The University of Mary Washington (UMW) and The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences have joined forces to streamline the process for UMW students to pursue medical school. A memorandum of understanding signed by both institutions guarantees UMW Honors program students early acceptance to the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences.
"The agreement will let highly qualified students gain acceptance to medical school during the summer following their sophomore year,” said Richard Finkelstein, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. “During their final two years at UMW, students will have the freedom and encouragement to study a wider range of subjects in the liberal arts than they might do otherwise. Because they will not be taking the MCATs, these students will have additional time for pursuing research, study abroad opportunities and rigorous liberal arts course work that matches their interests and ambitions.”
“We are delighted with this partnership,” said Diane P. McQuail, GW’s assistant dean of Admissions for medical degree programs. “UMW’s Honors program provides students the ability to hone their academic, intrapersonal and interpersonal competencies defined by the Association of American Medical Schools as critical for success in the career of medicine.
The agreement was signed on Tuesday, July 28 by President Richard V. Hurley, Provost Jonathan Levin, and Dean Finkelstein, and goes into effect immediately.
Honors students interested in pursuing this opportunity will work closely with their academic advisors to meet the minimum requirements for application, both curricular and extracurricular.
“I’m delighted to have worked on this agreement because it represents what both of our institutions recognize—that a rigorous liberal arts education provides the best preparation for a professional career,” said Finkelstein.
For more information, contact Dean Finkelstein at rfinkels@umw.edu or 540-654-1054, or visit the GWU School of Medicine and Health Sciences Early Selection website.
