Application and Admission Timeline

This general guide will prepare college students for the medical school application and admission process. Consult your prehealth advisor to devise an individualized schedule that works best for you.

College Year 1

Fall Semester

• Meet prehealth advisor and investigate prehealth advisory program
• As applicable, ensure that prehealth advisor receives course directors’ evaluations
• Successfully complete first-semester required premedical coursework and other degree requirements

Spring Semester

• Explore the AAMC's Considering a Career in Medicine Web site
• Identify summer paid/volunteer medically related opportunities
• Successfully complete second-semester required premedical coursework and other degree requirements
• Ensure that prehealth advisor receives course directors' evaluations

Summer

• Complete summer paid/volunteer medically related experience
• Attend summer school, if desired or necessary

College Year 2

Fall Semester

• Check in with prehealth advisor and participate in prehealth activities
• Investigate available volunteer/paid medically related clinical or research activities
• Successfully complete first-semester required premedical coursework and other degree requirements
• Ensure that prehealth advisor receives course directors’ evaluations

Spring Semester

• Check in with prehealth advisor and participate in prehealth activities
• Participate in paid/volunteer medically related clinical or research activities
• Identify summer paid/volunteer medically related opportunities
• Successfully complete second-semester required premedical coursework and other degree requirements
• Ensure that prehealth advisor receives course directors' evaluations

Summer

• Complete summer paid/volunteer medically related experience
• Participate in a summer health careers program, if available
• Attend summer school, if desired or necessary

College Year 3

Fall Semester

• Check in with prehealth advisor and participate in prehealth activities
• Continue participation in paid/volunteer medically related activities
• Investigate:
  • Applying to Medical School
  • Medical schools in the U.S. and Canada
  • Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)
  • AAMC Fee Assistance Program
  • Minorities in Medicine to get information for groups underrepresented in medicine
• Begin preparation and register for desired MCAT administration; visit MCAT Web site for available test dates
• Successfully complete first-semester required premedical coursework and other degree requirements
• Ensure that prehealth advisor receives course directors' evaluations

Spring Semester

• Consult regularly with prehealth advisor regarding:
  • Schedule for completion of school-specific requirements for advisor/committee premedical evaluation
  • Advice about medical education options
  • Continue participation in paid/volunteer medically related activities
  • Prepare for and take desired MCAT administration; visit MCAT web site
  • Continue review of medical education options
  • Take spring MCAT
• Investigate information about medical school application services:
  • AMCAS
  • Texas Medical and Dental Schools Application Service (TMDSAS)
  • Ontario Medical School Application Service (OMSAS)
  • American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM)
  • American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service (AACOMAS)
  • AAMC Curriculum Directory for information about medical school curricula and joint, dual, and combined-degree programs
• Investigate, as applicable, the AAMC Curriculum Directory for information about medical school curricula and joint, dual, and combined-degree programs
• Successfully complete second-semester required premedical coursework and other degree requirements
• Ensure that prehealth advisor receives course directors' evaluations

Summer

• Participate in a summer health careers program, if available
• Complete AMCAS application
• Take desired MCAT administration
• Attend summer school, if desired or necessary
• Become familiar with:
• Recommendations Concerning Medical School Acceptance Procedures for First-Year Entering Students
• Applicant Responsibilities

College 4

Fall Semester

• Complete supplementary application materials for schools to which you've applied
• Consult regularly with prehealth advisor regarding:
  • Completion of school-specific requirements for advisor/committee premedical evaluation
  • Status of application/admission process for schools to which you've applied
• Continue participation in paid/volunteer medically related activities
• Interview at medical schools
• Continue review of medical education options
• Successfully complete first-semester elective science and non-science coursework and other degree requirements
• Ensure that prehealth advisor receives course directors' evaluations

Spring Semester

• Make interim and final decisions about medical school choice
• Immediately notify medical schools that you will not be attending
• Ensure that all IRS forms are submitted as early as possible
• Successfully complete second-semester elective science and non-science coursework and other degree requirements
• Graduate

Summer

• Prepare for medical school enrollment: purchase books and equipment and make appropriate living arrangements
• Relax and prepare for medical school
• Attend orientation programs and matriculate in medical school

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