AAMC Resources for Pre-Med Students

AAMC Resources for
Pre-Med Students
Association of
American Medical Colleges
Table of Contents
Getting Started
Aspiring Docs
Summer Medical and Dental Education Program (SMDEP)
4
5
Choosing a Medical School
Medical School Admission Requirements (MSAR®)6
What Do Medical Schools Look For?
7
Getting Into Medical School
Medical College Admission Test® (MCAT®)8
MCAT® Test Prep Products
9
Your Path to Medical School 10
MCAT2015® Exam
12
Applying to Medical School
American Medical College Application Service® (AMCAS®)14
Paying for Medical School
FIRST (Financial Information, Resources, Services, and Tools)
You CAN Afford Medical School
16
17
My Path to Medical School: Checklist18
Notes
19
About the Association of American Medical Colleges
Founded in 1876 and based in Washington, D.C., the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC)
is a not-for-profit association representing all 141 accredited U.S. and 17 accredited Canadian medical
schools; nearly 400 major teaching hospitals and health systems, including 51 Department of Veterans
Affairs medical centers; and 90 academic and scientific societies. Through these institutions and organizations, the AAMC represents 128,000 faculty members, 75,000 medical students, and 110,000 resident
physicians.
Through its many programs and services, the AAMC strengthens the world’s most advanced medical
care by supporting the entire spectrum of education, research, and patient care activities conducted by
our member institutions. The AAMC and our members are dedicated to the communities we serve and
steadfast in our desire to earn and keep the public’s trust for the role we play in improving the nation’s
health.
© 2013 by Association of American Medical Colleges. All rights reserved.
Welcome to the AAMC’s pre-med resources and services!
You are about to embark on the most exciting journey of your education and
training – and you’ll be making some of the most important decisions of your
career.
At the AAMC, we’re here to help you navigate the journey—from pre-med
through residency and beyond—with reliable, trusted resources and services.
We hope that you find this booklet helpful in answering many of your
questions about embarking on a career in medicine. We encourage you to visit
our website to take advantage of the many resources we’ve created for you,
including webinars, podcasts, fact sheets, inspiring stories, tools, and tips.
Also, be sure to connect with us on social media to get the latest information
and join us in discussions about pre-med topics.
We wish you the very best of success in a rewarding and fulfilling career in
medicine!
The AAMC Team
aamc.org/students
Getting Started
Aspiring Docs
The AAMC’s Aspiring Docs (aamc.org/aspiringdocs) is the best place to start to explore
your career options and get basic information on the path to medical school.
Aspiring Docs will answer the basic questions about preparing for, applying to, and financing medical
school, plus questions you didn’t know to ask, such as “what are post-bacc programs,” or “what’s it like
to be in a B.S.-M.D. program.”
Aspiring Docs also has a wealth of information on resources to help high school and undergraduate
college students get experience – a great way for you to decide if this is the career you want. Find out:
•
•
•
How to shadow a doctor
How to get lab experience
How to find health care-related volunteer opportunities
Interested in both research and
medicine?
Consider an M.D.-Ph.D. dual degree:
•M.D.-Ph.D. programs are for students who want to
become research physicians (also known as physicianscientists or physician-investigators).
•You’ll prepare for a career in which most of your time is
spent doing research, in addition to caring for patients.
•Graduates of M.D.-Ph.D. programs often become faculty
members at medical schools, universities, and research
institutes.
•Most M.D.-Ph.D. candidates earn their Ph.D. in
biomedical laboratory disciplines.
•The field is small (about 5 percent of the physician
workforce), but demand is strong.
•The average time to graduate with an M.D.-Ph.D. degree
is 7-8 years. This is often shorter than obtaining the M.D.
and Ph.D. degrees individually.
The M.D.-Ph.D. dual career is busy, challenging, and
rewarding, with opportunities to advance knowledge,
develop new treatments, and push the boundaries of the
unknown!
Source: aamc.org/aspiringdocs
4
You can access the Summer Enrichment
Programs web database and find links to
Summer Undergraduate Research Programs.
