Everyone is probably aware that this is an “unprecedented time” for medical school applications. With applicant numbers at an all-time high, admissions staff working remotely, and interview dates stretching into the spring and possibly later, this application season has been like nothing we’ve seen before. But there is one constant in the application process –…
How to Approach VITA, AAMC’s New Video Interview
To address the novel challenges the pandemic has created, the AAMC will be using a video recording in place of in-person interviews. They are calling it the AAMC Video Interview Tool for Admissions (AAMC VITA). It is being offered at no cost to applicants since it is a pilot program and will be available from…
The AAMC Fee Assistance Program: Information for 2019
Applying to med school isn’t cheap (see our breakdown of costs here), and the AAMC understands that not all applicants will be able to cover these costs. AAMC’s Fee Assistance Program was created with the conviction that application fees shouldn’t prevent serious aspiring doctors from pursuing their dreams because of financial obstacles. Let’s take a…
How Do You Compare to Last Year’s Admitted Medical School Applicants?
In reviewing the matriculation data for the 2017-18 cycle from AMCAS, there are several trends that can be used to inform your application strategy and increase your chances of acceptance. For last cycle, 816,153 applications were submitted by 51,680 applicants, and 21,338 were accepted. In other words, 41.3% of applicants matriculated. AAMC’s data about applicants…
History Made: More Women Than Men in 2017 Entering Med School Class
According to data recently released by the AAMC (Association of American Medical Colleges), for the first time in history there are more women than men enrolled in US medical schools. Of the 21,338 matriculants in 2017, 50.7% were women, compared with 49.8% in 2016. This represents a 3.2% increase in females enrolling in med school…
MCAT goes Computer Based in 2007
AAMC announced last week that by 2007 the MCAT will be an entirely computer-based exam. The announcement promised, “The upgrade to computer-based format will provide examinees and medicalschools with more test dates each year, faster score results, a more controlledtesting environment, and a shorter test day. As the exam is convertedto the new format, the…
Med Schools Increase Enrollment by 25% Since 2002
Enrollment at U.S. medical schools has increased by 25% since 2002, according to the results of the annual American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC) report. This increase translates to an additional 4,143 new students annually. Here are the highlights of the report: • According to AAMC President and CEO Darrell G Kirch, MD, the nation’s…
The New MCAT Topic that Nobody is Talking About
When the AAMC revamped the MCAT in April 2015, there was a lot of discussion and hype surrounding new subjects on the exam: biochemistry, sociology and psychology. While those new topics are important, the AAMC actually added another new topic to the exam that most students are unaware of: the design and implications of scientific…
Why Are Psychology And Sociology On The New MCAT?
Until this year, the MCAT hadn’t had any major revisions since 1991. Since then, lots has changed in the medical world, and the new MCAT2015 aims to address some of those dramatic changes with its new Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior section. In today’s world, physicians need to know how to communicate with…
What Does The AAMC Post-MCAT Questionnaire Tell Us About Premeds?
AAMC has published its summary report of the Post-MCAT Questionnaire (PMQ), a survey that collects information from MCAT test-takers in order to help med schools and medical educators better understand their prospective students. Here are some highlights from the PMQ, from questionnaires filled out in 2013-2014. • There were 40,820 PMQ respondents in 2013 and…
Medical Minority Applicant Registry: Who, How, & Why?
AAMC’s Medical Minority Applicant Registry (Med-MAR) is specifically designed to improve admissions opportunities for students from groups underrepresented in the medical field or who have an economically disadvantaged background. Who: Med-MAR is for U.S. citizens or Permanent Resident Visa holders who identify as economically disadvantaged or who come from the following historically underrepresented ethnic or…
AAMC Schedules Last-Minute MCAT Time Slots
A Kaplan news release reports that AAMC will be scheduling additional testing dates in October and November of 2014 as a last-minute chance for pre-meds to take the exam before the planned 2015 test changes. This is the first time in recent history that the exam will be offered that late in the fall, but…
Know How to Overcome a Low GPA or MCAT Score
GPA and MCAT scores are usually the first items that an admissions committee looks at when evaluating a student’s application. Grades and MCATs combined may carry 65% to 70% of the weight in the admissions decision. Admissions committees want be sure that, if you are accepted, you will be successful academically in medical school and…
Med School Enrollment and Diversity on the Rise
According to an AAMC press release, 45,266 applicants applied to med school this year, which is an increase of 3.1% over last year. 33.772 of these were first-time applicants with a 3.4% increase since 2011. First-time enrollment hit an all-time high of 19,517 students, up 1.5% since last year. At this rate, notes the press…
Financing Your Medical Education
You’re undoubtedly familiar with the customary ways of financing medical education – loans, grants and scholarships. Service commitment programs, which provide financial assistance to enrolled medical students or residents in return for physician services after completion of training, may be news to you. Perhaps you’ve heard of the Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship Program and…
Despite Recession, Medical Schools Expanding
Boom Amid Bust: Med Schools Grow As Economy Tanks reports that in response to an anticipated doctor shortage, medical schools are increasing enrollment and expanding their programs. In addition, new schools are sprouting across the country. According to the president-elect of the American Medical Association, Dr. J. James Rohack, the reason is simple: “Americans are…
Med School Admissions: The “Problem” of Multiple Acceptances
Being offered admission by two or more medical schools is certainly nothing to complain about, but it may make your life a bit more complicated if the schools in question aren’t among your top choices and you’re awaiting decisions from your favorites. AAMC has rules to cover this situation. Complete information is available at http://www.aamc.org/students/applying/policies/admissionofficers.htm,…
Med School Academic Attrition Low
In "Medical School Graduation and Attrition Rates" AAMC tracks the attrition and graduation rates of medical school students. the purpose of the study is ultimately to ensure that the increased enrollment numbers needed to produce enough doctors in the next few decades do not compromise medical educational quality or standards. AAMC views the data presented…
Residency Match
I would be remiss if I ignored the Match last Thursday. It was a very exciting day for many applicants, including clients who found out where they would spend the next two years. A few articles capture the excitement of the day, such as "They Day They Get Their Orders" in the NY Times. The…
Resource for Residency Applicants
AAMC Stat, a weekly ezine sent out by AAMC, announced: The AAMC has produced a new, comprehensive guide for applicants to U.S. residency programs. "Roadmap to Residency: From Application to the Match and Beyond," describes the policies, procedures, and practices associated with residency application and is useful for both U.S. and non-U.S. medical school students…
