Washington University School of Medicine in St.Louis (WUSM)

About Washington University School of Medicine (WUSM)

Washington University School of Medicine (WUSM) was established in 1891. It is located in St. Louis, Missouri.

Clinical Service

The clinical service is provided by Washington University Physicians, a comprehensive medical and surgical practice providing treatment in more than 75 medical specialties. Washington University Physicians are the medical staffs of the two teaching hospitals – Barnes-Jewish Hospital and St. Louis Children’s Hospital. They also provide inpatient and outpatient care at the St. Louis Veteran’s Administration Hospital, hospitals in the BJC HealthCare system and 35 other office locations throughout the greater St Louis region.

Ranking

Washington University School of Medicine (WUSM) is currently ranked 6th for research by the U.S. News and World Report. Moreover, it has been ranked first in the whole U.S.A in student selectivity.

Programs Offered by Washington University School of Medicine

Medical Studies

•    Doctor of Medicine (MD)

•    Medical Scientist Training Program (MD/ Ph.D.)

•    Doctor of Medicine and Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Engineering (MD/ Ph.D.)

•    Doctor of Medicine and Master of Arts (MD/MA)

•    Doctor of Medicine and Master of Science in Clinical Investigation (MD/MSCI)

•    Doctor of Medicine and Master of Population Health Sciences (MD/MPHS)

•    Doctor of Medicine and Master of Public Health (MD/MPH)

Audiology & Communication Sciences

•    Audiology (AUD)

•    Speech and Hearing Sciences (Ph.D.)

•    Deaf Education (MS)

Clinical Research, Public Health & Consulting

•    Applied Health Behavior Research (MS)

•    Biostatistics (MS)

•    Clinical Investigation (MSCI)

•    Consulting — Business of Health Care (MBA Concentration)

•    Genetic Epidemiology (MS)

•    Population Health (MPHS)

•    Public Health (MPH)

Biology & Biomedical Sciences

•    Computational and Systems Biology (Ph.D.)

•    Developmental, Regenerative and Stem Cell Biology (Ph.D.)

•    Evolution, Ecology, and Population Biology (Ph.D.)

•    Human and Statistical Genetics (Ph.D.)

•    Biochemistry, Biophysics & Structural Biology (Ph.D.)

•    Immunology (Ph.D.)

•    Molecular Cell Biology (Ph.D.)

•    Molecular Genetics and Genomics (Ph.D.)

•    Molecular Microbiology and Microbial Pathogenesis (Ph.D.)

•    Neurosciences (Ph.D.)

•    Plant and Microbial Biosciences (Ph.D.)

Occupational Therapy

•    Rehabilitation and Participation Science (Ph.D.)

•    Occupational Therapy (MS)

Occupational Therapy (OTD)

•    Physical Therapy

•    Movement Science (Ph.D.)

•    Physical Therapy (DPT)

Admission Process

Requirements

Washington University School of Medicine is extremely competitive, and therefore, the admission standards are high. The applicants who possess high character, aptitude, and determination along with strong personal attributes like good communication skills, extramural accomplishments have a very high chance of getting selected.

Academic Requirements

The Entry Test – MCAT

Tall the candidates have to take the Medical College Admissions Test as it is a must requirement. Washington University School of Medicine (WUSM) accepts MCAT scores of a test taken in the past three years at the time of application. Moreover, every applicant has to provide their MCAT scores in the primary application. Also, it is recommended that a student takes MCAT in the spring of Junior year or almost 18 months before the year they wish to enroll in medical school.

Undergraduate Study

All the applicants must have studied a minimum of 90 semester hours in an approved college or university before they get enrolled in Washington University School of Medicine (WUSM).

Required Coursework

The coursework that should be completed by an applicant at the time of matriculation is given below.

•    Biology

•    General or inorganic chemistry

•    Organic chemistry (one semester can be substituted by one semester of biochemistry)

•    Physics

•    Calculus through integral and differential equations (substitution = one semester of calculus)

In all of the above-given subjects, a minimum of one year (or equivalent advanced placement) is necessary. Furthermore, note that a course in biochemistry is not required, but is preferred.

