AOA, what is it? How does it work?

[gschl1234]

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Originally posted by ewing
Alpha Omega Alpha -- kind of like Phi Beta Kappa but for medical school.

So when and how are people invited to AOA? On what do they base an invitation? USMLE? Class rank? Who chooses to invite people to AOA?

 

[Bones2008]

I'm fairly ignorant on this topic (you'd find more educated answers on the allopathic forum), but I'll say what I do know. There are two times to get elected. Once, at the end of the second year, is called "junior AOA" status. Only a few people get in at this point. The vast majority of AOA people are brought in towards the end of the third year. In terms of the criteria, I believe all the ones you mentioned are involved, though I'm not sure of the relative importance (it may vary by school). Try this in the allopathic forum, you'll probably find the answers you're looking for (though if you're pre-allo, why do you care about this now?).

 

[VCMM414]

Originally posted by Bones2008
I'm fairly ignorant on this topic (you'd find more educated answers on the allopathic forum), but I'll say what I do know. There are two times to get elected. Once, at the end of the second year, is called "junior AOA" status. Only a few people get in at this point. The vast majority of AOA people are brought in towards the end of the third year. In terms of the criteria, I believe all the ones you mentioned are involved, though I'm not sure of the relative importance (it may vary by school). Try this in the allopathic forum, you'll probably find the answers you're looking for (though if you're pre-allo, why do you care about this now?).

There are three times you can get elected. The two you mentioned above (though I thought Junior AOA is given in the spring of 3rd year, while Senior AOA in the spring of 4th year... this is why Senior AOA often doesn't matter as much for residency match), and the third situation is reserved for distinguished alumni. Criteria varies from school to school, and some schools don't even have AOA (Stanford and maybe Yale come to mind).

 

[ice_23]

Originally posted by VCMM414
There are three times you can get elected. The two you mentioned above (though I thought Junior AOA is given in the spring of 3rd year, while Senior AOA in the spring of 4th year... this is why Senior AOA often doesn't matter as much for residency match), and the third situation is reserved for distinguished alumni. Criteria varies from school to school, and some schools don't even have AOA (Stanford and maybe Yale come to mind).

Yeah, I'm not sure if yale has one for junior year, but they definitely have some award for those that have demonstrated academic accomplishment during senior year (i'm looking at their handbook right now). I don't know how that's determined, but I suppose it is like AOA?

-Ice