collageFeinberg School of Medicine (FSM) is committed to fostering a diverse medical community that will help us accomplish our mission to improve health care for all people. Students who are committed to cultural diversity and inclusion, possess an affinity for social justice, and demonstrate the attitudes, skills, and behaviors outlined in FSM’s Cultural Competence (CC) statement are selected for admission.
Feinberg (FMI) is considered one of the toughest medical schools to get into in the nation. Prospective students will need a solid MCAT score, volunteer work and research experience, and a stellar application with all the bells and whistles.
Get into Feinberg School of Medicine by having exceptional MCAT scores, being a leader in your community, getting to know key people in the medical school admissions committee, and writing a compelling personal statement.
Northwestern School of Medicine Requirements
The MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) and 90 semester hours (135-quarter hours) of undergraduate and/or graduate-level course work from an accredited U.S. or Canadian college or university located in the United States or Canada are required. Feinberg does not place emphasis on any major field of study. Required are at least yearlong courses in biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry (or one semester of organic plus a semester of biochemistry) and physics. We also recommend courses in statistics, writing and social science. In addition, students are expected to have clinical exposure and research experience. Find detailed information about our admissions process including:
- Requirements (MCAT, Letters of Recommendation)
- Application Timeline
- Interview Process
- What is the timeline for the Office of Admissions to send out acceptances to prospective candidates who have interviewed?
- How does the admissions process work at the Feinberg School of Medicine?
- How do I apply to Feinberg?
- Is there an age limit for applicants through AMCAS and/or Feinberg?
- Do you offer deferred matriculation into an entering class?
- Once my application is complete, how long will it take for me to hear back from Feinberg about an interview decision?
- How will I receive notification of my application status for Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine?
- How do I schedule an interview at Feinberg?
- Do you have a student hosting program?
- Can I find out in advance who my Feinberg faculty and student interviewers will be?
- What if I have a last-minute problem on the day of my Feinberg interview?
- Are applicant updates accepted? Are transcripts accepted?
- Do Illinois residents get preference?
- What are the average GPAs and MCAT scores of candidates accepted to Feinberg? Are there any GPA or MCAT cut-offs?
How To Get Into Feinberg School Of Medicine: A Guide For Applicants
Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine is ranked among the top twenty best medical schools for research. The Feinberg School of Medicine offers a rigorous program fit for students hoping to achieve personal and professional growth.
If you are a prospective medical student wondering how to get into the Feinberg School of Medicine, you’ve come to the right place.
About Feinberg School of Medicine
Located in the vibrant windy city of Chicago, the Feinberg School of Medicine offers its students culture along with curriculum. It is one of Northwestern University’s twelve schools and was founded in 1859, declaring its mission to educate the next generations of physicians and scientists.
The school was originally part of Lind University, but has undergone several name changes over the years. In 2002, the school was renamed the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine after receiving a $103 million donation from the Joseph and Bessie Feinberg Foundation.
Programs
The Feinberg School of Medicine prides themselves on their unique MD program. They have an established leadership team in the Department of Medical Education to help lead forthcoming students through this process.
When looking to apply to the Feinberg School of Medicine, there are a number of different programs to choose from to determine what is the best fit for you.
Early Decision Program (EDP)
The Feinberg School of Medicine’s Early Decision Program (EDP) was established in 2019. While its admission process is selective and the pool is small, EDP applicants are prioritized by impressive academic careers, medically-related experiences, and a strong interest in research.
It is recommended that potential EDP applicants review the Entering Class Profile on the Feinberg School of Medicine’s website.
MD Admissions (MD)
The Doctor of Medicine Program (MD) has a curriculum that is focused on the unification of four major elements in the program: Science in Medicine, Clinical Medicine, Health and Society, and Professional Development. The goal of this four year program is to help medical students advance and grow in all areas.
Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP)
The Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) primarily focuses on prospective students that pursue their MD and PhD degree through the medical school and graduate school. All applicants must first be admitted to the medical school before they apply to the MSTP.
This is an eight year program that is ideal for any student interested in a dual career in biomedical investigation and medicine.
Doctor of Medicine and Master of Public Health (MD/MPH)
The combined Doctor of Medicine and Master of Public Health (MD/MPH) program gives medical students the opportunity to pursue a Master of Public Health Degree as a part time evening student while pursuing an MD at the Feinberg School of Medicine.
All applicants must first be admitted to the medical school before they apply to the Graduate School. This four year program provides a multitude of opportunities for graduate students that intend on pursuing a career in public health, clinical care, or health research.
Master of Science in Health Services & Outcomes Research (HSOR)
The program for the Master of Science in Health Services & Outcomes Research (HSOR) is approached atypically compared to the other programs the Feinberg School of Medicine offers. It can be completed in a gap year between the third and fourth year of medical school.
This is a unique program for prospective students that want to develop and enhance health policies and outcomes through research. It is also offered in full-time, part-time, and hybrid formats. It is recommended that applicants submit their applications to the Graduate School while in their third year of medical school.
Doctor of Medicine and Master of Science in Healthcare Quality & Patient Safety (MD/MS HQPS)
The Doctor of Medicine and Master of Science in Healthcare Quality & Patient Safety (MD/MS HQPS) program is a small, specific program that is offered part time and can be finished in the first two years of medical school. This program is a great fit for graduate students that are passionate about making proficient changes in the healthcare system.
Doctor of Medicine and Master of Business Administration (MD/MBA)
The program for a Doctor of Medicine and Master of Business Administration (MD/MBA) allows medical students at the Feinberg School of Medicine to combine their medical training with a Master of Business Administration through a joint-degree program at Northwestern University, from Kellogg.
This program is offered in a one year format as well as a two year format, and gives students the ability to balance business theory and medicine. It is recommended that prospective students apply during their third year of medical school.
Doctor of Medicine and Master of Arts in Medical Humanities and Bioethics (MD/MA)
The Doctor of Medicine and Master of Arts in Medical Humanities and Bioethics (MD/MA) allows medical students the unique opportunity to earn a Master of Arts degree in Medical Humanities and Bioethics, while simultaneously earning their MD.
This program is ideal for students that are interested in bioethical issues and implementing practical changes to fix them.
Honors Program in Medical Education (HPME)
The Honors Program in Medical Education (HPME) is a unique opportunity the Feinberg School of Medicine offers to high achieving high school students forecasting a medical career.
This program allows these students the chance to explore their scientific and medical interests during their undergraduate careers without the intense pressures of applying to medical schools.
Northwestern University Premedicine Linkage Program (NUPLP)
The Northwestern University Premedicine Linkage Program (NUPLP) is specifically designed for high achieving Northwestern University graduate premedicine students. Its goal is to help these students accelerate enrollment into medical school.
