On Thursday, June 29, 2023, in the case of Students for Fair Admissions v. President and Fellows of Harvard College and Students for Fair Admissions v. University of North Carolina,��

The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) ruled that the admissions programs at Harvard and University of North Carolina violate the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, essentially striking down Affirmative Action programs across the country.

Along with Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, and Ketanji Brown Jackson, The Ģ����Ƶ (Ģ����Ƶ) strongly dissents with the majority opinion of the Supreme Court which undermines the importance of affirmative action, a measure supported by Justices John Roberts, Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett. This ruling undermines close to six decades of precedent to promote equal opportunity and eliminate discriminatory practices. We maintain it is an ill-conceived, racist, and biased discourse that undermines the importance of diversity in our educational institutions and blatantly threatens equitable healthcare at its core. This ruling unfortunately does not come as a surprise in light of the pervasive spread of racist agendas evident in the alarming trend of states cutting down on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) funding for colleges. Justice Roberts and other conservative members of SCOTUS’s idea of “colorblindness” is not only misguided, but ignores the persistent inequities based on race and color we face on a daily basis. This ruling will continue to perpetuate systemic disparities that disproportionately affect racially marginalized communities.�� 

In accordance with our Preamble, Purposes and Principles, Ģ����Ƶ remains steadfast in its unwavering commitment to advocating for racial equity in education and healthcare. As future physicians committed to justice and equality, we are profoundly outraged and decry the restriction of affirmative action. We strongly support increased representation of minority students in all levels of education, including colleges and medical schools.�� By fostering diversity and inclusion, institutions have the power to create more empathetic and inclusive learning environments. Moreover, It has been repeatedly evidenced that diversity within the healthcare workforce and medical education system improves healthcare outcomes. According to the AAMC, “As an overwhelming body of scientific research compiled over decades confirms, diversity literally saves lives by ensuring that the Nation’s increasingly diverse population will be served by healthcare professionals competent to meet its needs.” Indeed, physicians who train within a diverse learning environment become better practitioners. The Supreme Court’s decision forces colleges and health-professional schools to deviate from their ethical duty and obligation to protect the wellbeing of our nation’s most vulnerable groups by restricting the consideration of race in admissions decisions. This decision not only reifies systemic barriers to educational opportunity, but will also actively dismantle efforts to ensure that physician workforce diversity reflects the diversity of the communities that we seek to serve.��

We call on our members to catalyze our collective voice in holding our institutions accountable to creating and maintaining safe inclusive educational environments that promote and celebrate diversity. Now is the time to rise up and make our voices heard. You are powerful, your voice is powerful. Send an to your college administration, urging them to reaffirm their commitment to diversity in the admissions process. Let them know that you expect and demand an inclusive educational environment! your state legislators, urge them to enact legislation that promotes and celebrates diversity. This is your call to action, demand accountability and drive the conversation towards progress.��

To learn more about our work, join Ģ����Ƶ.��

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1.  Marcella Alsan et al., Does Diversity Matter for Health? Experimental Evidence from Oakland, 109 Am. Econ. Rev. 4071, 4074-75 (2019)
2. U.S. Dep’t of Health & Human Servs., Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality, 2021 National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report, at ES-2 (2021) (https://tinyurl.com/3ek4zbay)
3. McFarling, U. L. (2023, June 29). Supreme Court strikes down use of affirmative action, a blow to efforts to diversify medical schools. STAT. https://www.statnews.com/2023/06/29/supreme-court-strikes-down-use-of-affirmative-action-a-blow-to-efforts-to-diversify-medical-schools/

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For medical school admissions, did you know that cuts from primary application submissions will eliminate candidates who fall below a school’s standards for both GPA and MCAT scores? After that, the focus shifts from your intellectual abilities to your non-academic accomplishments.

Check out our article to learn more and find out five MCAT tips to help you get into medical school.