The Aspiring Docs site also provides information
on pipeline and outreach programs, which
are designed to prepare and inspire students
to pursue careers in medicine and medical
research. Many of these programs are open to
high school and undergraduate students.
View the Fact Sheet Library for quick access to
answers about preparing for the MCAT, making
the most of your gap year, shadowing a doctor,
and more. And read through the library of
Inspiring Stories from current medical students,
residents, and physicians on their unique or nontraditional paths to medical school.
Get started on exploring your options today at
aamc.org/aspiringdocs
aspiringdocsdiaries.org
Getting Started
Summer Medical and Dental Education Program
(SMDEP)
The Summer Medical and Dental Education Program is a FREE (full tuition, housing, and
meals) six-week academic enrichment summer program for qualified undergraduate
freshmen and sophomores from:
•Racial and ethnic groups that have been historically
underrepresented in medicine and dentistry—African
American, Hispanic/Latino, and American Indian
•Rural areas, economically disadvantaged, and groups
that have historically received substandard health care
(regardless of racial or ethnic background).
The summer program is hosted at 12 participating institutions
across the country with 80 students at each site. SMDEP offers
students a variety of academic and career experiences that will
support their dental and medical school career preparation:
•Academic enrichment in the basic sciences and
quantitative topics
•Learning skills development, including study skills and
methods of individual and group learning
•Clinical exposure through small-group clinical rotations
and full-group clinician seminars. This is limited to 5% of
program time for all the sites
•Career development, including the exploration of the
medical and dental careers, other health professions
and an individualized education plan to identify other
appropriate enrichment activities.
All the housing costs and most meals are covered by the
program. Scholars are provided with a $600 stipend which is
typically distributed at the mid-point and end of the program.
Some program sites offer travel assistance awards. The Robert
Wood Johnson Foundation also provides a needs-based
scholarship for travel to and from the program site.
If you aren’t eligible for SMDEP, there are many other
opportunities to gain experience, including pipeline and
outreach programs and summer enrichment programs. Talk
with your advisor, and go to aamc.org/aspiringdocs for links to
databases of these programs.
What Students Are Saying
“My most profound clinical experience took
place while making rounds with an emergency
physician. I saw the importance of the
knowledge a physician must have to make a
quick, proper diagnosis in a life-threatening
situation, and the responsibility they have to
the well-being of each patient. This clinical
experience humbled me.”
Netosha Kenneson
SMDEP Site: Duke 2011
“The science coursework at SMDEP made
classes at my home university much easier and
gave me a leg-up on MCAT review. Through
networking, I secured a mentor that allowed
me to participate on a research project with the
medical school after the program. I also made
very good friends with whom I stay in contact
regularly.”
Michael Anthony McClurkin
SMDEP Site: Yale 2011
“SMDEP gave me a greater focus on my goal.
Afterward, I knew exactly how and what I
needed to do to attend medical school, and I
am willing to work harder because I know it’s
possible.”
Nicole Fossas
SMDEP Site: Houston 2011
Read more at smdep.org and
aamc.org/aspiringdocs
smdep.org
facebook.com/smdepalumni
SMDEP is a national program funded by The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation with direction and technical assistance
provided by the Association of American Medical Colleges and the American Dental Education Association.
5
Choosing a Medical School
Medical School Admission
Requirements (MSAR®)
One of the most important decisions you’ll make is where to go to medical school.
Rely on MSAR® (Medical School Admission Requirements) for comprehensive, accurate data on medical
school admission requirements. Only the AAMC has access to actual application and MCAT exam data,
and verifies all self-reported data for accuracy.
There are two parts to the MSAR:
Why Rely on MSAR?
[The excerpt below is from “From Rankings to
Mission,” by Darrell G. Kirch, M.D. and John E.
Prescott, M.D., published in Academic Medicine,
August 2013.]
In a 2010 survey of MCAT registrants, MSAR
was rated highest for helping aspiring physicians
make application decisions.
MSAR uses a protected and consistent datadriven methodology to produce a valid, clear,
and holistic profile for each school. The profile
fosters transparency regarding the application
processes and requirements for each school, and
each profile has a section called Commitment
to Primary Care highlighting the components of
the school’s mission and curriculum dedicated to
primary care.
