PROGRAM
I’M INTERESTED IN BECOMING A NURSE, DENTIST, OR OTHER HEALTH PROFESSIONAL. WILL THIS PROGRAM WORK FOR ME?
No - this program designed to help enlisted members become physicians (MD or DO). It is not intended to lead to degrees in the other health professions. Service members who are interested in pursuing other health professions should speak with their unit career counselor.
WHERE WILL THE COURSES BE HELD? WILL I TAKE CLASSES AT UNIFORMED SERVICES UNIVERSITY?
Classes will be held at a civilian university in the local Washington, DC, metro area.
WHAT IS THE APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR THIS PROGRAM?
The application period is usually announced in the spring of each year. The application dates will be posted on this website in the Application Announcement.
WILL COMPLETION OF THIS PROGRAM GUARANTEE ME ACCEPTANCE TO UNIFORMED SERVICES UNIVERSITY?
No. Learn More >
WHICH MEDICAL SCHOOL DO PARTICIPANTS IN THIS PROGRAM ATTEND?
EMDP2 participants are required to apply to USU and are encouraged to also apply to accredited civilian medical schools. While a majority of EMDP2 graduates choose to attend USU for medical school, some are attending civilian medical schools using the Health Professions Scholarship Program.
HOW MUCH DOES THIS PROGRAM COST ME?
All of the academic costs for EMDP2 (tuition, fees, textbooks, etc.) are paid by USU, and you will continue to receive your military pay and allowance while enrolled in the program. You assume no financial burden for attending EMDP2.
ELIGIBILITY
CAN I ENLIST AND HAVE THIS ADDED TO MY CONTRACT OR LATER AS A REENLISTMENT OPTION?
No. The EMDP2 is not available as an enlistment or reenlistment option. All candidates are required to apply and undergo the standard selection process.
WHAT ARE THE AGE LIMITS FOR THIS PROGRAM?
Applicants must be no older than 34 on 1 July in the year of matriculation to the EMDP2. Waivers are considered for this requirement.
IS THIS PROGRAM LIMITED TO ANY SPECIFIC MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY?
No, this program is not limited to any specific military occupational specialty.
MUST I HAVE A SPECIFIC UNDERGRADUATE MAJOR TO QUALIFY FOR THIS PROGRAM?
No, you may apply with any undergraduate major.
I’VE COMPLETED ALL OF THE PREMEDICAL PREREQUISITE (SCIENCE) COURSES. DO I QUALIFY?
If you have successfully completed the pre-medical prerequisite courses setting with a grade of B or higher at a U.S. college or university, you may still apply for the EMDP2. If selected, you may either redo the courses, or enroll in some substitute courses during the first year depending on when you previously completed those courses.
I HAVE COMPLETED ALL OF THE PREMEDICAL PREREQUISITE COURSES. MAY I ENROLL IN THE SECOND YEAR OF THIS PROGRAM?
No. Learn More >
I HAVE COMPLETED ALL OF THE PREMEDICAL PREREQUISITE COURSES. MAY I APPLY TO THIS PROGRAM FOR MCAT PREPARATION ONLY?
No. Learn More >
I HAVE NOT COMPLETED MY BACCALAUREATE DEGREE. MAY I ENROLL IN THIS PROGRAM TO FINISH MY DEGREE?
This is not a degree completion program. You must have obtained a baccalaureate degree from an accredited U.S. college or university to enroll in the EMDP2 Program.
I DO NOT MEET THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS. DO YOU ALLOW WAIVERS?
The academic requirements are not waiverable; however, some of the other requirements are. Check the application announcement for details.
HOW DO I REQUEST A WAIVER?
Waiver requests should be prepared in memorandum format, on plain paper, and submitted with your application packet. The waiver request comes from the applicant.
I’VE COMPLETED A COLLEGE COURSE THAT’S HIGHER THAN ALGEBRA (SUCH AS STATISTICS, GEOMETRY, TRIGONOMETRY, ETC.). AM I STILL REQUIRED TO COMPETE ALGEBRA?