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Your brand must be supported with . Conversely, figuring out your brand a few years before applying to medical school provides guidance on what experiences to pursue. For instance, if you want to work with marginalized populations, then you might at a clinic for the uninsured, and at a soup kitchen. Ultimately, your brand impacts your , and .
Follow these steps to figure out your brand:

Understand Why You are Passionate about Becoming a Physician
You must go beyond “I want to help people” or “My doctor parents inspired me.” One client’s grandmother suffered from chronic pain, which inspired his interest in pain management.

Envision How You Will Practice as a Physician
Even if you don’t know what you want to specialize in, you can still envision your future. Maybe you want to do research. Maybe you want to work in a rural setting.

Identify Your Medical Approach to Treating Patients
Is there a way you envision yourself caring for patients? For instance, we have clients interested in a public health approach.

Figure Out the Population You Want to Treat
Are you drawn to working with marginalized individuals? Or with specific cultures? For instance, we have clients who want to work with immigrants.

Determine the Medical Issues that are Important to You
Are there issues like child advocacy that you care about? For instance, we have a client who cares about how art and medicine intersect.
You should start figuring out your brand as soon as possible since it takes time to cultivate the experiences that will support it. If you do, you’ll be ahead of the curve!

Do you need more help navigating and optimizing your pre-med journey? MedSchoolCoach has a team of physician and writing advisors. today!

Author:
Ziggy Yoediono, MD
Dr. Yoediono is the Associate Director of Advising at MedSchoolCoach. Previously, he was a Duke University pre-major advisor, and an adcom member for Duke University School of Medicine, the University of Rochester School of Medicine and the Harvard Longwood Psychiatry Residency Program.

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The personal statement is a chance to connect all of the dots. It’s an opportunity to explain your interest in medicine–and your value to it–better than a Step 1 score.��Medical schools typically offer some guidance on developing your personal statement, at least in the form of a few examples or templates. As much as you like, though, it doesn’t really boil down to a step-by-step, paint-by-numbers guide. Ģ����Ƶ alum, Dr. Daniel H. Gouger, says your personal statement is the product of your unique experiences and what you’ve internalized from those experiences.

To that end, we won’t tell you what to do in your personal statement. But here are some don’ts:

1. Don’t rush.

Your perspective will change over time, especially as you take time to decompress and introspect along the way and after new experiences. “You should spend months on it,” Dr. Gouger says, emphasizing that one of the worst things you could do is get to the point of applying to medical school as a premed student or applying to residency to then only spend a couple of weeks and feel rushed on creating this ‘one lense into who you are.’ The result can be something very generic, or…vanilla, as he calls it. And you don’t want to be “the PB&J” of personal statements (not that there’s anything wrong with PB&J).

2. Don’t just turn your CV into a bunch of paragraphs.

Your CV is there for a reason. “Give yourself more credit,” says Dr. Gouger. “You are much more deep, and interesting, and credible, and incredible, than what may be portrayed in a superficial document that details all of the jobs and extracurriculars that you’ve done. We are not just our jobs and extracurriculars; we’re people. And your personal statement is the opportunity for you to illustrate that.” Define a deliverable take-home message in the beginning and end, and let that message evolve in the middle.

Hear Dr. Gouger’s last three tips below:

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And why not? After all, one’s MCAT score and GPA serve as quantifiable metrics that are useful in comparing applicants, and everyone knows that med schools weigh them heavily when ranking pre-med candidates for admission.

Of course, you probably also know that being a physician is not just about having good scores on paper. Doctors are expected to work with patients and members of an entire health care team while contributing to the overall body of medical knowledge.

A big portion of the is dedicated to experiences—specifically research and clinical experiences. Whether you’re a freshman just starting your pre-med track or a senior just starting your application, we’ve got some tips on how to get started finding those clinical and research opportunities.

What are clinical experiences and where can I find them?

Having some sort of on your application is an unwritten rule. The number of experiences, however—not to mention hours—is a more subjective matter. Luckily, the opportunities that generally qualify as “clinical experiences” are broad and plentiful. As one admissions officer put it, ‘If you can smell patients, it’s a clinical experience.”