Additionally, users of the Web-based MSAR
tool are able to compare and contrast up to five
medical schools side-by-side, and they have the
ability to look at data across two editions of
MSAR. Medical schools can edit their profiles
as needed while the AAMC, the custodian
of MSAR data, cross-checks simultaneously.
According to internal analytics, since MSAR
went online on April 1, 2011, nearly one million
people have visited the site.
1. MSAR®: Getting Started (print or e-book)
This guidebook is packed with key info on how to choose
the right school, how to apply to medical school, what to
expect, how admission decisions are made, and much, much
more. This is for you if you’re not ready to research medical
schools yet, but want all the info needed to get started on
the right path.
2. MSAR®: Online (one-year subscription)
This powerful online database allows you to easily browse,
search, sort, and compare data on U.S. and Canadian
medical schools and B.S.-M.D. programs. It’s updated
annually with the most recent data. Plus, it’s updated
throughout the year if schools change their information.
When you subscribe, you’ll get the MSAR®: Getting Started
e-book free as a bonus.
aamc.org/msar
Getting Started
Medical School
Admission Requirements
The Most Authoritative Guide
to Preparing for and Applying
to U.S. Medical Schools
Learn
Serve
Lead
Association of
American Medical Colleges
6
Choosing a Medical School
What Do Medical Schools Look For?
Medical schools assess applicants on a number of factors like experience, academics, and test scores. They
may also evaluate an aspiring physician’s competencies in a variety of areas. A competency is defined as an
observable behavior that combines your knowledge, skills, values, and activities as they relate to a specific
activity. The Core Competencies for Entering Medical Students, as endorsed by the AAMC’s Group on
Student Affairs Committee on Admissions, are explained below. As you prepare for a career in medicine,
you should consider how you can demonstrate these competencies through research, volunteer or paid
work, and other experiences, so that you can later reflect them in your application materials.
Interpersonal Competencies
Service
Orientation
Demonstrates a desire to help others and sensitivity to others’ needs and feelings; demonstrates a desire to
alleviate others’ distress; recognizes and acts on his/her responsibilities to society; locally, nationally, and globally.
Social Skills
Demonstrates an awareness of others’ needs, goals, feelings, and the ways that social and behavioral cues affect peoples’ interactions and behaviors; adjusts behaviors appropriately in response to these cues; treats others
with respect.
Cultural
Competence
Demonstrates knowledge of socio-cultural factors that affect interactions and behaviors; shows an appreciation
and respect for multiple dimensions of diversity; recognizes and acts on the obligation to inform one’s own
judgment; engages diverse and competing perspectives as a resource for learning, citizenship, and work;
recognizes and appropriately addresses bias in themselves and others; interacts effectively with people from
diverse backgrounds.
Teamwork
Works collaboratively with others to achieve shared goals; shares information and knowledge with others and
provides feedback; puts team goals ahead of individual goals.
Oral
Communication
Effectively conveys information to others using spoken words and sentences; listens effectively; recognizes potential communication barriers and adjusts approach or clarifies information as needed.
Intrapersonal Competencies
Ethical
Responsibility to
Self and Others
Behaves in an honest and ethical manner; cultivates personal and academic integrity; adheres to ethical principles
and follows rules and procedures; resists peer pressure to engage in unethical behavior and encourages others to
behave in honest and ethical ways; develops and demonstrates ethical and moral reasoning.
Reliability and
Dependability
Consistently fulfills obligations in a timely and satisfactory manner; takes responsibility for personal actions and
performance.
Resilience and
Adaptability
Demonstrates tolerance of stressful or changing environments or situations and adapts effectively to them; is
persistent, even under difficult situations; recovers from setbacks.
Capacity for
Improvement
Sets goals for continuous improvement and for learning new concepts and skills; engages in reflective practice
for improvement; solicits and responds appropriately to feedback.
Thinking and Reasoning Competencies
Critical Thinking
Uses logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or
approaches to problems.
Quantitative
Reasoning
Applies quantitative reasoning and appropriate mathematics to describe or explain phenomena in the natural world.
