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Transfer Program
To Medical Students Currently Enrolled in Other Medical Schools Interested in Transferring to the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health:
In order to be eligible to apply to the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, MD degree program for admission to begin in the third year you must:
- be currently enrolled and in good standing at your present medical school. Your performance and topics of study during the first two years must be equivalent in scope and quality to that of the UW School of Medicine and Public Health, MD degree program.
- be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States. If you attend a foreign medical school, you must also be a resident of the state of Wisconsin.
- have taken the pre-medicine course requirements listed in this application;
- have taken the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) within the past four years (MCAT scores are desirable and encouraged, but not absolutely required);
- have successfully completed the first two years of medical school course work; and
- have a passing score on Step 1 of the United States Medical Licensing Examination and have taken the exam no later than June 10 of the year in which you are applying.
Application as a transfer student into the third year of the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health requires (please also use this as a checklist to verify completion of your application):
- completed Transfer Application and Record of Residence forms. Forms are available each year during February and March.
- official transcripts from all colleges and universities in which you have been enrolled.
- official transcript from your current medical school. AAMC guidelines for transfer applications specify that a medical school has a responsibility to provide a transcript of the individual’s academic record and a letter of evaluation, if requested by the student, to another medical school.
- official report of your MCAT scores
- official report of your Step 1 USMLE scores
- official verification that you are a student in good standing in your current medical school, including whether you are enrolled and taking classes, on a leave of absence and the reason for the leave, or if you ever withdrew or were dismissed. This information is to be included in the Dean’s letter of recommendation.
- an essay describing the reason you wish to transfer to the University of Wisconsin MD degree program.
- a second original essay describing your motivation for medicine, special qualities and strengths that you possess, and medical or community service experiences you have had.
- three (3) letters of recommendation sent directly to the Admissions Committee. One Dean's letter and at least two academic letters of recommendation are required. Additional letters from advisors, individuals with whom you have worked, etc., are encouraged. All letters should be sent directly to the Admissions Committee. See notes below regarding letters of recommendation.
- a check or money order for $45 payable to the University of Wisconsin-Madison must accompany your application. This is a nonrefundable application fee.
- the submission of all materials, with the possible exception of the Step 1 scores, by May 15 of each year.
LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION
One Dean's letter and at least two academic letters of recommendation are required. The Dean’s letter is to be an official letter of evaluation from the Dean/Associate Dean for Students or other appropriate official of the applicant’s current medical school. If the transcript does not document the applicant’s entire history at the current medical school, including notation of any leaves-of-absence or schedule modifications and an explanation of the grading system, include this information in the letter of evaluation.
Additionally, the letter of evaluation should state the eligibility (or expected eligibility) of the individual for promotion to the third year at the student’s current school. The letter should address the academic and non-academic qualifications of the individual for the eventual practice of medicine. Specific comment should be included on any infractions of the school’s code of ethical and behavioral conduct.
At least two academic letters of recommendation are also required. Additional letters from advisors, individuals with whom you have worked, etc., are encouraged.
All letters are to be sent directly to:
University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health MD Admissions Committee
2130 Health Sciences Learning Center
750 Highland Avenue
Madison, WI 53705.
Letters must be received by May 15.
Admission into the Transfer Program
Criteria for Selection Similar criteria are used to evaluate transfer applicants as are used to evaluate applicants entering the UW School of Medicine and Public Health (UW SMPH) for the first year of medical education. These criteria include, but are not limited to:
- Undergraduate academic performance and the MCAT scores
- Post-baccalaureate academic performance, including medical school performance and Step 1 score of the USMLE
- Motivation for studying medicine
- Prior work and experience in healthcare
- Personal characteristics as revealed in the letters of recommendation
- Reasons for desiring transfer to UW SMPH
- Preparation and performance in clinical skills
- Character with reference to honesty and integrity, empathy, maturity, leadership, self-discipline, and emotional stability
- Ability to communicate and relate well with others
Acceptance is dependent upon the availability of openings as well as the strength of the application. A note regarding availability: The third and fourth years of our curriculum are primarily clinical education. We have a commitment to each student to provide quality clinical education opportunities. When an opening in the third year class occurs, we are happy to fill it with a qualified transfer applicant. Historically, there are zero to three positions open each July. When openings occur, it is often within a short timeframe of when the third year begins or has begun. Typically, applicants are notified of the action of the Admissions Committee in the first half of July.
Our clinical education occurs in locations throughout the state of Wisconsin. Being in multiple geographic locations and clinical settings provides a rich overall experience for our students. Recently, students average sixteen weeks of learning in locations other than Madison during their third year of medical education. Submitting your application for transfer implies that you accept the variety of locations that are a part of our medical school campus.
Course Requirements for UW SMPH MD degree
Transfer applicants need to have earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution prior to entering UW SMPH. Specific courses are required for admission to UW SMPH. Courses that meet the biology, chemistry, and physics prerequisites must include didactic and laboratory components required of science majors and be equivalent to one academic year. A course in biochemistry is strongly recommended and required for entrance in 2008.
| Required Courses | Semesters |
|---|
| General biology (with lab) | 1 |
| Advanced Biology (with lab)) | 1 |
| Inorganic/General Chemistry (with lab)) | 2 |
| Organic Chemistry (with lab)) | 1 |
| Biochemistry) | 1 |
| Physics (with lab)) | 2 |
| Mathematics (Statistics and Calculus recommended)) | 2 |
Skill in verbal and written communication is an important requisite in medicine and a course in English which stresses composition is considered favorably in the admissions process. A sound general education includes courses in the humanities and social sciences. While specific courses are not required, the applicant’s preparation should include courses in those areas which prepare for the social, psychological, and economic aspects of medical practice. All courses must be successfully completed before entering medical school.
A general understanding of health care and medicine, based upon employment, volunteer and shadowing experiences, is also expected.
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