Medical School in the US and Canada

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This page is designed to provide you with more information for applying to American and Canadian medical schools.

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Contents

Applying to Medical School

Prior to university, most people have had very little exposure to the medical profession apart from routine visits to the doctor and what is depicted in the media. Yet medicine is a costly and demanding course of study and should not be entered into lightly. Before you apply to medical school, it is helpful to evaluate your skills, interests, and goals to see if it would be a good fit. It is also essential to gain related experience by volunteering in a clinical setting and conducting medical research. This will give you a more realistic understanding of the job and greatly improve your chances of admission to medical school. You should also try to talk to people in the field to learn about different areas of medicine and get a sense for what you can expect. Additionally, you should familiarize yourself with current issues by reading newspapers, magazines, journals, websites, and blogs to give you an overall understanding of the profession

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While it may seem overwhelming at first, applying to medical school is actually quite manageable if you are organized, plan ahead, and meet all deadlines. Remember, it is up to you to assume responsibility and make sure all the appropriate steps are finished in a timely manner.

In recent years, applications to medical school have increased dramatically, making it harder to gain admission. Before you apply you should assess your strengths and weaknesses as an applicant and devise a strategy. This will enable you to submit a stronger application.

The two most common reasons for unsuccessful applications are:

Preparation for Medical School

Course requirements

These courses satisfy the requirements at most medical schools; however, you should check the requirements for each of the schools to which you plan to apply.

The Core Coures

Some schools also require Biochemistry

Grades

You should take all required courses for a letter grade. You must get the equivalent of at least a “C” in the course in order to fulfill the requirement. Here is the conversion to the American grading system.

If you earned the equivalent of a “C-” or lower in any of the required pre-medical courses, you must retake them. Be advised that medical schools will expect you to get an “A” or “B” the second time around.

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If you have a number of “C’s” in science courses, you should take additional science courses and get really good grades in them. Before taking these extra courses, you should reflect upon why you got the poor grades in the first place. Then you should work to resolve these issues.

If you struggled with one particular science course, like chemistry, performing well on the corresponding section of the MCAT can answer any questions about your preparedness for medical school.


AP Credit

Many medical schools do not accept AP credit. You should check with the individual schools but plan on taking these courses during your time at university.

Extracurricular Activities

Teams and Organizations

It is important for you to be an active member of the St. Andrews community. Your application will be judged by your extracurricular activities as well as your academic credentials. Admissions officers look favorably upon applicants exhibiting leadership, initiative, and commitment. You should join groups or sports that match your interests. This shows you are a well-rounded candidate and are able to multi-task.

Here are some of the societies at St. Andrews.


Clinical Volunteering

Before you apply, you should work with patients in a clinical setting. This will give you a feel for what it’s like to be a doctor. Additionally, it will give you valuable experience for your application. Medical schools look for candidates who are enthusiastic about medicine and have sought out opportunities to learn more about the field. Most volunteer positions only require a minimal time commitment so it is manageable to do while you are still in school.

To gain experience, you should try to volunteer at a local hospital. Additionally, you could contact volunteer organizations, such as the Red Cross, Planned Parenthood, or the Ronald McDonald House, to see if they have any opportunities available as well.


Research

It is also helpful to bolster your application with summer research. Unfortunately, most laboratories do not post summer positions on job search sites. Instead, you will have to do most of the legwork yourself. You should check openings at medical
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schools and research centers in your area. Send out speculative applications to scientists doing work that interest you. Network with friends, family, and faculty.


Volunteering Abroad

You can also do health-related volunteer work in underdeveloped areas abroad. This can be exciting and rewarding but it also comes with a number of risks. Make sure you know the organization is legitimate and reputable before committing to a position. Additionally, you should fully research the area in which you plan to go to understand the potential hazards associated with living and working there.

Here are some search engines that list health-related volunteer opportunities:


Here are organizations with their own programs:

Mobile medical clinic


Community Service

Any student who is interested in the health profession should become an active member of the community. There are various ways you can seek to make a difference and positively affect your application at the same time:

You should also look for opportunities in your community that match your skills and interests.