Within clinical experience, you can divide them into two main categories: paid and volunteer. Examples of paid positions include emergency room techs, pharmacy techs, phlebotomists, licensed practical nurses, emergency medical technicians, emergency room scribes, and paramedics.

The first four all work inside the hospital itself and require different licenses, but the requirements are generally not time-intensive and are possible to complete while still in school. Many universities also have their own EMT/volunteer ambulance service in which students can participate.

Volunteer clinical positions do not typically involve direct medical care, since volunteers are neither trained nor paid, but they can still interact with patients. Hospital emergency departments, assisted-living centers, hospices, medical centers, or other programs sponsored by your university (internships, externships, medical missions) are great places to look.

Asking to you know personally is also a great way of having a guided patient care experience in a specialty of interest. If this is an opportunity that’s available to you, by all means, take it!

What should I get out of clinical experiences?

need to know you understand what it’s like to work in the health care field before you devote yourself to a lifelong career in it.

While it’s difficult to understand what it’s like to be a physician from observation, good clinical experiences will teach you the role of the health care professionals in patient care and demonstrate their interactions with each other and the patient.

So when applying to med school, it’s important to emphasize what you learned about the field in your clinical experience and how it ties in to your desire to become a physician. Anecdotes from your experiences are always great to bring up in your and questions. Overall, you want to communicate to medical schools that you are experienced in the health care field and aware of what you’re signing on for.

Where should I look for research experiences?

Evidence-based medicine relies heavily on research for new innovations and treatments. While not mandatory, research experience is looked on favorably by admissions committees.

The vast majority of research experiences will be available through your university. Many schools have summer programs that are designed so students can work under a mentor and learn research techniques. These spots are often limited, so a useful strategy is to approach science professors you’ve taken classes with to see if they need assistance in their research. Even if they don’t have open opportunities, they can often put you in touch with colleagues who do.

Medical centers and independent research facilities (e.g. ) also offer internships for students during the summer and academic year. Check with your college’s career center for other opportunities or view this list of .

What should I get out of research experiences?

While publishing a paper is an excellent goal to work towards, many research experiences will not end up going that direction. It’s important to set appropriate expectations with your mentor before starting your work.

Most research you will encounter is —working with tissues, genetic materials, and chemicals in a biochemistry lab. Some opportunities may allow you to do clinical research, which focuses more on testing the effect of different treatments on patients.

Regardless, you will be expected to know background information about what you are researching, your overall research question, and the details of your project. Ideally, you will be able to come to some sort of conclusion and write up a poster or presentation that can be delivered later.

Admissions committees can and will ask questions about your research experiences in your , especially if you are applying to an MD-PhD program or a school where research plays a major role. Being able to tie your research to your application’s overall theme is crucial in making a good impression.

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The importance of choosing an MCAT Test Date

The MCAT is typically offered in January and every month from March through September. With so many test dates coming up, it can be easy to put the decision on the back-burner, but think about it like this: lots of longer-term decisions—like when to schedule your test prep—depend on your MCAT test date. So taking just a little bit of time now to determine your future test date can put you ahead of the game and help you develop a strong plan for your MCAT success.

Testing in time for your application

We generally recommend that students give themselves at least three to five months to prepare for the MCAT. As such, if you want to test in January or March, then you’ll want to get started in September or October. If you’re testing in April, May, June, or July, then January or February is the perfect time to .

Remember that the application cycle opens in June of each year, and you will want your official MCAT score to be released and ready to go when you submit your application. That way, your application can immediately be considered as soon as it is received, since most schools operate on rolling admissions.

Is the January MCAT right for you?

If you have completed all or most of your , you are definitely a candidate for taking the January exam. Even if you are completing those courses this term, you can still be ready for the January MCAT test date.

If this describes you, it’s a great idea to get your MCAT preparation and administration out of the way early in the year. Taking the January exam will allow you to put the MCAT portion of your application away for the Spring term so you can free up your focus for the application itself—including the preparation and revisions of your personal statement.

