Non Traditional Student Experience
Nontraditional students are generally defined as those who have taken two or more years off between undergraduate studies and matriculation to medical school.
The entering Class of 2015 at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine contains 15 (9 percent) nontraditional students, with ages that range between 24 and 39. Ten have earned advanced degrees, including one Doctor of Philosophy, one Juris Doctor, three Master of Science, three Master of Arts, and two Master of Health.
Our entering nontraditional students have pursued diverse careers that range from working as a pop rock band leader to a Morgan Stanley analyst who performed financial modeling and analysis for clients in China and South East Asia. One student earned his PhD in chemistry and another is a member of Hapkido Martial Arts & Self Defense. One non-traditional first-year student traveled to Uganda to learn more about the challenges and opportunities facing young leaders in Uganda, while another was a scientific research writer for the Feinberg Department of Medical Social Sciences. Now, all share the same passion: to pursue medicine.
Admissions Standards
Nontraditional students are required to meet the same admissions standards as traditional students unless noted otherwise on this page.
Letters of Recommendation
You are required to submit three letters of recommendation.
| Option 1 | Option 2 | Option 3 |
|---|---|---|
|
2 Letters by science faculty members and |
1 Letter by science faculty member and |
1 Letter by supervisor from research experience and |
| 1 Letter by supervisor from research experience and | 1 Letter by Non-science faculty member or volunteer supervisor and | |
| 1 Letter by Non-science faculty member, volunteer supervisor or employer | 1 Letter by Non-science faculty member, volunteer supervisor or employer | 1 Letter by volunteer superior or employer |
Quantity of Letters
If you have multiple individual letters submitted for your application the first 3 individual letters submitted will be used to complete your application requirement.
Do not send more than a Committee packet or the 3 required letters prior to interview invitation. Once you receive an interview invitation, you are welcome to submit additional letters on interview day, by electronic submission or by mail to AMCAS.
Transmission of Letters
If your college's pre-health advisory office participates in an electronic submission service for letters of recommendation, then you should ask them to transmit your letters as soon as possible.
If your school does not participate in electronic service, then your letters of recommendation must be written on letterhead stationery and mailed directly to AMCAS by the school's pre-medical advising office or the author(s).
Application Evaluation
The Committee of Admissions will take into the consideration all aspects of your application when evaluating your application. We understand you may not have had the opportunity to gain certain experiences that are common for applicants to acquire coming directly from undergraduate school. You are encouraged, but not required, to volunteer in a clinical setting prior to applying to the Feinberg School of Medicine.
This page last updated Jan 24, 2012