Useful Links

Before You Apply

Taking Time Off Before Med School

Applicants are no longer required to follow a formulaic path in order to gain admission to medical school. Instead, having diverse experiences is now seen as a beneficial. Students are no longer required to major in the sciences as an undergraduate. Candidates can also take “time off” after university to enhance their academic credentials or gain life experience before attending medical school.

There are many reasons for taking some time off after university. Some students may need an extra year or two to take extra courses to improve their academic records. Others may not have taken all of the required courses and need to take them before applying. In either case, courses can be taken through a American Post-Baccalaureate Programs, ad hoc classes paid by credit, or a master’s degree in a related field.

If your grades are not up to par, you should not apply to medical school until you have rectified your academic record. Medical schools are very critical of re-applicants. They need a strong reason to change the status of their previous decision. Therefore, it is better to take some time off to strengthen your application rather than apply when you have poor marks.

There are other reasons for taking some time off. Some students do a fellowship abroad. Others involved in public service organizations like the Peace Corps or Americorps. Some people need to earn some money so they work for a few years in related or unrelated jobs. All of these can differentiate your application from the others in the pool.

Other people need a bit of time to make sure medicine is the right career path for them. They may explore other industries. They also may spend time in a health care role so as to experience the field before committing to medical school. Admissions Officers want students to make informed decisions; they do not look down upon applicants who investigate other careers or learn about medicine before submitting their applications. Quite the opposite, taking time off can make you a stronger applicant when you do decide to apply.

Application Strategies

Timing

Applying early, especially at schools with rolling admissions,
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will improve your chances of getting in. You should reference the American Association of Medical Colleges timeline to make sure you’re on track. This resource walks you through the steps you should be taking throughout your four years at university.


List of Schools

You should be realistic in terms of the schools to which you are applying. Your list should include varying degrees of competitiveness. If you only apply to competitive schools, you run the risk of being rejected, regardless of the strength of your grades and MCAT scores. The Medical School Admission Requirements, which is published annually by the Association of American Medical Colleges, should help you to assess your competitiveness. This guide outlines how much preference state residents receive at particular medical schools. State residence alone accounts for a number of rejections each year.

Remember, it is not necessarily the number of schools that increases your chances of admission, but rather the appropriateness and mix of the schools that contribute to your chances of success.


Developing Your List of Schools

Creating a list of schools requires a good deal of research and reflection on your part. The AAMC maintains a list of member medical schools in the United States and Canada. You should also consult the Medical School Admissions Statistics - US and Canada as a reference.

Here are some things you should consider:


Other Options

You may want to consider osteopathic medical schools. Osteopathic medicine is a distinctive form of medicine practiced in the US that incorporates all of the knowledge, skills, tools, and technology available to modern physicians with the addition of a holistic philosophy and a system of hands-on diagnosis and treatment. Osteopathic physicians are licensed to practice medicine in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and other US territories. The American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) accredits 23 colleges of osteopathic medicine in 26 locations. For more information about osteopathic medicine and the admissions process, you should reference the Osteopathic Medical College Information Book.

Osteopathic schools are somewhat less selective from an admissions standpoint, but their programs are equally demanding. They consider a broader range of criteria in their selection process and many are committed to admitting candidates interested in underserved specialties. In that regard, they may be more willing to overlook sub-par performance in earlier years if you show improvement and have extracurricular activities and personal accomplishments that pertain to the area in which they focus.

You also might want to consider other health-related programs such as dentistry, optometry, podiatry, pharmacology, physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, psychology, medical social work, or nutrition. You should also consider health care management, hospital administration, medical writing, science publishing, or health advocacy.

Useful Links

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Financial Aid

MCAT

In order to apply for medical school, you must take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). This is a computer-based test (paper and pencil versions were abandoned in 2007) designed to assess your performance in medical school. The test is approximately 5½ hours long. Scores will be reported in 30 days or less.

