Are you considering applying to medical school in Washington, D.C.? If you like the idea of ample research opportunities and are interested in global health and advocacy, look no further than the capital of the United States.
The rich national history, extensive historical monuments, diverse cuisine and population, and the chance to kayak or paddleboard down the Potomac River are a few more reasons to make D.C. your home for the next four or more years!
But what’s it like to attend medical school in Washington, D.C., and how do you get accepted?
In this post, we’ll break down everything you need to know about going to medical school in Washington, D.C., including where the medical schools are located, what it’s like to live in D.C., how to apply, and tips for gaining acceptance to medical schools in Washington, D.C.
Here’s what to expect below.
- How Many Medical Schools Are in Washington, D.C.?
- List of Medical Schools in Washington, D.C.
- George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences
- Georgetown University School of Medicine
- Howard University College of Medicine
- Washington, D.C. Medical School Locations
- How Much Is Medical School Tuition in Washington, D.C.?
- What It’s Like to Go to Medical School in Washington, D.C.
- How to Apply to Washington, D.C. Medical Schools (MD)
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- Application Requirements
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- Application Deadlines
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- Tips to Gain Acceptance at Washington, D.C. Medical Schools (MD and DO)
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- Understand the Costs Involved
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- You Need a Stand Out Narrative
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- Build Ties in Washington, D.C. (If Possible)
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- Bottom Line: Is Going to Medical School in Washington, D.C. Right for You?
How Many Medical Schools Are in Washington, D.C.?
There are 3 medical schools in Washington, D.C., and each of them is allopathic.
List of Medical Schools in Washington, D.C.
Allopathic Medical Schools in Washington, D.C. (MD)
- George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences
- Georgetown University School of Medicine
- Howard University College of Medicine
George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences (GW SMHS)
Founded in 1824, GW SMHS is the 11th oldest medical school in the US. It’s the closest campus to the White House, and only about 2 blocks away from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).
GW SMHS offers several opportunities for advocacy as well as global health. The program seeks to graduate “Physician Citizens” who are committed to public service locally, nationally, and globally through exceptional patient care, scientific inquiry, and advocacy for change.
The curriculum is focused on active learning as opposed to traditional large-class lectures. Students are exposed to the clinic earlier than other programs—clinical clerkships begin in the spring of second year as opposed to third year. Another unique aspect is being able to visit the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum to learn about medical ethics, as well as being able to visit Capitol Hill to learn about healthcare policy.
In April 2023, GW SMHS opened its new Regional Medical Campus at Sinai Hospital of Baltimore, part of the LifeBridge Health System. New applicants can choose between the main or regional campus when they apply, and matriculants will be accepted as a main campus or regional campus student.
All applicants will complete the preclinical phase of their education at the main campus in D.C., and regional campus students will then complete their clinical training at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore. Regardless of which campus you choose, the MD degree you earn will be the same for all graduates.
Median Academic Scores of Matriculants:
- Median GPA: 3.81
- Median MCAT: 512
George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Services Secondary Questions.
In-State vs. Out-of-State Preference:
| In-State | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
| Applicants | 67 | 15,214 |
| Matriculants | 4 | 170 |
George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Services shows no preference to in-state or out-of-state applicants, as Washington, D.C. is not technically a state.
Georgetown University School of Medicine
Founded in 1851, Georgetown University School of Medicine (GUSOM) remains deeply committed to their Jesuit roots through the tradition of cura personalis, which translates as “care of the whole person.” This is the guiding principle of the program, so they place a strong emphasis on social justice and community service; in fact, each student must complete a minimum of 20 hours of community service before they are able to graduate.
GUSOM’s Journeys Curriculum is broken down into three phases: The Foundational Phase, Core Clinical Phase, and the Advanced Clinical Phase.
The Foundational Phase is composed of six blocks of core content. Each block is followed by a two-week study and exam period.
The Core Clinical Phase lasts 48 weeks and starts in April of second year. This is when students will rotate through the core clerkships, such as internal medicine, family medicine, pediatrics, OB/GYN, general surgery, neurology, and psychiatry.
The Advanced Clinical Phase begins in the spring of the third year and consists of a variety of 4-week blocks. Students will have three core required blocks, including four weeks of emergency medicine and two acting internships (AIs).
Median Academic Scores of Matriculants:
- Median GPA: 3.89
- Median MCAT: 515
Georgetown University School of Medicine Secondary Questions.