Undergraduate Major

There is no requirement of a particular major in the undergraduate study of an applicant. Therefore, students who have majored in humanities, social sciences or the arts are welcomed alike as the ones who have majored in science, engineering or math.

International Students

Washington University School of Medicine welcomes International students without any discrimination. However, non-US citizens or those who are not permanent residents of USA must read the School’s policy related to the financial documentation that is required by Washington University School of Medicine (WUSM) for the issuance of a Visa by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs, Visa Services.  The policy applies to all applicants who are not permanent residents or citizens of the US, and DACA students.  However, all the students who are accepted in Washington University School of Medicine (WUSM) (including International and DACA students) are considered for merit scholarships.

Timeline

To check all the important dates regarding the admission process,visit their official website.

Application

It is advised that Interested candidates apply as early as possible as the early application is a significant advantage.

Application (Primary)

A candidate can apply to Washington University School of Medicine (WUSM) by filling out the online application on AMCAS. All the instructions, related to the application filling and submission, are provided on the portal of AMCAS.

Supplemental Application

The supplemental applications are submitted online. The deadline for the supplemental applications is also given on the AMCAS website. However, additional application is based on invitation only.

Letters of Recommendation

The primary application also requires the letters of recommendation. These letters should be submitted to the Admissions Committee before the deadline.

Application completion

An applicant can check whether their application is complete or not. Visit here periodically to determine when your application is complete.

Selection Process

The Admissions Committee carefully reviews all the applications. Their selection process has many stages. The factors considered by the Committee on Admissions include the following:

1.    Rigor of curriculum

2.    Academic performance (GPA and/or MCAT marks)

3.    Extracurricular activities (Work, Community Involvement, Research, Leadership skills, Interests, Sports and hobbies)

4.    Other achievements

5.    Essay/ personal statement on AMCAS application

6.    Unique life experiences (challenges and hardships overcome)

7.    Recommendations

Interviews

After the thorough analysis of applications, the top-ranked candidates are invited to visit the Washington University School of Medicine (WUSM). The visit allows them to meet current medical students at the School and to interview with the members of the Committee on Admissions.

The Admission Committee considers the following factors in the Interview.

•    Communication skills

•    The motivation for the study of medical science

•    Maturity

•    Empathy

•    Professional bearing and communication

•    Hobbies and interests

•    Accomplishments (professional, research, volunteerism, management)

•    Insight into the field of medicine

•    Inventiveness and efficiency

Checking the Application Status

A candidate can view the status of their application by visiting the portal.

Transfer Students

Each year, Washington University School of Medicine (WUSM) accepts some transfer students into its third-year class. The transfer seats are limited and are completely dependent on the availability of seats. A candidate who wishes to transfer into the third year must apply through application forms.

Transfer Requirements

Transfer applicants should be well-qualified second-year students, and they need to be enrolled in an LCME-accredited U.S. medical school with good standing. The candidates must also have a sound personal explanation for requesting a transfer. Also, the approval of the dean of their current school is also essential. Accepted transfer students are also required to take the USMLE Step 1 examination with good scores. More information can be taken by contacting:

Third-Year Class Transfer Program

Washington University School of Medicine

Campus Box 8077

660 S. Euclid Ave.

St. Louis, MO 63110-1093

Phone: (314) 362-6844

Fax: (314) 362-4658

Tuition Cost

The cost of education at Washington University School of Medicine (WUSM) includes the tuition fee as well as the living expenses. At Washington University, there is a single tuition fee with no additional charges. Therefore, healthcare, hospitalization or disability insurance is not charged.

Moreover, there are no equipment or laboratory charges. Furthermore, the tuition fee is fixed through all four-year program of study. This allows students and their guardians plan better for the educational expenses.