The test is comprised of four sections. The three multiple choice sections test verbal reasoning, physical reasoning (general chemistry and physics) and biological reasoning (introductory biology and organic chemistry). The multiple choice sections are graded on a numerical scale from 1 to 15. The multiple choice sections are weighed more heavily in the admissions process. The average score is 24 but the average among students admitted to allopathic medical schools is 30. The more selective schools have an even higher average. The fourth section is the writing sample which is graded on a scale from J to T.

You can register for the MCAT online. Additionally, you should read other relevant information such as when to take the test and MCAT essentials.

The MCAT is offered 22 times per year. You can take the test in January or in any month from May through September. Spaces for the test are limited, so you should register early. You should register at least 60 days in advance in order to guarantee a spot. Generally, you can register for the test up to six months in advance but you can’t hold more than one date at a time (though you can register later to retake the test in the same year, if necessary).


Timing

As the test is a knowledge-based exam, you should take biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics before you take the MCAT.

You should plan to take the test no later than June of the year in which you apply. The application cycle begins in June and you should apply by mid-July at the latest. If you take the test after June, you will either have to apply without knowing your score or delay your application, which is highly discouraged. Schools wait for MCAT scores to arrive before completing the review of an application; applicants missing MCAT results will be reviewed at the end of the applicant cycle and therefore at a disadvantage.

If circumstances prevent you from taking the test until later in the cycle, you should submit all of your other application materials in advance. This should ensure nothing else will hold up your application. If you find there are other portions of your application that can be improved, such as your grades, it may be advisable to delay your application for a year.

Most medical schools will accept MCAT scores that are up to three years old. However, some schools require scores be no more than two years old. You should check the application policy of each school to which you plan to apply. It is particularly important to do so if you plan on taking time off before applying to medical school.

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Test Preparation

As the MCAT is a test of knowledge, it is essential that you study. You should start to study months in advance. You can take MCAT practice tests on the AAMC’s website or you can purchase practice manuals and CDs from test prep companies.

Many students find preparatory courses to be beneficial. These courses give a study regimen and make it less likely you will fall behind. They can be very costly, however, so you should assess your study needs before signing up for one.

Tests for Joint Degree Programs

Some applicants to joint degree programs will need to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test. It is a computer adaptive test offered many times each month. For information about the GRE, go to the GRE website.


How Schools Receive Your MCAT Scores

MCAT scores are automatically released to AMCAS and sent directly to all participating schools. If you are applying to any non-AMCAS schools, you will need to release your scores electronically via the MCAT THx Score Reporting System.

Fee Assistance

The AAMC offers a Fee Assistance Program (FAP) for students in extreme financial need. This program is for applicants whose inability to pay precludes them from taking the test and applying to medical school. Students who are approved for the FAP can register for the MCAT at a reduced rate that is less than half of the standard fee.

You must have MCAT fee reduction requests approved before you register. The new request form is released in January for each calendar year. You can apply online.

Learning Disabilities

If you have a learning disability, it may be possible to get extra time on the MCAT. However, this is not automatically allowed, even if you have a long-standing, well-documented disability. You will have to make a formal request with documentation from a doctor or qualified learning specialist explaining how your disability pertains to the MCAT. You should read the Applying for Accommodations section for more information.

Retaking the MCAT

Ideally, you should only take the MCAT once. You should make sure you study and are prepared for the test. However, if you feel that your scores do not reflect your potential, it is possible to retake it.

Medical schools typically look at the most recent set of scores when evaluating an application. It is usually inadvisable to take the test a third time, except in extreme situations. If you do need to retake the MCAT, you should do so as early as possible.

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Consistency across MCAT sections is important to medical schools. If you do very poorly on one section, like Verbal Reasoning, but well on all of the others, it may be advisable to take the test again.

If you need to retake the test after you’ve submitted your application, you should indicate this on your application form. In the “Next MCAT” section, give the date of the test you plan to take. This date can be changed, if necessary, but the important thing is to let schools know you plan to take a future test.

Filling out the Application

Almost all of the allopathic medical schools in the United States use the American Medical Colleges Application Service (AMCAS). This application consists of four parts: demographic information, academic record, experience (activities, clinical, work, community service, research, awards, etc.), and the personal statement.

