Pre-Med Sophomore Entry Programs
These pathway programs are an opportunity for George Mason University students with a strong academic record and a proven commitment to medicine to gain either provisional acceptance (GW) or preferred consideration (VCU) into medical school upon meeting specific requirements.
George Mason University has agreements with two medical schools: George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences and Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine.
Applications for the next cycle will become available on this page in December 2024/January 2025. We highly encourage prospective applicants to attend an information session to learn more about the process.
Information Sessions
If you would like to receive copies of the presentations from the Fall 2024 information sessions, please email prehlth@gmu.edu.
George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences
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:
- GW’s 2024 Early Selection Application is available here: 2024 GW Early Selection Application for Contractual Schools
Important: Please leave Question 2 (GWID) blank and ensure responses to Questions 18-21 are succinct (max: 3 lines).
- Application Deadline: Friday, February 9, 2024
- All application materials (application, two letters of recommendation, unofficial Mason transcript, high school transcripts, SAT/ACT reports, and a resume/CV) are due virtually to the Health Professions Advising email (prehlth@gmu.edu) on or before Friday, February 9, 2024 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 a PDF document.
- If you would prefer to submit separate documents for the essay/short answer questions, 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.
- Answers should be typed, your name should be clearly labeled on each document, and all materials should be submitted in a PDF document.
- Letters of recommendation must be emailed by the letter writer to prehlth@gmu.edu. 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 the candidates chosen and interviewed by the Health Professions Advisory Committee.
- All application materials (application, two letters of recommendation, unofficial Mason transcript, high school transcripts, SAT/ACT reports, and a resume/CV) are due virtually to the Health Professions Advising email (prehlth@gmu.edu) on or before Friday, February 9, 2024 by 11:59pm EST. Late materials will not be accepted.
- Health Professions Advisory Committee Review: Monday, February 12, 2024 – Friday, March 15, 2024
- Interviews of preferred candidates: Beginning of March 2024
- All applicants will be notified of a decision by Monday, March 18, 2024
- Successful candidates will be put forth to GW for review and interviews at GW will be scheduled later in the spring semester.
Program Guidelines: GW 2024 Contractual Agreement
Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine
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
Timeline:
- VCU’s Preferred Applicant Track Application is available here: 23_24 VCU Early Selection_Preferred Applicant Application
- Application Deadline: Friday, February 9, 2024
- All application materials (application, three letters of recommendation, unofficial transcript(s), and a resume/CV) are due virtually to the Health Professions Advising email (prehlth@gmu.edu) on or before Friday, February 9, 2024 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 a PDF document.
- If you would prefer to submit separate documents for the essay/short answer questions, you may do so, but please clearly label the additional document with the corresponding application question number.
- Answers should be typed, your name should be clearly labeled on each document, and all materials should be submitted in a PDF document.
- Letters of recommendation must be emailed by the letter writer to prehlth@gmu.edu. Please ensure your letter writers submit letters on official letterhead and sign their letter with their signature.
- All application materials (application, three letters of recommendation, unofficial transcript(s), and a resume/CV) are due virtually to the Health Professions Advising email (prehlth@gmu.edu) on or before Friday, February 9, 2024 by 11:59pm EST. Late materials will not be accepted.
- Health Professions Advisory Committee Review: Monday, February 12, 2024 – Friday, March 15, 2024
- Interviews of preferred candidates: Beginning of March 2024
- All applicants will be notified of a decision by Monday, March 18, 2024
- Successful candidates will be put forth to VCU for review. Interviews with VCU will be scheduled later in the spring semester and also in the summer for the Multiple Mini Interview (MMI).
Note: Only those applicants who meet the minimum requirements will be reviewed. Please do not submit your materials if you don’t meet the minimum requirements.
FAQ
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.
