How to Apply to AMCAS


1. Before You Apply

There is a great deal of information you will want to know before opening your AMCAS application – most of which is contained in the current version of the AMCAS Instructions. If you are applying to the Fee Assistance Program, you’ll want to do that before you apply as well.

2. Beginning the Application

The first three sections of the application are Identifying Information, Schools Attended, and Biographic Information. In these sections, you’ll supply information about who you are, where you went to school, where you live, and how you can be contacted.

3. Entering your Course Work

The Course Work section is often reported as the most difficult section to complete. You should start by requesting a personal copy of your official transcript from each school you attended after high school. You’ll then use those transcripts to enter detailed information regarding every course in which you enrolled at any post-secondary institution.

4. Work/Activities

The Work/Activities section gives you the opportunity to enter up to 15 experiences (work, extracurricular activities, awards, honors, publications, etc…). You’ll be asked to supply the date of the experience, hours per week, a contact, the location, and a description of the experience.

5. Letters of Evaluation

The Letters of Evaluation section is where you will enter information regarding each letter of evaluation being sent to AMCAS. Up to 10 letter entries may be created. Letter entries may continuously be added throughout the application process; however, after submission of your application, letter entries cannot be edited or deleted.

6. Medical Schools

The Medical Schools section is where you will select the schools to which you will apply. You can also use this section to designate the schools you wish to receive specific letters of evaluation.

7. Essays

The Essay(s) section is where you will compose your personal comments explaining any pertinent information not included elsewhere in the application.

8. Standardized Tests

The Standardized Tests section is used to enter or edit future MCAT test dates, as well as review previous MCAT scores, and enter any additional test information, such as GRE scores.

9. Submitting your Application

Before submitting your application, we strongly recommend using the “Print Application” button on the Main Menu for proofreading purposes – very few changes are permitted after submission. During submission, you must certify that you have read the AMCAS Instruction Manual . Payment is due at this time as well.

10. Monitoring your Application

Applicants are responsible for regularly checking the status of their application throughout the entirety of the application process.

PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS

Most medical schools participate in AMCAS®. Remember that regardless of the number of AMCAS schools to which you apply, you submit just one application to AMCAS via the Web. AMCAS provides the application processing service.

You must request an official transcript from each college of registration in the United States and Canada. AMCAS also sends your MCAT scores for tests taken since April 1991, provided you have released them to AMCAS. You should contact schools directly for application information regarding medical schools that do not participate in AMCAS, as well as, joint or special programs, such as B.A./M.D., M.D./Ph.D., M.D./J.D., etc.

Click here to search the AMCAS website for schools

DEADLINE

All deadlines are set by individual medical schools. Submit materials as early as possible to avoid processing delays and missed deadlines. Materials received during peak periods may take considerably longer to process. Further, processing does not begin until AMCAS receives all required official transcripts and the completed application. The deadlines posted on this site and in the MSAR are subject to change during an application cycle. The most up-to-date information is available in the Medical Schools section of the AMCAS application. AMCAS does not grant deadline extensions for any reason. Applicants seeking a deadline extension must contact the medical schools directly.