AMCAS is a web-based application. You will need to register and create a username and password. The earliest you can fill out the application is May for admission in the fall of the following year (i.e. May 2009 for admission Fall 2010). You can submit the application in early June and should do so by mid-July at the latest.

General Points for the AMCAS

Start by reading the introduction on the AMCAS help menu. This should also be used as a resource for any questions you may have.

Keep in mind that this application will be the first impression schools have of you. Be sure to present yourself in the best way possible. You should highlight achievements of note and emphasize areas of importance.

You should write in complete sentences and use correct spelling and grammar. Carefully proofread your application before you submit it.

Once you submit the application (the point at which you pay), you cannot go back and make changes. The only alterations that can be made are to update your contact information or add additional schools.

Non-AMCAS Schools

There are a few allopathic schools that do not use AMCAS:

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The Texas schools above use a separate state application service called TMDSAS. For all other non-AMCAS allopathic schools, contact the school directly for application instructions.

Osteopathic medical schools use AACOMAS (American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service). This application is very similar to AMCAS.

Transcripts

You are responsible for sending all of your transcripts to AMCAS. You can obtain your St. Andrews transcripts by following the instructions available online. If you attended other undergraduate institutions for credit towards graduation, follow their procedures for obtaining a transcript and have it sent to AMCAS. You should make sure the AMCAS transcript request form is sent with your transcript so that AMCAS can easily match up your transcript with your application.

Your transcript can be sent in before you submit your AMCAS so long as you have registered and started to fill it out. You should check over an unofficial transcript before requesting an official transcript to make sure it is accurate. Make sure you have all of the grades from your first three years of university, however, before you make the request.

You should request one copy of each transcript and send it directly to AMCAS. It is a good idea to have a transcript sent to you so that you know it has been sent and is correct.

Input of Course Work

You must categorize all of your courses by the standard categories listed in AMCAS. AMCAS will then calculate 3 GPAs for you: a BCPM (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Math) GPA, an “All Other” GPA, and a total GPA.


Key Points:


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Do seminars count as “lecture” courses? Yes.


What should I do about “writing intensive” courses? Enter “(writing intensive)” after the course title if the title doesn’t include the word writing.


I’m a penultimate. Do I need to list courses I will take as a finalist? Yes. You should put down the courses you plan to take in the future. Do not exaggerate the number of courses you plan to take. If your schedule changes from your prediction, you can send an update directly to the school.


Work/Activities

AMCAS asks you to list and describe up to 15 post-secondary activities and awards. You should not include any activities or honors from high school. Don’t worry if you don’t have 15 activities. The quality of your commitments and achievements matter more than the quantity.

For each activity, you will need to list a contact person. This field is optional, but you should provide a contact, preferably not a student, where appropriate.

You will be asked to give a description of each activity. Explain your role in detail. State your responsibilities, contributions, and accomplishments. For particularly significant activities, explain why they mattered and what you took away from them. The amount you write is seen as an indication of the activity’s importance.


Does it matter in what order I list my activities? Should I list the most important first? The order does not make a difference. Schools often sort activities by their own means anyway. However, you can emphasize the importance of activities by how much and what you write about them.


If I’m short of space, can I condense several related activities into one? Yes. You could list related activities under a broad heading, like tutoring, and then provide information for each specific activity. You should put the most recent date.


If I have done the same activity over summers, can I list it as one activity? Yes. In the description, you can say that you did it over several summers.


What if I was in a student-run organization, do I need to list contact information? No, but you should list contact information for activities that had supervision.


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Can I include things done for a class? Yes. Some relevant examples of this would be independent research or academically based community service courses. You should put the course number in the description. You should not classify these activities as volunteer.


Can I include activities from the summer after high school? Yes. You can include activities you did the summer after graduating from high school. The only time you should list activities you did in high school would be if you won a scholarship you continued to receive in college.


Can I include being on the Dean’s List and other awards? Yes. Since medical schools won’t see your transcript, they will not have any record of Dean’s List or other academic awards unless you tell them. You should explain the award, as they often vary from school to school. You should list the date you received the honor. You do not need to include contact information for most academic awards.


