Medical School: University of Arizona College of Medicine Tucson
Expected Graduation Year: 2024
Undergraduate Institution: Brown University
Major: Health and Human Biology
Why I’m becoming a doctor
I decided to pursue medical school because my mission is to care for my communities and work towards addressing social justice through medicine. I am interested in Family Medicine because it allows me to truly invest in community, understand issues facing underserved populations, and serve at the intersection of medicine and public health.
My experience with the AAMC Fee Assistance Program
I used the following benefits during my premed journey:
- MCAT Official Prep Online-Only Bundle
- Reduced MCAT registration fee
- Medical School Admission Requirements (MSAR)
- Waiver for AMCAS fees
I heard about the Fee Assistance Program through my sister who had previously attempted to apply to medical school. I applied for fee assistance before studying for the MCAT. The value and benefits of the program are so helpful during the application process; therefore, I would highly encourage applicants to make sure they complete the application to their best ability! I used the MCAT Official Prep Online-Only Bundle benefit from the program to test my knowledge and prepare for taking the MCAT.
I also used the MSAR online database to search for schools that fit my goals and mission. There are so many medical schools, and this was one way to gain exposure to a wider range. I applied to 20 schools and used my AMCAS fee waivers. I found the fee waivers the most useful because it allowed me to apply to more schools that I was interested in and explore the array of schools available.
Without the AAMC Fee Assistance Program benefits, I would not be where I am now as a first-year medical student. As a first-generation college student from a low-income background, the AAMC Fee Assistance program made it possible for me to apply to medical school. The access to the MCAT study materials was essential to my MCAT preparation and helped me succeed in obtaining a competitive score. In addition, the access to the MSAR online database and waived AMCAS fees were essential to my application journey. I would not have been able to financially apply to medical school without these resources!
Other ways I benefited from the AAMC Fee Assistance Program
I had 20 secondary applications and all my fees were waived thanks to the Fee Assistance Program.
Advice to future applicants
My advice to future Fee Assistance Program applicants is to apply to as many schools that fit their profile and that are covered by the AMCAS fee waivers. In addition, use the MCAT prep materials provided as it helped me prepare for the MCAT significantly.
These students’ testimonials were selected because they represent diverse stories. The views expressed herein are those of the students and do not necessarily reflect the positions or policies of the AAMC