If accepted, students can enroll into the Feinberg School of Medicine’s MD program as soon as they finish their requirements for the post-baccalaureate premedicine program. This program can be completed in 12, 15, or 21 months.
Northwestern Undergraduate Premedical Scholars Program (NUPSP)
The Northwestern Undergraduate Premedical Scholars Program (NUPSP) caters to highly successful Northwestern University undergraduate students dedicated to pursuing a career as a physician. This is also an early MD acceptance program into the Feinberg School of Medicine.
These prospective students, if accepted, receive notice during their third undergraduate year. After their fourth year, they will matriculate into the Feinberg School of Medicine.
Admissions: The Requirements & The Process
All applicants are required to take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). It is recommended that prospective students take the MCAT exam no later than June of the year they are applying to the Feinberg School of Medicine.
Ninety semester hours of undergraduate or graduate coursework from an accredited U.S. or Canadian university are also required. Although the Feinberg School of Medicine does not require any specific major field of study, yearlong courses in biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry and physics are required.
It is recommended that applicants have taken courses in statistics, writing, and social science in addition to these courses. Since the Feinberg School of Medicine is a largely research-based institution, prospective students are also expected to have clinical and research experience prior to applying.
All of these aspects are required to apply to the Feinberg School of Medicine. However, each application is evaluated holistically during the admissions process. Everything in a student’s background is considered: academic recognitions, extracurricular activities, leadership experiences, clinical exposure, research activities, and more.
If a prospective student is being seriously considered, an in-person interview will be conducted.
In terms of a timeline of the application process, the end of May is the earliest time you can submit the application to AMCAS. By mid-July, prospective students will begin to hear if they have been invited to complete a secondary application. Admissions interviews are held between August and February.
The Feinberg School of Medicine’s AMCAS deadline is the beginning of November. The secondary application deadline falls in mid-November, as does the deadline for letters of recommendation. July is the Feinberg School of Medicine’s commit to enroll deadline.
Admission and Acceptance Statistics
In the last admissions cycle, The Feinberg School of Medicine received 7,052 applications. Of these applicants, 801 were chosen for interviews and 160 students enrolled. The Feinberg School of Medicine has an approximate 2% acceptance rate and the last entering class was approximately 53% women.
Your MCAT Score
The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is a requirement to apply to the Feinberg School of Medicine. This is a standardized test taken by over 85,000 prospective medical students every year. The content is sectioned into four areas:
- Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems
- Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems
- Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior
- Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills
Each area is scored on a scale from 118-132. In total, the entire MCAT is scored on a scale from 472-528.
Every year, the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) develops and delivers this exam. The Feinberg School of Medicine requires all applicants to take this exam within three years of applying, and it is recommended that the test be taken by June of the application year.
For the Feinberg School of Medicine’s last entering class, the median accepted GPA was 3.9 and the median accepted MCAT score was 519. However, this is simply a reference point. There is no “required” score that applicants must receive to be accepted; the Feinberg School of Medicine commits to an integrated review of every application.
Extracurricular Activities (And How They Help You Get Ahead)
The extracurriculars section of any application can be daunting, especially on a medical school application. What stands out? What is relevant? Is any of it relevant, if not medicine-related? The answer is yes. Non-medical related extracurriculars can still be relevant to your application.
Your extracurricular experience shows the Feinberg School of Medicine who you are and what helped you to grow. It gives them more of an insight on who you are.
One common mistake to avoid is not having enough clinical experience. Ample clinical experience will show those reading your application that becoming a doctor is your life, your passion, and your biggest goal. You are showing the Feinberg School of Medicine that you have experience in patient care, that you have done well in it, and that you will excel in their program.
Overall, it is best to exhibit in your application what has impacted you and helped you grow as a person, a leader, and a future doctor. Any experience that highlights this is key in your application, so the Feinberg School of Medicine can get to know you and decide if you are the right fit for their school.
Leadership Experiences: How to Develop (& Strengthen) Them
Leadership skills are another feat that prospective medical students struggle with tackling when filling out medical school applications. What makes a student stand out? Why are some students overlooked? What looks best on your application?
Dr. Mehdi Ghajar addresses these many questions and gets into the nitty-gritty of what leadership really is, and what it means to aspiring medical students. Leadership requires taking initiative, Dr. Ghajar says, in any sense. Whether it directly correlates to medicine or not, premedical students can demonstrate this.
“Regardless of the activity, focus on taking an idea and bringing it to fruition,” says Dr. Ghajar. “The skills you develop in this process will help you during your medical education and future career as a physician.”
Dr. Ghajar offers four opportunistic ways to help premedical students develop and refine these skills, the first being to start an organization. No matter the cause, it is a fantastic way to showcase strong leadership skills and provides a great learning experience for those involved. Leading a research project is another suggestion Dr. Ghajar offers.
This is a great way to prepare for and develop useful skills for a medical career, especially at a strong research-based institution like the Feinberg School of Medicine. Similarly, Dr. Ghajar suggests championing a cause that you are passionate about. Find an organization that supports or works with a cause you are strongly interested in.
Dedicate yourself and your time to this organization and do what you can to help as well as learn. He also suggests giving to the underserved. Developing a project to give back speaks on your character as well as offers growth in leadership.
Regardless of what your focus is, Dr. Ghajar puts an emphasis on remembering your ultimate mission and what you are working toward. Putting in work to achieve results will help you gain an enriching experience, and not only will your application stand out, but it will help you be a better doctor.
Northwestern Medical School Requirements
Research Experience at Feinberg
The Feinberg School of Medicine is a research-based institution, so it is safe to say that research is a highly-valued practice. It is an extremely important aspect of their application process.
Science, clinical, and translational research are supported at Feinberg by multiple centers: the Northwestern University Office for Research, the Feinberg Research Office, and a network of 60+ research core facilities on both Northwestern and Feinberg campuses.
Having a strong range of research experience is important to the Feinberg School of Medicine because it gives prospective students the exposure and chance for a hands-on experience that they should expect as medical students.
This teaches students to move forward and ask questions based on what they already know. Ideally, research experience will much better prepare prospective students for medical school.
Student research is strongly encouraged for all MD students at the Feinberg School of Medicine. They even have a program dedicated to guiding students through this process: the Area of Scholarly Concentration (AOSC) program.
Its purpose is to help students find the mentor and project that is best fit for them. There are a wide variety of fields of research to choose from, multiple external funding opportunities, and an extensive list of mentors available for MD students.
The Importance of Patient Care
Patient-centered medical care is something the Feinberg School of Medicine takes very seriously in their MD students. To ensure that their MD students are expertly skilled, knowledgeable and prepared when they graduate, they require the successful completion of six levels of competencies.
Recommendation Letters & Essays: What Stands Out?
