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.
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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.
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.
Recap of admission stats, available programs, and interview formats at Feinberg
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:
In addition to these elements, there are five threads that run throughout the curriculum, including:
Organizing Principles
The following nine organizing principles inform the curriculum offered by Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine:
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.
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.
Are you wondering why you need to take prerequisites?
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
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:
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:
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:
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.
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)
Check out how to answer the most common medical school secondary essay prompts:
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.
Contact Information
- Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine homepage
- Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine MD admissions website
- Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine MD education homepage
FAQs
1. What is the overall acceptance rate?
The overall acceptance rate at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine is 2.27%, in-state acceptance rate of 5.10% and out-of-state acceptance rate of 2.00%. Although Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine does accept international students, 0% of international matriculants were accepted in the last cycle.
2. What is the average GPA?
The average GPA for acceptance at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine is 3.91, with an average science GPA of 3.90.
3. What is the average MCAT?
The average MCAT score for Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine is 520.
4. What is the interview format?
The current interview format for Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine consists of three interviews per applicant. Two interviews will be held with full-time faculty members and the third and final, with a current senior medical student.
5. How should letters of recommendation be formatted?
Letters of recommendation for Feinberg School of Medicine follow the AMCAS letter service. You can submit a minimum of one letter and a maximum of three letters through this service. Requirements for letters of recommendation vary between traditional and nontraditional MD students, with multiple options for each.
The Office of Admissions requests that students send no more than the maximum requirement before being invited to interview. If you interview with the school, you can submit additional letters of recommendation following your interview.
6. Is there a secondary application?
Yes, all verified students are sent a request for a secondary application. Students can submit their secondary applications as soon as they receive the link via email. All secondary applications must be submitted by November 15th.
7. What are the minimum academic requirements for applicants?
All applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from a US or Canadian accredited college or college within the US or Canada before matriculation. Coursework must include 90 semester hours, 135 quarter hours, and undergraduate and/or graduate-level learning.
8. What is the tuition cost?
The medical school tuition cost for both in-state and out-of-state students at Feinberg School of Medicine is $65,090. With additional annual fees, including other fees and health insurance, the total cost of attendance is approximately $96,527 per year. The estimated average graduate indebtedness is $183,836 upon completion of the MD Program.
9. Does Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine accept transfer students?
While the school does allow transfer opportunities, they are extremely limited. To be considered for acceptance as a transfer, students must be in good standing at their current accredited allopathic medical school located within the United States or Canada only. Third-year medical students are considered only based upon hardship.
Transfer request letters should be submitted to the Offices of Admissions in the fall or early winter of the preceding year. If the transfer has not been accepted, students will be notified before the end of April.
10. What programs are available at Feinberg School of Medicine?
In addition to the Doctor of Medicine Degree (MD) offered by Feinberg School of Medicine, there are also a number of dual degree programs available. After being accepted into the school, students can follow a dual-degree program for MD/PhD, MD/MPH, MD/MS, MD/MDA, or MD/MA.
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