Scientific Inquiry
Applies knowledge of the scientific process to integrate and synthesize information, solve problems and
formulate research questions and hypotheses; is facile in the language of the sciences and uses it to participate
in the discourse of science and explain how scientific knowledge is discovered and validated.
Written
Communication
Effectively conveys information to others using written words and sentences.
For more information about the Core Competencies and the AAMC’s Admissions Initiative,
visit aamc.org/initiatives/admissionsinitiative/competencies.
7
Getting Into Medical School
Medical College Admission Test® (MCAT®)
The AAMC develops and administers the MCAT® exam – a standardized test that has
been used as part of the medical school admissions process for more than 80 years.
Virtually all U.S. medical schools and many Canadian medical schools require applicants to submit recent
MCAT exam scores.
Fee Assistance Program
(FAP)
AAMC’s Fee Assistance Program assists
students who, without financial assistance,
would be unable to take the MCAT exam or
apply to medical schools that use the AMCAS
application service.
FAP approval is not retroactive. If you paid an
MCAT or AMCAS fee before receiving your FAP
award, you will not receive a refund, so make
sure you apply for an award before you pay
these fees. In addition to a reduced registration
fee, you get free test prep products, free MSAR
access, and a waiver of the AMCAS fee for up
to 14 medical schools.
The MCAT exam is designed to assess your problem-solving,
critical thinking, and knowledge of science concepts and
principles. Scores are reported in Physical Sciences, Verbal
Reasoning, and Biological Sciences. (See page 12–13 for
information about changes for the MCAT2015 exam).
When Should You Take the MCAT Exam?
If you plan to enter medical school in the fall semester after
you graduate from college, you’ll want to take the MCAT
exam in the spring semester of your junior year (if you are
ready). Taking the MCAT exam earlier in the calendar year
will give you a better chance of getting a seat again if you
decide to retake the exam.
You can find answers to many questions about the MCAT
exam, what’s on the exam, how to prepare, when to register,
how to get your scores, and more, at aamc.org/mcat.
Medical Minority Applicant Registry (Med-MAR)
When you register for the MCAT exam, you’ll get a chance
Learn more at aamc.org/fap.
to participate in the Medical Minority Applicant Registry
(Med-MAR). The registry is created to enhance admissions
opportunities for U.S. students who are members of a racial or ethnic group historically underrepresented
in medicine, or who are economically disadvantaged. The registry provides basic biographical information
and MCAT exam scores to minority and admissions offices at AAMC-member schools, who may choose
to send information to students.
Learn more at aamc.org/med-mar.
8
Getting Into Medical School
MCAT® Test Prep Products
You’ll find a wealth of information on the AAMC website to help you prepare for
your MCAT® exam.
Go to aamc.org/mcat/preparing to find FREE content outlines, tips on creating a study plan,
information on how the exam is scored, the MCAT® Essentials Guide FREE download, and more.
The Official Guide to the MCAT® Exam
With valuable insights and tips, the Official Guide to the
MCAT Exam is a great way to get started. You get 146
questions from actual MCAT exams that don’t appear on
any practice test or self-assessment, plus informative data
on scoring and admissions decisions.
Third Edition
The Official Guide
to the MCAT ® Exam
Includes:
• 146 actual MCAT questions
from previous exams
• Detailed solutions from the
test developers
• Current examinee data
• A look at MCAT scores as
part of the admissions
decision
…and much more!
aamc.org/officialmcatguide
MCAT ® is a program of the
Association of American Medical Colleges
The Official MCAT® Self-Assessment Package
Find out what your strengths and weaknesses are using The Official MCAT® Self-Assessment
Package. The Self-Assessment Package gives you more than 500 real MCAT test questions
not found on any other practice material. You’ll get detailed feedback on how you did
compared to other examinees. The Self-Assessment Package can help you pinpoint the
concepts you know well, and those you don’t so you can create a smart study plan.
aamc.org/mcatsap
e-MCAT Practice Tests
AAMC offers full-length practice tests that
are from previously administered MCAT
exams. Take a FREE e-MCAT practice test to
get a baseline score and purchase additional
tests to monitor your study progress. You
can simulate the actual exam by choosing a
timed practice option.
aamc.org/mcatpracticetest
9
A Path to Medical School
College
Freshman
Year
How do I
learn about
specific
schools?