Feinberg recommends that letters of evaluation are presented as a committee letter or letter packet, written by your university’s pre-medical or pre-health advisory committee. If your university does not have either of these committees, individual letters are accepted.
However, if your letters are submitted individually, they must be submitted in a certain way. Three separate letters is the requirement, and at least one of them must be from a science faculty member you learned beneath.
It is also important to not only have letters of recommendation, but to have letters of recommendation written by faculty that can truly attest to your skills and passion for medicine. Reach out to a faculty member that you have a strong professional relationship with in which you are confident in.
Another good rule of thumb is to ask your potential letter writers for a letter of recommendation months in advance. This gives them ample time to write a good letter for you. Make sure to extend a friendly reminder to your chosen letter writer one month before your application’s due date.
Committee Letter
If you are submitting a committee letter to Feinberg, it may also include additional letters of support. These are typically written by pre-health committees or advisors.
Letter Packet
A letter packet is typically assembled by your university. It can include a cover letter from your committee or adviser, but it does not include an evaluative letter as a committee letter would.
Individual Letter
This is a separate letter, typically written by a single author: for example, a science faculty member or long-term employer.
Essays
Writing an essay for a medical school application is one thing, but writing an essay for a medical school application that stands out is another thing. How do you make your essay stand out amongst 7,000+ other applications?
The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) offers relevant information on how to write about yourself in your personal essay in a unique way. This is one of the many ways that Feinberg determines whether you are a solid candidate for their next entering class.
This is a perfect opportunity to distinguish yourself amongst all your applying competitors, so ensure you take the time to really think about what you want to talk about before writing your first draft. Consider why you want to be in the medical field.
Find out what really motivates you in medicine. Think about what you want Feinberg to know about you that you haven’t already included in your application. Include experiences that will support why you decided to pursue a career in medicine.
Though these may seem like basic questions, they often aren’t acknowledged in a medical school application until the essay portion. The personal essay gives you the chance to showcase your personality and explain why you are passionate about medicine.
Supplemental Application
After your AMCAS application has been successfully submitted, verified and and transmitted to Feinberg’s Admissions Office, an invitation to submit a supplemental application will be sent to students via email. This typically happens approximately four to six weeks after your primary application has been submitted.
Feinberg urges prospective students to take the necessary steps to remove spam filters on their emails so this invitation does not get lost. The supplemental application also has a fee of around $95, and it must be submitted by mid-November.
Tuition and Scholarship Opportunities
Tuition and respective fees at Feinberg are charged twice a year: once in July, due at the start of August, and once in December, due at the start of January. Tuition totals to approximately $64K. Additional fees approximate to $1.5K.
Health insurance is also offered for approximately $5K, but students have the option to opt-out of this plan. The direct costs approximately total $70K.
In terms of scholarships, all students in Feinberg’s MD program are eligible for merit scholarships without any application. Students may also be eligible for merit scholarships or need-based grant funding. Students admitted to Feinberg can submit financial aid applications to be considered for need-based grants.
Feinberg also offers several outside scholarship opportunities, detailed on their website.
The Next Steps: Interviews & Getting Admitted
Interviews
The Feinberg Committee on Admissions distributes interview invitations via email to selected applicants. These are sent out from mid-August through January.
If you are selected for an interview, your interview will begin with an orientation session and a virtual campus tour with Feinberg medical students. You will then have three individual interviews. Two will be conducted by full-time faculty members, and the other will be conducted by a senior medical student.
The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) is now offering a Video Interview Tool for Admissions (VITA) for all prospective students applying to medical school. This is a one-way recorded interview implemented so each medical school can more accurately assess prospective students in addition to their applications.
The AAMC also offers a free interview resources guide to help students prepare for this section.
Getting Admitted: What Makes a Successful Candidate?
Feinberg utilizes a competency-based education framework to guide them in their decisions on whether or not a candidate is a suitable fit for their institution. Selection factors include:
Patient-Centered Medical Care: proficiencies are demonstrated in the application of clinical skills and knowledge, with attention to patients’ comfort and needs.
Effective Communication and Interpersonal Skills: verbal and non-verbal communication skills are present to respectfully, compassionately, and educationally converse and interact with patients, their families and medical care personnel.
Medical Knowledge and Scholarship: strong knowledge of the scientific basis of medicine and the ability to apply that knowledge is possessed.
System Awareness and Team-Based Care: an acute awareness of the healthcare delivery system and the ability to work as an effective healthcare team member are possessed.
Personal Awareness and Self-Care: the ability to self-reflect on personal acculturation to medicine and tend to physical and mental health.
Community Engagement and Service: a strong knowledge of community factors and their impact on personal, community and public health.
Continuous Learning and Quality Improvement: a commitment to continually assess and improve performance in the classroom and clinic.
Professional Behavior and Moral Reasoning: professional responsibilities and behavior are treated as priority, as well as the reflection, understanding and integration of ethical and moral obligations into healthcare.
Students are not admitted to Feinberg solely based on their MCAT score, GPA, or medical knowledge. The admissions committee is committed to an integrative, holistic review of each candidate and application.
Final Words (& Reminders)
When it comes down to decision factors, Feinberg wants candidates that are dedicated, passionate and ready to grow and learn in a rigorous environment. They want to produce the best physicians and scientists possible.
There are a lot of ways to make your application stand out, as highlighted in this article. Some of the most important things to remember are:
1. Submit everything as early as possible. Applications that are received early are treated as priority, as it is a “first-come, first-serve” basis, therefore giving earlier applicants a stronger chance of being accepted.
2. Don’t be afraid to add the things that are important to you and your growth to your application. Even if it is not medical-related, having extracurriculars or experiences that exhibit your leadership or have shaped your perspective show Feinberg that you would thrive in their medical school.
3. Make sure you are confident in your letter writers. And reach out for letters of recommendation as early as possible! Give your writers a second, friendly reminder a month before they are due so you can assure efficiency.
4. Take advantage of the AAMC VITA. This is a great tool that can provide lots of practice and resources to help you excel in medical school interviews.
5. Be confident in yourself, your ambitions and your accomplishments!
Feinberg is one of the best research-based medical schools in the country. That title alone can be daunting to any prospective medical student. But it is all about taking the right steps, and paying attention to the details.
Put everything into your application so the admission committee at Feinberg gets to know you and why you want to be a future doctor. If you are a prospective medical student looking at how to get into the Feinberg School of Medicine, use your knowledge, your passion, your drive, and then some.
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine Early Assurance Program
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine (FSM), located in the heart of Chicago, attracts talented students and faculty to its campus. Picture this: It’s a crisp fall day. The leaves are changing colors and the scenery is gorgeous. You peer through your window and get a glimpse of beautiful Lake Michigan. You step outside into the cool air and take a short walk to your local deep-dish pizzeria for lunch. You run into your medical school friends there. And in that moment, you feel such a sense of community against an unparalleled backdrop of a vibrant city.
