Wow, I don't have that much time to write, but I suppose I will start us off here...
AMCAS is the application service you use to apply to MD schools (except the Texas schools I think they have their own application). It is kind of like one big general application where you select from a list which schools you want it sent to. It is done online and you can save your progree and return to it later. It includes basic biographical and geographical info, info about your parents/siblings, socioeconomic background, every college class you have ever taken (including your grades and what type of class it was like bio, langauge etc.), MCAT scores, your personal statement, and up to 15 "meaningful" activities (these can be involvement in clubs, jobs, volunteer experiences, leadership roles). It is very time consuming mosly because it is so detailed. Oh yea, there is a new section of AMCAS where your letter writers can upload or send their letters to AMCAS so AMCAS can then send them to the right schools. Not all schools are participating in this service, so it is helpful to create an account with Interfolio or Virtual Evals. You letter writers can upload their letters confidentially to these services, then you can select what letter goes to which school based on that schools particular requirements. You can't see the letters, but they all have titles so you know which one to choose.
I believe the online application becomes available May 1st, and the first day to submit it is June 1st. I HIGHLY HIGHLY SUGGEST SUBMITTING IT AS CLOSE TO JUNE 1ST AS POSSIBLE!! This process is so time consuming and lasts for about a year, so the sooner you get started the better. Some argue that schools are less stingy with their interviews/acceptances at first. Also, if your letter writers are behind, you don't need to wait for them to upload their letters onto the AMCAS app, you can send it in as along as everything else is complete and then complete the letters section later on.
Once you submit your AMCAS, it takes some time to process it. They check all your classes and make sure you completed that part correctly and didn't leave out any information. They will not proofread it!!!! You must do that on your own. After they process it, they will give you your overal GPA as well as your "BCPM" GPA (bio, chem, physics, and math). This number is basically all of your science classes. If you were a science major, it is probably pretty close to your overall GPA. If you were say, a business major, it could be different. It is a way for schools to evaluate how you did in your science classes b/c some people try to pad their GPA with easy classes.
In terms of GPAs, I have heard that a good, competitive GPA is 3.75 and a BCPM GPA around 3.65, 3.7( I believe this is around the average of accepted applicants). The best thing to do is to buy the AAMC Medical School Admission Requirements or MSAR in the spring of the year you are applying. You will use this book a ton b/c it has every MD schools info (Average MCAT scores, range of MCAT scores accepted the previous year, average GPA, average BCPM, required classes, suggested classes, how they use multiple MCAT scores, class breakdown by race and major and sex, how much their apps are, when their secondaries are due, and so much more). I think its about 25 dollars but it is so worth it. You order it off the AAMC website.
So, now your AMCAS app is verified, your letter writers are hopefully sending all their letters to interfolio/AMCAS/virtual evals, etc. This means you should ask for your letters early (maybe halfway through spring semester) to give them plenty of time to write and get them handed in. Every school has their own requirement for letters in terms of who they want them from. I suggest getting letters from:
at least 2 science profs (meaning BCMP) (FYI some schools don't consider psych a science class, some do)
at least 1 from non-science prof (psych, econ, business, whatever else)
one from your pre-med advisor (most schools require one from your advisor if you have on)
one from an employer or someone you volunteered for esp. medically related stuff
one from somebody who knows you on a more personal level
letters from physicians/nurses/PAs that you have shadowed or who know you
This should do it, but others please add if you came accross anything more. I would have them make sure to put their contact info like phone and email, put your name on every page in the corner with your AMCAS number, state specifically what class they had you in (if applicable), and state their title (like assistant prof, prof, md/do/pa, etc). Some schools are really picky about format and it is a pain to ask people to write letters again a different way.
Now AMCAS will send your application to each school you have indicated on your app. You can add schools later if you decide. The first school is $60 and then each additional school is $30. These schools recieve your app and they in turn will send you their own specific secondary application via email. Some schools have really easy secondaries where you pretty much just pay the fee and tell them if you have had relatives go to that school. Some schools will screen applicants to see if they want to send them a secondary (don't worry, most want the money and don't screen). Some schools will give you a certain number of weeks to complete the secondary once they have sent it. The price of sending in the secondary varies from about $40-$140. The schools will also give you information about what letters they want from you. They will tell you which ones you have to send in order to be considered (like 2 from science profs, 1 from advisor, etc.) and also how many total they will accept. Some have limits, some don't. If they don't have limits, I suggest sending all of your letters you have. It is their choice to read them or not. You want to get those secondaries done ASAP b/c after you send that in they will look at it and decide whether or not they want to interview you. Some have 10 short essays, some have 2 longer essays. THere is some repitition, but most times if you have the same question on 2 diff secondaries they will have different word limits or want you to talk specifically about why you want to go to their school. Be prepared to write a lot!
Most secondaries can be sent in electronically, but some schools still want you to send a paper copy. Some schools also want a passport-style photo of you in addition to your app. You can send that electronically or by snail mail.
After you send in the secondary, you spend a lot of time waiting. They school will notify you via email if they want to invite you to an interview. If they do, you schedule a date, buy a ticket and a suit, learn as much about the school as possible, practice interviewing, and head to the school.
After the interview they can accept you, put you on a waiting list, or reject you. It usually takes about 6 weeks to hear anything after an interview.
If you get multiple acceptances, you can accept at all schools until May 15th where you can only hold one acceptance. After that AMCAS will notify the schools if you are holding more than 1 and they can basically unaccept you. You can hold on to as many wait list positions as you want.
so that's the basics of AMCAS.
In terms of what classes you should take, this is what I would suggest:
physics (2 sem)
gen chem and o chem (2 sem each)
several bio classes (at least 2 sem)
genetics (1 sem)
physiology (1 sem)
anatomy (1 sem)
gross anatomy (1 sem)
social science or psych class (1 sem)
english comp and writing (2 sem)
calc (1 sem)
biochem (1 sem)
cell/molecular bio (1 sem)
microbiology (1 sem)
Schools have different requirements. Some require that you take a class, some recommend it. Gross anatomy (with cadavers) isn't required usually but it shows you are serious about learning and can work with cadavers. I received very positive feedback about having taken gross anatomy. Genetics usually isn't required as well, but I think it helped me on the MCAT. Your advisor should know what classes you should take, too. I would work on the physics, chem, and bio stuff before you take the MCAT b/c it will help you understand the test better.
When you study for the MCAT depends on when you are planning on applying. If you are not taking a year off, you will take the MCAT your junior year. Most people take it in the spring b/c you will have your scores by the time you apply. I would say give yourself AT LEAST a semester to study. It is so much information and strategy and you need plenty of time to practice and keep up with regular schoolwork. I would say give yourself a year, or start fall semester. You can take practice tests online, take a review course, buy books like exam krackers and study on your own, whatever works for you. I personally liked taking a review course b/c it made me manage my time and study. I couldn't come up with excuses to skip a night. THe most well known courses are Kaplan and Princeton Review. Kaplan focuses more on strategy and Princeton Review focuses more on reviewing content. I personally liked Kaplan better b/c I needed more help with strategy and getting the computer practice. You will also need to read up on current events b/c it really helps for the essay section. I believe the average for accepted applicants is a 30-31 O-P. The test is out of 45 and the main sections are:
Biology and O-chem ( out of 15)
Physics and Gen Chem (out of 15)
Verbal Reasoning (out of 15)
Essay section (letter assigned- further along the alphabet the better)
I will try to write more later about the MCAT but I hope this gets you started a bit!
