Washington D.C.

MD and DO Medical Schools in Washington D.C.

Washington D.C. has three MD medical schools — Georgetown, GWU, and Howard — each with a distinct mission and admissions philosophy. The nearby Uniformed Services University in Bethesda is also a common consideration for D.C.-area applicants. All D.C. programs use AMCAS.

How D.C. Medical Schools Handle Applications

All three MD programs physically located in Washington D.C. — Georgetown, GWU, and Howard — use AMCAS (American Medical College Application Service). There is no separate D.C.-specific application system. If you are applying to D.C. schools, you apply through AMCAS.

The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, while commonly considered alongside D.C. programs, is physically located in Bethesda, Maryland. It also uses AMCAS but requires a military service commitment. Research the service obligation carefully before applying.

Washington D.C. does not have a public medical school in the traditional sense — all three D.C. programs are private institutions. There is no in-state tuition advantage for D.C. residents. Each school evaluates applicants based on academic preparation, mission alignment, and sustained experiences regardless of residency.

Dr. Tomei's Perspective

D.C. is one of the most competitive medical school markets in the country. Georgetown, GWU, and Howard each have a distinct identity — Jesuit service values, urban health policy, and health equity respectively. The strongest D.C. applicants I work with understand those distinctions and write school-specific essays that reflect genuine alignment, not generic interest.

MD Programs in Washington D.C.

Georgetown University School of Medicine

MDAMCAS

Location

Washington, D.C.

Avg MCAT (matriculants)

See AAMC MSAR

Avg GPA (matriculants)

See AAMC MSAR

Mission Focus: Jesuit values, service, primary care, and research

Georgetown looks for sustained service, ethical reflection, and evidence that you understand the people and communities you hope to serve. Review current class profiles directly through AAMC MSAR.

George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences

MDAMCAS

Location

Washington, D.C.

Avg MCAT (matriculants)

See AAMC MSAR

Avg GPA (matriculants)

See AAMC MSAR

Mission Focus: Urban medicine, health policy, and research

GWU offers a distinctly urban, policy-aware medical education in downtown Washington and values applicants who can connect experiences to impact. Review current class profiles through AAMC MSAR.

Howard University College of Medicine

MDAMCAS

Location

Washington, D.C.

Avg MCAT (matriculants)

See AAMC MSAR

Avg GPA (matriculants)

See AAMC MSAR

Mission Focus: Health equity and training physicians for underserved communities

Howard is an HBCU medical school with a longstanding commitment to underrepresented students and communities that experience health inequities. Review current class profiles through AAMC MSAR.

Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences

MDAMCAS

Location

Bethesda, Maryland (nearby federal campus)

Avg MCAT (matriculants)

Program-specific

Avg GPA (matriculants)

Program-specific

Mission Focus: Military medicine and federal service

USU is physically located in Bethesda, MD — not in D.C. proper — but is a common consideration for D.C.-area applicants. Students commission into the military, receive tuition support and salary, and commit to service after training. Apply only after carefully understanding the service obligation.

Building a D.C.-Area School List

Washington D.C. has three private MD programs — Georgetown, GWU, and Howard. Because all three are private, there is no in-state tuition advantage for D.C. residents. Each school evaluates applicants on academic preparation, mission alignment, and the depth and authenticity of their experiences.

Georgetown, GWU, and Howard are each highly competitive. Applicants should research current class profiles through AAMC MSAR and write school-specific secondary essays that reflect genuine understanding of each program's mission — not generic interest in D.C. as a location.

D.C.-area applicants should also consider nearby programs in Maryland and Virginia as part of a balanced list. The University of Maryland School of Medicine (Baltimore) and Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine (Richmond) are meaningful regional options with distinct missions and residency considerations.

Dr. Tomei's Perspective

D.C. applicants often make the mistake of treating Georgetown, GWU, and Howard as interchangeable because they are geographically close. They are not. Georgetown's Jesuit service tradition, GWU's health policy focus, and Howard's health equity mission each require a different narrative. I help students understand those distinctions and write essays that reflect genuine fit — not just proximity.

Need Help Building Your Washington D.C. School List?

Positioning yourself for Georgetown, GWU, or Howard — and knowing how each program's mission should shape your narrative — is one of the highest-leverage decisions in your application cycle. Dr. Tomei, MD, MBA, MHA, CHSE can help.

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