It has built a reputation for excellence in several areas, from research, to interdisciplinary education, to clinical training. If you are interested in how to get into Northwestern Medical School, this post is for you! This blog post serves as a high-yield resource of facts for Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. We’ll also give tips for getting accepted to FSM from an accepted applicant. Whether you’re comparing medical schools, preparing for an interview, or wanting to learn more about FSM, keep reading!
Why Choose Northwestern Medicine
The most common reasons we’ve heard from students:
- FSM has a very strong research program. World-renowned faculty researchers are eager to take students under their wings.
- Northwestern runs on a pass/pass grading system. If you fail an exam, you simply retake it until you pass.
- Students are able to gain very early clinical experience and form longitudinal relationships with their mentors and patients.
- Northwestern’s undergraduate campus in Evanston, Illinois is very accessible. If you are interested in research or extracurriculars on the Evanston campus, you may take a short shuttle and explore the opportunities there. Also, did I mention that the Evanston campus has a private beach just for students?
- The diversity of patients that Chicago brings makes the clinical training at Northwestern outstanding and very rewarding.
- FSM’s location is a big reason that people from all over the country wish to attend here. It is located right on the lake and just a few blocks from Michigan Ave., which is the hub of all shopping and dining in Chicago.
Applications
Feinberg School of Medicine’s secondary application has several short essay questions. The school wants to make sure you will be a great fit for the Northwestern community, and that you will thrive in the Midwest.
Feinberg School of Medicine Secondary Application Essay Prompts 2020-2021:
Essay 1) Given the distinctive educational philosophy and integrated curriculum at FSM, describe how your personal characteristics and learning style would fit the institution, and how Feinberg School of Medicine will help you achieve your professional goals. (Limit your response to 200 words)
Essay 2) Describe the steps you take to reduce your personal stress when confronted with difficult situations. (Limit your response to 200 words)
Essay 3) Feinberg’s mission is to impact the practice of medicine through discovery and education. With consideration of FSM’s goal to train future leaders in medicine, please describe your career plans and goals. Be as specific as your current thinking will allow. (Limit your response to 200 words)
Essay 4) (if applicable): If you have (or expect to have) a year or more between college graduation and medical school matriculation, describe your activities and/or plans. For REAPPLICANTS: Please also address steps taken to improve your application for medical school. (Limit your response to 200 words)
Essay 5) Everyone has their own narrative. Please provide more detail about your selections above and how you would enrich the Northwestern community. (Limit your response to 200 words)
Essay 6) (A new prompt for the 2020-2021 application cycle during the COVID pandemic)
Describe how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted your pathway to medical school. Include any academic, personal, financial or professional barriers, as well as any other relevant information.
Northwestern Medical School Interview Format
In previous years, FSM has held a mixture of one-on-one interviews and group interviews. During the 2020-2021 application cycle, students were asked to complete three one-on-one interviews, generally consisting of one medical student and two faculty members. One of the interviews is open-file, while the other two are either partially closed-file, or completely closed-file. FSM’s interview format in the coming years may depend on whether interviews are held virtually or in person.
Northwestern Medical School Acceptance Rate
Northwestern University School of Medicine Admissions Statistics
- Northwestern Medical School Median GPA: 3.92
- Northwestern Medical School Median MCAT: 520 (130 Chemical and Physical/ 129 Critical Analysis and Reasoning/ 130 Biology and Biochemistry/ 131 Psychology and Sociology)
Northwestern Medical School USMLE Step Exams
- Average Feinberg Medical School USMLE Step 1 Score: 240
- Average Feinberg Medical School USMLE Step 2 Score: 253
Source: U.S. News Graduate School Rankings 2021
Feinberg Application Tips
1. How to get into Northwestern Medical School
- FSM is research-heavy. While research is not required for an acceptance, your passion for scientific inquiry should shine through in your secondary essays and interviews.
2. Northwestern Medical School
- Northwestern is looking for students who have shown to be resilient. Some students think that this means that you must have an extreme childhood adversity, or something of the like. This is not necessary by any means. Think of a time when you had to bounce back from a difficult situation, and exemplify that in your application.
3. Northwestern Medical School
- Emphasize what you can bring to the table in terms of diversity of thoughts, interests, and background. Northwestern prides itself on having an interesting student body, so show that you can contribute to that.
4. Northwestern Medical School Tip
- Do not fall into the trap of doing clinical experiences for the sake of putting hours on your application. You should be able to discuss how you learned and grew from these experiences. Did you learn about compassion and patient advocacy? Did you learn about healthcare disparities?
5. How to get into Northwestern Medical School Tip
- Northwestern admires students who have shown an interest in education. If it is true to you, weave that into your application and interviews. Of course, don’t pretend that you’re interested if that is not genuine. They can tell!
Feinberg School of Medicine’s Preclinical Years
How to Get Into Northwestern Medical School Tip – Know the Curriculum:
Feinberg School of Medicine Curriculum: Overview
Northwestern’s curriculum is very intentional in creating well-rounded, inquiry-driven, inclusive physicians. It is a traditional two-year pre-clinical and two-year clinical curriculum. The curriculum is broken up into three phases, while weaving in curricular components (known as threads) to strengthen the medical education. These 5 threads are:
- Healthcare Quality and Patient Safety
- Health Equity and Advocacy
- Lifestyle Medicine
- Medical Decision Making
- Teamwork and Leadership
There are two very unique programs that span over the course of four years:
- Area of Scholarly Concentration (AOSC) is a required research program by which students are able to come up with a unique project and longitudinally work with a research mentor. Students are able to present posters at conferences and often get first-author publications.
- Education-Centered Medical Home (ECMH) allows students to gain early clinical skills with preceptors that stick with them for the entire four years. Aside from learning clinical procedures, students also are taught about important issues such as medical ethics and the social determinants of health.
The three phases span the duration of the four years. Below are some highlights from each phase.
Pre-clinical curriculum:
Phase 1:
- Lasts 20 months
- The first block lays a foundation of basic science, including general biochemistry, pharmacology, and histology.
- The subsequent block is broken up into organ system modules, where students explore physiology in more depth.
- Synthesis Application Modules (SAM) are week-long courses that allow students to integrate and reinforce their knowledge over their four years
- Lectures are supplemented with problem-based learning, team-based learning, and simulations.
Combined Degrees
FSM offers combined degrees for those interested in pursuing another field of interest. The MD/MBA program is especially popular, as students are able to take business courses at the world-renowned Kellogg School of Management.
