General FAQ
Led by Joseph Flaherty, MD, Western Atlantic University School of Medicine’s leadership team is made up of experienced medical school educators and proven administrators who have collectively educated thousands of successful MDs who have launched successfully careers across the US and Canada. Learn more about our entire leadership team.
Western Atlantic University School of Medicine (WAUSM) is an allopathic medical school that confers the Doctor of Medicine (MD).
Western Atlantic University School of Medicine (WAUSM) has received Provisional Accreditation by the Caribbean Accreditation Authority for Education in Medicine and Other Health Professions (CAAM-HP). For more information, visit our Accreditation page.
WAUSM’s preclerkship campus is conveniently located in Freeport, Grand Bahama, 80 miles east of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. To learn more, visit Freeport Campus.
Yes, we have a formal mentoring program that involves both students and faculty. To learn more, visit Academic Support.
WAUSM students complete all third year core clinical rotations and fourth year elective rotations in the United States. Third year clinical rotations are fulfilled at our premier teaching hospital partner. See Curriculum to learn more.
Western Atlantic University School of Medicine offers three start dates a year – in January, May, and September.
WAUSM works with all applicants individually to help them reach their goal of attending medical school. Please reach out with any questions you may have by emailing our Admissions team at [email protected].
Admissions FAQ
No. Because WAUSM accepts three classes a year in January, May and September, applications are accepted on a rolling basis and evaluated as they are received. Those applying earlier will receive their decision sooner, so we recommend that you submit your application as quickly as possible to be considered for your desired class start.
1 Review our Admission Requirements
2 Submit your application: Send us downloaded AMCAS application, send us downloaded AACOMAS application, or complete WAUSM’s Online Application
3 Send your supplemental documents to our admissions team
Visit our Admission Requirements page for a detailed list of admission requirements, as well as an overview of our selection criteria. Go to our How to Apply page to begin the application process.
- Application: verified AMCAS or AACOMAS application, or WAUSM’s online application
- Bachelor’s Degree or higher (if degree has been completed)
- All undergraduate and graduate transcripts
- Completion of the MCAT exam (include scores from all attempts)
- Personal statement
- 2 Letters of recommendation
- Dean’s Letter (Transfer students only)
No. WAUSM is committed to making our world-class medical school affordable to deserving students who have proven they have what it takes to earn a WAUSM spot, and does not require an application fee when you apply for admission.
Yes. Please visit Admission Requirements to see a list of our required prerequisite coursework.
WAUSM seeks to develop an engaged, diverse class that will go on to meet the healthcare needs of the United States, Canada, and beyond. To this end, the Admissions Committee considers each applicant based on a combination of factors, which can be viewed more fully on our Admission Requirements page.
Yes, WAUSM does need to see scores from all your MCAT attempts. We do not combine scores of the sections to make your cumulative score higher. Rather, we take the highest score.
Applicants will be considered for transfer with advanced standing to WAUSM only if they have completed courses at a medical school accredited by a World Federation for Medical Education (WFME) recognized accreditor.
Yes. International applicants who have completed less than 90 credit hours at an English-speaking institution will be required to submit either the TOEFL or IELTS exam to demonstrate English proficiency. Please see Admission Requirements for more information.
No. Once the Office of Admissions is in receipt of your completed application, our Admissions Committee will review it, and a decision will be made concerning your interview eligibility.
Candidates who are selected for an interview are asked a series of questions to help the Admissions Committee determine if they have what it takes to be a successful WAUSM student, and a good fit as a future colleague and peer.
Topics covered will include: your level of professionalism and maturity; reasons why you want to pursue medicine; and what your expectations are concerning your future life as a physician. As you prepare for your interview, think about how you can best approach these types of questions in a clear and meaningful way, and help us get to know you beyond your academic accolades and abilities.
Please visit our Tuition page for current tuition rates and additional information.
Yes. WAUSM offers the SELECT Scholarship covering full first-semester tuition for all students attending our MD degree program. This scholarship is awarded entirely on merit, regardless of financial need, and illustrates our confidence in an applicant’s ability to succeed in medical school, as well as our commitment to deliver a premium education that is both accessible and affordable.
The one-semester (15 weeks) MAPP was created to provide additional preparation to applicants who have shown that they have the potential to be successful at WAUSM, but are in need of some additional support. MAPP students who successfully promote to WAUSM automatically receive the SELECT Scholarship covering their first-semester tuition in medical school. Visit our MAPP page for additional information.
The total cost of the one-semester Medical Advancement Preparedness Program is $10,225.
We work with all applicants individually to help them reach their goal of attending medical school. Please reach out by emailing us at: [email protected].
Financial Aid FAQ
US citizens and permanent residents are eligible to apply for a Sallie Mae Medical School Loan up to the Cost of Attendance (COA). Private student loans are credit-based and available through multiple lending institutions (including Sallie Mae). If you are a new student starting in Semester 1, you can request the full COA for the full year. The maximum loan amount to request is $88,550. This amount includes tuition and living expenses for three semesters and the WAUSM first semester scholarship.
When beginning your search for medical school scholarships, start local. Hospitals, nonprofits, rotary clubs, and women’s professional organizations are good places to look. Sallie Mae offers a scholarship search tool at Scholarships for Graduate School | The Sallie Mae Fund.
To find scholarships, search online on sites such as Niche, College Board Scholarship Search, and Scholly, and make sure to network! Reach out to your school and contact local organizations and hospitals.
The Office of Student Financial Services is aware that medical school is a major investment and wants to assure you that we will provide the best service possible. There are several ways to contact us:
- By telephone at 954-998-0916.
- Through email at [email protected].
- Scheduling a meeting with our staff.
WAUSM is dedicated to ensuring our Canadian students and other foreign nationals are aware of all their financial options. Please note that provincial or territorial governments are responsible for establishing their own criteria for the designation of an education institution, which means criteria may vary between each province and/or territory. Designation is the responsibility of each provincial or territorial government.These options include:
Student grants and loans – Apply with your province – Canada.ca
Canadian Bank Lines of Credit – CIBC offers line of credit options for students with a credit-worthy Canadian guarantor up to the full estimated cost of attendance. Please visit Advisor.CIBC.com for CIBC contact information based on location.
Other Foreign Nationals may be eligible for assistance in their country. Please reach out to the Office of Financial Services at [email protected] or 954-998-0916 for more information.
WAUSM has partnered with PayMyTuition for international and domestic tuition payments. With PayMyTuition, you can pay your tuition payments from any bank, in any country, in any currency at better than bank exchange rates. PayMyTuition is fast, simple, and cost effective.
To use this service, go to: https://www.paymytuition.com/paynow/wausm.
A US check payable to Western Atlantic University School of Medicine can also be mailed to 2 Broad Street, Suite 400, Bloomfield, NJ 07003-2547.