In-State vs. Out-of-State Preference:
| In-State | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
| Applicants | 66 | 15,057 |
| Matriculants | 5 | 189 |
Georgetown University School of Medicine shows no preference to in-state or out-of-state applicants, as Washington, D.C. is not technically a state.
Howard University College of Medicine
Founded in 1868, Howard University College of Medicine (HUCM) is the oldest and largest historically Black medical school in the US. While there are a number of research opportunities, the program’s primary focus is educating students who will deliver patient care in medically underserved communities that have a shortage of physicians and healthcare professionals.
HUCM also has a BS/MD program that admits a limited number of students enrolled in the Howard University College of Arts and Sciences each year. BS/MD programs enable students to earn both their Bachelor of Science and MD degree in six years instead of the usual eight.
HUCM is heavily involved in the surrounding community. While the Shaw-HU area has undergone gentrification, there is still a great deal of need in that community, and the program reaches out to many local high schools.
Median Academic Scores of Matriculants:
- Median GPA: 3.67
- Median MCAT: 506
Howard University College of Medicine Secondary Questions.
In-State vs. Out-of-State Preference:
| In-State | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
| Applicants | 39 | 7833 |
| Matriculants | 3 | 118 |
Howard University College of Medicine shows no preference to in-state or out-of-state applicants, as Washington, D.C. is not technically a state.
Washington, D.C. Medical School Locations
Washington D.C. has a total area of 68.34 square miles and a population of approximately 681,683. All three medical schools are relatively close together. GW SMHS is about two to three miles away from both Georgetown and HUCM, though traffic as well as the metro schedule will add additional transit time.
If you go to HUCM or GW SMHS, you should be able to live within walking distance without a car. D.C.’s metro system is effective, and having a car in the area is quite expensive.
However, Georgetown is not near a metro stop, which makes commuting a little more difficult for students. While D.C. has a bus system that can pick you up from a number of metro stops, it’s not as efficient.
For the last two years of medical school, you will need a car regardless of where you live because you could rotate anywhere in the tri-state area.
How Much Is Medical School Tuition in Washington, D.C.?
So, how much does medical school cost in Washington, D.C.?
Washington, D.C. Tuition Costs (2023 Data From MSAR)
| Washington, D.C. Medical School | Yearly Tuition In-State | Yearly Tuition Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences | $68,356 | $68,356 |
| Georgetown University School of Medicine | $72,126 | $72,126 |
| Howard University College of Medicine | $57,632 | $57,632 |
View the most recent AAMC tuition data.
*Additional fees not included.
You also need to factor in the cost of medical school applications, which can compound across primary fees, secondary fees, exam fees, study resources, and interview travel costs. Since D.C. is not technically a state, there is no state funding, so tuition as well as secondaries are more expensive at Washington, D.C. schools.
Learn more: How Much Do Med School Applications Cost? The Full Price Analyzed.
Plus, there are many other financial factors to consider, including housing, transportation, food, exercise, and events. Unfortunately, Washington, D.C. has one of the highest costs of living in the country.
What It’s Like to Go to Medical School in Washington, D.C.
Despite being the capital city of the United States, Washington, D.C. is not a city, nor is it a state; it’s a federal district that was formed in 1790. It’s home to the three branches of the federal government: the White House, the Capitol, and the Supreme Court.
It also houses a ton of US history, from the Library of Congress—the largest library in the world—to the Lincoln Memorial to the National Mall to the Smithsonian National Museum to Arlington National Cemetery to Ford’s Theatre, history is everywhere.
Since D.C. is not a state, each school is considered “private.” Therefore, they can accept anyone they like regardless of state citizenship. However, this also means the schools do not have access to state funds like other medical schools. So, each school is more expensive, and this includes their secondary fees.
Going to medical school is very unique in that Washington, D.C. offers opportunities to influence medical policy through advocacy from a government level for policies that benefit patients as well as engage in global health activities. Each program takes advantage of this in their own way.
Furthermore, if you have a heavy interest in bench research, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is a metro ride away. Some people are able to take a year off for research if they choose to do so.
While there aren’t as many outdoor activities as, say, Arizona, there are still a number of private, public, and national parks, as well as panoramic trails. For example, Rock Creek Park is 1700 acres and has 32 miles of trails for hiking. There are also a great deal of paved roads for biking, which are closed to cars. D.C. is also a bicycle-friendly city in general, which could help you with your commute.
