please ensure your letter writers submit letters on official letterhead and sign their letter with their signature.
     
2. Health Professions Advisory Committee Review: Monday, March 3, 2025 – Friday, March 7, 2025
   
3. Interviews of preferred candidates: March 17, 2025 – March 21, 2025
   
4. All candidates will be notified of a decision by the end of March 2025
   • Successful candidates will be put forth to VCU for review and interviews will be scheduled later in the spring/summer.

No, this is not a guaranteed admissions program. Students in these programs still need to maintain a certain GPA (specified by medical school), complete prerequisite coursework and major/minor requirements to graduate, take the MCAT and receive an acceptable score (as determined by the medical school), complete the AMCAS medical school application and school’s secondary application, and maintain contact with the Health Professions Advising Coordinator and the medical school throughout junior and senior years.

No, you can only apply for one program.

Only applicants who meet the minimum requirements will be considered.

No, both programs have requirements that you must complete a certain number of semesters/credits at Mason before applying. Please read through the program requirements above.

The GMU Health Professions Advisory Committee reviews all applications and interviews a selected number of competitive applicants. Those competitive applications are forwarded to the medical schools for consideration. The medical schools will contact competitive applicants for an interview at the medical school. After the interview, selected candidates are contacted by the medical school to proceed with the early selection program. Non-selected applicants will be informed by the Health Professions Advising Coordinator or the medical school and offered guidance on how to be a more successful traditional applicant to medical school.

The number of applicants varies year to year.

Historically, two students have been selected for each program each year (four total/year). If the GMU Health Professions Advisory Committee feels more than two applicants are competitive for selection, we may be able to put the applications forth to the medical schools for consideration. Ultimately, the medical school makes the final determination.

Yes, students are encouraged to meet with the Health Professions Advising Coordinator to discuss their interest.