Washington University students who are intimidated by the thought of getting into the WU School of Medicine are often closer to being accepted than they think.
Students tend to believe that a successful WUSM candidate must have three majors, numerous journal publications, and MCAT scores in the upper 30s. But according to Dr. William Dodson, the assistant vice chancellor for WUSM admissions, other factors are also considered.
“Obviously, students need to excel academically, but most importantly, students need to display a caring and compassionate disposition and a strong value system,” said Dodson.
While the majority of applicants must showcase their virtues through essays, letters of recommendation, and interviews, WU undergraduates have the opportunity to supplement their qualifications with involvement in the WU and WUSM communities. This proves to be crucial in the application process.
“All else being equal, WU students have an advantage over other applicants,” said Dodson. “We usually know them, and we know their reputation.”
This is partly due to resources that the medical school offers to undergraduate students. Motivated students are provided with valuable skills and insights, as well as connections within the WU community. These resources include programs such as the nascent mini-medical school and the biology class Experiences in the Life Sciences.
Proof of the WU bias is evident in the statistics. Less than 3 percent of all non-WU applicants matriculated at WUSM last fall. In contrast, nearly 10 percent of WU applicants enrolled, while over 20 percent of them were accepted. This statistic may not seem favorable, but it is encouraging in light of the over 3,600 applications received last year for a class of 120.
Despite the statistics, there is still hesitation among undergraduates. Steve Bujarski, a junior on the brink of the application process, has ruled out WUSM.
“I doubt I would be accepted,” said Bujarski. “I would also feel somewhat intimidated. I would rather be comfortable and at a place that is a little less competitive.”
This sentiment is common on the Hilltop Campus. Due to the competitive nature of pre-med culture, students assume that WUSM will be a continuation of the academic stress experienced at WU.
“I have been constantly battling uphill for good grades,” said Bujarski. “I do not want to have that feeling for another four years, and I’m sure at a med school like WUSM, it would be more of the same.”
Though a pre-medical program can be taxing, there are ways to avoid falling prey to stress. Yosuke Miyashita, a fourth-year medical student at WUSM, made the transition from WU to WUSM and believes that undergraduates have some misconceptions.
“The curriculum at WUSM is not any more difficult than other medical schools,” says Miyashita. “The first year is very relaxed and entirely pass/fail. This helps build a relatively non-competitive, group-oriented environment.”
WU undergraduates may cross WUSM off their list for other reasons as well. Many simply opt for a change of scenery or relocate for economic reasons, such as the advantage of lower in-state tuitions. Also, state medical schools accept local residents in greater numbers than out-of-state applicants.
“Back home, school is cheap, and I have a much better chance of getting in,” said Bujarski.
Some private institutions, such as Duke University School of Medicine, have similar policies, which require admitting a certain percentage of in-state applicants.
However, Duke’s medical school also accepts a higher percentage of Duke undergraduates than non-Duke applicants, a trend that mirrors the situation at WU.