The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences

Introduction

The School of Medicine was established in 1825. In 1844 Congress granted it the use of the Washington Infirmary, establishing one the earliest general teaching hospitals in the country. The School of Medicine and Health Sciences is now one of the components of the George Washington Medical Center, which includes the University Hospital, a Health Sciences Library, Medical FacultyAssociates, and the School of Public Health and Health Services.

Academics

4-year semitraditional. A course, Practice of Medicine (POM), in the first and second year introduces students to the clinical setting while also teaching the basic sciences. In the final two years, POM reinforces and reintegrates the basic sciences as students’clinical experience progresses. First year: Introduction to normal human biology and function, by means of the basic medical science courses. Second year: Focus on abnormal human biology with the introduction of pharmacology, pathology, microbiology, psychopathology taught initially in a core curriculum and then progressing to an interdisciplinary, organ-system-organized discussion of the pathology, pharmacology, and the natural history of disease. Third year: 8-week clerkships through the 5 major clinical disciplines and a 6-week primary care clerkship. Fourth year: Includes 37 weeks of course work and must include a 4-week “acting internship” in medicine, pediatrics, or family practice; three 2-week courses in anesthesiology, emergency medicine, and neuroscience; two 2-week courses to be selected from urology, orthopedics, otolaryngology, pediatric surgery, and ophthalmology; a course in medical decision making; and at least one didactic course offering. Students may spend some elective time at other institutions in the U.S. and abroad.

Unique Programs

Minority admissions:Admissions committee members visit selected schools to discuss the school’s program with minority students. Other degree programs: Combined MD-PhD degree programs are offered in the basic sciences as well as an MD-MPH program. There is a 7-year GWBA-MD and an 8-year GWBS-MD program for high school students. In addition, an 8-year BS-MD biophysics program is available through St. Bonaventure University.

Admissions

Courses in English composition and literature are required in addition to the basic premedical science courses. Being a private institution, the school accepts students from almost every state. An early selection program for second-year GWundergraduates and other select schools is available. Transfer and advanced standing: Transfer students are accepted into the second- and third-year classes.

Students

System used is Honors/Pass/Conditional/Fail. Students must pass Step 1 and Step 2 of the USMLE. Teaching:Walter G. Ross Hall is the basic science building. Clinical instruction takes place at the 371-bed University Hospital, as well as at numerous affiliated hospitals. The new GW Hospital opened in August 2002. The top floor of the new facility boasts an Educational Center for medical student and resident use. The Educational Center contains highly technical patient simulators, expanded standardized patient examination rooms, a computer resource center, and lounge/conference areas. Library: The Himmelfarb Health Sciences Library is expanding, with a capacity for 80,000 volumes. Housing: No university housing is available.

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