Recommended Timetable

Academics, Activities, and Course Requirements

Freshman Year

  • Take a variety of college or university courses.
  • Begin to participate in campus activities.
  • See your academic or faculty advisor early and often.
  • Become aware of campus course requirements for graduation.
  • Begin to investigate and explore information on various careers, including medicine.
  • Attend premedical workshops or conferences.
  • Begin to develop academic, personal, and career goals.
  • Develop disciplined study skills.

Sophomore Year

  • Continue to take an extensive breadth of coursework.
  • Begin to think about a possible major. Consider your interests and what you do best. (Medical schools do not require a specific major.)
  • You should have already begun volunteer service and involvement in campus extracurricular activities.
  • Continue your exploration of medicine and other careers.
  • Revise your academic, personal and career goals.
  • Strictly adhere to faculty/advisor guidance on graduation and premedical course requirements.
  • Attend premedical workshops or conferences.
  • Consider special summer science programs or research opportunities.
  • Read as much as possible about health-care reform.
  • Begin to familiarize yourself with the medical school application process. (Purchase the Association of American Medical Colleges publication "Medical School Admission Requirements (MSAR)" - available online from AAMC). These are the only guides fully authorized by all 125 medical schools in the U.S. and Canada.

Junior Year

November through April

  • Begin review for MCATs

February or March

  • Apply for April MCAT

April

  • Think about medical schools to which you want to apply.
  • Select those from whom you want letters of recommendation.
  • Recommended MCAT date.

May

  • Interpret MCAT scores and GPA with premedical advisor.
  • Make first draft of AMCAS essay.
  • Send for medical school information packets / bulletins / catalogues.
  • Request the AMCAS application packet from:
           American Medical College Application Service
           Association of American Medical Colleges
           Section for Student Services
           2501 M Street NW, Lobby 26
           Washington, D.C. 20037-1300

June

  • Revise and polish AMCAS essay.
  • Submit AMCAS application at earliest allowed date.
  • Send transcripts to AMCAS and non-AMCAS schools.
  • Begin to complete non-AMCAS applications as soon as possible.

July

  • Register for August MCAT if your scores were low and you feel you are now better prepared.

August

  • Inform premedical committee (if your school has such a committee) or others who are writing recommendations where to send your composite recommendation letter.
  • Take the August MCAT if necessary to improve scores.

Senior Year

September

  • Make sure all applications are complete and letters of recommendation received.
  • Strictly adhere to all medical school deadlines.

November & December

  • Be patient! Offers to interview will come.

January

  • Fill out GAPSFAS form for financial aid.
  • Send updated transcripts if requested by schools.

March

  • If on Hold or Wait-Listed remain calm. You will be notified of any change in status.

April through August

  • If an Alternate, acceptance letters are sent out throughout this period.
  • Make sure medical schools can reach you or a family member by telephone at all times.