Applying to

Medical School

Application Process

Application Process
1. Centralized application services SUBMIT to
AMCAS (Allopathic) and/or AACOMAS (Osteopathic)

Course work taken at all secondary education institutions

Personal statement or essay
Submission of extra-curricular activities
Letters of Recommendation
MCAT score
Transcripts

2. Verification (takes 2-6 weeks)

3. Secondary (Supplemental) Applications
Directly to Schools
Additional essays (usually online)

4. Interviews
5. Admit, Wait list or Denied

Review of Applications
Medical Schools vary in how they review and process
applications
1. Some will do a preliminary reviews based on metrics - grades
& entrance exam scores.
2. Others will send supplemental or secondary applications to
all applicants and review after submittal of those.
3. Some will do a more holistic review before sending out
secondary applications
4. All schools want it all grades, entrance exam scores, health
& community volunteering , shadowing, good character, etc.

A GREAT GPA WILL NOT MAKE UP FOR A LOW

MCAT SCORE OR LACK OF EXTRACURRICULAR
EXPERIENCES AND VICE VERSA.

Choosing Schools
Most apply to around 15 schools
In-state schools (7 Allopathic, 2 Osteopathic),
higher chance of admission for public FL schools if
FL resident
Out of state schools: Look at number of out of
state residents admitted, avg. GPAs/MCAT,
mission, location, etc.
Watch the Choosing Schools workshop

When to Apply?
WHEN YOU HAVE A COMPETITIVE APPLICATION
After Jr. year - ?
After Sr. year - ? stronger application; gain further
academics or experiences, gap year used to
enhance application, more time to prepare for
MCAT
After several years of work/experience

When you decide to apply, APPLY EARLY in the

application cycle!

Timeline (begins over a

year before you plan to
enter)
Fall Semester
Research schools
Attend appropriate
workshops; check
website for videos
Complete personal
statement
Complete resume
Decide on who to
ask for LORs
Study for MCAT

Spring Semester
Select schools
Ask for letters of
recommendation
Take MCAT
Attend AMCAS/AACOMAS
workshop
Work on applications
May = (med) begin building
applications in
AMCAS/AACOMAS
June = Submit applications
Complete any secondary
applications and submit with
1 2 weeks of receipt

Timeline
Fall
Summer
Prepare for interviews
Submit application
Watch interview prep
early in application
workshop
Participate in a mock
cycle (June)
interview
Complete
Celebrate your acceptance
OR
secondary or
If needed, reassess for
supplemental
reapplication
applications
Watch the Whats Next
workshop
Prepare for
If not admitted submit
interviews
portfolio to OHLPA beginning
March 1

Letters of
Recommendation
Typically 5 letters (UF does not have a committee):
2 science professors (who have taught you)
1 non-science professor
2 character
Character references can include doctors, volunteer coordinators,
supervisors, employers, clergy, research PIs, etc. (non-relative)
Letters should address AAMC competencies (handout on our website)

*Requirements vary by school, check individual websites

Watch the Letter of Recommendation workshop.

Personal Statements
AMCAS: 5300 Characters with spaces
AACOMAS: 4500 Characters with spaces

Watch the personal statement workshop.

Pre-Health advisors can review one draft
of your personal statement.
See: http://
www.advising.ufl.edu/prehealth/services
.html#personal

Dos and Donts

DOs
Be aware of all deadlines

DONTs
Miss deadlines

Complete primary and secondary

applications early

Wait to take entrance exams

Provide demonstration of
exploration and commitment to
medicine via application
information
Take time to prepare for
application = time consuming,
expensive; Plan ahead!!
Submit an application that is error
free - Read through every
component of the application

Submit applications at the

last minute
Have an application or
personal statement poorly
done
Stalk schools go ahead and
update schools youve applied
to, but keep your contacts
relevant

Professional Etiquette
Read the Professional Etiquette handout
under Forms/Handout on the Pre-Health
website!
Remember every contact you make with
professional schools leaves an impression.

AMCAS/AACOMAS
workshop
Held in April
Watch the listserv for dates and register online

FAQs: Can I submit my

application before I have
my MCAT score or all of
my LORs?

Yes! You may submit your application prior to

having this information available. Your scores and
letters will be forwarded to the schools you have
applied to when they are received.

FAQs: Is there anyone

who can help with the
costs of applying?
Yes! Both AMCAS and AACOMAS have fee
assistance programs. If you qualify your costs of
applying will be greatly reduced.
See the AAMCAS and AACOMAS websites for more
details.

FAQs: What if I dont get

it?

Watch the Whats Next

workshop.

FAQs: How can I get help

filling out the application?
Read the instructions!
Watch the video tutorials
Read the FAQs
Call the application hotline

Final Thoughts
Prepare Early
Apply Early
Be Professional
Be Patient!

Pre-Health Advising
www.advising.ufl.edu/prehealth
prehealth@advising.ufl.edu
Daily walk-in hours, check the website for current
hours.