- 25,000+ MDs - WAUSM’s medical education leaders have selected and trained more than 25,000 US and Canadian physicians over three decades.
- 100 percent - Number of students who passed USMLE Step 1 on the first attempt.
Western Atlantic University School of Medicine
About
Offering a medical education above, Western Atlantic University School of Medicine (WAUSM) provides opportunities for deserving US, Canadian, and international candidates to become outstanding, patient-centered MDs of the future. WAUSM's world class preclerkship campus is located in Freeport, Grand Bahama while core and elective clerkships are completed at US partner hospitals.
Founded by medical education leaders who have helped shape current practice in the US and Canada and selected and trained thousands of successful MDs over the last three decades, Western Atlantic University School of Medicine (or “WAUSM”) was created to give US, Canadian, and international students the opportunity to become outstanding, patient-centered MDs.
Core Values: Our Commitment to You
We believe that students who dedicate their lives to the service of others deserve a medical school that is dedicated to the kinds of high ideals that will support them in their worthy endeavor. As a result, the core values that shape our medical school are the same values physicians need to build successful careers:
- Excellence in medical education and student services.
- Commitment to our local and global communities.
- Inclusiveness that is reflected in actions encompassing all individuals.
- Integrity that embraces the highest standards of ethical behavior and moral character.
- Respect for all individuals who are affiliated with WAUSM students, staff, faculty, partners, communities, patients, and families.
Cooperation is manifested in all interpersonal communication and collaboration in pursuit of medical education.
Progressive MD Program
- Your Practice-Ready Preparation - With a focus on what comes next, WAUSM’s medical school curriculum blends modern strategies with time-honored traditional teaching methods. Through active, hands-on, supportive learning, students acquire the knowledge and skills to launch successful MD careers and are empowered to become life-long learners who are capable of continually updating their expertise over time. From early exposure to clinical patients in the preclerkship curriculum to broad exposure to the major medical disciplines and rotations that will grow your clinical skills in key areas, including medical knowledge, patient care, practice-based learning, and systems-based practice in the clerkship portion of the curriculum, our MD Program will prepare you for residency and your life’s work as an MD.
- Personalized Learning - Our faculty will know you by name and empower your growth. We start career advising week one of semester one to help students chart their path to match in their chosen specialty.
- Small Class Size - With our 7:1 student-to-faculty ratio and the fact that their primary responsibility is teaching, our faculty have the time to focus on one thing – your success. We prioritize active, case-based learning, with all classes held in small, engaging environments.
Our Mission
Western Atlantic University School of Medicine (WAUSM) is committed to training the next generation of physicians through a rigorous and innovative curriculum, equipping them to meet the evolving demands of the medical field and excel as outstanding patient-centered MDs serving the public. WAUSM offers this opportunity to qualified, diverse, and often underrepresented medical students.
Our Core Values
- Excellence in medical education and student services.
- Service to patients and local and global communities.
- Integrity embracing the highest standards of ethical behavior and moral character.
- Collaboration in pursuit of medical education.
- Diversity in faculty, staff, and students.
- Respect for all individuals regardless of affiliation.
Our Approach
Our curriculum has been built to meet these goals and is intended to provide students with the academic knowledge, clinical skills, and patient-centered focus needed to lead within their place of practice and community. Students will learn within an integrated, collaborative environment that emphasizes thinking skills and application of knowledge to solve problems and become continuous learners. Through this student-centered, case-based7 approach, students will learn to connect theory to practice and locate the most current evidence in support of clinical care, thus providing them with the tools to succeed in modern clinical settings and become outstanding physicians of the future.
How to Apply
Complete our WAUSM online application OR upload your completed AMCAS, AACOMAS, OMSAS, or TMDSAS application. There is no fee to apply.
