Understanding the Application Process

You may be unaware, but there are a set of principles in place to help students, advisors, and medical school admissions staff ensure fairness and professionalism throughout the medical school process. Understanding the Application and Acceptance Protocols is important as you apply to medical school.

What exactly do medical schools look for in applications? We asked three admissions officers what they want applicants to know before applying to medical school.

Holistic review is an admissions process that considers each applicant individually by balancing their academic metrics with experiences and attributes.

An overview of the medical school application process.

"If you want to stand out, think about what is in your application that isn't likely to be in anyone else's application," says one expert.

Stand out to medical schools, where professionalism matters, with the PREview® professional readiness exam. The PREview exam is an assessment of your understanding of effective professional behavior across nine premed competencies, competencies identified by medical schools as critical to success in school and in your career. 

The Early Decision Program gives medical school applicants the opportunity to secure an acceptance from one Early Decision Program-participating medical school by October 1, while still allowing sufficient time to apply to other schools if you are not accepted.

The AAMC Fee Assistance Program assists those who, without financial assistance, would be unable to take the Medical College Admission Test® (MCAT®), apply to medical schools that use the American Medical College Application Service® (AMCAS®), and more.

Dual degree programs enable students to pursue studies in two fields and fulfill the requirements of two degrees. For those interested in a medical career, the best-known dual degree programs are the MD-PhD program and the MD-MPH.

Information for international applicants who want to apply to U.S. medical schools.

Applying to medical school can feel overwhelming at times, but it doesn’t always have to be that way. While it’s normal to feel anxious about the process, there are resources to help you manage stress and keep yourself on track.

If you are an active-duty member of the military, a reservist, or a veteran who is thinking of applying to medical school, there are resources and financial benefits to help you get a medical education.