Goals
- Maintain a strong GPA and focus on coursework. To be competitive, students typically maintain at least a 3.7 science and overall GPA.
- Make an appointment with a pre-health advisor and attend the ASU Pre-Health Expo.
- Begin to get involved with clubs and student organizations.
- Begin volunteering and gaining clinical experience.
Involvement
Volunteer
Goals
- While maintaining a high GPA, look into opportunities for research, internships and clinical experience.
- Gain clinical experience from a practicing MD.
- Build relationships with professors and physicians as they may become letter writers (5 letters recommended).
- Attend pre-health meetings, events, and the ASU Pre-Health Expo.
- Begin exploring MCAT preparation (studying and registration).
Clinical experience
Research
- Research (Basic Sciences, Clinical, Academic)
Study abroad
Leadership and community Service
Special programs
Explore schools
Grade point average
Goals
- Maintain a high GPA and stay involved with campus clubs/organizations, volunteer opportunities, and clinical experience.
- Calculate your science and overall GPA to determine your competitiveness.
- Begin an internship and start prepping for the MCAT (take the MCAT by spring of Junior year).
- Apply through AMCAS one year prior to when you plan to matriculate.
- The AMCAS application usually opens around May and you may submit in June.
- Medical schools will then send supplementary applications.
- You submit after your AMCAS. It is important that you are aware of deadlines and complete the supplemental in a timely matter.
Timeline
| Prior to January | Begin studying for MCAT and take multiple practice exams before the real exam. |
| January | Calculate your science and overall GPA to determine your competitiveness. |
| February-March | Begin collecting letters of recommendation. |
| April | Take the MCAT no later than April |
| May | If taking the MCAT in April, you will receive your scores in May. Determine schools to apply to, begin filling out AMCAS |
| June | Submit AMCAS as soon as possible. Medical schools typically start receiving applications end of June. |
| July-December | You may start receiving supplemental applications or be invited to interview during this time. |
Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT)
Prep courses and practice exams
Register for test date
Score release dates (for planning backwards)
- MCAT Testing Calendar and Score Release Dates
Begin to familiarize yourself with the MCAT (look at MCAT essentials) and take multiple practice tests in real time setting. It is a marathon (~8 hours), so you will need to train for it like a marathon. Take one practice test to get your base score and see which sections need improvement. Once you know, then hyper focus on those and continue taking practice tests to make sure you are improving overall (MCAT practice tests from AAMC are helpful)
American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS)
Important dates and deadlines
Fee assistance program
AMCAS video overview
Review of AMCAS application offered by the Pre-Health Office.
Texas Medical and Dental Schools Application Service (TMDSAS)
Students applying to medical schools in Texas will need to complete the TMDSAS
Personal statement
Review of your personal statement offered by Pre-Health Office.
- AMCAS Guidelines
5,300 characters long: If you are applying to an MD/PhD program, you must complete two additional essays.
Draft by April of junior year (the year prior to matriculation into medical school).
Letters of recommendation (LOR)
Identify people who know you well and can firmly comment on your ability as a medical student and future physician. Ask in advance and give your letter writers sufficient time to complete and submit. Also, remember to stay in touch with letter writers who you may also ask in the future!
Types of letters (five recommended)
Some schools have specific requirements so consult the MSAR
- 1 STEM faculty
- 1 MD
- 3 Other (STEM faculty, non-STEM faculty, employer, advisor, supervisor, community mentor)
After you submit your AMCAS
After medical schools have received your primary AMCAS application, they may invite you to complete a secondary or supplemental application. Supplemental applications are sent between July and October and usually have fees associated with them. It is important that you complete and submit supplemental applications as soon as possible.
Mock interviews
When you receive an interview invitation, schedule a mock interview with Pre-Health Office.
Goals
- When you receive an interview invitation, schedule a mock interview with Pre-Health Office.
- If wait listed or denied, explore post-bac options or consider taking a gap year.
MD and PhD programs
Post-bac programs
Pipeline programs in Arizona
Residency roadmap
International students
Pre-health advising