The following contains everything you need to know about the application process. If you ever have any questions or need guidance, don’t hesitate to contact us!
- Application
AMCAS Application
HWCOM participates in the American Medical College Application Service® (AMCAS) application process and applications verified by AMCAS will be the first step in the applicant screening process. The deadline to submit the AMCAS application is December 1 of the application year but candidates are encouraged to apply soon after AMCAS application opens for submission at the beginning of June.
Apply Now
Start your application with AMCAS to begin your journey to becoming an MD.
Secondary Application
All applicants will receive an HWCOM Secondary Application upon receipt of their verified AMCAS applications. Please see the average statistics for accepted applicants and the Medical School Admission Requirements (MSAR) for additional details.
A $30 non-refundable application fee will be required with submission of the HWCOM Secondary Application. AAMC Fee Assistance Program (FAP) will be honored for an application fee waiver. The HWCOM Secondary Application requires directed essays that further explore the applicant’s interest in medicine and suitability for HWCOM. A passport style photo is requested to be submitted as a part of the HWCOM Secondary Application.
On the HWCOM Secondary Application, each applicant submits an attestation that he or she will abide by HWCOM rules, including the Code of Professional Conduct for Student–Faculty Relationships and technical standards. Applicants should be aware that if accepted, they may request reasonable accommodations for disability as determined by the FIU University Disability Resource Center. All applicants will be required to read these documents and attest that they understand the documents and can and will comply if accepted to HWCOM. Additionally, the applicant must agree to the policy of requiring Level I and Level II background checks and drug testing as well as compliance of all pre-matriculation requirements.
The deadline to submit the HWCOM Secondary Application is January 15 of the application year but candidates are encouraged to submit all materials as soon as possible, as interviews are scheduled only if the application is complete.
- Letters of Recommendation
HWCOM requires a minimum of three letters of recommendation, two from science faculty (biology, chemistry, physics, and math) and one from any other faculty member who has taught the applicant. If the school has a Health Professions Advisory Committee, it is expected that the applicant will submit a letter of recommendation from that committee with the three faculty letters described above attached to the advisory committee letter. In addition to the required letters, applicants can submit up to three supplemental letters from physicians, researchers, mentors, employers, etc. Letters of recommendation from friends or relatives are not considered. In all cases, letters should be recent, from individuals who know the student well, and who can assess an applicant’s personal qualities. Letters must be written on official letterhead stationary and signed. The deadline to submit the letters of recommendation is January 15 of the application year but candidates are encouraged to submit all materials as soon as possible, as interviews are scheduled only if the application is complete.
All letters of recommendation must be submitted via the AMCAS Letter Service. Please consult the AMCAS instructions. Please do not send any letters directly to HWCOM.
- Background checks and drug testing
Level I Criminal Background Check
The FIU Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine (HWCOM) participates in the AAMC-facilitated Criminal Background Check Service performed by Certiphi Screening, Inc. Accepted applicants will receive an email directly from the AAMC with information on how to complete it. There is no additional cost to complete this screening.
Level II Criminal Background Check
In addition, HWCOM requires a level II criminal background check. The results of the level II CBC are necessary before the applicant can begin his/her first year of medical school training and prior to the third and fourth years of training. This action was instituted in the interest of patient safety and to meet the credentialing requirements of our clinical partners.
10 Panel Drug Testing
HWCOM requires a 10-panel drug screen for controlled substances plus alcohol as a prerequisite for entering medical school and prior to the third and fourth years of training. These tests screen for amphetamines, cocaine metabolites, marijuana metabolite, opiates, phencyclidine plus propoxyphene, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, methadone, methaqualone, and alcohol. This action was instituted in the interest of patient safety and to meet the credentialing requirements of our clinical partners.
Entering students should be advised that failing a criminal background check and/or a 10-panel drug screen could result in cancellation of the applicant’s acceptance to medical school, or other actions as deemed appropriate. Findings of documented felonies or worse will be grounds for cancellation of the applicant's acceptance into medical school. Findings of documented misdemeanors will be considered on a case-by-case basis but could be grounds for cancellation of the applicant's acceptance into medical school. The cost for testing is paid for by the applicant.
