Pardon my ignorance but what's AOA?
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What's AOA?
Started by Alexander99
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Alpha Omega Alpha
Honor Medical Society
Honor Medical Society
N
njbmd
Hi there,
AOA has two common meanings on this forum.
Alpha Omega Alpha - is the honorary academic society for medical students and physicians. You can be selected for AOA at the end of your third year of medical school, at the end of your fourth year of medical school or as a resident/faculty member. Your selection to this very prestigeous society is based on academics, extracurriculars and other "intangibles". Selection can be very political at some schools. It is highly desirable when you are applying to residency programs to have been named to AOA. There is a special box on the ERAS application for you to indicate your AOA status. Be aware that many medical schools do not have a chapter of Alpha Omega Alpha.
American Osteopathic Association - this is the osteopathic counterpart to the AMA (American Medical Association).
When you see AOA, you need figure out what the person is referring to.
I hope this helps🙂
njbmd
How many people get on AOA (the honors society?) Is it just a handful of people in the class? It sounds like something that you can only get with a lot of hard work and ass-kissing. 
AOA is the grand pinnacle of medical school achievment! Do you dare to seek this prize! Do you have the intellect, charisma, poise, empathy, confidence, knowledge, work ethic, and looks to even attempt to become AOA! Look deep inside yourself and you will know the answer!
B
Brachial_Plexus
Just some stupid organization to enhance the egos of your typical low self-esteem med. student geek. When you are an attending, it means nothing.
AOA has three functions:
1) It separates you from other medical students on paper
2) It serves as something to demonstrate to program directors that you're better on paper
3) It's another framed piece of paper to put on your wall for patients to look at who really won't know what it means anyway.
In summary, its uses are limited.
1) It separates you from other medical students on paper
2) It serves as something to demonstrate to program directors that you're better on paper
3) It's another framed piece of paper to put on your wall for patients to look at who really won't know what it means anyway.
In summary, its uses are limited.
N
njbmd
Hey there,
There is also a nice little gold pin for your lab coat and a secret handshake and more meetings to attend. C'mon man, this is good stuff!
njbmd😀
Count me in. 😀
