The Process

[tut]

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Sup guys,

So i think I'm extremely late in asking this, but I want to apply to med school this summer. What is the detailed step-by-step process i need to take to do so?

 

[tremulousNeedle]

You are probably going to be short for time if you haven't started anything yet. While the application window is several months long, those that have not gotten things underway by July/August are at a huge disadvantage (Submission of the primary app starts on June 1 and most applicants submit by July 1).

Go to the AMCAS home page and get started there:
http://www.aamc.org/students/amcas/
The application program login, FAQ page, and instruction book (plus many other resources) are on the right hand side. All the information you should need is there.




You'll need:

• A copy of your transcript(s) for yourself (for data entry into the application program, access to an online version of your transcripts is acceptable here).
• An official copy of your transcript(s) sent directly to AMCAS from you registrar's office(s).
• A personal statement (one that has been critiqued and proofread)
• Money to pay for the process
• Letters of Recommendation that are available to be submitted directly from the letter writer or from a 3rd party letter collection service (this is more important for secondary applications, less important for the primary AMCAS application.)
• A MCAT score.
• A list of extracurricular activities / work experience.

These are the big things; there are probably smaller things I am forgetting.

I would caution against applying at a whim without knowing much about the process; do your research before investing the money.

 

[NickNaylor]

You are probably going to be short for time if you haven't started anything yet. While the application window is several months long, those that have not gotten things underway by July/August are at a huge disadvantage (Submission of the primary app starts on June 1 and most applicants submit by July 1).

Go to the AMCAS home page and get started there:
http://www.aamc.org/students/amcas/
The application program login, FAQ page, and instruction book (plus many other resources) are on the right hand side. All the information you should need is there.




You'll need:

• A copy of your transcript(s) for yourself (for data entry into the application program, access to an online version of your transcripts is acceptable here).
• An official copy of your transcript(s) sent directly to AMCAS from you registrar’s office(s).
• A personal statement (one that has been critiqued and proofread)
• Money to pay for the process
• Letters of Recommendation that are available to be submitted directly from the letter writer or from a 3rd party letter collection service (this is more important for secondary applications, less important for the primary AMCAS application.)
• A MCAT score.
• A list of extracurricular activities / work experience.

These are the big things; there are probably smaller things I am forgetting.

I would caution against applying at a whim without knowing much about the process; do your research before investing the money.

+1

You will likely not do well if you're completing things haphazardly. It might be a good idea to take a year off, do more research on the process, and then apply once you're ready to go.

 

[tut]

Ya I would normally wait a year, but due to personal reasons I want to get out of med school ASAP. My MCAT is scheduled for mid July, and I have a couple letter of recs, but if waiting til August is so bad, which is better?
DO or Caribbeans?

 

[tremulousNeedle]

A July MCAT means that your AMCAS application will not be considered complete until Mid August at the soonest, which is relatively late for both AMCAS (US MD programs) and AACOMAS (DO programs, I didn't mention this application service in my original response).

Basically, the timeliness of an application determines the number of interviews you receive, but this is nearly impossible to predict on an individual basis. With the time frame you have posted, if you are an average to below average applicant, you will probably feel the effects with fewer interviews.

Generally, an MD degree is pursued over a DO (though there are applicants solely interested in DO). MD students are better accepted into competitive specialties / programs, though this obstacle is becoming less and less every year (not nearly as bad as it was 15 years ago). A DO student with great grades and great board scores are usually able to compete equally with similarly qualified MD students.

I have no detailed comments on Caribbean schools, but beware, Caribbean schools are NOT accredited by the LCME, which means that if you graduate from a Caribbean medical school you will be considered an international medical graduate (regardless of whether or not you are a US citizen). I bring this up because it is often more difficult for international medical graduates to to enter a US residency program (a requirement to practice in the US), plus there are more hoops students have to jump through to be eligible for residency programs.

US applicants rarely apply straight to the Caribbean schools. It is usually the path chosen after a couple unsuccessful application cycles at US MD and DO schools. Financial assistance for Caribbean schools also works differently than for US MD and DO schools, so this will be something to look into as well.

 

[tremulousNeedle]

I am not sure if the other responder will agree with me, but the reason my initial post may have had a hint of discouragement in it is because this whole process can be complicated for those unfamiliar with it. It can drain a lot of time, energy, and money, and unless you are familiar the dance and know what to expect, all of these efforts can be for naught.

 

[chman]

I am not sure if the other responder will agree with me, but the reason my initial post may have had a hint of discouragement in it is because this whole process can be complicated for those unfamiliar with it. It can drain a lot of time, energy, and money, and unless you are familiar the dance and know what to expect, all of these efforts can be for naught.

Especially the money. Between flights, hotels, secondaries, etc, it can be very expensive. That is why most want to do it right. I would say wait a year if you are in any kind of financial bind. I know you want to "get out of med-school fast" but this is not a fast process any way you slice it.

PS, if you have the grades, don't go to the Caribbean, it is very dicey.

 

[metallica81788]

Read the advice on this thread carefully, OP. One of the biggest problems I've noticed among some applicants that I know personally is that they didn't know how to go through the steps to apply and didn't go through them quickly enough.

Knowledge of the application process is power and can make a huge difference if you're well informed in advance.

 

[studmuffin]

dont apply late dude you are wasting your time