- MD/MBA
- MD/MPH
- MD/PhD
- BS/MD
WHAT STUDENTS ARE SAYING ABOUT FEINBERG SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
Get used to the cold! But buy a great jacket and you’ll be okay – even if you’re from California like me :). I have come to appreciate the four seasons, and my classmates and I do many activities including fall foliage hikes and blueberry picking.The pre-clinical curriculum is well though out. The faculty are mindful about how diseases affect different patient populations, and I think this holistic view will make me a much better physician.I love all my classmates. I feel like everyone is collaborative. We are close enough to Chicago that we can go into the city if we want, but we are also far enough that I feel like we are our own separate campus and not in a central urban location.Get used to the cold! But buy a great jacket and you’ll be okay – even if you’re from California like me :). I have come to appreciate the four seasons, and my classmates and I do many activities including fall foliage hikes and blueberry picking.The pre-clinical curriculum is well though out. The faculty are mindful about how diseases affect different patient populations, and I think this holistic view will make me a much better physician.I love all my classmates. I feel like everyone is collaborative. We are close enough to Chicago that we can go into the city if we want, but we are also far enough that I feel like we are our own separate campus and not in a central urban location.Get used to the cold! But buy a great jacket and you’ll be okay – even if you’re from California like me :). I have come to appreciate the four seasons, and my classmates and I do many activities including fall foliage hikes and blueberry picking.PreviousNext
THE INSIDER’S VIEW ON NORTHWESTERN MEDICAL SCHOOL’S CLINICAL YEARS
Feinberg School of Medicine Clinical Curriculum:
Feinberg’s clinical curriculum starts with Phase 2.
Phase 2:
- This is the beginning of the core clerkships. The clerkships include:
- Medicine
- Surgery
- OB/GYN
- Pediatrics
- Neurology
- Psychiatry
- Students continue to participate in AOSC, ECMH, and SAM
- Northwestern gives students the chance to partake in early clinical electives in this phase, which is not seen at many medical schools. This provides a valuable opportunity to explore areas of personal interest before submitting residency applications in your fourth year.
- Students may also choose to take selectives, which are two-week Pass/No Pass experiences in a particular specialty.
Phase 3:
- This phase focuses on advanced clinical rotations including:
- Emergency Medicine
- Critical Care
- Physical Medicine
- Sub-internships
- Unique elements of FSM
- Teaching Selective: Students are provided with the opportunity to take a Teaching Selective, where one may develop strong skills in education and communication by teaching first- and second-year classes. Students then meet with faculty and residents to reflect on the teaching experience and make room for improvement.
- Capstone Module: During this phase, students wrap up with a Capstone module, where they essentially practice being a doctor. Feinberg allots a couple of weeks for students to join into groups based on their chosen specialty and practice skills such as being on-call or working during a medical emergency. The purpose is to ease the transition between medical school and residency.
Common Clinical Rotation Sites:
- Northwestern Memorial Hospital (NMH)
- Lurie Children’s Hospital
- Jesse Brown VA
- John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County
- Prentice Women’s Hospital
WHAT STUDENTS ARE SAYING ABOUT CLINICAL ROTATIONS AT FEINBERG
There are many specialty interest groups from anesthesiology, cardiology, emergency medicine, and much much more. I came into medical school not knowing what I want to do. But, after attending many of the interest group meetings, I had a better idea of what specialty I want to go to. Each faculty member I had during my clinical rotations were excellent clinicians and teachers. I truly learned the meaning of evidence-based medicine here at FSM. I feel like my FSM clinical curriculum helped me build a strong foundation. Because I want to serve predominantly African-Americans in my future clinical practice, I Feinberg’s clinical rotations allowed me to have exposure to diverse individuals from varying levels of social economic status. Great match list – most of my friends got their #1 choice! There are many specialty interest groups from anesthesiology, cardiology, emergency medicine, and much much more. I came into medical school not knowing what I want to do. But, after attending many of the interest group meetings, I had a better idea of what specialty I want to go to. Each faculty member I had during my clinical rotations were excellent clinicians and teachers. I truly learned the meaning of evidence-based medicine here at FSM. I feel like my FSM clinical curriculum helped me build a strong foundation. Because I want to serve predominantly African-Americans in my future clinical practice, I Feinberg’s clinical rotations allowed me to have exposure to diverse individuals from varying levels of social economic status. Great match list – most of my friends got their #1 choice
What is the student life like?
Work hard, play hard! Students love to get involved in non-academic activities in their free time. Check out this video from Northwestern’s comedy group, “In Vivo”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQiZhy1Hf9A&ab_channel=FSMInVivo
FSM students are happy! They even made this music video:
How do students get around?
FSM students don’t necessarily need cars. Chicago is a centralized city, and the public transportation is fantastic. Not to mention, FSM provides all of its students with free public transit passes.
What is the student life like?
Work hard, play hard! Students love to get involved in non-academic activities in their free time. Check out this video from Northwestern’s comedy group, “In Vivo”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQiZhy1Hf9A&ab_channel=FSMInVivo
FSM students are happy! They even made this music video:
Northwestern organizes “colleges.” It’s essentially like the Harry Potter houses. Students are sorted into colleges during their first year and stick with those friends for the duration of their medical school careers. The year culminates with the colleges competing in a college cup, which gets excitingly competitive and is such a blast.
Feinberg School of Medicine Colleges:
Northwestern organizes “colleges.” It’s essentially like the Harry Potter houses. Students are sorted into colleges during their first year and stick with those friends for the duration of their medical school careers. The year culminates with the colleges competing in a college cup, which gets excitingly competitive and is such a blast.
FINANCING
While medical school is undoubtedly a large investment, Feinberg School of Medicine does what it can to alleviate that financial burden. Merit scholarships are available on top of need-based financial aid.
Financial Considerations:
- Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine Tuition and Fees: ~$63,000 + ~$30,000 room, board, health insurance
- Average indebtedness of graduates: ~$198,000
Source: U.S. News Graduate School Rankings 2021
Feinberg School of Medicine: Requirements, Statistics, How to Get in 2021
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine is one of eight medical schools in Illinois.
This medical school is located in the Streeterville neighborhood of Chicago and is one of 12 Northwestern University schools and colleges in the nation. Feinberg School of Medicine has been named one of the best medical schools for surgery in both the US and the world.
Learn everything there is to know about its requirements, statistics, and how to get into Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine to boost your chances of admission.
Disclaimer: BeMo does not endorse or affiliate with any universities, colleges, or official test administrators. The content has been developed based on the most recent publicly available data provided from the official university website. However, you should always check the statistics/requirements with the official school website for the most up to date information. You are responsible for your own results.
Note: If you would like to navigate to specific sections of the article, click “Article Contents” above (on mobile) or on the right (desktop) to see an overview of the content.
Mission Statement
The Feinberg School of Medicine will mentor and educate students to become exceptional, compassionate, and innovative physicians, educators, and researchers. We expect our students to be inquiry-driven team leaders who will serve their patients, society, and profession.
