The application cycle is here
If you are reading this in May or June and you are applying to medical school this cycle, the next six months are the most consequential of your pre-med journey. What you do right now, this week, this month, directly affects when schools review your application and your chances of receiving interview invitations. Here is your action plan, organized by priority.
If you have not submitted your primary yet
Your single most important task is submitting your AMCAS (or AACOMAS) primary application as early as possible. Schools with rolling admissions begin reviewing applications as they arrive, and early applicants are reviewed when more interview slots are available. Every week of delay reduces your advantage.
If your application is nearly complete, submit it now and use the AMCAS processing time (typically 4 to 6 weeks) to finalize your school list, pre-write secondary essays, and confirm your letters of recommendation are in.
If your MCAT score is not back yet, you can still submit your primary. AMCAS will hold your application until your score is available, and the verification clock starts when you submit, not when your score arrives.
If your primary is submitted and you are waiting for secondaries
This is pre-writing time. Research your schools and draft secondary essays for the most common prompt types: “Why this school?”, diversity, challenge/adversity, and open-ended. Most schools recycle their prompts from the previous year with minimal changes. See our Secondary Essay Strategy Guide.
When secondaries arrive, customize your pre-written drafts and submit within 7 to 14 days. The faster you return secondaries, the earlier you enter the review queue.
If you are waiting for interview invitations
Interview invitations typically begin in September and continue through January or February. During this period:
Continue your clinical, research, and volunteer activities. A gap in activity after submitting your application looks odd. Send update letters to schools if you have meaningful new developments (a publication, a significant new role, a strong semester of grades). Prepare for both traditional and MMI interview formats. See our Traditional Interview and MMI Preparation guides.
Financial preparation
Interviews cost money: travel, lodging, and time away from work. Budget $3,000 to $5,000 for interview season (less if most of your interviews are virtual). Some schools offer fee assistance for applicants who qualify; check each school’s admissions page.
Take care of yourself
The application cycle is stressful. Your worth is not defined by the outcome of this process. Maintain your sleep, exercise, and social connections. If the anxiety becomes unmanageable, talk to someone. Your school’s counseling center and your pre-health advisor are resources.
Related pages
Secondary Essay Strategy
Traditional Interview Preparation
MMI Preparation
AMCAS Application Guide