Summer:
Get More
Clinical or Research
Experience
Use MSAR to
learn about
and compare
medical
schools.
How do I
actually
apply?
How can I
become a
doctor?
Spring Semester
Junior Year
Complete
your AMCAS®
application, request
official transcripts,
and ask for letters
of evaluation.
Visit
Aspiring Docs
& apply to
summer
programs.
Spring dates
are most
common.
I have
Interviews
scheduled.
Summer:
SMDEP
When
should I take
the MCAT
exam?
Prep for
interviews and
get financial aid
info from
FIRST.
College
Senior Year
Look into
Post Bacc programs
or consider a gap
year experience,
then try again!
I got
waitlisted
or denied.
How can I
get some
experience?
College
Junior Year
I got
accepted!
Participate in
enrichment
programs;
volunteer or
intern in the
medical field.
College
Sophomore
Year
Look into
MSAR®, the
MCAT® exam,
and the Fee
Assistance
Program.
Compare
award letters;
make final
decisions.
What
resources
do I need?
College
Graduation!
How can I
keep on
track?
Attend
pre-health
meetings and
work with
an advisor.
Summer:
Research or
Intership
Experience
I’ve chosen
a medical
school.
Congratulate
yourself on a job
well done, get
your books,
and find a
place to live.
To Medical
School
www.aamc.org/students
There are many paths to medical school—
this infographic represents one typical path.
© 2013 Association of American Medical Colleges
Getting Into Medical School
MCAT2015® Exam
In spring 2015, a redesigned MCAT exam will debut. The MCAT2015 exam is designed to
test the academic competencies that students need to succeed in medical school.
In addition to testing knowledge of natural sciences concepts and skills in critical analysis and reasoning,
the new exam will also cover concepts from the behavioral and social sciences.
The free tutorials resulted from a
collaboration of the AAMC, Khan Academy,
and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
Who will take the MCAT2015 Exam?
The medical school admissions cycle begins the year before you
start medical school, with the application cycle usually starting in
the summer. So, if you want to start medical school in 2016 or
later, but will not be ready to test until the spring of 2015 or later,
you’ll want to take the MCAT2015 exam. But, if you are ready to
take the exam in January (the final month the current exam will
be given), you can still take it if you plan to enter medical school
in 2016 or later. Most medical schools will accept scores that are
2-3 years old, but you’ll want to check the policies of the schools
you are interested in, just to be sure.
The three organizations sponsored an
MCAT Video Competition, and selected 15
winners to participate in an all-expensespaid week-long training program facilitated
by Khan Academy staff and scholars.
Why is the MCAT exam changing?
The MCAT2015 exam preserves what works about the current
exam, eliminates what doesn’t, and further enriches the exam
by giving attention to the concepts that tomorrow’s doctors will
need.
The tutorials are available through Khan
Academy’s online learning library at
kahnacademy.org, and in the Pre-health
Collection of the AAMC’s MedEdPORTAL®
iCollaborative at mededportal.org/
icollaborative/prehealth.
•The natural sciences sections reflect recent changes in science
and medical education.
Free Video Tutorials for
MCAT2015 Exam
The first video tutorials in a new pre-health
collection to help students prepare for the
new MCAT2015 exam, are now available.
•The addition of the social and behavioral sciences section
recognizes the importance of socio-cultural and behavioral
determinants of health and health outcomes.
•The Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills section reflects the
value that medical schools place on analysis, evaluation, and
reasoning skills and on broad preparation for medical school.
Visit aamc.org/mcat2015 for more information.
12
Getting Into Medical School
Current MCAT Exam vs MCAT2015 Exam
In the spring of 2015, potential physicians will take the MCAT2015 exam, the newest version of the MCAT exam.
The MCAT2015 exam will, like the current exam, test concepts in the natural sciences, as well as skills in critical
analysis and reasoning. Unlike the current MCAT exam, the MCAT2015 exam will also cover concepts from the
behavioral and social sciences. The table below highlights the features the MCAT2015 exam shares with the current MCAT exam, as well as its new features.
