West Virginia University School of Medicine, founded in 1902, is the state's flagship MD program and the academic anchor for WVU Medicine — West Virginia's largest health system. Located in Morgantown, the school trains physicians for both academic medicine and rural community practice, with a long history of commitment to Appalachian health. Clinical training spans the Ruby Memorial Hospital Level 1 trauma center, WVU Children's Hospital, and a statewide rural health outreach network. Research strengths include cancer, cardiovascular disease, neuroscience, and Appalachian health disparities.
What makes it different
WVU SOM is the largest and oldest medical school in West Virginia and the flagship academic medical center for the state. The school has a strong rural health outreach program placing students in rural West Virginia communities. WVU Medicine is a comprehensive academic health system including Ruby Memorial Hospital, WVU Cancer Institute, and multiple community hospitals across the state.
Course & teaching
Integrated curriculum. 4-year MD. Preclinical years are organ-system integrated with early community health experiences. Core clerkships at Ruby Memorial Hospital, WVU Children's Hospital, and WVU-affiliated community and rural sites. Rural health track and global health electives available for Years 3–4.
Research strengths
West Virginia University School of Medicine (MD) has notable research strength in Cancer biology and WVU Cancer Institute, Cardiovascular genetics, Neuroscience and neurological disease, Appalachian health disparities, Opioid use disorder.
Interview
West Virginia University School of Medicine (MD) interviews via MMI (multiple stations, in-person). WVU SOM uses an MMI with multiple timed stations assessing communication, ethical reasoning, and clinical thinking. Each station runs approximately eight minutes with two minutes of reading time. The interview day is held on the Morgantown Health Sciences campus and includes orientation, campus and hospital tours, and informal sessions with current medical students. The school's Appalachian health focus and rural medicine commitment are reflected in many station scenarios.
Intake
Approximately 110–115 students per year.
At a glance
Founded in 1902, based in Morgantown, WV. Programmes offered: Rural and Appalachian Health, Cancer Medicine, Cardiovascular Disease, Neuroscience, Primary Care.