Medical School Application Overview

Primary Application

• You will need to submit a primary application to a centralized online system. This will be sent to each medical school you desire and will have to go through a verification process which may take 2 - 8 weeks depending on how overloaded the AAMC workers are. It is important to note that you want to be verified as soon as possible because all (most) schools make decisions on a rolling basis. In other words, the earlier you submit your application, the higher the chance you will receive an acceptance.

• Once you submit your primary application, you can NOT edit the application except when (1) adding new medical schools to send the application to, (2) adding new letters of recommendation requests, (3) adding standardized test dates/scores, and (4) updating identifying information. The primary MD application system, termed AMCAS, is completely online and is accessible via the following link: https://apps.aamc.org/amcas/.

• You may also use MSAR, which is an optional online database that allows you to see all of the AAMC represented schools with average stats, application deadlines, and much more information.

  • Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) is the governing body for the MD application cycle. This is the only official mediator of primary applications for all MD American medical schools which include medical schools in Canada and the Puerto Rico U.S. Territories (Spanish curriculum).

  • American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) is the only official primary application service for MD applications.

  • Medical School Application Requirements (MSAR) is an optional database which will allow you to narrow down your school list.

  • Primary application costs without fee assistance:

    • $170 for the first school and application verification

    • $41 for each additional school

    • $28 for 1 year of MSAR subscription (optional)

    • Read more on fee assistance program on the AAMC website here: https://students-residents.aamc.org/applying-medical-school/applying-medical-school-process/fee-assistance-program/

Primary Application

• You will need to submit a primary application to a centralized online system. This will be sent to each medical school you desire and will have to go through a verification process which may take 1 - 4 weeks depending on how overloaded the AACOM workers are. It is important to note that you want to be verified as soon as possible because all (most) schools make decisions on a rolling basis. In other words, the earlier you submit your application, the higher the chance you will receive an acceptance.

• Once you submit your primary application, you can NOT edit the application except when (1) adding new medical schools to send the application to, (2) adding new letters of recommendation requests, (3) adding standardized test dates/scores, and (4) updating identifying information. The primary DO application system, termed AACOMAS, is completely online and is accessible via the following link: https://aacomas.liaisoncas.com/applicant-ux/#/login

• You may also use ChooseDO explorer, which is an optional online database that allows you to see all of the AACOM represented schools with average stats, application deadlines, and much more information.

  • American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) is the governing body for the DO application cycle. This is the only official mediator of primary applications for all DO American medical schools.

  • American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service (AACOMAS) is the only official primary application service for DO applications.

  • Primary application costs without fee assistance:

    • $196 for the first school and application verification

    • $46 for each additional school

    • $0 for ChooseDo Explorer

    • Read more on fee assistance program on the AACOMAS website here: https://help.liaisonedu.com/AACOMAS_Applicant_Help_Center/Starting_Your_AACOMAS_Application/Getting_Started_with_Your_AACOMAS_Application/02_AACOMAS_Application_Fees_and_Fee_Waivers#:~:text=Low%20Income%20Levels%20for%202020-2021%20Cycle%20Awards%2A%20,%20%20%2452%2C400%20%205%20more%20rows%20

Letters of Recommendation

• Each medical school requires a different number of LORs in various fashions and from different individuals. For the majority of MD schools, 3 LORs from science faculty members will allow you to be considered for admittance. However, details on LOR requirements are found on each school's website.

• LORS are sent to AMCAS in 3 main ways. However, the most efficient way would be to have your recommender submit directly through the AMCAS associated portal. More details are found here: https://students-residents.aamc.org/applying-medical-school/article/amcas-letter-service/

• It is important to note that you can submit your primary application without having your LORs in. However, many schools will not look at your application without LORs submitted.

Letters of Recommendation

• Each medical school requires a different number of LORs in various fashions and from different individuals. For the majority of DO schools, 2 LORs from science faculty members and 1 MD or DO LOR will allow you to be considered for admittance. However, details on LOR requirements are found on each school's website. I highly recommend getting a DO LOR as many schools require this letter to be considered for admittance.

• LORs are sent to AACOMAS in only 1 way. More details are found here: https://help.liaisonedu.com/AACOMAS_Applicant_Help_Center/Filling_Out_Your_AACOMAS_Application/Supporting_Information/1_Evaluations

• It is important to note that you can submit your primary application without having your LORs in. However, many schools will not look at your application without LORs submitted.

Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT)

• The MCAT is an extremely difficult exam in which you need to prep for in a manner that is suitable for you. Depending on your academic studies, you may need to study for the exam for 6+ months in advance or weeks in advance. This all will depend on your undergraduate major and experiences, as well as your current status as a student.