In addition, a lot of students choose to take the MCAT in January because there is usually a lot of break time leading up to the test date, which provides a nice chunk of time for them to focus on MCAT prep without the distraction of classes and finals.

Are the March, April, and May exams right for you?

March, April, and May have historically been—and will likely continue to be—the most popular testing months because they occur before the application cycle opens in June. While these Spring months might seem far away, now is the perfect time to get started preparing for these exams so you can comfortably pace your MCAT study and not be rushed into cramming—an unadvisable strategy when it comes to preparing for standardized tests—during the Spring terms.

MCAT Prep Tip

Kaplan has and you can register months in advance, so you can enroll and save your spot for when they begin. This way of thinking ahead has an additional payoff: Even though you might not start your MCAT class meetings right away, once you enroll, you get access to your Kaplan materials and can get a jumpstart on your preparation.

What about the summer MCAT test dates?

The MCAT test dates scheduled for the summer are ideal for students who want to spend the academic year completing coursework and therefore need to dedicate their summer months to studying. If you are planning on taking the MCAT in June, you will want to start your preparation no later than February, but if you are thinking of July, August, or September, you can wait until the latter part of the spring to get started.

Testing in summer allows you to intensely study for the MCAT without worrying about classwork. But just remember—if you wait until these later exam dates to test, you will be entering the application cycle once it is in full swing.

Why you should start prepping now

As you start to think about your MCAT prep and how it affects—and is affected by—your chosen MCAT test date, remember the immediate benefits of taking an MCAT prep course: As soon as you enroll, even if your class sessions aren’t starting for months, you get access to all of your materials, including the review books, , and Science Review Videos.

A lot of students who want to get a leg up on their competition start using those materials right away—not just to jump start their MCAT prep, but also to get the edge in their undergraduate courses. Take a page from their book and you’ll in essence be killing two birds with one stone: prepping for the MCAT while getting extra resources for your classes.

Here’s one good way to get the most out of those resources. For example, if you are taking biochemistry this year, you could use the MCAT Channel sessions and Science Review Videos that focus on biochemistry to give yourself a boost in those courses—think of it as background material. Also, your access to the Review Notes, which nicely summarize the big topics of biochemistry, could give you an added advantage. Might as well get the maximum value out of enrollment, with the longest course access possible leading up to your test date—it’s just extra time to prepare for the exam and simultaneously fortify your knowledge of the topics that will help you get into, and succeed in, medical school.

Register for the MCAT

It’s crucial that you check for the date you want to test ahead of time. Historically, testing seats fill up very quickly—some in less than 24 hours, and we expect the same to occur this year. You might say that MCAT seats were just as popular as the hottest music events!

Of course, in order to register, you’ll need to know which MCAT test date you’re going for—just another reason to select it now so you are prepared. (Notice how much we’re emphasizing this?) Take some time now to build out your calendar for the next few months. Include personal, academic, and professional obligations so the date doesn’t doesn’t sneak up on you.

Top 4 considerations

In summary, there are several factors that MCAT test takers should take into consideration when deciding when to test.

1. The time of year

There are 4 different “windows” to take the exam the Winter (late January), the Spring (March through May), the summer (June and July), and the Fall (August and September). The “ideal” time to take it, is when you feel fully prepared. It isn’t worth it to rush your MCAT if you don’t feel ready.

2. Weekday or weekend test

This is going to be especially important for students considering a test date that falls into the academic year. You might prefer a weekend test date so as to not miss classes.

3. Important personal obligations

Remember that you have a life outside of the MCAT. Things can come up at different times of the year: vacation, weddings, finals, and graduation. We recommend picking a time that you are going to be able to focus properly on the exam.

4. Testing center locations

This is often something students forget about. You want to pick an exam location that is going to be convenient for you. Just like all things in medical school applications early is always better. It is in your best interest to register for your MCAT exam date ASAP. This way you are committed to studying for the exam and you are going to take the test at your preferred location. (Some testing centers fill up fast!)