- Collection and use of SSNs
- Interviews
For the 2023-2024 Interview Cycle, all interviews will be conducted virtually.
The interviews are an important part of an applicant's virtual experience at the FIU HWCOM. Applicants invited for a virtual interview will have the opportunity to meet and engage with members of the FIU HWCOM and prospective classmates. Prior to the virtual interview day experience, applicants will be invited to interact with a virtual dashboard to learn more about our innovative curriculum, community engagement, commitment to diversity, student life and support, and life as a Panther. Applicants will be invited to connect with current medical students through Virtual Cafecito Hour sessions.
Interview day schedule 1:00 – 1:15 PM
Interview Registration and Check-In
1:15 – 1:40 PM
Opening Session
1:45 – 2:15 PM
Interview I
2:30 – 3:00 PM
Interview II
3:00 – 3:20 PM
Closing Session
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I need to do before my interview?
- Review your application and be prepared to tell us why you are pursuing a career in medicine
- Be sure to keep current on health care issues and medical ethics
- Plan to be with us from 1:00 PM until approximately 3:20 PM
- Plan to dress professional in conservative business attire
- Test your wireless internet connection, webcam, and audio capabilities; we encourage you to find a quiet and comfortable place for your virtual interview session
- Pre-register for your virtual interview session with the Zoom Meeting Information provided
- View the pre-recorded modules and engage with the virtual dashboard to learn more about the FIU HWCOM
- Relax and be yourself! We want to get to know you better and find out if we are the right fit for each other!
What do I need to bring on interview day?
- A state driver’s license for identification purposes
- Access to a desktop computer, laptop, tablet, or electronic device that has reliable internet connection, webcam, and audio capabilities
- A quiet and comfortable place for you to conduct your virtual interview day session
What is the interview format at the FIU HWCOM?
The FIU HWCOM uses a traditional one-on-one interview format. Interviewers will have access to the AMCAS Primary Application and HWCOM Supplemental Application. Each applicant will have two separate one-on-one interviews lasting approximately 30 minutes each. Each interviewer will submit an Interview Evaluation Form.
What should I do after my interview?
- Attend a Virtual Cafecito Hour with current medical students
- Revisit the Virtual Interview Day Dashboard for more information about the FIU HWCOM
- Send a thank you message to your interviewers via the Office of Admissions and Recruitment at med.admissions@fiu.edu
- Connect with our Medical Student Ambassadors. They are happy to help answer your questions!
- Follow us on social media:
- FIU Medicine on Facebook
- @FIUMedicine on Instagram
- @FIUMedicine on Twitter
- FIU_Med on SnapChat
- Admission decision and the decision process
Applicants to the MD program will begin receiving acceptance offers after October 15th. We have a rolling admissions policy so applicants will be notified approximately one month after their interview date. Once notified, an applicant has two weeks to accept or decline their seat in the class. No deposit is required until after April 30th. The deposit is non-refundable, but will applied towards tuition. An acceptance offer may be rescinded if any of the required pre-matriculation documents are not received by the deadline.
The FIU Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine (HWCOM) follows the AAMC Application and Acceptance Protocols established by the AAMC. Applicants with multiple acceptance offers must make a final decision regarding their position at the college no later than April 30 of the year they plan to matriculate.
- October 15: Decisions Announced. Accepted applicants are required to accept or decline their seat within two weeks of the offer. Failure to do so may result in the rescinding of the admissions offer.
- February 19: “Plan to Enroll” option for accepted students becomes available.*
- April 15: The AAMC Application and Acceptance Protocols recommends accepted students narrow offers to three medical schools (if applicable)*
- April 30: “Commit to Enroll” option for accepted students becomes available.*
- June 15: “Commit to Enroll” is required to be selected by the accepted students matriculating to the FIU Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine. Failure to do so will result in the rescinding of the admissions offer.
* The FIU HWCOM highly recommends (but does not require) accepted students to utilize this tool.
Get admitted to HWCOM earlier
In an effort to secure highly-qualified students, the FIU HWCOM participates in the Early Decision Program in conjunction with the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC).