AMCAS Changes (2011-2012 Cycle)

AMCAS has made some changes to this year's work/activities section.

In previous years, AMCAS allowed 15 activities with descriptions totaling 1325 characters each.

This year, you still have 15 activity spaces but only 700 characters for description. To complicate matters, AMCAS now wants you to select three "most meaningful" activities out of those listed and allows an additional 1325 characters of description. Choose wisely!

Want help with your AMCAS application? Email info@MDadmit.com or call 415.939.5251 to set up a consulting session with a Harvard/Stanford MD and medical school admissions insider.

Also check out The Medical School Admissions Guide: A Harvard MD’s Week-by-Week Admissions Handbook for step-by-step advice on how to get into medical school and excellent examples of personal statements, AMCAS work/activities, secondary essays and more!

Medical School Choice (2010-2011 Cycle): May 15 Deadline

The day has arrived. By May 15, each applicant who has received an acceptance offer from more than one school must choose where he or she wishes to attend and withdraw applications from all other schools. Check with each school to determine how they want to be informed. Some require written correspondence by regular mail while others will accept an e-mail notification.

Making a last-minute decision? In the end, you can make a hundred pro-con lists but the decision should come down to gut. Where do you feel more comfortable? Where do you really want to train to become a doctor and spend the next (at least) four years of your life? I bet deep down you know. Decide now!

After May 15, many schools start making offers to those on the waitlist as applicants are no longer able to hold multiple acceptances. So if you are stuck on the waitlist, you may start hearing from schools soon.

Need help deciding which medical school is best for you? E-mail info@MDadmit.com or call 415.939.5251 to get help from a Harvard/Stanford MD and medical school admissions expert!

Check out www.MDadmit.com for more information.

Medical School Choice (2010-2011 Cycle): Extracurricular, Community Service, and Research Options

Five days until you have to make your final decision on where to attend medical school. Here are a few other specifics to look into – extracurricular, community service, and research options. Remember, medical school is not all about academics. You want to stay well-rounded, just like you did in college. Does the school support your love of swimming? Are their any community service options you are interested in? Are their potential mentors in your research area? Do international opportunities exist? Think about what you do to relieve stress and keep yourself happy – will you be able to continue these activities in the medical schools you are considering?

Want help picking which medical school to attend? Email info@MDadmit.com or call 415.939.5251 to set up a consulting session with a Harvard/Stanford MD and medical school admissions expert.

Check out www.MDadmit.com for more information.

Medical School Choice (2010-2011 Cycle): Residency Success

With the May 15 deadline fast approaching, it is near time to make a final decision on where you are attending medical school. We have already discussed the importance of location, people, curriculum, and cost in making your decision. Another less obvious area to look at – residency success.

Where and in what field do the students match? Each medical school should have this list readily available and it can often be found on the website. If not, just call up the admissions office and ask the see their “match list” from the past few years. This will give you an excellent sense of whether medical students from each school are going into areas of medicine and residency programs that you are interested in.

Still grappling with which school to attend? We can help you decide. Email info@MDadmit.com or call 415.939.5251 to set up a consulting session with a Harvard/Stanford MD and medical school admissions insider.

Check out www.MDadmit.com for more information.