AAMC Postbaccalaureate Premedical Programs Glossary

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AAMC Postbacc Database Glossary

Academic Record-Enhancer: for students who have completed their pre-requisites but need additional academic preparation to demonstrate their ability to complete medical training 

Capstone Program: students will conduct a research project and summarize their findings via a written paper, an oral presentation, and/or a poster 

Career-Changer: for students who need to complete all or most of the pre-requisite courses for medical school 

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) Students: an administrative relief from deportation for eligible immigrant youth who came to the United States when they were children. Please refer to the following link for updates and additional information from the U.S. Citizenship & immigration Services; Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) | USCIS 

Economically or educationally disadvantaged students: those placed a specific risk by socioeconomic or educational background. 1. economically disadvantaged students are those whose household income is below average 2. educationally disadvantaged students are those who may have educational deficits based on individual learning abilities or limitations 

Full-Time Program: a number of course hours specified by the program which aims to complete all requirements within 8months – 1year; this will vary based on the program/university 

Gap year: a yearlong break taken in between secondary degrees and professional training programs to engage in various educational and developmental activities such as work experience, volunteer experience, or travel 

Part-Time Program: a number of course hours specified by the program which aims to complete all requirements within 2years; this will vary based on the program/university 

Permanent Resident of the US: someone who has been granted authorization to live and work in the US on a permanent basis; this includes green card holders Source: https://www.dhs.gov/how-do-i/get-green-card 

Thesis Program: students will conduct a large research project which may require several semesters to complete, they will write a thesis which is a large document that is likely to be published 

Underrepresented minority students: the AAMC definitions includes racial and ethnic populations that are underrepresented in the medical profession relative to their numbers in the general population. Before June 26, 2003 this included those who identify as Black, Mexican-American, Native American (I.e American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians), and mainland Puerto Ricans. Source: https://www.aamc.org/what-we-do/equity-diversity-inclusion/underrepresented-in-medicine 

 

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