• The timeline for taking the MCAT is different for every single individual as there are many test dates. The most ideal date to take your test would be January or April, the same year you are planning to apply. This is because your MCAT will need approximately 1 month to be scored and your application will NOT be considered complete without a score. Although you can still submit your primary application without having taken the MCAT, many (all) schools will not look at your application without a score. That way, if you take your score in April, you would ideally be complete as soon as possible.

Please see "MCAT Resources" for more info.

Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT)

• The MCAT is an extremely difficult exam in which you need to prep for in a manner that is suitable for you. Depending on your academic studies, you may need to study for the exam for 6+ months in advance or weeks in advance. This all will depend on your undergraduate major and experiences, as well as your current status as a student.

• The timeline for taking the MCAT is different for every single individual as there are many test dates. The most ideal date to take your test would be January or April, the same year you are planning to apply. This is because your MCAT will need approximately 1 month to be scored and your application will NOT be considered complete without a score. Although you can still submit your primary application without having taken the MCAT, many (all) schools will not look at your application without a score. That way, if you take your score in April, you would ideally be complete as soon as possible.

Please see "MCAT Resources" for more info.

Secondary Applications

• Now that your primary application is verified and your LORs / MCAT score(s) are in, schools will begin to send you secondary applications. These applications are typically automatically given out or go through a pre-screening process. Each school is transparent on if they have a pre-screening process for secondary applications. Either way, completing a secondary application in a timely manner is critical for receiving an acceptance. Again, all (most) schools have rolling deadlines, which means the earlier you submit your secondary application, the more likely chance you will receive an interview, relative to if you submitted your secondary later on in the cycle.

• Secondary applications are online applications given specifically from each school and typically sent via email after you submit your primary application to that school. Usually, a secondary application will consist of school specific essays, identifying information, and a secondary application fee. The fee will depend on each school but will typically range from $50 - $125 for MD schools.

  • Note: If you qualify for FAP via AMCAS, you typically will not have to pay the secondary fee. Each school will state this in their secondary application portal and/or in the email that was sent to you.

Secondary Applications

• Now that your primary application is verified and your LORs / MCAT score(s) are in, schools will begin to send you secondary applications. These applications are typically automatically given out or go through a pre-screening process. Each school is transparent on if they have a pre-screening process for secondary applications. Either way, completing a secondary application in a timely manner is critical for receiving an acceptance. Again, all (most) schools have rolling deadlines, which means the earlier you submit your secondary application, the more likely chance you will receive an interview, relative to if you submitted your secondary later on in the cycle.

• Secondary applications are online applications given specifically from each school and typically sent via email after you submit your primary application to that school. Usually, a secondary application will consist of school specific essays, identifying information, and a secondary application fee. The fee will depend on each school but will typically range from $0 - $85 for DO schools.

  • Note: If you qualify for FAP via AACOMAS, you typically will not have to pay the secondary fee. Each school will state this in their secondary application portal and/or in the email that was sent to you.

Interviews

• CONGRATS! Once you get an interview, you have a significantly higher chance of getting into medical school. The interview stage is probably one of the most important components of your medical school application journey. This stage gives you the opportunity to show each school why you would make an excellent medical student at their school. To prepare for interviews, I suggest searching medical school interview questions and briefly preparing your answers out loud. Do not memorize word for word answers, but simply practice speaking your thoughts in a concise manner. Also, practice with a friend, family member, or advisor for some feedback. Additionally, before going to any interview, make sure to do your research on the school you are going to interview at, so you can ask more specific questions related to the program.

• Logistics:

  • In the past, interviews have been in person so you would have to travel to the medical school to do your interview and tour the school.

  • Now, - because of COVID - interviews are conducted online which is actually great considering more lower income students will have less of financial burden. However, this also means that other students may hoard interviews and keep those opportunities away from others. To avoid this, simply withdraw any interviews once you get a top choice school or do not bother applying to schools you would never go to!

  • Virtual interviews require stable internet connection, a quiet environment, good lighting, camera, and microphone. Also, ALWAYS have a backup! During one of my interviews, the power to our house unexpectedly went out (i.e. NO WIFI!), so I grabbed my phone nearby and some earphones, went to my email application, clicked the Zoom link on the fly, and was back on the interview within a minute or two.

  • Once your interview concludes, verbally thank your interviewers for their time and consideration and follow their directions i.e. log off, go back to the main room, etc. Some students will urge you to send a written thank you note to your interviewers afterward. Personally, I believe a verbal thank you will be more than enough.

