Message from the Dean

FAQ

Do you accept transfer students?

The USU School of Medicine does not accept transfer students. All students must take the full four year curriculum.

Is there a fee for secondary applications?

There are no fees for secondary applications.

What are the academic requirements for admission into the USU School of Medicine?

The USU School of Medicine accepts students with a variety of interests and talents. Our student body represents a diverse educational background. However, in order to be accepted in the SoM program, students must achieve the following:

  1. Attain a baccalaureate degree as of June 15 of the year of planned matriculation from an accredited academic institution in the United States, Canada or Puerto Rico.
  2. Completed at least on academic year of general or inorganic chemistry including laboratory; one academic year of general or inorganic chemistry including laboratory; one academic year of organic chemistry including laboratory; one semester of calculus (precalculus or computer science courses are not accepted); one academic year of general physics including laboratory (courses in anatomy are not acceptable); one academic year of biology including laboratory (botany courses are not acceptable); one academic year of college English (introductory courses in composition or literature are acceptable).

An academic year of coursework consists of studies extending over a two-semester or three-quarter period and carries total credits of between eight and 12 quarter hours.

What are the average MCATs and GPAs you accept?

The average MCAT for students accepted into the SoM is 30. The average GPA is 3.5.

Will I be interviewed as part of the admission process?

All students will be interviewed before they are accepted into the USU School of Medicine. Candidates selected for an interview are notified via e-mail and appointments are scheduled through the SoM Admission's Office. Two SoM representatives interview applicants, evaluating motivation and potential as a future military physician.

Do you accept students without any prior service experience?

Approximately 50 percent of all accepted students have no prior military service. However, after being accepted into the medical program, all students must commission into the Army, Navy, Air Force or Public Health Service prior to matriculation. Before the first year begins, all future students are sent to their respective officer training facilities where they are taught how to become military leaders.

I'm already in the military, what about me?

Military applicants compete with civilian applicants on the same level. However, there are two considerations which set them apart. First, if you are on active duty in one of the military academies or the ROTC, you must obtain a Letter of Approval (LOA) to apply from your branch of service. The LOA must clearly state the approval is granted. The letter should not say."recommends approval." It should say ."has approval.."

Secondly, active duty and other military obligates are restricted when selecting a branch of service. Active duty applicants must comply with their LOA instructions.

Having prior or current military experience may indicate to the selecting committee that an applicant has made a commitment to a military career. However, it does not compensate for poor scholarship or inadequate academic performance.

What fees do students incur while attending the University?

All USU School of Medicine students enjoy a tuition-free education. Furthermore, they draw the full salary and benefits of a junior ranking officer while attending the four-year program.

What is the service commitment?

Students commit to serving at least seven years in the uniformed services after graduation.

What is the academic program like at the USU School of Medicine?

The academic program blends a traditional health sciences curriculum with specialized education. The program includes courses in basic medical science and military-unique training. Students attend school year round and receive an additional 500 hours of preparation compared to their civilian counterparts. Topics such as trauma and emergency medicine, infectious disease and parasitology, the humanities and behavioral science, and the principles of leadership and teamwork is the focus of the enhanced curriculum.

Where do students complete their clinical training?

Students complete their clinical training at Military Treatment Facilities across the United States.

How do USU School of Medicine students fare in the Match?

The USU School of Medicine students learn what specialties they will pursue and the location at which they will practice medicine during their final year of school. The matches are based on service needs and student preference. Typically, more than 90 percent of USU students receive their first choice in specialty and location.

Where do students live while attending the Uniformed Services University?

The Uniformed Services University is located on the grounds of the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. There is no base housing provided to students. However, they are given the monthly basic allowance for housing (BAH) to find accommodations in the area. There are several local options, many providing mass transit access.

What career opportunities are available for USU students after graduation?

The majority of the USU School of Medicine graduates build an impressive career devoted to military medicine. They serve in vital capacities of biomedicine and many hold key leadership positions critical to the successful operation of the military and public health systems. The roles of USU School of Medicine graduates are diverse and far reaching, including heading terrorism and emergency response teams, serving in the White House Presidential medical detail, commanding major Military Treatment Facilities, and conducting vital research across all disciplines of medicine.

Do students wear uniforms to class?

Students are required to wear the appropriate uniform of the day handed down by the University brigade.

What is the campus like at the Uniformed Services University?

The University is located in a park-like setting on the grounds of the National Naval Medical Center. This central location, just a few miles outside of Washington, D.C., gives students unparalleled opportunities to enjoy many exciting cultural opportunities. Award-winning restaurants, museums and monuments surround the campus and provide a welcome break from the rigors of medical school.

Students also enjoy a full-complement of extracurricular activities including a variety of athletic programs and students clubs.