AAMC Staff

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How Success and Resilience Intertwine In A Medical Career (And Life)

July 12, 2019 by AAMC Staff

Sometimes it’s easy to assume that only those students with perfect transcripts, superior GPAs, and … Read more

How To Choose The Best Premed Major

May 10, 2019 by AAMC Staff

As an undergraduate student, one of your big decisions is choosing your major. And as … Read more

Preparing Letters of Evaluation for the 2020 AMCAS® Application

April 17, 2019 by AAMC Staff

The 2020 American Medical College Application Service® (AMCAS®) application will officially open on May 1, … Read more

Watch: AAMC 4th Annual Virtual Medical School Fair Workshops

April 2, 2019March 22, 2019 by AAMC Staff

On Feb. 21, the AAMC hosted its fourth annual Virtual Fair where more than 9,000 … Read more

AAMC Fee Assistance Program: What’s New in 2019

February 15, 2019 by AAMC Staff

The cost of preparing for and applying to medical school can be daunting. At the … Read more

How To Demonstrate Service Orientation

January 10, 2019 by AAMC Staff

Medical school admissions committees look at many different factors that go beyond your grades and … Read more

Perspective From Medical Students: Important Lessons Patients Teach

February 4, 2021December 13, 2018 by AAMC Staff

After a long semester of studying and exams, it can be easy to forget what … Read more

What To Do During A Gap Year

February 1, 2019November 8, 2018 by AAMC Staff

It’s become increasingly more common for premeds to take at least one gap year between … Read more

Considering a Combined Degree: MD-PhD, MD-MBA, MD-MPH

February 27, 2019October 15, 2018 by AAMC Staff

While the majority of medical students pursue a traditional MD degree, dual-degree programs are available … Read more

Free Resources Every Aspiring Doctor Should Read

February 28, 2019September 13, 2018 by AAMC Staff

As you make the decision to pursue a career in medicine, you may wonder, “Where do I even start?” It can be easy to feel overwhelmed by the process, but there are a lot of resources out there designed to help you. No matter what stage you’re in, below you will find free resources, information, and tools that you can take advantage of throughout the process to guide you as you navigate your medical journey.

How to Create and Live On A Student Budget

January 18, 2019August 9, 2018 by AAMC Staff

It’s a fact of life: you need money to pay expenses that allow you to live comfortably. When you’re attending school, you may use your financial aid as your “income” and, therefore, you will want to manage that money wisely. The less money you borrow now, the less money you will need to repay—including interest—after graduation.

5 Ways You Can Help Prevent Your AMCAS® Application from Being Delayed

March 2, 2019July 12, 2018 by AAMC Staff

Many applicants applying with AMCAS strive to complete and submit their application as quickly as possible. However, an incomplete or incorrect application can cause delays — which may cause you to miss an important deadline. [Here are important dates to be aware of for the 2018-2019 application cycle.] Never fear: We talked to the staff who verify applications, and they shared some quick tips that can help prevent your 2019 AMCAS application from being delayed.

The Path to Medical School: Application Tips from Medical Students and Residents

March 2, 2019June 18, 2018 by AAMC Staff

Your medical school application can be like a puzzle. Each piece fits together to form a complete picture of who you are as an applicant. As you prepare those pieces, understanding how medical schools review applications is important. While each has their own admission process, many look for core competencies. The AAMC’s Anatomy of An Applicant aims to help explain and illustrate how applicants demonstrated these core competencies within their applications by interviewing medical students and residents about their paths to medical school and how they completed different parts of their application. Additionally, each student or resident provided advice for aspiring physicians when applying to medical school. Here is what they shared:

Ignore the National Rankings and Make Your Own School List

March 4, 2019May 10, 2018 by AAMC Staff

Yes, we said it, ignore those national rankings! You’ve probably already heard this, and you know deep down it’s good advice. But let’s be honest, it’s easier said than done.

We try to remind students not to put too much emphasis on a school’s average GPA or MCAT scores and instead to look at their mission statements and focus on what matters most to them. Medical schools each have different values and goals, and it’s important to ensure your own interests align with the medical school. Remember, you’ll be spending at least four years there! Whether it’s the school’s commitment to primary care, the research opportunities available, programs or clubs related to your interests, or a particular class size or format that is a good fit for your learning style, it’s always a smart idea to consider a broad range of factors. This worksheet can help you assess different factors for each school you’re considering applying to.

The MCAT Scoring Process: Your Questions Answered

March 4, 2019April 12, 2018 by AAMC Staff

When you receive your score report, you will receive five scores—four scores for each of the multiple-choice sections of the exam and one total score. As you prepare for test day, you may wonder how the AAMC calculates your scores. Or perhaps you’ve heard some theories about how we do it. To help dispel any myths, we’ve answered three of your frequently asked questions about how the MCAT exam is scored.

Location, Location, Location! Should You Apply In-State or Out-of-State?

January 9, 2019February 8, 2018 by AAMC Staff

The AAMC Premed Team recently conducted a few twitter polls which asked premeds to share what you are looking for in a medical school. We received hundreds of responses, and while a school’s mission statement and scholarship opportunities were both important influences, the results pointed to one factor above all others: location!