Available Programs
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine offers a multitude of medical degrees, including a traditional Doctor of Medicine Degree (MD) and a variety of dual degrees.MD
The Doctor of Medicine Degree (MD) prepares students to become highly qualified medical professionals in a time of ever-changing healthcare delivery. The latest MD curriculum was updated less than a decade ago and is broken into three primary phases spread across over four years.
Dual Degrees
Once a student has been accepted into Feinberg School of Medicine, they have the opportunity to personalize their education by following a dual-degree program path.MD/PhDMD/MPHMD/MSMD/MBAMD/MA
The Doctor of Medicine MD/PhD combined degree is supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This combined degree requires two years of pre-clinical medical education, three to five years of doctoral thesis research, and concludes with 15 months of clinical clerkship training.
Academic Curriculum
Feinberg School of Medicine believes that the traditional model of two years of foundational science paired with two years of clinical medicine takes away from student learning in a clinical setting. Rather than following this curriculum, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine breaks down its four-year program into three phases, Phase 1A, Phase 1B, Phase 2, and Phase 3.
Throughout the four phases of the medical school curriculum, four key elements form the foundation and framework are covered:
- SCIENCE IN MEDICINE
- CLINICAL MEDICINE
- HEALTH & SOCIETY
- PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
In addition to these elements, there are five threads that run throughout the curriculum, including:
- HEALTHCARE QUALITY & PATIENT SAFETY
- MEDICAL DECISION MAKING & DIAGNOSTIC TESTING
- TEAMWORK & LEADERSHIP
- LIFESTYLE MEDICINE
- HEALTH EQUITY & ADVOCACY
Organizing Principles
The following nine organizing principles inform the curriculum offered by Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine:
- ADAPTIVE & PERSONALIZED
- COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & SERVICE LEARNING
- COMPETENCY-BASED
- CONTINUITY
- EVIDENCE-BASED
- INCLUSIVE & BIAS-FREE
- INQUIRY-DRIVEN
- INTEGRATED
- PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Educational Centered Medical Home (ECMH)
Upon matriculation at Feinberg, every student will join an Educational Centered Medical Home (ECMH), serving as their longitudinal clinical site throughout their academic careers at the college.
The ECMH program consists of one preceptor and a group of students ranging from all four year levels of education Together, each team will work to care for patients in a primary care setting. Initially, students attend ECMH for one half-day every other week. As they grow in skills and knowledge, their responsibilities will increase.
Application Timeline
The general medical school application timeline of Feinberg School of Medicine application process can be viewed below. The Admissions department is constantly updating this critical information, so it is always best recommended to check exact dates and timelines directly through the school’s portal.
- MAY 27American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) primary applications for Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine become open for submission.
- JUNE 1Applicants must notify the Office of Admissions with Interest in applying to the Early Decision Program (EDP).
- JULY 1Verified AMCAS applications are sent to Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine for review.
- JULY 2The earliest date to be invited to complete the Secondary application.
- AUGUST 2 EDP deadline for Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.
- AUGUST 15 EDP Secondary application deadline. EDP letters of recommendation deadline.
- AUGUST – SEPTEMBEREDP Admissions interviews.
- AUGUST – FEBRUARY Admissions interviews.
- OCTOBER 1 EDP decision notification.
- OCTOBER 15 The earliest date to receive an acceptance notice.
- NOVEMBER 1Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine AMCAS Primary application deadline.
- NOVEMBER 15Secondary application deadline. Letters of recommendation deadline.
- APRIL Second look.
- JULY 11 Commit to enroll deadline.
Admissions Statistics
The average profile of the entering class for Feinberg School of Medicine looks as follows:
Overall acceptance rate = 2.27%
- In-state = 5.10%
- Out-of-state = 2.00%
- International = 0%
Average total GPA = 3.91
- Average science GPA = 3.90
Average MCAT = 520
Eligibility Requirements
Qualified international students who have completed a minimum of three years at a US or Canadian accredited college or university are welcome at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Some studies conducted at colleges or universities in the British Isles or Australia may be considered as exceptions.
Regardless of citizenship status, all students must have completed their bachelor’s degree before matriculation.
Recommended Courses
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine requires a bachelor’s degree before matriculation with the equivalent of 90 semester hours, 135 quarter hours, and undergraduate and/or graduate-level coursework. Studies must have been completed at a US or Canadian accredited college or college within the US or Canada.
Rather than giving preferential selection to students with majors in the sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine encourages a balanced education with majors in areas of individual interest. The school prides itself in recruiting students outside of traditional premedical disciplines such as chemistry or biology.
Below is a detailed list of required, highly recommended, and encouraged medical school prerequisites as per the Office of Admissions. In addition to these courses, students are also expected to have some level of clinical exposure and research experience.Required CoursesHighly Recommended CoursesEncouraged Courses
- Biology
- Physics
- General inorganic chemistry (or equivalent)
- Organic chemistry
Tuition and Debt
The estimated average graduate indebtedness for Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine is $183,836.
Annual Medical School Tuition and Fees
● In-state students: $65,090
● Out-of-state students: $65,090
Total Cost of Attendance
The total costs of attendance, including additional costs and health insurance, are approximately:
● In-state students: $96,527
● Out-of-state students: $96,527
Funding Opportunities
Feinberg School of Medicine understands the financial burden of medical school and, as a result, promotes premium financial aid packages to every accepted student. Financial aid opportunities welcomed by the school include merit scholarships, need-based grants, and loans.
74% of students at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine are currently receiving financial aid.
Loans
- FEDERAL LOANS (FOR US CITIZENS OR PERMANENT RESIDENTS ONLY)
- PRIVATE LOANS (AS A LAST POSSIBLE OPTION)
- FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS (PRIVATE LOANS WITH US CITIZEN OR PERMANENT RESIDENT CO-SIGNER)
Scholarships, Grants, and Fellowships
- Institutional medical school scholarship and grant opportunities (for admitted students)
- Fellowship opportunities (through the Northwestern University Office of Fellowships)
- Outside scholarship opportunities (for a detailed list, visit Feinberg Home > Home > Current Students > Financial Aid > Types of Aid > Scholarships, Grants & Fellowships)
Selection Factors
The Office of Admissions at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine looks for evidence of the following selection factors in every applicant:
- ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
- MATURE MOTIVATION FOR A CAREER IN MEDICINE
- ALTRUISM
- CHARACTER
In addition to having a well-rounded educational background paired with clinical and research exposure, preference is given to those with an additional in-depth life experiences. Ideally, all applicants will go above and beyond the standard recommendations and requirements listed by the Office of Admissions.
