Seattle has a rich musical history and a diverse food scene. For students interested in studying medicine in Seattle, the University of Washington School of Medicine offers a distinctive regional medical education model through WWAMI, which spans Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho.
University of Washington
The University of Washington School of Medicine was founded in 1946. According to UW Medicine, the school is recognized for excellence in training primary care physicians and advancing medical knowledge through scientific research. Its scientists study many aspects of health and disease, from the molecular mechanisms of gene action to population studies of global illnesses.
The UW School of Medicine is the only five-state medical school in the country and operates the WWAMI medical education program. Students from Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho complete the Foundations Phase of the curriculum in small learning groups in their respective home states. Students from Washington attend the Foundations Phase in Seattle or Spokane. The Foundations Phase covers the first 18 months of medical school.
The regional nature of the school gives students access to a wide range of clinical education settings, including rural and urban clinics, private practices, community health care centers, community hospitals, and tertiary care hospitals. WWAMI aims to make public medical education accessible throughout the five-state region and encourage graduates to enter primary care and family medicine and practice in nonmetropolitan areas that may have limited access to health care.
Study Programs at UW School of Medicine
Alongside its M.D. program, UW offers the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP). This M.D./Ph.D. program is designed for highly qualified candidates who want to earn both degrees and pursue careers in basic medical research. The typical program lasts seven to eight years and emphasizes continuity in clinical and basic science training.
Programs such as the Targeted Rural Underserved Track (TRUST) provide students with experience in rural and underserved communities throughout the WWAMI region. TRUST scholars participate in clinical and classroom experiences that expose them to the challenges and lifestyle of a physician practicing in rural and underserved areas.
For M.D. admissions, applicants generally must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents with a green card. International and Canadian applicants without a green card are not considered. The school separately considers DACA applicants who reside in a WWAMI state and are legally authorized and recognized by their state’s residency office as residents for WWAMI educational purposes. More than 95 percent of UW School of Medicine acceptances are applicants from the WWAMI states.
Applicants from outside the WWAMI region may also be considered for the M.D. program if they have ties to a WWAMI state and come from an economically or educationally disadvantaged background and/or have demonstrated a commitment to serving underserved populations. MSTP selection is national in scope and is not restricted to WWAMI residents, although MSTP applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
We hope that this article on studying medicine in Seattle was helpful. If you are interested in studying abroad, check out the Available Programs for International Students and USA Study Guide sections!