What stays the same?
Content
What’s different on the MCAT2015 exam?
• Biology, general chemistry, organic
chemistry, and physics concepts are
tested
• 75% of the questions on the
MCAT2015 also appear on the
current MCAT
• Two test sections focus on natural
sciences
• Examinees demonstrate scientific
reasoning and problem-solving skills
Natural Sciences
• Biochemistry concepts are tested
• Scientific competencies are tested by asking examinees to
solve problems about biological and living systems and to
integrate concepts from multiple disciplines
• Examinees use research methods and statistical skills to solve
problems in the same ways natural scientists do
• Nothing is the same – this is a brand
new test section
Behavioral and
Social Sciences
• Concepts from psychology and sociology (along with
related biology concepts) that provide the foundation
for learning about the behavioral and sociocultural
determinants of health and health outcome are tested
• Scientific competencies are tested by asking examinees to
integrate knowledge from different disciplines
• Examinees demonstrate scientific reasoning and problemsolving skills and use research methods and statistical skills
to solve problems in the same ways social and behavioral
scientists do
• Passages from the social sciences and
humanities
• No specific knowledge needed to do
well
• Examinees demonstrate a variety of
analytical and reasoning skills (i.e.,
cognitive-processing)
Critical Analysis
and Reasoning
Skills
• Passages from the social sciences and humanities
emphasize cultural studies, population health, ethics, and
philosophy
• Analysis and reasoning skills are tested using the most
current science on cognitive processing
• N/A
Writing
• This section is eliminated
Test Administration and Score Reporting
• Multiple choice questions prompted by passages and, in
some cases, graphs, tables, or charts
• Section scores and aggregate total score are reported to
examinee and medical schools
• Computer-based testing format
• Greater number of test questions make more reliable
comparisons of section scores
• More questions, so test day is longer by about two hours
Source: Adapted from Kroopnick, M. AM Last Page: The MCAT Exam: Comparing the 1991 and 2015 Exams.
Academic Medicine. 2013; 88 (5).
13
Applying to Medical School
American Medical College Application Service®
(AMCAS®)
10 Tips for Successful Completion of Your
AMCAS Application
Did you know that the pre-med student applies to,
on average, 14 medical schools?
1.Read the AMCAS Instruction Manual
and use the Help section of the online
application.
The best part, however, is that when you use AMCAS, the
AAMC’s centralized application service, you only need to
submit ONE primary application.
2.Submitting your application early is good,
but submitting error-free is better!
AMCAS is available to applicants to the first-year entering
classes at participating U.S. medical schools. Most students
applying to an M.D. or a combined M.D. program (like an
M.D.-Ph.D.) will use AMCAS to complete and submit their
application materials. If you are an advanced standing or
transfer applicant, you should contact the medical school
directly for assistance.
3.Know the admission requirements and
restrictions for your designated medical
schools.
4.Request official transcripts be sent to
AMCAS for every institution that you have
attended.
5.Use a copy of your official transcript when
completing the Coursework section.
6.Proofread! This is especially important in the
Essay(s) section.
7.You can make very few updates/edits/
changes once you submit your application.
8.Use the update application button if you
make a change after you’ve submitted your
application.
9.Monitor your application’s progress and
read your e-mails to ensure you don’t miss
deadlines.
10.Make sure the contact information that
AMCAS has for you is correct and current.
Get more details by downloading the AMCAS
Application Tips at aamc.org/amcas.
14
AMCAS collects, verifies, and delivers application
information, letters of evaluation and MCAT® exam scores
to each school you choose. Each participating school is
then responsible for making its own individual admissions
decisions.
Most medical schools also administer a secondary
application, which you may be invited to complete. Visit
medical school websites for more information about
secondaries.
aamc.org/amcas
Contacting AMCAS
AMCAS Representatives are available to answer your
questions and assist you in completing your application from
Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. (ET).
[email protected] / 202.828.0600
Applying to Medical School
How Does AMCAS Work?