Accepted Applicant Characteristics
Candidates are reviewed carefully and extended offers of admission when they exhibit a series of characteristics, including:
- MEANINGFUL EXPLORATION OF MEDICINE
- ACADEMIC PREPAREDNESS
- INQUIRY-DRIVEN
- SERVICE ORIENTATION AND ALTRUISM
- PROFESSIONALISM (HONESTY AND INTEGRITY)
- EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION AND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS
- MATURITY
- COMMITMENT
- PERSISTENCE
- TEAM PLAYER
- LEADERSHIP SKILLS
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine does not discriminate based on race, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, or disability.
Before matriculation, all students entering medical school must complete a criminal history records check as required by the State of Illinois. Additionally, any students that have been accepted will also be required to undergo drug screening for commonly abused controlled substances.
Letters of Recommendation
All letters of recommendation must be submitted through the AMCAS Letter Service. Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine requires a minimum of one letter of recommendation and requests that no students exceed the maximum of three before receiving an invitation to interview. Following your interview, you can submit additional letters.
The required letters of recommendation for applicants are broken down by traditional MD applicants and nontraditional MD applicants.
Traditional MD Applicants
Letters of recommendation may be presented as either a committee letter or a letter packet and submitted by November 15th. The pre-medical/pre-health advisory committee must write letters on behalf of your graduating college. Individual letters are allowed when pre-medical/pre-health advisory committees are not offered.
If you submit individual letters, you must submit a total of three separate letters as per the minimum requirement.
- One should come from a science faculty member that has taught you
- Two can come from variable sources, preferably:
- FACULTY MEMBERS
- RESEARCH SUPERVISORS
- LONG-TERM EMPLOYERS
Limited Spots Available
Nontraditional MD Applicants
Nontraditional MD applicants are students who have taken two or more years off between their undergraduate studies and medical school, or applicants who decided to change their career trajectory after years in another professional field. There are three different options for nontraditional MD applicants to meet the minimum requirements for the letters of recommendation.Option1Option 2Option 3
- Two letters by science faculty
- One letter by non-science faculty, volunteer supervisor, or employer
Supplemental Application
Four to six weeks after you have submitted your AMCAS application and it has been submitted, verified, and transmitted to the Office of Admissions, invitations will be sent out, via email, to complete the supplemental application.
All approved applicants will be invited via email to complete the supplemental application through the school’s secure applicant website. A processing fee of $95 will be due at the time of your submission.
All supplemental applications must be submitted by November 15th.
Prompts:
- Given the distinctive educational philosophy and integrated curriculum at FSM, describe how your personal characteristics and learning style would fit the institution. (Limit your response to 200 words)
- Describe the steps you take to reduce your personal stress when confronted with difficult situations. (Limit your response to 200 words)
- Feinberg’s mission is to impact the practice of medicine through discovery and education. With consideration of FSM’s goal to train future leaders in medicine, please describe your career plans and goals. Be as specific as your current thinking will allow. (Limit your response to 200 words)
- (if applicable): If you have (or expect to have) a year or more between college graduation and medical school matriculation, describe your activities and/or plans. For REAPPLICANTS: Please also address steps taken to improve your application for medical school. (Limit your response to 200 words)
- Everyone has their own narrative. Please provide more detail about your selections above and how you would enrich the Northwestern community. (Limit your response to 200 words)
MSTP
- Why did you choose your undergraduate major? How does the subject appeal to you? (200 W)
- Name a scientific paper that you have read recently that had a strong impact on you and describe what impact it had. (200 W)
- Discuss a current unanswered question in biomedical research that you find particularly interesting and what research you would like to see done to address it. (200 W)
- What is the most gratifying research experience you have had to date and why? What was the greatest obstacle you had to overcome in research and how did you overcome it? (200 W)
- Everyone has their own narrative. Please provide more detail about your selections above and how you would enrich the Northwestern community. (200 W)
- How do you envision your career after you complete your training, including residency and fellowship? What aspects of your life and career will be most satisfying? What frustrations can you envision in your future career, and how do you hope to handle them? (200 W)
- Please describe your current research interest as you plan your research training. (200 W)
Interview Formats
Interview season for Feinberg School of Medicine begins in late August and goes through mid-February of the following year. Interviews are conducted on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays and will consist of a total of three interviews per applicant. Two interviews will be held with full-time faculty, and one will be with a senior medical student.
Your interview day will also consist of an orientation session and virtual campus tour led by first and second-year medical students.
Acceptance and Waitlist Information
The typical number of waitlist positions per cycle varies year to year at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. On average, 10 acceptance offers are granted to applicants on the waitlist.
Waitlist offers are made after the uniform acceptance date, as early as October 1st, and continue until the incoming class has been filled. The Office of Admissions gives preference to students expressing an ongoing interest in specifically attending Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.
Feinberg School of Medicine Admission Consultants
Northwestern University Mission Statement
The Feinberg School of Medicine will mentor and educate students to become exceptional, compassionate, and innovative physicians, educators, and researchers. We expect our students to be inquiry-driven team leaders who will serve their patients, society, and profession.
Northwestern Secondary Application Questions
Given the distinctive educational philosophy and curriculum at FSM, describe how your personal characteristics and
learning style would fit the institution. (250 words). The FSM MD curriculum trains students to practice 21st-century medicine. The educational program offers an integrated, learner-centered environment that promotes inquiry, continuity, and evidence-based learning.
It closely aligns classroom instruction with relevant, hands-on clinical experiences from day one. This approach facilitates active, inquiry-driven learning. It includes:
- A team-based care model in which students practice and refine clinical and communication skills in authentic patient care and simulated environments.
- A focus on multidimensional care that is patient-centered, safe, cost-effective, efficient, evidence-based, culturally competent, and equitable.
- A highly mentored research experience in a personal area of interest over the four years will lead to a thesis or other scholarly work.
- A longitudinal clinical experience with the underserved to develop the skills to become culturally sensitive, globally aware, and socially accountable practitioners with compassion.
If your experiences have included any or many of the approaches described in the FSM curriculum, it should be obvious to highlight that but also to describe how those experiences might be an asset in collaboration with peers or others. In other words, how can your experience with scholarly work, or clinical experience with underserved populations, or work in teams be shared and be a resource for others.
If your experiences do not seem to fit these approaches described in the FSM curriculum, then you should think more critically about all of your experiences, as teamwork, scholarly work, and hands-on experiences are applicable concepts in many facets of life experiences.
Describe the coping skills (not problem-solving skills) you use when confronted with difficult situations. (250 words)
The request (in the question) not to confuse problem-solving skills with coping skills is important to consider because many people continue to make that mistake.
The use of problem-solving skills might lead to the resolution of a problem but coping skills lead to the conscious and subconscious actions that allow you to deal with a problem that may not be corrected. One of the important exercises in answering this question is the ability to be sufficiently self-aware of the positive and negative triggers for you that require coping skills.