Brought to you in partnership with Kaplan Test Prep. To see how you can save on MCAT test prep, view your member benefits with Kaplan Test Prep here.

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A Peek Into Medical School Admissions

The process works differently at each school and program, but certain things remain roughly the same. A group will make an initial review of the applications, making a first cut to separate possible acceptances from clear rejections. At this stage, there are several reasons for rejection. The application might not be complete, the grades or MCAT scores are way too low for the program’s standards, the personal essay does not explain mitigating circumstances elsewhere in the application, or the applicant seriously lacks preparation for the program.

The first cut will eliminate candidates who fall below the school’s standards for both GPA and . Those left for the secondary review are those who have demonstrated sufficient proof of their academic skill.

Once you’re through the primary review, the focus shifts from your intellectual abilities to your non-academic accomplishments. Now the program will ask you for letters of recommendation, a list of extracurricular activities, a second essay (or set of short answers), and any other requirements they may have.

Some med schools only send secondary applications to a fraction of the initial applicant pool, while others send them to anyone who meets the academic requirements. Because each school creates their own secondary application, you can figure out what’s important to that school by the questions it asks. For instance, if a school asks for significant information about , you can be pretty sure that it will figure large in the screening process.

Once you’ve sent in the secondary application you may be invited in for an interview. This pretty much means that you’re acceptable to the school on paper. But beware—at all medical schools, if you have a poor interview, you’ll probably get rejected, while a great interview might ensure your acceptance. There are some schools, however, that only use interviews to further weed out candidates, and at these schools a good interview doesn’t carry much weight at all.

The Decisions

Admit

Congratulations, you’re in! But read the letter carefully. The committee may recommend, or in some cases require, that you complete some preparatory course work to ensure that your skills meet their standards.

Reject

At the top schools, there are far more qualified applicants than there are spaces in the class. Even though you were rejected, you can reapply at a later date. If you are intent on reapplying, the onus is on you to demonstrate that you’re a better candidate now than you were previously. This may involve improving your MCAT score, taking additional courses, gaining substantive new experience, or writing better essays.

Alternate List

Schools use the alternate list to manage class size. The good news is that you wouldn’t be on the list if you were not considered a strong candidate. The bad news is that there is no way to know with certainty whether you’ll be accepted. Be aware, though, that schools do tend to look kindly upon wait-listed candidates who reapply in a subsequent year.

If you’ve been wait-listed, try to sway your case. If someone offered you a recommendation that you didn’t accept, now would be the time to ask the person if the offer still stands. Sending extra material in gives the admissions committee more information that might swing the balance in your favor.

Early Decision

Some medical schools in the United States offer early decision programs (EDPs). For an EDP, you can file only one application to the one medical school you wish to attend. Most schools accept these special applications by August 1. Keep in mind, however, that you will be prohibited from applying to any other schools until that school has rendered a decision. If you’re accepted—most schools notify candidates by October 1—then you must attend.

Is Early Decision Right For You?

Early decision programs are appropriate only for very competitive applicants who have a strong preference for one particular school. These applicants benefit in that they save considerable money on applications, interviews, and travel. In addition, they know where they’re going to med school by October.

The Risk of Early Decision

If you apply through an EDP but are not accepted, you’ll be behind your peers in the application process. It’s not a decision to be taken lightly. Before you make a decision on an EDP, sit down with your pre-med advisor and decide if this option is appropriate for you.

Brought to you in partnership with Kaplan Test Prep. To see how you can save on MCAT test prep, view your member benefits with Kaplan Test Prep here.

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While there is no wrong time in your life to go to med school, that doesn’t mean there’s not a best time of the year to apply.

When is it too late to take the MCAT?

Ideally, you should have your in hand by the time you’re filling out your medical school application. To play it safe, this means that you should take the MCAT early enough to receive your scores by the time application submissions open in June.

at the beginning of the year will afford you plenty of time and also give you the opportunity to retake the test before applying if you’re not happy with your score. If you’re not an early-bird type of test-taker, however, the good news is that your medical school application can be verified and processed .