Application Submitted
Application Processed
Application Delivered
Online application completed
and submitted to AMCAS
All required official transcripts
arrive at AMCAS
Verified application sent to
designated medical schools
Fees paid (or FAP award used)
Verification of coursework
and calculation of AMCAS
GPAs
Letters delivered as they are
received
MCAT scores automatically
delivered as they become
available
Preparing for AMCAS
• The AMCAS application opens in May of each year for applicants who plan to begin medical school
in the following year. When you are ready to begin the application, you should start by visiting the
AMCAS Web site (www.aamc.org/amcas). The documents and video tutorials available in the
Resources section are updated for each application cycle with the most current information.
•
AMCAS does not advise applicants on making decisions related to their application, so we encourage
you to work with your school’s advising office and to review the Medical School Admission
Requirements.
•
Using the online application, you will enter information about yourself and your background. You
will have your official transcripts forwarded directly to AMCAS, where AMCAS staff will verify your
coursework and normalize your GPA based on your school’s grading scale. Along with your letters of
evaluation, AMCAS then sends your verified application data to the medical schools to which you have
chosen to apply.
•
For regular applications, your official transcripts must be received by AMCAS within 14 calendar days
after the application deadline.
•
Your AMCAS application may be submitted before your official transcripts and letters of evaluation
reach AMCAS.
•
June-September is the peak period, which means your application may take about six weeks, after all
materials are received, to be processed.
•
After your application is submitted, you may check the status using our automated system.
View FAQs, video tutorials, download an instruction manual, and more at aamc.org/amcas.
15
Paying for Medical School
FIRST (Financial Information,
Resources, Services, and Tools)
The Financial Aid Application
Process
The prospect of financing your medical
education may seem daunting—but you
have lots of options.
The process of applying for financial aid varies by
medical school, but here are some universal steps to help
you get started.
Don’t be discouraged by the costs. Most medical
students borrow at least a portion of the money they
need to finance their education.
1.Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal
Student Aid) at fafsa.ed.gov. Be sure to enter each
medical school’s Federal ID code on the FAFSA so
that your information will be distributed to all the
colleges you are considering.
FIRST (Financial Information, Resources, Services, and
Tools) is AAMC’s financial aid and debt management
program – and it’s packed with FREE materials to
help you make wise financial decisions. You will find:
2.Investigate sources of financial aid. Contact the
financial aid office at your medical school to determine
what financial resources are available to you.
3.Apply early. Don’t take the risk of unexpected
situations getting in your way of meeting
application deadlines.
4.Reply to your award letter. You’ll receive an award
letter from the medical school’s financial aid office
indicating the types of financial aid and amounts
you are eligible to receive. Follow the directions to
accept or decline the award(s).
Remember:
•You must re-apply each year for financial aid. Check
with your medical school’s financial aid office about
required forms and deadlines.
•Satisfactory Academic Progress is required to remain
eligible for federal financial aid.
16
•
A Financial Aid Survival Kit for Applicants
•A library of financial aid fact sheets to help
you with budgeting, understanding credit
cards, debt management, and more
•Videos that provide answers to many financial
aid related questions
•The Medloans® Organizer and Calculator – a
tool specifically designed for medical students
at AAMC member schools.
With FIRST, you will find the information you need
to make educated borrowing decisions and develop
sound debt management skills.
aamc.org/first
Paying for Medical School
You CAN Afford Medical School
You want to be a doctor or physician-scientist—that’s a good career choice, both socially
and financially. You also probably know that medical school is expensive, but what you may
not know is that once you’re admitted to medical school, there are options when it comes
to financing your education. The key is to find the solution that best meets your goals.
Things to Think About
The truth of the matter is: medical school is
expensive. There are many different ways you
might choose to pay for your education but student
loans are a reality for most students. The keys to
successful repayment are careful planning and
budgeting, learning how to effectively manage
your debt, and educating yourself on the various
repayment options.
Have a Plan
One of your first stops on the road to creating
a sound financial plan is the AAMC’s FIRST for
Medical Education website. It contains extensive
information on the cost of applying to medical
school, information about various loans, repayment
information, and other related topics. But even with
these resources, the process can be overwhelming.
Your next step is identifying a financial aid advisor to
assist you.