Financial Aid

Washington University School of Medicine (WUSM) is committed to assisting students with their medical study. Therefore, the school has a financial aid department that arranges scholarships as well as loans for students. The financial aid department at Washington University School of Medicine (WUSM) is also responsible for familiarizing students the efficient ways to manage their expenses. 

Scholarships

Merit-Based Scholarships

Washington University School of Medicine (WUSM) awards scholarships based on the merit. The grant funds of this scholarship program vary. The selection process is based on the personal and academic accomplishments of a candidate. Moreover, the program also considers a student’s apparent potential to contribute to the field in the future. Students do not have to apply for the scholarship as all the accepted students are considered for merit-based scholarships without additional applications.

Moreover, The Mr. and Mrs. Spencer T. Olin Fellowships for Women targets the female students at Washington University School of Medicine (WUSM) and provides them with full-tuition scholarships for graduate and professional school study.

Need-Based Financial Aid

The Washington University School of Medicine provides need-based financial assistance in the form of scholarships as well as loans. The need-based assistance is only for those qualifying medical students who are citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. Moreover, those students who receive merit-based awards may also apply for the need-based financial aid.

The amount of financial aid depends upon the amount that the student or heir family can contribute to the student’s education. The income and assets of the student and their family are verified. You can visit the Office of Student Financial Planning for more information.

The information for the application of financial aid can be found on the Washington University School of Medicine’ Office of Student Financial Planning website. For International students, Washington University School of Medicine (WUSM) does not provide financial assistance.

Academic Departments & Programs

The education system at Washington University School of Medicine (WUSM) is highly organized. The departments are created for the smooth functioning of classes. The departments at the School of Medicine are:

•    Anesthesiology

•    Biochemistry & Molecular Biophysics

•    Cell Biology & Physiology

•    Developmental Biology

•    Emergency Medicine Division

•    Genetics

•    Medicine (previously Internal Medicine)

•    Molecular Microbiology

•    Neurology

•    Neuroscience

•    Neurosurgery

•    Obstetrics & Gynecology

•    Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences

•    Orthopedic Surgery

•    Otolaryngology

•    Pathology & Immunology

•    Pediatrics

•    Psychiatry

•    Radiation Oncology

•    Radiology

•    Surgery

Faculty

The faculty at Washington University School of Medicine (WUSM) is extremely talented, and all the members are leaders in their field. There are 18 Nobel laureates associated with the school of medicine. Moreover, almost 67% of faculty members also treat patients. There are 11 faculty members who are fellows of the prestigious National Academy of Sciences and 24 faculty members belong to its Institute of Medicine. Moreover, 25 faculty members of the Washington University School of Medicine are elected to the National Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Medicine. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has awarded 93 teachers for the individual career development awards. Plus 53 members of Washington University School of Medicine (WUSM) faculty are career development award holders from non-federal agencies and 12 have accomplished coveted NIH MERIT funding status.

Learning Opportunities at Washington University School of Medicine (WUSM)

Research Opportunities for Students

The Washington University provides abundant opportunities for research. Therefore, almost 95 percent of the students take on research projects. In the Washington University, the research enterprise is one of the most extensive in the world. There are faculties Investigators that are always ready to help students in research. There are many areas of investigation such as:

•    Cardiovascular diseases

•    Developmental biology

•    Diabetes

•    Genetics and genome science

•    Imaging

•    Immunology

•    Infectious disease

•    Neuroscience

Students are given the flexibility to do as little or as much research as they like. Therefore, there are summer research programs as well as year -long research opportunities.

Summer Research Opportunities

The Summer Research Program (SRP) at the School of Medicine provides the second-year medical students with high-quality training in basic and clinical research.

The program is funded, and the students are given some stipends for covering living expenses.

For details, please see the Student Research Opportunities brochure (PDF).