Once the score is available, the will upload it automatically and inform your schools of the update. If you are applying to an , you’ll want to log into your MCAT account via the MCAT Testing History (THx) System and have your scores released to .

Do your research to understand how each of your schools look at the primary application without the MCAT scores and whether or not they screen the they send out based on GPA/MCAT statistics.

When should you submit your medical school application?

Here’s where things start to differ from college applications. While college applications tend to be due near the end of the year, many medical schools have rolling admissions, and while the deadlines may seem to be comfortable, it is imperative to get your application submitted as soon as possible.

The AMCAS primary application opens in the beginning of May and can be submitted in the beginning of June. Verification and processing of your application can take a while, especially as things pick up in late June and early July, so getting on the ball early can help you throughout your medical school application process.

Here’s how: the earlier you get your primary application in, the earlier your prospective schools will send the for you to fill out, and the earlier you can send those in. In turn, you’ll get scheduled for interviews early in the season when the majority of incoming class seats are still unfilled.

What about your letters of recommendation and personal statement?

Looking through the application, you will find there is more to applying to medical school than simply filling out paperwork. You’ll need to pull together letters of recommendation, transcripts, and a .

When it comes to letters of recommendation for med school, is of utmost importance. Two tips for successfully obtaining your letters of recommendation:

1. Give your letter writers plenty of time to craft an excellent letter.
2. Ensure your letter writers have the appropriate information on submitting their letters to . (Note: AACOMAS does not process letters of recommendations or forward letters of evaluation to the colleges. Each of the osteopathic medical schools has its own processes for receiving letters of recommendation. Refer to the for specific medical school letter information.)

Transcripts tend to not be an issue, but you want to make sure you haven’t left any schools out and are accurate in the coursework you report on the medical school primary application. This is one of the main reasons for delays in processing applications.

Of course, you also want to make sure you have enough time to write, proofread, and ask others to proofread your med school personal statement. It is one of the most important components of your primary application, and it will be taken into consideration by all of your prospective schools. If you are looking for professional assistance in constructing a high-quality personal statement, .

In the medical school application process, early preparation is key, as well as doing research on the schools you’re interested in. Try starting an Excel spreadsheet to keep track of schools, deadlines, and requirements.

For further med school info and resources, don’t hesitate to call your prospective schools, or , or talk to your own institution’s counselor for help. Above all, keep your chin up! The primary application represents the culmination of all your efforts so far and will be the best way you can sell yourself to the admissions committee.

Brought to you in partnership with Kaplan Test Prep. Check out Kaplan Test Prep’s , and start working towards that stellar MCAT score today.

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Let’s talk about a few of them based on study timelines so you can find the one that works best for you.

The Long-Term Planner

Who: If you’re a sophomore looking to get a jump on , or if you’ve graduated and are trying to study while you work a full-time job, the long-term plan may be the right option for you. Basically, it’s an ideal schedule for anyone who is planning to study over the course of a year or more.

Building your study schedule: In the long-term plan, maybe you set aside one or two days per week for MCAT studying. You do that for a few months or maybe even a year to build a solid content base. Then, as you get closer to your anticipated test date, ramp up your studying by taking practice tests and studying for a few hours a day at least four days per week.

Things to consider: It can be difficult to maintain your momentum when you spread your studying out over a year or more. Make sure to hold yourself accountable to your study schedule and set dates to check in on your progress. A self-paced study package with long-term access to study resources is an ideal match for the long-term planner.

The Average MCAT Studier

Who: Juniors who are thinking of taking the MCAT at the end of a semester and have a lighter class schedule should consider a more middle-of-the-road approach. This is also the correct study schedule for someone who is allotting six months or fewer to their studying timeline. An that runs two or three days per week can be highly compatible with a middle-of-the-road .