Get Good Advice
The importance of getting sound, accurate, and
timely advice cannot be overstated. Whether it’s
your pre-health advisor, a current medical student
or resident, or the admissions or financial aid officer
where you are planning to apply, there are people
who can help you navigate this often complex
process. Look at the financial aid office websites
at the schools you’re applying to and see what
information is available. Take your questions about
financial aid with you when you visit and interviews,
and stop by the financial aid office.
Learn About Repayment Options
There are various repayment plans available to repay
your medical school loans. You have options when
it comes to selecting the plan that works best for
your financial situation. Another opportunity for
repayment can be found with service repayment
programs. These programs can help you repay your
loans while practicing in a medically underserved
area, or through public or military service. For more
information, review the Financial Aid Fact Sheets at
www.aamc.org/first/factsheets.
Final Thoughts
Stay true to your passion. Explore your options.
Find a good advisor/mentor. One last thing – if you
can swing it, enter medical school with little or no
credit card debt and be aware of the status of your
undergraduate loans. The less debt you begin school
with, the less debt you’ll have at the end. Do what
you can to not put application and interviewing
costs (fees, travel, hotels, etc.) on credit cards.
Frankly, there will be no room in your medical school
budget to pay off that debt. Lastly, remember the
financial aid office will be essential through your
years in school. They’re there to help, so make sure
you get the help you need.
From: aamc.org/FIRST
17
My Path to Medical School: Checklist
College Year 1
Date
Talk with academic advisor about selecting fall semester courses
Appointment with a pre-health advisor
Add pre-health meetings to my calendar and get on email lists
Find opportunities to volunteer, shadow a doc, etc.
Explore options for careers in medicine on Aspiring Docs website
Apply to summer enrichment programs (if eligible)
Explore premedical coursework requirements and application policies in MSAR Online
Learn about financial aid and financing strategies through FIRST for Medical Education’s website.
Summer
Volunteer/work in medical field; internship, research, leadership
Participate in summer enrichment programs
Take summer courses as necessary or desired
College Year 2
Check in with pre-health advisor
Add pre-health meetings to my calendar and double-check that I’m getting emails
Volunteer/work in medically related activities
Develop relationships with faculty, advisors, and mentors on campus (important for getting letters of recommendation later)
Apply for summer research/enrichment programs (if eligible)
Summer
Volunteer/work in medical field; internship, research, leadership
Participate in summer enrichment programs
Take summer courses as necessary or desired
Check out the AMCAS website resources and review the process of applying
(aamc.org/amcas)
Look at the process of applying and preparing for the MCAT® exam (aamc.org/mcat)
Look at the Fee Assistance Program (aamc.org/fap) eligibility requirements
College Year 3
Pursue leadership opportunities in pre-health organizations on campus
Consider which faculty, advisors, and mentors to approach for letters of recommendation
Continue with volunteer/work in meaningful clinical experiences, and possibly take on a more substantial role
Meet with pre-health advisor to: Strategize my medical school application timeline, whether I want to take a gap year; discuss letters of recommendation;
review medical education options; and discuss my schedule for completing premedical and other required coursework
Register for a spring date for the MCAT exam (if not taking a gap year)
Explore premedical coursework requirements and application policies in MSAR Online
Learn about financial aid and financing strategies through FIRST for Medical Education’s web site.
Summer
Continue with volunteer/work in meaningful clinical experiences, research, and leadership experiences
Complete AMCAS application; work on secondary applications
Request letters of recommendation from faculty, advisors, mentors
College Year 4
Continue with volunteer/work in meaningful clinical/research experiences
Consult with pre-health advisor on application status, medical educations options, etc
Complete supplementary application materials for schools I’ve applied to
Prepare for interviews and campus visits at medical schools
Receive acceptances and make a decision on which medical school to choose
Notify the medical schools I will not be attending by the deadline date given
Complete FAFSA and financial aid forms
Summer
Purchase books and equipment, and make my living arrangements
Attend orientation programs and matriculate into medical school
Notes
19
Association of
American Medical Colleges
2450 N Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20037-1127
T 202 828 0400 F 202 828 1125
www.aamc.org