•    The summer research opportunities include amongst other:

•    Clinical Research Training Center Pre-Doctoral Program

•    Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology

•    NIH-Supported Short-Term Training for Medical Students

•    Siteman Cancer Center

Year – Long Research Opportunities at Washington University School of Medicine (WUSM)

The School of Medicine also offers research opportunities that last a year (12-18 months).  The most notable ones are:

•    Biostatistics Master of Science

•    Clinical Research Training Center Pre-Doctoral Program

•    Doris Duke Clinical Research Fellowship Program

•    Fogarty International Fellowships

•    Howard Hughes MA/MD

•    J. Max Rukes Fellowships in Endocrine or Metabolism

•    Master of Science in Applied Health Behavior Research

•    Master of Population Health Sciences

•    Master of Science in Clinical Investigation

•    NIH Clinical Research Training Program (at NIH)

•    Other custom-tailored MA/MD programs

For more details about the year-long research programs, visit the Office of Medical Student Research.

Organizations and Clubs

At Washington University School of Medicine (WUSM), besides the formal curriculum, a great way to learn is through participation in student-initiated, student-run organizations. There are more than 50 clubs all of which are formed by students. All these groups focus on real-world issues on national and global platforms. These organizations pursue interests outside of the field of medicine.

Research and Education Centers

The school has formed many research and educational centers so that students have a smooth learning experience. Students can broaden their horizons and pursue the specific field of Interest.

•    Aging Center

•    Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Knight (ADRC)

•    Cancer Center Alvin J. Siteman

•    Clinical Imaging Research Center

•    Clinical Studies Center

•    Diabetes Research Center (DRC)

•    Genome Institute

•    Health Economics and Policy Center

•    Hope Center for Neurological Disorders

•    Human Nutrition Center

•    Informatics Institute

•    Molecular Imaging Center (Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology)

•    Neurofibromatosis (NF) Center

•    Pain Center

•    Tuberous Sclerosis Center

Affiliated Hospitals / Clinics

Washington University Medical Center provides an exceptional learning environment. To provide students with the best of clinical practice, it has one of USA’s top-tier academic medical centers. Moreover, the WUSM’s hospital affiliates provide 1,547 beds. The affiliated hospitals are:

Barnes-Jewish Hospital

The Barnes-Jewish Hospital is the largest hospital in Missouri. The hospital is staffed by Washington University faculty physicians. Moreover, due to its outstanding services, it has been awarded the magnet status of ‘nursing’s highest honor for clinical excellence.’

St. Louis Children’s Hospital

St. Louis Children’s Hospital is the largest children’s hospital in the area and amongst the best in the nation. This hospital too is staffed by Washington University faculty physicians. The hospital has been offering extensive services in almost all of the pediatric medical and surgical specialties. In this regard, it has also been recognized as one of USA’s top children’s hospitals (U.S. News & World Report).

The Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center

The Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine is an international pioneer in cancer treatment. Moreover, it also leads to cancer research, prevention, education, and community outreach. Siteman is regarded as the top cancer treatment facility in Missouri and among the best facilities in the nation.  The center treats nearly 9000 newly diagnosed cancer patients annually.

The Center for Advanced Medicine

The Center for Advanced Medicine (CAM) is a one-of-its-kind facility. It works to provide patients “one-stop-shopping” with wide-ranging outpatient care and ancillary facilities all in one center. There are various clinical components within CAM for the smooth experience of patients. Namely, they are:

•    Joanne Knight Breast Health Center

•    Cervical Spine Institute & Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Center

•    Diabetes Center

•    Ear, Nose and Throat Center

•    Eye Center

•    Gastrointestinal Center

•    Heart and Vascular Center

•    Maritz Lung Center

•    Medicine Multispecialty Center

•    Neuroscience Center

•    Neurosurgical Cervical Spine Institute

•    Orthopedic Surgery Center

•    Pain Management Center

•    Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Center

•    Radiation Oncology

•    Radiology

•    Siteman Cancer Center

•    Spine Center

•    Surgery Center

•    Urologic Surgery Center

•    Women’s Health Center

Facilities for Students

Advising

Washington University School of Medicine (WUSM) assists students with personal and academic guidance through its advising programs. The two notable ones are the Preclinical Counseling and Career Counseling Program. Besides these programs, the accessible and student-friendly faculty members are always glad to assist students with any inquiry.