Other Questions

What is my legal residence? If you’re still a student, typically your address would be where your parents live.


Will schools know where else I have applied? Not until the end of the process.


What will the application cost? The first school you apply to has an application fee of $160. Every additional school will have an application fee of $30. Once you complete each school’s secondary application, there will be additional fees of varying amounts at that time.


Should I wait for grades and MCAT scores before I submit? Yes, if possible. Your grades in your spring courses and your MCAT scores might affect which schools to which you plan to apply. However, it is not advisable to submit your AMCAS later than mid-July.

Secondary Applications

Once AMCAS notifies schools you have applied to them, you will begin to be invited to complete secondary applications (secondaries). Most, but not all, medical schools ask every applicant to submit secondaries. These applications vary by school and require additional information that has not been provided through AMCAS. Secondaries often ask you to write additional essays and list the courses you have taken to fulfill that school’s requirements.

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You should expect to receive secondaries anywhere from a few days to a few months after you submit your AMCAS application. Once you receive your secondaries, you should try to complete and submit them as quickly as possible.

When you submit your secondaries, you will have to pay another fee, this time directly to the school. You will also be asked to submit your letters of recommendation at this time.

Letters of Recommendation

Medical schools require you send a minimum of three recommendation letters as part of your application. You are allowed to submit up to six. It is advisable to ask for at least four letters to ensure you have the required three by the deadline.

It is beneficial to have two letters from people who’ve taught you in the sciences. Your third letter should be from someone who’s taught you in a non-science course. If you have done an independent study, thesis, or significant research, it is advisable to get a letter from the related supervisor. You can also get a letter from someone involved with an extra-curricular activity, such as your clinical or volunteer work. The recommenders should be able to provide insight into your work in various related settings. For example, one might be familiar with your work in the lab where another might be more able to comment on your performance in a seminar. Taken together, these letters should give a broad overview of your strengths and accomplishments.

If you are re-applying to medical school, it would be useful to ask for additional recommendations from people associated with the coursework, accomplishments, and extra-curricular activities you have done or achieved since the first time you applied.

Letters should be written by faculty members who know your intellectual capabilities and can comment on them in great detail. The recommender should be willing and able to take the time to write a thoughtful and thorough letter. It is advisable to select someone who knows you well and thinks highly of your abilities. In general, it is better to ask someone with whom you took several classes and received the equivalent of a “B” than someone who gave you an “A” but doesn’t know you well. While it can be beneficial if the recommender is well-known in his or her field, it is only helpful if this person can comment on your work and skill set in great detail. It is better to have a strong and detailed letter from a teaching assistant than a couple impersonal lines from a famous professor. You should try to select recommenders who have seen you in other relevant activities and can compare your achievements and strengths to other students. It is not advisable to provide character references from friends or family members.

Since most medical schools give more credibility to confidential recommendations, it is strongly suggested that you waive your right of access to the letter.

You should try to contact your potential referee in person, if possible, when asking if he or she would be willing to write you a letter. If not, a phone call is appropriate. You should do so by email only as a last resort. It cannot be emphasized enough how important it is to get a sense from that person whether or not he or she is willing to write a letter for you. You should phrase your request in a way that enables the potential recommender to decline if he or she does not feel comfortable doing so. One way is to say, “Do you feel you know me well enough to write a letter of recommendation supporting my application to medical school?” Do not pressure a potential recommender to write on your behalf. Typically, you will not receive a good letter from someone who does not wish to write one. A lukewarm recommendation can oftentimes do more harm than good.

After the recommender has agreed to write your letter, it is helpful to set up a meeting to discuss your career plans. Letters describing your suitability to a particular goal tend to be very effective. Remember goals are works in progress. You can discuss general interests as well as specific plans depending on your situation. It is helpful to provide your recommender with an updated resume, current transcript, a copy of a paper or project you did for his or her class, a list of extracurricular activities, and other relevant information that will give him or her a sense of you and your accomplishments.

