Transfer and Visiting Students

The following information applies to visiting students and students interested in transferring to the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health in Madison.

Visiting Students

Please visit the Visiting Students page for more information.

Transfer Students

In order for students who are currently enrolled in other medical schools to be eligible to apply to the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health MD Program for admission to begin in the third year, the following requirements must be met:

• 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 an international medical school, you must also be a resident of the state of Wisconsin
  
  
• Have taken the premedicine course requirements listed in the application
  
  
• Provide Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) scores taken in the past
  
  
• Have a passing Step 1 score of the United States Medical Licensing Examination equal to or greater than 200 and have taken the exam no later than June 10 of the year in which you are applying. Scores may be pending at the time of application and acceptance may be conditional upon scores

Application as a Transfer Student Into the Third Year of the UW School of Medicine and Public Health Requires:

• 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. Association of American Medical Colleges (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 to another medical school, if requested by the student
  
  
• Official report of your MCAT scores
  
  
• Official report of your Step 1 United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) scores or notice of intended test date
  
  
• 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
  
  
• Essay describing the reason you wish to transfer to the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health MD degree program
  
  
• A second essay describing your motivation for medicine, special qualities and strengths and medical and community service experiences you have had
  
  
• Three 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 $56 payable to the University of Wisconsin-Madison must accompany your application. This is a nonrefundable application fee
  
  
• Submission of all materials, with the possible exception of the Step 1 scores and spring term grades, by April 1 of the year in which you are applying

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, this information is to be included 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 nonacademic 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 Ave.
Madison, WI 53705

Letters must be received by April 1 of the year in which you are applying.

Admission Into the Transfer Program

Similar criteria are used to evaluate transfer applicants as are used to evaluate applicants entering the UW School of Medicine and Public Health for the first year of medical education. These criteria include, but are not limited to:

• Undergraduate academic performance and the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) scores
• Post-baccalaureate academic performance, including medical school performance and Step 1 score of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE)
• Motivation for studying medicine
• Prior work and experience in health care
• Personal characteristics as revealed in the letters of recommendation
• Reasons for desiring transfer to UW School of Medicine and Public Health MD program
• 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.

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. All students must expect to spend at least 16 to 20 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.

Notification of action on transfer applications: Applicants will be notified of the admission committee's decision by the end of April of each year. Acceptance offers may be made pending achieving a score of 200 or greater on Step 1 and pending successful completion of the spring term coursework.

Matriculation will not be permitted until the pending conditions have been met.  Should an accepted transfer applicant not fulfill these requirements, an alternate applicant may be offered the unfilled spot in the class.

 
Transfer Applicant Course Requirements for the UW School of Medicine and Public Health

Transfer applicants need to have earned a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution prior to entering the UW School of Medicine and Public Health. Specific courses are required for admission to the UW School of Medicine and Public Health. 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.

Courses in biochemistry and statistics are required. Additionally, completion of a basic statistics course may be met in a wide variety of courses that include statistics topics and/or experiences that include implementation of statistics by the applicant. Such courses and experiences must be documented and submitted to the MD Admissions Office for approval.

Skill in oral and written communication is an important requisite in medicine, and a course in English that 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 that 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.