If you’re into water sports, the Potomac River is often used for canoeing, kayaking, and paddleboarding.
If you’re a foodie, oysters are a staple of D.C.—they’re always available thanks to the district’s proximity to Chesapeake Bay. Bahn Mi, the iconic Vietnamese spicy sandwich, is also very popular. Considering Washington, D.C. has a very ethnically diverse population, and is home to more than 170 embassies and international cultural centers, you can count on a range of different cuisines being available.
How to Apply to Washington, D.C. Medical Schools
You’ll use the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS), the AAMC’s centralized medical school application processing service, to apply to medical schools in Washington, D.C. AMCAS is the primary application method for first year entering classes for the vast majority of medical schools in the US.
Regardless of how many schools you want to apply to in D.C. or the country at large, you only need to submit one set of application materials to AMCAS. The system handles the rest.
Here’s what you need to know about applying to med schools in Washington, D.C.
1 | Application Requirements
Your primary application is made up of a number of different components, including your college transcripts, a high GPA and MCAT score, a narrative-driven personal statement, strong letters of recommendation, and a Work and Activities section that includes clinical exposure, research experience, and community involvement.
Each piece is vital to your acceptance.
At the time of this article, no medical school in Washington, D.C. requires the Casper test. However, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences does recommend the PREview exam.
The AAMC PREview Professional Readiness Exam is a situational judgment test that’s just recently been released in response to the rising popularity of the Casper test. PREview is made up of a series of hypothetical scenarios that students may be faced with in medical school that are designed to evaluate a premed’s awareness of effective and ineffective professional behaviors.
Find out what other schools require AAMC’s new PREview exam.
Since GW SMHS only recommends applicants take the test, technically, you can choose not to take it. However, if the medical school you’re interested in attending recommends you do something, generally speaking, it’s a good idea to do it.
PREview is very new on the scene, so we can’t definitively say if you will face consequences for not taking the exam when it’s been recommended. That said, it’s important to look at each component of your application as another chance to set yourself apart from other applicants and impress an admissions committee. Competition at D.C. medical schools is fierce, and if you’re up against an equally-qualified applicant who did take the test, they could have an advantage over you.
Adcoms want candidates to demonstrate enthusiasm, proactiveness, and accountability. If you ignore their recommendation, it suggests you don’t care if you’re accepted or not—obviously, this is the last thing you want to convey to an admissions committee.
Read our comprehensive PREview guide to learn more: AAMC PREview Prep—Everything You Need to Know.
After you submit your primary application, secondary applications will likely arrive two to four weeks later. Unlike the primary application, you will submit your secondaries to each school you received them from directly. There is no service that does it for you.
If you impress the admissions committee, you could receive an interview invitation at any point between the end of August and the spring of the following year.
Learn more about the complete application process: How to Get Into Medical School: AMCAS Application Process.
2 | Application Deadlines
Each year, during the first week of May, the AMCAS application opens, and submissions occur at the end of May or early June. So if you plan to start medical school in the fall of 2026, you must begin the application process in the spring of 2025.
One of the most vital things to understand about application deadlines is that the technical deadlines supplied by medical schools in no way reflect reality. Applications are considered on a rolling (continuous) basis. This means they’re evaluated as they are received. Therefore, the first people who submit their application are the first to receive secondaries and then the first to receive interview invitations. Schools only have so many spots in their first year class, so the longer you procrastinate on submitting your application, the worse your chances of acceptance.
Applying as soon as submissions open is essential to your success.**
This goes for submitting your secondaries and securing interviews as well. For the vast majority of medical schools throughout Washington, D.C. and the country, interviews begin in September and run through March of the following year.
Here’s what you should be working on month-by-month: Medical School Application Timeline and Monthly Schedule. (Updated every application cycle.)
Tips for Acceptance at Washington, D.C. Medical Schools
1 | Understand the Costs Involved
Considering the high tuition costs, lack of tuition breaks for D.C. residents, and the exorbitant high cost of living, it’s essential that you plan your finances in advance.
This by no means is to suggest that you should not have D.C. schools on your radar or school list due to financial concerns. Early on in the application process, you can think broadly about the schools you want to apply to. But finances are a very real factor in applying to and attending medical school. The sooner you understand the costs involved, the sooner you can begin to build a plan around how you can afford tuition, rent, and other expenses.
