How to apply: Apply online by May 17, 2025.

Description:

For Aspiring Physicians

Washington State University Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine is actively working to support the success of learners who aspire to become doctors.

This free 10-month program provides a holistic, culturally specific framework that supports the successful recruitment, training, retention, and graduation of medical students who are enrolled Tribal members. Participants who successfully complete the program will receive conditional acceptance to the WSU Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine.

The WSU College of Medicine selects up to four scholars annually for participation who are enrolled members of federally recognized Tribes and meet the residency or ties to Washington admission requirement for the college’s MD program. The pathway program runs from September to June each year and is held at WSU Spokane with support for relocating to Spokane, Washington, or surrounding Washington counties for the duration of the program.

Contact

WSU Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine Pathway Team at pathways.medicine@wsu.edu.

Focus

• Foundations of biomedical sciences
• Indigenous health and wellness
• Cultural engagement and community building
• Kaplan MCAT Prep course
• Population health and epidemiology
• Academic skills and wellness
• Clinical observation
• Research experiences
• Anatomy

Timeline

• March 14, 2025: Primary application is open. A secondary application will be sent to eligible candidates.

Primary Application

• May 10, 2025: Primary application due by 11:59 p.m. PST.
• May 17, 2025: Secondary application and all required materials due by 11:59 p.m. PST.

• June: Interviews held.
• Late June: Applicants notified of application decision.
• August 15: Deadline for accepted scholars to move to Spokane, Washington.
• September to June: Pathway programming at WSU Spokane.

Eligibility Requirements

• Be an enrolled member of a federally recognized Tribe.
• Have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Have an overall undergraduate GPA of 2.6 or higher. Once this minimum is met, the WSU College of Medicine uses three combination thresholds of GPA and MCAT score for admission. Find more information about these combinations on the MD program admissions requirements page under “Academic Requirements.”
• A prior MCAT score is preferred; however, we will consider candidates who have not taken the MCAT.
  • DO NOT take the MCAT just to have a score for this application as all MCAT scores are reported to medical schools when you officially apply. 
  • If you have an MCAT score, it must not be lower than 7 points needed to achieve one of our combination thresholds of GPA and MCAT. See admissions requirements.
• Prior unsuccessful application to medical school is preferred; however, we will consider those who have not yet applied to medical school. 
• Plan to apply to medical school for Entering Year of 2026 (applying by October 15, 2025). 
• Washington residency or connections:
  • Have Washington residency or meet ties to Washington requirements. Find more information about these requirements on the MD program admissions requirements page under “Requirements to Receive a Secondary Application.”
  • Candidates who do not meet this requirement can also apply if they commit to living in Spokane County or surrounding Washington counties beginning on August 15 prior to the start of the Post-Baccalaureate Pathway and remain living in therein until they matriculate into the WSU College of Medicine.
    • This will allow candidates to officially establish Washington residency prior to enrolling in WSU College of Medicine. 
    • Failure to maintain this commitment will result in rescinding of the conditional acceptance. Inability to provide proof that a scholar is living in Washington (e.g., signed lease for scholar) by August 15 prior to starting the Post-Baccalaureate Pathway will result in dismissal from the program. 

Benefits

• Cost of attendance is FREE
• Receive a monthly stipend to help offset living expenses
• Gain exposure to medical school faculty, leadership, and students
• Complete course work to become better prepared for entry into the WSU College of Medicine
• Receive conditional acceptance to the WSU College of Medicine for Entering Year 2026

Conditional Acceptance Requirements

• Satisfactorily complete the Post-Baccalaureate Pathway, which includes:
  1. Attending all classes with no unexcused absences
  2. Satisfactory completion of all course work and quizzes
  3. Obtaining a passing score during all end-of-block exams, and
  4. Conscientiousness, courtesy, and respect in all aspects of pathway activities
• Submit a formal AMCAS application and WSU College of Medicine secondary application in the 2025 cycle for entry in August 2026
• Successfully interview with the WSU College of Medicine during the regular interview cycle
• Meet a combination threshold of undergraduate overall GPA and MCAT composite score as listed on the MD program admissions requirements page under “Academic Requirements.”
• Candidates who are establishing Washington residency during the program beginning on August 15 are required to live in Washington for the duration of the program and until matriculating into WSU College of Medicine (one full year).

The Post-Baccalaureate Pathway for Enrolled Tribal Members is held in collaboration with Washington State University Native American Health Sciences.