There are many different actions that constitute coping skills but be conscientious not to simply list typical actions such as exercise. That can certainly be part of the response but seek to be more thoughtful and insightful.
Describe your career plans and goals. Be as specific as your current thinking will allow. (250 words)
The specificity of your response can indicate your level of knowledge and exposure to the vast options available. Many students thinking of the future might only concentrate on the specialty of interest but do not consider or know of career options beyond clinical practice or research.
For example, as a clinician, there is obviously patient care, but there are also opportunities to participate in education, policy, consulting, or leadership roles with administrative responsibilities related to their department, hospital, institution, or issues related to ethics, cultural competency, economics, etc.
There are a plethora of directions that a physician’s career can take and it’s more impressive when someone has much knowledge and has been contemplative of their choices.
If you have (or expect to have) a year or more between college graduation and Medical school matriculation, describe your activities and/or plans. (if applicable) (250 words)
While it is obviously helpful to frame these experiences in the context of better preparing oneself for a career in medicine, it can be just as valid to describe how such activities are going to make you more than just a better physician, but a better member of society, friend, advocate, leader, etc.
If you wish, use this space to provide more detail about your selections [note: this is about your racial background, sexual identity, and social background] above and how you would bring diversity to the Northwestern community. (250 words)
The learning environment is enhanced with the addition of diverse perspectives and experiences. This encourages opportunities for better appreciation and understanding of ideas that have not been shared by everyone. The most effective way for others to benefit from experiences and ideas unknown to them is through active efforts to share and to learn.
In other words, in the response to this prompt, it is important to emphasize tangible efforts for how one’s particular identities or experiences have been shared with others by being a role model or mentor among other things. An emphasis should be placed on a track record that has been active in seeking to help others better understand and appreciate diverse perspectives.
School Stats
- RESIDENT TUITION $64,262
- NON – RESIDENT TUITION $64,262
- APPLICATION FEE $95
- AVG MCAT 519
- AVG GPA 3.9
- LIZZYM SCORE 76.0
The LizzyM Score is a measure of your compatibility with a school.
Admissions Information
- Office of MD Admissions
- Morton Building 1-606
- 303 E Superior St
- Chicago 60611
- United States
- PHONE: (312) 503-8206
- EMAIL: med-admissions@northwestern.edu
- WEBSITE: www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/
School Overview
School Info
The Feinberg School of Medicine is a part of the vibrant educational and cultural community of Northwestern University, an independent private institution founded in 1851. The Feinberg School, one of Northwestern’s 11 colleges and schools, stands out among the nation’s medical schools. Consistently receiving high marks in U.S. News & World Report surveys, the medical school attracts bright and talented individuals to its faculty and student body.
Curriculum
Feinberg has an integrated doctor of medicine curriculum designed to prepare students for careers as medical professionals. As such, it emphasizes the importance of attaining cross-disciplinary medical knowledge. Students begin their medical education with 2 years of basic sciences instruction, and then proceed to the 2 clinical years. The curriculum emphasizes active rather than passive learning where small-group and self-directed study sessions give students the opportunity to apply and evaluate newly learned concepts. For the first 2 years, students learn in short lectures of no more than 10 hours per week, labs, group seminars, small-group and problem-based learning discussions, computer-assisted sessions, and related educational activities. For all 4 years, self-directed and collaborative learning modes are encouraged and expected. In the first 2 years, students participate in a curriculum organized by the study of organ systems. In the first year, the basic science curriculum, called Structure-Function, incorporates the study of anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, and histology into the organ-based approach. The second year basic science curriculum, called Scientific Basis of Medicine, begins with an overview of immunology, microbiology, and infectious diseases. Then, study focuses on the pathology, pathophysiology, and pharmacology specific to each organ system. During the third year and fourth years, after Introduction to Clinical Clerkships, students rotate through a series of clerkships (such as emergency medicine, pediatrics, surgery, and psychiatry) where independent and collaborative learning modes continue to be encouraged and expected. Professional development is emphasized through continuation of the Patient, Physician and Society curriculum, begun in the first year. Third- and fourth-year students are also expected to teach other medical students, thus helping to prepare them for their roles as physician educators with students, residents, and colleagues.
Facilities
The University, primarily through the Feinberg School, is part of the McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University, an academic medical center in which the missions of education, research, and clinical services are paramount. Other McGaw members are Children’s Memorial Medical Center, Evanston Northwestern Healthcare, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, and Jesse Brown VA Medical Center (formerly VA Chicago Health Care System). Medical students and residents receive part of their education at these hospitals, and nearly all the attending staff members have faculty appointments at the Feinberg School.
Northwestern University
Overview Admissions Score Card Student Body Financial Aid Contact
The Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, was founded in 1859, focuses heavily on research, and is highly ranked in the areas of commitment to patient care and community service. Feinberg also partners with Northwestern Memorial HealthCare. The school receives a large amount of grants from the NIH, and their physiology, urology, obstetrics and gynecology, preventative medicine, and dermatology departments are among the best in the country. The school also houses 26 core facilities, including a Bioinformatics Consulting Core, Genomics Core and Human Embryonic and Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Core.
Along with traditional MD degrees, the school offers four-year dual degrees, including a MD/MPH, a Master of Arts in Medical Humanities and Bioethics, and a Master of Science in Healthcare Quality and Patient Safety. There are also two MD/PhD programs with Northwestern’s Graduate School (Medical Scientist Training Program) and the University’s Institute for Neuroscience. There are also programs for a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), a Master of Medical Science (MMSc) in Physician Assistant Studies, and Master of Science degrees in Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Clinical Investigation, Genetic Counseling and Regulatory Compliance.
The curriculum is structured into three sections and four main elements: science in medicine, clinical medicine, health and society, and professional development. The goals include: fully integrating scientific principles in a clinical context, stimulating inquiry and investigation, having an assessment system that evaluates student achievement, reinforcing a culture of teamwork, and being flexible enough to meet the needs of each student. Students at Northwestern work out of the teaching hospital, Northwestern Memorial Hospital which was finished in 1999. This hospital is often ranked as one of the top medical centers in the country.
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine has a different grading system than many other medical schools. In fact, there are no letter grades. First and second-years are graded pass/fail, and third and fourth-years can get grades of honors, high pass, pass, or fail. Once the students are ready to start their specialties, many choose to go into emergency medicine, pediatrics, family practice, or diagnostic radiology.
The school sets itself apart by designating three afternoons a week for students to take part in optional activities. There are nearly 70 student organizations on campus, including the Musicians in Music club and a juggling club called the Jugulars. Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine is differentiated due to its challenging, yet gratifying curriculum and the opportunity to participate in extracurricular activities.
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