The M.D. Class of 2029 takes first steps on journey to becoming physicians

Over the past week, first-year medical students have been preparing to start their degree by gaining a foundational understanding of how to find academic success, build their professional backgrounds, and take care of themselves and their peers.

Orientation and professional development week started on Tuesday, July 22 with a full slate of activities where students connected with program leadership and faculty. Throughout the week, they also received certifications, such as basic life support, and built friendships with their peers through self-care activities and a student organization fair.

Orientation concluded Wednesday, July 30 as students participated in a formal Oath of Integrity ceremony attended by their families that marks their official start as a medical student at WVU.

During the annual ceremony, they pledge their loyalty and passion to the field of medicine and their patients, and to their academic duties as students. Students also receive a stethoscope from the School of Medicine Alumni Association that symbolizes good listening skills that are important for physicians and their entry into the WVU School of Medicine family.

Class notes

The 2025 admissions cycle included a record number of applications for the WVU School of Medicine M.D. degree, with 6,304 applicants.

“Our cohort of students boasts a strong background in healthcare experiences, leadership, research, community service, athletics and military service,” said Associate Dean for Admissions, Linda S. Nield, M.D.

“Year after year -- it’s still truly a joy to meet the future of medicine and see their strengths, learn what they want to do and see them gel together as a group,” said Norman Ferrari, M.D., chief academic officer and vice dean for education and academic affairs. “We’re excited to watch them grow into competent and compassionate physicians that can shape health care for future generations of West Virginians.”

The class also boasts a Goldwater Scholarship recipient and Pat Tillman Foundation Scholar among a U.S. Food and Drug Administration researcher, National Cancer Institute fellow, Brackenridge Honors Research fellow, and a WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute military researcher.

Former college athletes include a WVU competitive cheerleader, a NCAA Division I basketball player, swimmer, figure skater and several soccer players. The class also includes a drumline leader from The Pride of West Virginia.

Nine members of the class served in the U.S. Military.

By the numbers

The class comes from 15 states, and 20 West Virginia counties are represented.

WVU alumni comprise 34% of the class, and the remainder represent 52 other undergraduate institutions. Approximately 70% of the class majored in chemistry, biology, biochemistry, exercise physiology, neuroscience, microbiology/immunology, biomedical science, biophysics and pre-medical majors. Other notable undergraduate majors include history, nursing, foreign language, journalism, mathematics and aerospace engineering.

Students will complete their first two years of medical school at the Morgantown campus. They then disperse to the Morgantown, Charleston or Eastern campuses to complete the remaining two years of studies and clinical rotations.