You are not required to complete Algebra if you’ve completed any course that’s higher than Algebra.
I HAVE A FOREIGN UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE AND A MASTER'S DEGREE FROM A U.S. INSTITUTION. DO I QUALIFY?
Candidates with foreign undergraduate degrees do not qualify; an undergraduate degree from a U.S. institution is a non-waiverable requirement as this is a medical school requirement.
MY FOREIGN DEGREE WAS VERIFIED BY A U.S. AGENCY AND DEEMED TO BE EQUIVALENT TO A BACHELOR’S DEGREE. DOES THIS MEET THE REQUIREMENT TO HAVE AN UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE FROM AN ACCREDITED U.S. INSTITUTION?
Equivalency reports issued by U.S. academic evaluation agencies are not an approved substitute for degrees from an accredited U.S. institution. Equivalency reports must be further validated by an accredited U.S. college or university and the candidate must earn a degree.
I AM NOT A U.S. CITIZEN, BUT HAVE SUBMITTED AN APPLICATION. ARE LEGAL RESIDENT IMMIGRANTS OR “GREEN CARD” HOLDERS ELIGIBLE?
You must be a U.S. citizen to apply; legal residents or “green card” holders are not eligible. All candidates must be eligible to become commissioned officers at the completion of the program and U.S. citizenship is a non-waiverable requirement.
WHAT IS THE OLDEST STANDARDIZED TEST SCORE DATE ACCEPTED?
Standardized test scores must be within five years of the application cycle. Example: Standardized tests for the class matriculating in 2022 must be no taken in January 2017 or later.
IF MY STANDARDIZED TEST SCORE IS BELOW THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENT, AM I STILL ELIGIBLE TO APPLY? ARE THERE WAIVERS FOR STANDARDIZED TEST SCORES?
If your standardized test score is below the target scores(s), you may submit your application with a waiver request.
IF MY GPA IS BELOW THE 3.20 THRESHOLD, WHAT CAN I DO?
If your GPA falls below the application requirements, you may supplement your GPA with post-baccalaureate or graduate-level coursework. Post-baccalaureate work could improve your undergraduate GPA. Additionally, you will qualify if you complete a graduate degree that meets the minimum GPA requirement.
WHAT CAN I DO TO STRENGTHEN MY EMDP2 APPLICATION?
Applicants are reviewed on a holistic basis. Your academic and military service records, experiences, letters of recommendation, and your personal statement describing your motivation for becoming a physician are all considered in the selection process.
I SENT MY APPLICATION TO X, Y, OR Z. I HAVE BEEN CALLING, BUT NOT GETTING ANY RESPONSE. WHAT DO I DO?
Contact EMDP2-Application@usuhs.edu to confirm receipt of your application.
SERVICE
DOES PARTICIPATION IN THIS PROGRAM CONSTITUTE A TEMPORARY DUTY (TDY) OR A PERMANENT CHANGE OF STATION (PCS)?
Participation in this program constitutes a PCS to the Washington, DC area. Family member travel will be authorized.
WILL MY RELOCATION EXPENSES BE PAID?
Yes, relocation expenses will be paid by your service.
WHAT DOES "MAINTAINING AN ACTIVE DUTY STATUS" MEAN? (IF ACCEPTED TO THIS PROGRAM, WILL I BE COMMISSIONED OR SEPARATED?)
If accepted into this program, you will remain on active duty in your enlisted rank. You will be assigned to Uniformed Services University and will continue to receive active duty pay and benefits. You will be commissioned upon completion of the program and acceptance to medical school.
WHAT IS THE SERVICE COMMITMENT FOR PARTICIPATION IN THIS PROGRAM?
The service commitment for EMDP2 is 36 months. There is an additional service commitment for attending medical school.
WHAT HAPPENS TO A SERVICE MEMBER WHO DOES NOT COMPLETE THIS PROGRAM AFTER STARTING?
A service member who does not complete the program will return to his/her respective service for re-assignment based on the needs of the service.
"EMDP2 prepared me so well, I would smile (amongst groans) when a subject would come up [at medical school] because I knew we had already covered it."