Admission Requirements
WAUSM accepts applications from graduates of accredited colleges. All selected applicants will be required to undergo an interview with an admission associate, and hold, and/or submit, the following:
- Application submission
- Bachelor's Degree or higher
- Personal statement
- One (1) Letter of recommendation (academic or professional) required; two (2) recommended
- Completed Pre-requisite coursework:
- One year of General Biology or Zoology or higher with lab: 2 semesters or equivalent (8 semester hours)
- One year of Inorganic or General Chemistry or higher with lab (8 semester hours)
- One year of Organic Chemistry with lab (8 semester hours)
- One semester of Organic Chemistry can be substituted by one semester of Biochemistry (4 semester hours)
- Physics with lab: 1 semester or equivalent (4 semester hours)
- One year of English (6 semester hours)
- One semester of Math, preferably Calculus or Statistics (3 semester hours)
- Humanities/Social Sciences: 1 semester or equivalent (3 semester hours)
- Personal interview
- Previous USMLE scores (for transfer applicants)
- The Admissions Committee may request additional requirements, documentation, or letters of recommendation if deemed necessary
Standardized Test Requirements
Medical School Entrance Exams:
- Students who are United States citizens or permanent residents must submit a MCAT exam score.
- Students who ARE NOT United States citizens or permanent residents are not required to submit an MCAT score. However, if an applicant has taken a medical school entrance exam, they should submit their score from that exam.
Please upload a copy of your MCAT score report or medical school entrance exam score report through the application portal. Further along in the application process you will receive a request to have official copies of all test scores be sent directly to WAUSM from the testing agency.
English Proficiency
- 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 upload a copy of your TOEFL or IELTS score report through the application portal. Further along in the application process you will receive a request to have official copies of all test scores be sent directly to WAUSM from the respective testing agency.
Transfer Students
Applicants will be considered for transfer on a case by case basis to WAUSM only if they have completed courses at a medical school accredited by a World Federation for Medical Education (WFME) recognized accreditor.
Merit Scholarships
One of our fundamental goals at WAUSM is doing all we can to make medical school accessible to deserving students seeking to earn their MD. Because one of the most important components of accessibility is affordability, we have diligently worked to ensure that our tuition is highly competitive. Additionally, we have expanded our merit scholarship and awards portfolio to recognize and celebrate the academic achievement and potential of our applicants and students.
- Presidential Merit Scholarship: This prestigious award was created to recognize incoming students who have attained a 515 or above on the Medical College Admission Test® (MCAT). Awardees in good academic standing receive a total of $125,000, with $15,000 applied toward tuition in semesters 1-5 and $10,000 in semesters 6-10.
- Distinguished Scholar Award: Recognizing incoming students with MCAT scores of 510-514, this award provides $75,000 in total. Awardees in good academic standing receive $15,000 toward tuition in semesters 1-5.
- Physicians of Tomorrow Award: For incoming students scoring 505-509 on the MCAT, this award totals $50,000, with $10,000 applied toward tuition in semesters 1-5 for those in good academic standing.
- White Coat Award: Created for students with MCAT scores of 500-504, this award offers $25,000 in total. Awardees in good academic standing receive $5,000 toward tuition in semesters 1-5.
Types of Financial Aid
Additional financial aid and scholarship options available to WAUSM students, include:
- External Grants and/or Scholarships: These are grants and scholarships awarded to students by outside agencies. Sallie Mae offers a Graduate School Scholarship Search tool that utilizes your field of study, skills, and interests to match students with available scholarships. To find other scholarships, search online on sites such as Niche, College Board Scholarship Search, and Scholly, and make sure to network!
- Reach out to local organizations and hospitals.
- Private Student Loans: Private student loans are credit-based and available through multiple lending institutions, including Sallie Mae, which offers loans specifically designed for medical students. US citizens and permanent residents are eligible to apply.
- Canadians and Other Foreign Nationals:
- Canada: Admitted students at WAUSM from Canada have several financial aid resources available to them. These options include: Student grants and loans – 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.
- Canadian Bank Lines of Credit:
- The Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC) offers line of credit options for students with a credit-worthy Canadian guarantor up to the full estimated cost of attendance.
- Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) offers a Professional Student Line of Credit for students with a credit-worthy Canadian guarantor.
- Scotia Bank offers an International Professional Student Line of Credit.
- Preferred payment method for international students: Western Atlantic University School of Medicine has partnered with PayMyTuition for international 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.
WAUSM’s Office of Student Financial services (SFS)
Financial aid and students accounts personnel are available to counsel prospective students seeking assistance and will provide information about the types of aid available and debt management strategies. All medical students who receive financial aid are required to complete one-on-one entrance and exit interviews with SFS financial aid staff.
