Early Decision Program (EDP)

The School of Medicine's Early Decision Program (EDP) offers an accelerated admissions route for exceptional students aspiring to become physician leaders in military medicine. This program provides successful applicants with the certainty of acceptance by October 1st, signifying a binding commitment to enroll at the Uniformed Services University.

To be eligible for consideration, applicants must adhere to all AMCAS EDP guidelines and the following USU EDP criteria:

  • Early Decision Application: Applicants must explicitly designate their application as "Early Decision" through the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS). This indicates their strong preference for USU and their commitment to matriculate if accepted. Applying and submitting all required information before the deadlines does NOT automatically enroll you in this program.
  • Holistic Review: The School of Medicine employs a comprehensive evaluation process that takes into account the applicant's academic accomplishments, experiences, personal attributes, and potential contributions to the military health system. This assessment aligns with the USU School of Medicine's mission to cultivate compassionate, skilled, and dedicated physician-leaders who will serve the nation's military personnel and their families.
  • Academic Excellence: A competitive applicant will exhibit a consistent record of academic achievement across both science and non-science disciplines. The GPA should reflect sustained intellectual curiosity, strong work ethic, and the ability to thrive in a demanding medical school curriculum.
  • Standardized Test Scores: To be considered for admission, applicants must achieve a minimum MCAT score of 505 and a minimum overall science GPA of 3.5. It's important to note that these are the minimum requirements, and the admissions process is competitive. The average MCAT score for students who have been accepted into the program is 510, which is significantly higher than the minimum requirement. Similarly, the average GPA for matriculated students is 3.7, demonstrating a strong academic performance in prerequisite coursework. These averages highlight the competitive nature of the admissions process and the caliber of students who are typically admitted.
  • Additional Requirements:  Accepted EDP applicants must also satisfy the standard admission requirements of the School of Medicine. This includes the successful completion of a thorough medical examination to ensure physical fitness for military service and a comprehensive security clearance to assess eligibility for access to classified information.
  • Prior Applications: Applicants who have already submitted an application to any U.S. medical school (AMCAS or non-AMCAS) for the current academic year are not eligible to participate in the EDP.


Key Dates and Deadlines:

  • AMCAS Application and Transcript Deadline: August 1
  • MCAT Score Submission Deadline: August 1
  • Secondary Application and Letters of Recommendation Deadline: August 7
  • DoDMERB (Department of Defense Medical Examination Review Board) Submission, Security Documents, and Letter of Approval/Release: October 1


Note: Applications that are incomplete or do not adhere to the specified guidelines will not be considered for the EDP and will be placed with regular decision applications. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that all materials are submitted on time and in the correct format.

The EDP presents a unique opportunity for highly motivated and qualified individuals to secure their place at the Uniformed Services University School of Medicine. The program seeks candidates who embody the values of service, leadership, and academic excellence, and who are committed to a career in military medicine. While the EDP offers an expedited admissions process, it also requires a firm commitment from the applicant to attend USU if accepted. This agreement ensures that both the applicant and the university are fully invested in the outcome of the admissions process.

If you have any questions regarding the Early Decision Program you may contact your Admissions Counselor below. Counselors are assigned by the first letter of your last name and will be working with you throughout the application cycle.
    A - L: Ms. Bowker, alexandra.bowker@usuhs.edu
    M - R: Ms. Baker, larhonda.baker@usuhs.edu
    S - Z: Ms. Forrest, brooke.forrest.ctr@usuhs.edu