Building your study schedule: With this schedule, you’ve got some obligations to work around first. Build your MCAT schedule to fit between your classes or work schedule. Typically, you’d end up having three to five days per week in which you work on MCAT material for several hours. If you can sustain this for a few months, you’ll be set to study more intensively as your exam date gets closer.

Things to consider: It’s easier to say that you’ll study for the MCAT while you simultaneously study for your classes than to actually do it. We’ve watched many students start with grand plans and get overwhelmed by midterms and finals. Make sure that you’ve got a lighter class load if you’re planning to layer MCAT studying on top of your regular classes.

The Fast and Furious Studier

Who: This is the right strategy if you’re looking to take the MCAT over the summer. This is also the right study schedule if your plan is limited to a period of three months or less. The is built around a short study period and is an excellent model for high-impact studying.

Building your study schedule: You go all-in with MCAT studying. This is a six-day per week, multiple-hours per day MCAT-fest. You start building in your practice tests early and often. You eat, sleep, and breathe the MCAT… within reason of course!

Things to consider: When you go the fast and furious approach, it’s easy to get burnt out. You want to make sure that even though you’re studying on an , you still make time for friends, family, and relaxation.

The Life Happens Prepper

Who: This is someone who has attempted prepping for the in the past, but ran into some issues. Study plans frequently get thrown off by family troubles, health difficulties, work struggles or other unforeseen time constraints, and it’s important to have a fresh approach to get your back on track

Building your study schedule: First of all, you need to make sure that you have addressed the issue that derailed your MCAT studying the first time around. You then want to scrap your original study plan and start fresh. A new approach will help reinvigorate your studying and help you prep for success.

Things to consider: Sometimes it can be really disheartening to start MCAT studying again, especially if you felt you were making good progress last time and now you’re starting all over again. Work on keeping your spirits up and try not to focus on your progress relative to the last time you studied. You want to embark on this journey fresh and ready to conquer the MCAT!

Your timeline is only one variable in considering how to build your study schedule. You can also choose how you study based on the extent to which you’ll need to improve performance over your. You can then plan your timeline around the need for improvement and adjust it as you progress through the material. As mentioned, there’s no one right way! How are you going to build your study schedule?

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The AMCAS application greatly simplifies the initial stages of the application process. Instead of having to complete individual applications for every single school, you complete just one AMCAS online application. The vast majority of the U.S. LCME-accredited medical schools are AMCAS-affiliated. The AMCAS application, or “The Primary Application,” can be accessed online at .

Completing the AMCAS

The AMCAS application becomes available in May for the class entering in the fall of the following year. AMCAS begins accepting completed applications in early June.

The completed application includes biographical information, school enrollment and transcript data, and your Personal Statement. AMCAS will review and verify your completed application with or without an MCAT score. However, medical schools will want to see the Primary Application form, your transcripts, and your MCAT scores before they consider you for a Secondary Application. Furthermore, they will require the completed Secondary Application and the letters of recommendation before offering an invitation for an interview.

Many schools have a rolling admissions system. This means that those applicants who are reviewed first will be given the first interviews, and subsequently, will be granted admission before other candidates. There is signficant competitive advantage to be gained from early submission of your Primary Application, MCAT scores, Secondary Application and Letters of Recommendation.

The Three Sections of the AMCAS

There are three sections to the AMCAS Primary Application:

1. General Information

The information requested is similar to that in most applications. Spotlight those activities and honors that are most important to you and those that you hope will distinguish your application. List in descending order of priority. You may also want to highlight health-related activities, public service work, and science or medically related work experience.

2. Personal Statement

This is the one area on the AMCAS application where you can infuse a little bit of personality. The is your opportunity to separate yourself from other equally qualified applicants, so take time and write a statement that sets you apart from the rest.

3. Coursework and GPA

You’re required to input a detailed list of every course you’ve taken since secondary school. Before you even begin, you should have a copy of an unofficial transcript from all community college, undergrad, and grad institutions you’ve attended. You’ll need this in order to tackle the complex matrix of classes, semester hours, credits, and grades (which culminates in the calculation of the “AMCAS GPA”).

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