During your meeting, it is helpful to mention your timeframe and to provide him or her with a deadline for which the letter should be submitted. Make sure you are flexible and accommodating but still realistic. As faculty members have busy schedules and many recommendations to write, you should ask for a recommendation in early spring in the year in which you plan to apply. After your initial request, it is fine to follow up by email or phone thanking the person for writing the letter and asking if he or she needs anything else. You should follow up appropriately but not excessively.

Pre-Health Committee Letters

Personal Statement

The personal statement is your opportunity to present yourself to the admissions committee. This is where you can discuss significant accomplishments, contributions, and experiences that are not addressed elsewhere in your application. You should use it as a chance to distinguish yourself from the other applicants. It is a way in which schools can assess your personal values, interests and character.

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The personal statement should not be used to explain, apologize for, or defend negative parts of your application, like a poor academic record or MCAT scores. It should also not be a summary of your college activities. Instead, this is where you should expand upon one or two experiences in greater depth. These experiences should highlight your particular strengths and qualities. A good personal statement usually has a unifying theme and discusses choices you have made or things you have done in your adult life.

Your personal statement should showcase your strong writing abilities. Make sure you use correct grammar and spelling. Vary your sentence structure. Take the time to proofread your work. Remember, admissions committees consider this a “pre-interview”.

Medical School Interviews

The interview is an extremely important part of the medical school application process. Gaining an invitation to interview typically means you meet the academic credentials for admissions. Yet, schools cannot admit every candidate who is academically qualified. Interviews are used as a way to determine the personal qualities of each candidate. Schools value good communications skills, integrity, leadership, decision-making skills, and interpersonal sensitivity, among other things.

The interview is also a chance for you to learn more about the school. The interview is a dialogue between the interviewer and the interviewee. The interviewer will ask you things about yourself, but you will also have the chance to ask him or her any questions you may have about the school.

Remember you are being evaluated from the moment you step onto a medical school campus. It is essential to be on your best behavior at all times. Your interactions with fellow interviewees, engagement during the campus tour, and attitude towards support staff are all things that can have bearing upon your admission to the school.


Appearance

Your appearance should reflect your comfort with a professional role. You should look clean and well-groomed. Don’t wear excessive perfume or cologne. Clothing should be appropriated colored; black, navy and gray are all good choices. Men should wear a suit or a sports coat with dress slacks. Women should wear a suit, dress, or skirt with a blazer. Short skirts or low-cut tops should be avoided.


Body Language

Start and end the interview with a strong handshake. Maintain eye contact throughout the interview. Smile – show you’re excited about the prospect of a career in medicine. Try to develop a rapport with the interviewer.

It is important to remember your gestures and movements can be perceived as reflecting your thoughts. Try to avoid things like slouching, fiddling with a pen, or crossing your arms, as they may be misconstrued as boredom, nervousness, or hostility. Conduct yourself with confidence and poise. Be friendly.

Stay relaxed. Don’t get flustered if unexpected events happen. You will generally be interviewed by a physician. Yet, sometimes emergencies arise and interviewers are held up or switched at the last moment. Be patient and accommodating. If you appear annoyed, it can be interpreted as arrogance.


Logistics

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Prior to your interview, consult the school’s website for a campus map. Bring a notepad and pen with you to write down questions or information, as needed. Carry a pack of tissues or a handkerchief with you, just in case. Keep a cell phone and the phone number of the admissions office on hand in the event you are held up on the way to the interview. Once you reach campus, however, turn your phone off.


Preparation

You should be ready to discuss yourself, the school, and issues within the health care profession. Here are some things can do to prepare for the interview:


Review Your Qualifications

Interviews often begin with the probe, “Tell me about yourself.” This is your opportunity to tell the interviewer about your strengths, interests, and values. You can guide the interviewer to topics you would like to discuss. Point out your accomplishments.

To prepare, you should think about your background and your goals for the future. Why did you apply for this particular program? How have you prepared yourself for a career in medicine? What distinguishes you from other candidates?

Look over your application. Prepare yourself to discuss any research you have done. Be ready to explain any inconsistencies or weaknesses in your application (like a low MCAT score or a poor grade in organic chemistry). Don’t get defensive; instead, answer the questions honestly.