Counseling for Diversity Students

In the School of Medicine, the Office of Diversity Programs works to create an environment that promotes the personal achievement and development of students, who belong from diverse backgrounds. All around the year, the school community actively participates to organize academic, cultural and social activities that help with the multicultural familiarity and sensitivity. Thus the environment of school supports cultural competence and celebrates diversity.

Becker Library

Bernard Becker Medical Library is regarded as one of the oldest yet most wide-ranging medical libraries in the nation. The library functions as an information-services center for the medical students of Washington University. It provides the Washington University School of Medicine (WUSM) scholars with a broad range of electronic course materials as well as supplementary educational resources. Moreover, the library is also a hub for the information technology services.

The library provides comprehensive resources to the students. There are 300,000 volumes, 26 biomedical resource databases, 82,170 print books, and 20,912 e-books. Moreover, the total number of full-text e-journals is 6,303 while 5,899 print journals and 2,320 audiovisual items are also present.

Dr. Najeeb lectures

Besides the library, another important supplementary learning resource at Washington University School of Medicine (WUSM) is the video lectures. The reason is simple, the medical curriculum isn’t easy. It requires a lot of effort and determination and so, many times a medical student feels that they need more help in studying.

Dr. Najeeb’s Lectures are a secondary resource to help students with their medical study. The video lectures cover all the topics of medical and clinical sciences. Almost all the topics that are a part of the curriculum of the U.S.A’s medical schools are included in Dr. Najeeb lectures. Therefore, these lectures are amongst the most popular medical lectures in the USA. Also, currently, students from medical schools from 190 countries subscribe to the lectures. Dr. Najeeb Lectures help students to a great extent as they are time-efficient i.e. a student can watch them without the bound of time. Plus, students can watch as many times as they like as the subscription is for a lifetime. Moreover, all the new videos that will be added in Dr. Najeeb lectures’ video library in the future will be accessible for the existing subscribers. Currently, the video library has more than 800 lectures on topics such as Gross Anatomy, Neuroanatomy, Embryology, Histology, Pharmacology, Microbiology, Immunology, Physiology, Biochemistry, Genetics and, Pathology.

Furthermore, Dr. Najeeb is an extremely qualified doctor and so teaches all the lectures himself. He teaches in very plain English language and the content of the lectures is very easy to follow. He explains all the concepts (even the toughest ones) in layman terms. He always uses teaching aids especially illustrations so that a student understands it easily. The video lectures are very affordable for students because the subscription price is minimal. Moreover, you can try some free lectures before you become a subscriber.

Housing / Accommodation for Washington University School of Medicine (WUSM) Students

St. Louis is not a very expensive city to live in.  Washington University School of Medicine (WUSM) students who are not locals of St. Louis can either live on campus or they can find apartments, houses, condos, lofts and short-term in the immediate area. The School’s on-campus dormitory is called the Olin Residence Hall. Olin Residence Hall can house approximately 168 single men and women. Olin Hall accommodates medical students and paramedical sciences students. The facilities of Olin Hall include shared cooking facilities, a gym, a laundry room and a penthouse with a leisure area and television with a satellite system.  Moreover, if students want to find off-campus accommodation, then they can check out this Dis-Orientation Guide to find housing in St. Louis.

Life in St. Louis

St. Louis is a peaceful city with affordable neighborhoods. It has many world-class arts and other attractions.  Locals take pleasure in the outstanding culinary scene of the town. The nightlife, sports teams, miles of green space, and a gleaming national park in the heart of downtown are the main attractions of the city. There are world-class museums, gardens and arts centers in the city that showcase award-winning performances and exhibitions.  Moreover, there are endless career and cultural opportunities in St. Louis. In short, St. Louis provides a big city convenience with a low cost of living.

For more inquiries, please write to mdadmissions@wustl.edu.