To Which Medical Schools Should I Apply?

Check the admissions requirements of the schools you are considering. Occasionally schools have requirements beyond the regular premedical course work. You can plan to take the courses during the application year. Indicate your intentions on the Academic Record portion of the application by checking the box Current/Future. (For special requirements see the appendices, “Math Requirements” and “Upper Level Biology Requirements.”)

Establish any limitations/constraints

• Eliminate state schools (Please see table II in Appendix C) unless you are a resident of that state, and eliminate schools serving special populations (table III: minorities, military) unless you qualify.
• Determine whether you have strong geographical constraints or preferences that lead to the elimination of other schools.
• Take a realistic look at your GPA and anticipated MCAT (Please see tables I-IV in Appendix C), and focus on schools for which you are clearly qualified.
• For more specific information about the various curriculums and specific courses at each school you may want to look at the AAMC, Curriculum Directory at http://services.aamc.org/currdir/start.cfm

Establish Criteria

Make a list of the parameters/criteria that are important to you:

• geographical location: region of the country? urban vs. rural?
• emphasis: clinical vs. research? range of clinical training opportunities available, e.g. public vs. private hospitals, size of hospitals, etc.
• size: small vs. large school?
• academic environment: reputation as a teaching institution? traditional vs. innovative curriculum? problem-based learning? grading system? cooperative vs. competitive atmosphere? access to patients?
• reputation: prestige, selectivity
• cost: tuition + fees; living expenses; financial aid available?
• diversity: proportion of women, minorities; attitude toward non-traditional students?
• housing: on campus vs. community?
• student life: social opportunities; recreational/cultural; general level of student satisfaction?
• Philosophy? Osteopathic vs. Allopathic
• other features?

Summary and Analyses

Once you have chosen your criteria, it is useful to construct a table in which you list various medical schools and evaluate how they compare with regard to the criteria you have chosen. Specific information about medical schools can be found in the AAMC publication: "Medical School Admission Requirements," the Princeton Review book: "The Best Medical Schools,” and various other publications available in the Pre-health office.

You should plan to apply to 15-20 medical schools. Of these, a few could be your very top choices, whether or not you think they are within your grasp; the bulk should be schools for which you are clearly qualified and which you find desirable; and a few should be somewhat safer, less selective "insurance" schools. Remember, all schools will give you a fine medical education!

Secondary Applications

Most AMCAS, ACOMAS, ADSAS, VMCAS and TMDSAS schools will ask you to complete a secondary application once they have reviewed your AMCAS application. You can receive your secondary applications as soon as late June, and they can come in throughout the application process. Generally, you should start to receive secondaries about a month to 6 weeks after you submit your online application. Some secondaries are available and can be completed online. Secondaries vary from school to school—some are comprehensive, some are short. Most schools ask for more money ($50-$100) when you submit your secondary. Complete and return secondaries quickly. Please use the above guidelines for writing personal statements to guide you in drafting essays for your secondary applications to medical school, and if you have any questions please contact the office.