Visit the School’s Website

Review all of the information the school has online. Specifically read sections pertaining to curriculum, affiliated hospitals, and other areas that might be discussed in the interview.


Research Current Medical Issues

For the weeks and months leading up to your interview, you should follow the major issues and current events in health care. Read
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the newspaper regularly. You should also review leading journals, such as the Journal of the American Medical Association and the New England Journal of Medicine. You will need to be able to discuss issues like AIDS, abortion, the right to die, national health insurance, the high cost of health care, and genetic engineering. Your stance on an issue is not important. You simply need to show you can debate the issue intelligently and accurately.

Especially during this part of the interview, you should relax. Answer questions honestly. Don’t try to second-guess the interviewer. Assume the interviewer is on your side.

Here are some websites that might prove useful:


Sample Interview Questions

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While this is not an exhaustive list, it should give you an idea of what types of questions you will be asked. Some questions are illegal, such as anything pertaining to your religious beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family issues, or personal beliefs unrelated to your professional credentials. However, if you introduce these topics, for example, in your personal statement, the interviewer is then allowed to address them.

You can also read over past interviews from other medical school candidates to help you know what to expect.


Questions for the Medical School

Remember you will be expected to have a number of questions to ask the interviewers. These questions can be perceived as an indication of your enthusiasm for medicine and interest in the school. Be prepared. Before the interview, you should devise a number of intelligent, probing questions for the interview. You should try to think of as many as possible, in case some are brought up in the course of your discussion. Furthermore, it is important that you ask questions that cannot be answered from the school’s website.


The Thank You Note

You should write a thank you note to every person who interviews you. This should be done within a couple of days after the interview. In this note, you should thank the interviewer for his or her time. You should also use this as an opportunity to reiterate the reasons for your interest in the school. Mention particular things you learned through the interview process. You can also clarify points raised in the interview itself.

Timing of Acceptances and Decisions

Interviews typically begin in September or October and run through February or March. Acceptances can be offered as early as October or as late as the following August (if you are taken off the wait list). There is no standard procedure for the number of weeks it takes to make a decision. Each school devises its own system and timeline. You can clarify this information at the interview. Additionally, the AAMC has put together a list of recommendations for applicants to ensure you are afforded a timely notification of the outcome of your candidacy.

If you are fortunate enough to receive multiple acceptances, you should try to make your decision as quickly as possible. Schools become aware you are holding places beginning in late February. For ethical reasons, you should try to limit the amount of time you hold multiple places so you do not keep other applicants from receiving acceptance. In the same spirit, try not to wait until the last minute to decline an offer. If financial aid is an issue, contact the financial aid offices at the schools in question to try to get a sense for what your package might be. Beginning on May 15, you are only permitted to hold one acceptance. You should withdraw any other acceptances before that time in order to receive a refund on your deposit. Keep in mind it is typical to accept the first offer you are made, even if you hope to be offered a place later at a school you might prefer.

MD/PhD Programs

The AAMC is a great resource for people considering an MD/PhD. You can find additional information, articles and chats through the links below:

Advice for International Students

International students looking to study in the US have to meet certain visa requirements to commence their studies. Some schools will require that you demonstrate your ability to support yourself during the period of your program. Funding varies from school to school and some universities are not able to offer substantial packages to foriegn students. Federal funding and other sources of aid may have restrictions based on nationality.


You should look at the number of international students enrolled in the programs to which you’re applying. Talk with current students and alumni about the availability of funding, the campus culture, the structure and demands of the program, and other areas of interest. Additionally, you should speak with the career center at each school to gauge the success of international students in securing employment, either in the US or in their home countries, after graduation.


Here are some websites that should be of assistance:

Useful Links

Med lecture.jpg

Important Contact Information

American Association of College of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service (AACOMAS)
aacomas@aacom.org
1-301-968-4190
American Medical Colleges Application Service (AMCAS)
amcas@aamc.org
1-202-828-0600

Resources in the Careers Centre

Retrieved from "http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/careers/wiki/Medical_School_in_the_US_and_Canada"
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