Early Decision MD Program

Feinberg has a small, selective Early Decision MD program (EDP).

While preference will be given to EDP applicants who have demonstrated a strong academic performance, equally important are other attributes such as interpersonal skills, service, medically-related experiences, humanitarianism, teaching, interest in research and/or other meaningful life experiences. Prospective EDP candidates should review the entering class profile (Entering Class Profile).

An early decision application requires that you apply only to the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine as your first choice medical school. If accepted, you must matriculate to Feinberg. If you apply to the EDP and are not accepted, you may then apply to other medical schools or you may remain under consideration for Feinberg’s regular MD admissions process. The EDP is not available for MSTP.

Due to the unique nature of this program and the abbreviated application timeline, you must be approved by the Office of Admissions to apply through the EDP. Candidates who wish to be considered should consult with the Office of Admissions prior to June 1 of the application year in which they wish to matriculate. Please email med-admissions@northwestern.edu if you are interested in the Early Decision Program.  We will ask that you provide materials including your resume/CV (include information about your clinical experience/exposure), undergraduate transcript and MCAT score (official copy). In your email, state that you are interested in applying to Feinberg as an early decision applicant. Our admissions office will be in touch with you via email regarding next steps.  Please note that it is strongly recommended that applicants interested in the Early Decision Program plan to take the MCAT exam no later than early May of the application year so that scores are received by the Office of MD Admissions soon enough to be considered during the initial consideration of candidacy for the EDP. 

By September 15 of the active application cycle, EDP applicants will be told one of three things:

• They were accepted.
• A decision on their application was deferred and they will be considered in the regular applicant pool.
• They were rejected.

Deferred EDP applications will receive a final decision from Feinberg in March.

Important Dates & Deadlines

All deadlines are 11:59 p.m. CST of the date noted.

Learn more at the AAMC Early Decision Program Guidelines.