Timetable for Medical School Applicants

Medical School - Preparation

Timetable for Medical School Applicants

2-3 Years Before Applying  
  • Start using services by the Pre-Professional Health Committee (PPHC) to receive guidance.
  • Participate in volunteer, work or extracurricular activities that interest you.
  • Focus on your classes and maintain a strong GPA; take prerequisite courses.
  • Cultivate strong relationships with professors who could write strong letters of recommendation.
The Year Before Applying Summer
  • Participate in extracurricular activities (i.e., research, volunteer or internships) that interest you and demonstrate leadership, teamwork, caring and dedication.
  • Review individual school pre-requisites to determine if there are additional courses you need to complete.
  • Prepare for & take the MCAT sometime from June – September (if all pre-reqs are completed).
  Fall
  • Work hard in classes and continue to stay engaged in extracurriculars. Stay motivated!
  Winter/Spring
  • Prepare for and take the MCAT sometime in January - (no later than) April.
  • Attend personal statement workshops & write your statement. Have it reviewed by 2-3 people who can provide valuable feedback.
  • Request letters of recommendation.
Application Year May
  • American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) opens early in May – begin filling out applications.
  June (1 year before Medical School)
  • Make a list of application deadlines
  • Complete an AMCA form (primary application), which is a single application that allows you to apply to several medical schools. This application requests basic information.
  July-August
  • August 1st is the deadline for the Early Decision Program (EDP)
  • AMCAS is in the process of verifying primary applications.
  • Start preparing secondary applications (supplemental applications) through October.
  August-December
  • Prepare for interviews by scheduling a mock interview with the Career Services Center.
  October
  • Beginning of admissions offers to applicants.
  • Primary applications final deadlines (serious applicants apply in June, well before this deadline).
  • Send in complete secondary applications
  January-March
  • Interviews continue.
  • Admissions offers continue.
  April
  • April 15th offers acceptance deadlines for medical schools that start on June 30th.
  • Admissions offers continue.
  May
  • May 15th offers acceptance deadline for medical schools that start in August.
  June-August
  • Active waitlist class filled.
  • Start medical school.