GWU School of Medicine (MD) Medical School - 2027 Entry Requirements & Interview Format
George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences (SMHS), founded in 1824, is a private medical school located in the Foggy Bottom neighbourhood of Washington, DC. As one of the oldest medical schools in the United States, GWU SMHS benefits from its proximity to Congress, federal agencies, international organisations, and a rich global health and health policy ecosystem. The school is particularly known for global health programmes and has strong ties to the DC public health infrastructure.
Entry Requirements
What you need to apply to GWU School of Medicine (MD).
Admission overview
Bachelor's degree and MCAT required. No specific major required. Clinical experience, community service, and global or public health interest valued. Applications via AMCAS; secondary required.
MCAT median
516 (range 511–521)
GPA median
3.88 overall / 3.70 science (BCPM)
Acceptance rate
0.8%
Class size
210
In-state preference
None
CASPer
Not required
Holistic review emphasis
Global health orientation, health policy engagement, diversity, research, and mission-driven practice.
Notes
Estimates from public AAMC FACTS / AACOMAS / ADEA AADSAS / class-profile; verify current cycle.
Specialities offered
Global Health, Health Policy, Internal Medicine, Emergency Medicine, Health Systems Research
Interview Format
How GWU School of Medicine (MD) interviews applicants.
Format
Traditional interview (faculty, student, and/or staff interviewers)
Interview window
October–March
Decision date
Rolling (AAMC standard latest March 30)
What to expect at a GWU School of Medicine (MD) interview
GWU SMHS uses a traditional interview format consisting of one or two conversational sessions with faculty, current medical students, and/or admissions staff, typically 30–45 minutes each. Interviews are non-blind — interviewers have reviewed the full application. The format is conversational and probes motivation, global health interest, ethical reasoning, and ability to discuss complex healthcare policy topics, reflecting GWU's Washington, DC location. The interview day includes a campus tour in Foggy Bottom and an informational session.
What makes GWU School of Medicine (MD) different
GWU's Washington, DC location is a genuine educational asset: students have access to Capitol Hill policy hearings, federal health agency partnerships (NIH, CDC, FDA, HHS), and major international health organisations. The school's MD/MPH programme is one of the most prestigious in the country and can be completed concurrently. The Himmelfarb Health Sciences Library is among the largest in the US and provides substantial research support.
Tutor insight
GWU is an excellent fit for applicants with genuine global health or health policy interests — the DC location uniquely enables real-world engagement with these fields during medical training. If this is your motivation, make sure you articulate specific programmes, organisations, or policy areas you want to engage with, not just a general interest in global health. The relatively high tuition and competitive applicant pool mean that cost-of-attendance and financial aid strategy should be part of your decision-making. Strong MCAT and GPA are important, but the school also admits applicants with compelling non-traditional or policy-oriented backgrounds.
PrometheusQuestion Bank
595 medicine questions inside
Interview questions matched to GWU School of Medicine (MD)
Two questions our tutors flagged as a strong fit for GWU School of Medicine (MD)’s interview style. Try answering them out loud, then open Prometheus for the model answers and follow-up tips.
Hard·PanelQ1
US Healthcare Ethics: Conscientious Objection in Clinical Practice
A fourth-year medical student on an OB/GYN rotation tells you she has a sincere religious objection to participating in any procedure related to abortion, including first-trimester medical management. Her programme director says all students must complete these rotations as core competencies. The student argues her conscience rights should be respected. You are asked as a resident to share your perspective. What are the competing ethical frameworks here, and where do you stand?
Likely follow-up · What is the ACOG position on conscientious objection, and does it differ from the AAMC's position on clinical competency requirements?
3 expert tips in Prometheus
Easy·PanelQ2
MCAT Preparation: Behavioural Science and the Biopsychosocial Model
The MCAT includes the Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior section, which tests knowledge of sociology, psychology, and behaviour alongside traditional science content. Some pre-medical students view this section as an add-on without clinical relevance. How do you think about the integration of behavioural and social science into medical education, and what has your preparation for this section revealed about your understanding of health and illness beyond the biomedical model?
Likely follow-up · Give an example of a clinical scenario where understanding social or psychological factors would change the management of a disease that has a clear biomedical explanation.
GWU School of Medicine (MD) - Frequently asked questions
Bachelor's degree and MCAT required. No specific major required. Clinical experience, community service, and global or public health interest valued. Applications via AMCAS; secondary required.
Traditional interview (faculty, student, and/or staff interviewers). GWU SMHS uses a traditional interview format consisting of one or two conversational sessions with faculty, current medical students, and/or admissions staff, typically 30–45 minutes each. Interviews are non-blind — interviewers have reviewed the full application. The format is conversational and probes motivation, global health interest, ethical reasoning, and ability to discuss complex healthcare policy topics, reflecting GWU's Washington, DC location. The interview day includes a campus tour in Foggy Bottom and an informational session.
GWU School of Medicine (MD) typically interviews in October–March.
Decisions are released Rolling (AAMC standard latest March 30).
GWU's Washington, DC location is a genuine educational asset: students have access to Capitol Hill policy hearings, federal health agency partnerships (NIH, CDC, FDA, HHS), and major international health organisations. The school's MD/MPH programme is one of the most prestigious in the country and can be completed concurrently. The Himmelfarb Health Sciences Library is among the largest in the US and provides substantial research support.