For example, the Insider contributor for this article is a local Washingtonian and D.C. resident who wanted to stay close to family and has a passion for research and advocacy, but if not for their substantial scholarship, they would not have been able to afford to attend school in D.C.
Knowing you’ll need additional financial aid or scholarships means it’s all the more important that you stand out as a medical school applicant. You can stand out amongst your peers through both the hard (MCAT and GPA) and soft (personal statement and interview) components of your application.
2 | You Need a Stand Out Narrative
It’s important to understand that because schools in D.C. accept candidates regardless of state residency, they have some of the highest numbers of applicants. For example, both GM SMHS and Georgetown receive over 15,000 applications a year while only accepting less than 200 students. Only approximately 1.2% of applicants are accepted to these schools.
This means you need to be able to stand out from your competition—and the best way to do this is through a cohesive, narrative-driven application.
Schools in D.C. have strong research, advocacy, and global health opportunities. If you share these passions and values, how have you demonstrated this in the past?
When have you advocated for or served underserved communities? What research projects have you participated in? Have you been published? How do your extracurriculars exemplify the qualities you share in your personal statement and what your mentors and supervisors share about you in your letters of recommendation?
Each piece of your application must work together and complement each other without being repetitive. This takes a great deal of work, so do not procrastinate. Get started as soon as possible. What theme will tie together your entire application?
And this includes your secondaries. Your secondary application must drive forward the same narrative you have already established. What can you speak about in more detail? How do your past actions, values, and personal journey relate to the mission and values of the school? How will you continue to live your values as well as those of the school?
Learn more: How to Develop a Cohesive Narrative for Medical School Applications.
3 | Build Ties in Washington, D.C. (If Possible)
When applying to school in D.C., it certainly helps if you have connections to the area, whether through family or through different faculty at the schools. If you have any such connection, be sure to leverage it. Any extra edge helps.
If you don’t have a personal connection to Washington, D.C., it can aid your application to build these relationships. This may or may not be possible depending on where you live. If, however, you live in Washington, D.C., a nearby state, or are able to travel there for summer opportunities, this can be a great benefit to your application.
Due to the extremely high number of applicants, you’ll need to go above and beyond and do everything you can to stand out.
Bottom Line: Is Going to Medical School in Washington, D.C. Right for You?
Medical schools in Washington, D.C. strongly emphasize research, advocacy, and global health and show no preference to residents of the district.
Beyond the school resources and mission, it matters whether or not you enjoy the community and environment you’ll call home for four or more years.
Pros of Medical School in Washington, D.C.
- Opportunities to impact medicine through global health, research, and health policy/ advocacy
- Great metro system
- Walkable and bikeable city
- Incredibly diverse population
- Lots of young professionals in the city, so plenty of opportunities to connect with other high-achieving professionals outside of medicine
- Unique architecture with a Greek and Roman influence
- Plenty of historical monuments
- Cherry blossom season! (End of March or early April)
Cons of Medical School in Washington, D.C.
- TRAFFIC IS AWFUL! D.C. has some of the worst traffic in the country
- (This is not quite as painful if you are within walking distance during your first two years, but your rotations can be anywhere within the tri-state area—and that can be a rough commute.)
- Expensive cost of living for minimal space in the city
- Large class sizes, so if you are looking for a small class, it’s not here
- Summers can be hot and humid, which means lots of mosquitos and bed bugs
- Winters are cold and full of snow and ice
Washington, D.C. is known for its cultural diversity, plentiful historical monuments, and many museums. Thanks to the proximity to the federal government, D.C. also offers students many opportunities to participate in global health, advocacy, and health policy, so if these are passions of yours, Washington, D.C. could be the place for you. (Especially if you like oysters!)
Learn more: How to Decide Which Medical Schools to Apply to (12 Important Factors).
What Adcoms Are Looking For
Regardless of the state where you apply, admission committees are looking for mature, community-minded, and dedicated students who will enrich the student body of their school. Simply checking off boxes is not enough. Passion and enthusiasm backed up with experience are essential.
Med School Insiders can help you design a stand out application that will get you noticed by Washington, D.C. medical schools, as well as any schools at the top of your list. We have a range of services to suit your specific needs, from one-on-one guidance to application editing to mock interviews.
Our services are tailored to meet the needs of each student because we understand that every applicant is unique. Learn more about our comprehensive medical school application packages.
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Thank you to Todd Pierce, MD, George Washington University graduate, for being our Insider contributor for this guide.
