Rolling admissions overview
Decisions on applications are made at Executive Committee (EXCOM) meetings, which occur between October and the end of February. At these meetings some applicants are accepted, some are put under "continuing consideration," and some are rejected. Applicants may be "continuing consideration" because the Executive Committee member representing them was not able to make a particular meeting, or because the committee wanted to see additional applications before making a final decision. Those applicants may be discussed at a subsequent meeting or may continue to be considered until the final EXCOM meetings.
Being identified as “continuing consideration” is not the same as being on the alternate list. Acceptances or rejections can occur at any time for the “continuing consideration” group up until the final Executive Committee meeting for the applicant’s state.
Final decision
Notifications of acceptance or rejection are emailed out after each EXCOM meeting. Applicants who are identified as "continuing consideration" will be notified at the time they are put into that status and then again monthly to let them know they are still being considered. We will keep you informed of your status and contact you as soon as there is an action on your application.
By the end of February, the Executive Committee will for two days to make final decisions on those Washington and out-of-region applicants who are still “under consideration”. Final acceptances and rejections are made, and the Washington/out-of-region alternate list is constructed at this time.
Spokane, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana and Idaho final decisions are made within a week after interviews are completed for that cohort or state.
All final decisions are sent by email, so be sure to manage your email account carefully. Applicants wishing to appeal their decision may email the Office of Admissions to request a review.
The UW School of Medicine does not have an early decision program. Applicants are accepted on a rolling basis starting in late October. Every attempt will be made to notify applicants of final determinations by the end of February or early March. As students withdraw, additional students are accepted from the alternate lists established for each state. Applicants are informed of their acceptance by email and respond to the offer within the UWSOM applicant portal.
Choose Your Medical School Tool
The AAMC American Medical College Application Service created the Choose Your Medical School Tool to help applicants communicate their decisions about which schools they plan to attend and help medical schools around the country with the formation of their medical student class.
Applicants are still expected to communicate directly with the Admissions Office regarding any changes to their decision. If you decide to "Commit to Enroll " at the UWSOM or at another medical school, please email the Admissions Office and/or update your status on the application portal. Below is a timeline for UWSOM applicants:
Choose Your Medical School Timeline for UWSOM Applicants Accepted into the Entering Class of 2022:
- February 21, 2022: You can now select "Plan to Enroll " in the AMCAS Application.
- April 15, 2022: If you are accepted at more than one medical school, you must narrow your selections down to three programs.
- May 2, 2022: If you are holding more than one acceptance, you must narrow your selection down to one program. If you have made a final decision, you can now select "Commit to Enroll " in the AMCAS Application and withdraw your application from all other programs. UWSOM applicants MUST select either "Commit to Enroll", "Plan to Enroll ", or withdraw their application at the University of Washington. If you remain an alternate at another medical school, you must indicate "Plan to Enroll."
- May 2, 2022: Applicants accepted to our MSTP program MUST select "Commit to Enroll" at the University of Washington in the AMCAS Application and withdraw your application from all other programs.
- June 14, 2022: Applicants accepted to our program MUST select "Commit to Enroll " at the University of Washington in the AMCAS Application and withdraw your application from all other programs. If you do not report your decision by this date, it will be interpreted as a withdrawal of your application.
To ensure that all medical schools will have a complete student class, the UWSOM will not accept/enroll any applicant who chooses to "Commit to Enroll " at another institution. Alternates that have "Commit to Enroll " at another institution will not be accepted. Offers of admission will still be made to applicants that "Plan to Enroll " at another program.
If you have any questions about the policy, please contact the Admissions Office.
AAMC RESOURCES
Re-applying to the program
Admissions sessions for re-applicants are held in Spring/Summer. The sessions are open to re-applicants and prospective applicants.
We recommend viewing the past recorded Admissions videos, as they offer advice, suggestions, and recommendations for re-applicants and prospective students alike. If you were not invited an interview, please review this document.
Please note that applicants can apply no more than three times.
Deferrals
Deferral Policy: Matriculation deferrals are considered for unexpected and extraordinary circumstances. Matriculation will be deferred for one year, and deferred applicants are obligated to enter the UWSOM the following year. Contact the UWSOM Office of Admissions to request a deferral. Deadline to request a deferral is June 1 of the matriculation year. An exception to this deadline may be made for medically related deferral requests.
Appeals
Decisions on medical school applications are made by the UW School of Medicine Executive Committee (EXCOM). Applicants will be notified of final decisions and may appeal the denial of their application if they believe that:
- Their application was not adequately considered OR
- An error was made during the review.
Appeals are considered on a case-by-case basis and are rarely granted. If the appeal is granted, the applicant will be allowed to move forward to the next stage in the admissions process unless the appeal is after an interview. An appeal granted after an interview likely will not result in admission into that year's class due to class size limitations and timing requirements.
Decisions will be based on the appeal letter and previously submitted application materials only. Questions related to appealing a decision from the Medical Scientist Training Program (MD/PhD) should be directed to mstp@uw.edu.
Appeal of decision after review of the primary application
MD applicants who are notified of a denial decision after submission of their primary application through AMCAS may appeal that decision.
- The deadline to appeal at this stage is November 16th.
Appeal of decision after review of the Secondary Application
MD applicants who are notified of a denial decision after submission of their Secondary Application may appeal that decision.
- The deadline to appeal at this stage is within one (1) week of the applicant being notified of the denial decision.
Appeal of decision after interview
MD applicants who are notified of a denial decision after interviews may appeal that decision, although outcomes may be limited.
- The deadline to appeal at this stage is no later than one (1) week of the applicant being notified of the denial decision.
- Applicants are also encouraged to notify the Office of Admissions immediately after the interview if they have concerns regarding how the interview was conducted.
To learn more about the appeals process, applicants should reply directly to the decision email they received from the UWSOM Admissions Office or call 206.543.7212.