Interviews

• CONGRATS! Once you get an interview, you have a significantly higher chance of getting into medical school. The interview stage is probably one of the most important components of your medical school application journey. This stage gives you the opportunity to show each school why you would make an excellent medical student at their school. To prepare for interviews, I suggest searching medical school interview questions and briefly preparing your answers out loud. Do not memorize word for word answers, but simply practice speaking your thoughts in a concise manner. Also, practice with a friend, family member, or advisor for some feedback. Additionally, before going to any interview, make sure to do your research on the school you are going to interview at, so you can ask more specific questions related to the program.

• Logistics:

  • In the past, interviews have been in person so you would have to travel to the medical school to do your interview and tour the school.

  • Now, - because of COVID - interviews are conducted online which is actually great considering more lower income students will have less of financial burden. However, this also means that other students may hoard interviews and keep those opportunities away from others. To avoid this, simply withdraw any interviews once you get a top choice school or do not bother applying to schools you would never go to!

  • Virtual interviews require stable internet connection, a quiet environment, good lighting, camera, and microphone. Also, ALWAYS have a backup! During one of my interviews, the power to our house unexpectedly went out (i.e. NO WIFI!), so I grabbed my phone nearby and some earphones, went to my email application, clicked the Zoom link on the fly, and was back on the interview within a minute or two.

  • Once your interview concludes, verbally thank your interviewers for their time and consideration and follow their directions i.e. log off, go back to the main room, etc. Some students will urge you to send a written thank you note to your interviewers afterward. Personally, I believe a verbal thank you will be more than enough.

Decisions

• Once you conclude an interview with a school, you can be given 1 of 3 decisions via email or phone call:

  • Acceptance

    • Congratulations! You have been accepted into the medical school and will start with the next cohort. This is an extremely large accomplishment, and you should be very proud! You will probably receive more emails on next steps and what to do to prepare for starting medical school.

  • Rejection

    • Unfortunately, the medical school has decided not to take your application through, and this marks the end of your medical school application journey with this specific school. You may apply again next cycle.

  • Waitlist

    • The medical school has not rejected your application yet, but it has not accepted you into their class. Waitlisted applicants are literally on a waitlist to be accepted. This can mean a couple things:

      • The school really likes you, but their class is currently filled up. If you applied late in the cycle, this will be much more common. As a result, the school cannot accept you until currently accepted students deny their offers and open up more spots.

      • The school likes you, but they want to interview more candidates before offering you a position. This occurs at any point in the cycle and typically means that you have some great qualities, but your application may be lacking in some area. Sending updates to the school might help you move up the waitlist.

    • From the waitlist, you may be accepted or rejected from the school. Medical schools will typically keep their waitlists open up until the first day of classes, which is why you hear some medical students getting into a school literally after orientation even ended.

    • *If you are waitlisted late in the cycle and are an average or below average applicant, do not expect an acceptance. I know that sounds pessimistic, but I want to save you all the hurt experienced from lost hope. Just assume the school will reject you and begin planning for next cycle!

Decisions

• Once you conclude an interview with a school, you can be given 1 of 3 decisions via email or phone call:

  • Acceptance

    • Congratulations! You have been accepted into the medical school and will start with the next cohort. This is an extremely large accomplishment, and you should be very proud! You will probably receive more emails on next steps and what to do to prepare for starting medical school.

  • Rejection

    • Unfortunately, the medical school has decided not to take your application through, and this marks the end of your medical school application journey with this specific school. You may apply again next cycle.

  • Waitlist

    • The medical school has not rejected your application yet, but it has not accepted you into their class. Waitlisted applicants are literally on a waitlist to be accepted. This can mean a couple things:

      • The school really likes you, but their class is currently filled up. If you applied late in the cycle, this will be much more common. As a result, the school cannot accept you until currently accepted students deny their offers and open up more spots.

      • The school likes you, but they want to interview more candidates before offering you a position. This occurs at any point in the cycle and typically means that you have some great qualities, but your application may be lacking in some area. Sending updates to the school might help you move up the waitlist.

    • From the waitlist, you may be accepted or rejected from the school. Medical schools will typically keep their waitlists open up until the first day of classes, which is why you hear some medical students getting into a school literally after orientation even ended.

    • *If you are waitlisted late in the cycle and are an average or below average applicant, do not expect an acceptance. I know that sounds pessimistic, but I want to save you all the hurt experienced from lost hope. Just assume the school will reject you and begin planning for next cycle!