The Early Decision Program (EDP) allows you to secure an acceptance from one EDP-participating medical school by Oct. 1* while allowing enough time to apply to other schools if you’re not accepted.
As an EDP applicant, you must agree:
- Not to apply through the EDP if you have already submitted an initial or secondary application (AMCAS or non-AMCAS) to a U.S. medical school for an MD-degree program for the current entering class.
- To apply to only one medical school (AMCAS or non-AMCAS) through the EDP.
- Not to submit additional applications (AMCAS or non-AMCAS) until one of the following:
- You receive an EDP rejection.
- You receive a formal release from the EDP commitment.
- The Oct. 1* notification deadline passes (contact your EDP school if you have not been notified).
- You have decided to apply to other medical schools, communicated these intentions to the medical school(s), and officially released yourself from the EDP designation in your AMCAS application.
- To familiarize yourself and comply with the school-specific EDP policies of the program to which you were accepted, including any school-specific conditions if you decide to change program types and apply to other medical schools.
You must adhere to the terms set forth by a medical school if you are accepted to its EDP. The terms apply, but are not limited, to applicants accepted to the current entering class, delayed matriculants from a previous entering class, and all other applicants who are required by the medical school to submit an EDP application to the current entering class.
Medical schools agree to notify EDP applicants of admission decisions by Oct. 1* and may defer applicants to the regular applicant pool, if appropriate.
EDP Deadlines:
- Aug. 1*: Application submission and official transcripts received.
- School-specific deadline: Any supplemental application materials.
If your application is received by the stated deadline but any of your transcripts is late, you may still apply to the medical school’s Regular MD Program. To do so, change the program type to which you are applying from Early Decision to Regular MD Program in the AMCAS application. Once you have made the change, you may designate additional medical schools.
*Or the next business day if the date falls on a weekend or holiday.