MD Application Process

Application Components

• Complete premedical requirements while earning your bachelor’s degree or as post-baccalaureate coursework.
• Take the MCAT. For each year’s entering class, the last test date considered is September 15 of the previous year, and the MCAT must have been taken after January 1, four years prior to starting medical school. For example, if applying to start medical school in the fall of 2024, then the MCAT must have been taken after January 1 of 2020.
• Consider taking the AAMC PREview. The admissions committee recommends (but does not require) applicants to take the PREview professional readiness exam. If received, your score will be considered holistically at all stages of the admissions process. Consistent with holistic review we do not assign a specific weighting to PREview, and there are no threshold scores, in either direction. This assessment helps our committees assess the AAMC’s Pre-med Competencies for Entering Students, including resilience, service orientation, ethical responsibility, empathy and compassion, cultural humility, teamwork, and others.
• Complete your primary application through AMCAS.
  • The American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) is a centralized online application service sponsored by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). Once AMCAS has received your application and transcript(s), it takes approximately four to six weeks before it is sent to our medical school.
  • Select Regular MD, Rural MD (under “Other Special Programs” in AMCAS) or MD-PhD/Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) (listed as “Combined Medical Degree/PhD” in AMCAS).
  • Once your application is verified by AMCAS, you cannot add or delete information from it, nor can the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. If you have questions or concerns about your AMCAS application you must contact AMCAS at amcas@aamc.org or 202-828-0600.

While early applications are encouraged, it is more important to submit the strongest application possible. This might mean waiting for additional grades in your coursework, starting or continuing activities that will prepare you for a career in medicine and fine-tuning your essay to reflect who you are and your motivation for becoming a physician. You may apply while waiting for your MCAT score to be released, but we will wait to review your application until a verified score has been released or if you have indicated a re-take on your application. Our applicant review processes ensure that all applications received by the deadline receive equal consideration to earn an offer of admission.

Application Review

UW School of Medicine and Public Health has a broad, multi-faceted mission advancing health and health equity in clinical care, education, research and public health. Your application will be reviewed with this mission in mind. The admissions committee selects applicants based on their fit with the school’s mission, vision, and values as well as their demonstration of a series of competencies for entering medical students established by the Association of American Medical Colleges.

In order to receive a secondary application, you must meet the minimum MCAT score of 500, have a cumulative GPA of 3.0, and be a US Citizen, permanent resident, or have official refugee, asylee or DACA status.

Your application is considered complete when the application fee and all letters of recommendation have been received. The University of Wisconsin–Madison Office of the Registrar will confirm whether you are a Wisconsin resident or a non-resident. It is your responsibility to monitor your application’s status in the application portal.

Interviews

Notification about interviews will come via email and the admissions portal and we encourage you to check both regularly. If you are invited to interview, detailed instructions and information will be emailed to you.

Interviewees will have the opportunity to learn more about our ForWard Curriculum, meet current students and ask questions of faculty. Interview times and components will vary between programs: Regular MD, Rural MD and MSTP.

Decision Details

There are three possible outcomes post-interview:

• Accepted: If you are offered admission, congratulations! Complete your Acknowledgment of Acceptance form, complete any outstanding premedical requirements and stay tuned to our communications for additional information and an invitation to attend the Admitted Student Event in the spring. Make your intent to attend UW School of Medicine and Public Health known beginning April 30 via the AMCAS Choose your Medical School (CYMS) tool. See our checklist for accepted applicants.
• Alternate List: If you are placed on our alternate list, you will receive a ranked alternate list position in early May.
• Denied: If you are denied an offer of admission, your application will receive no further consideration. You are encouraged to reapply to our program next admissions cycle.

Application Timeline

Year Before Intended Start of Medical School

• Early May: AMCAS application available.
• Late May: Earliest date to submit AMCAS application.
• September 15: Last MCAT test date for application consideration.
• Oct. 15*: Last date to submit AMCAS application.
• Nov. 20: Last date to submit secondary application.

Year You Start Medical School

• Feb. 19*: “Plan to Enroll” option becomes available in AMCAS.
• April 15: Narrow down acceptances to three medical schools.
• April 30*: “Commit to Enroll” option becomes available in AMCAS.
• Mid-August: First day of class.

*If a date falls on a weekend or holiday, the next business day applies. (AMCAS)