Primary Application
The first step in applying to medical school is completing the primary application.
Application Administration
There are three centralized online application services that administer the primary application process for US medical schools:
The American Medical Colleges Application Service (AMCAS): Applications for US allopathic (MD) medical schools
The Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service (AACOMAS): Applications for US osteopathic (DO) medical schools
The Texas Medical and Dental Schools Application Service (TMDSAS): Applications for allopathic (MD) and osteopathic (DO) medical schools in the state of Texas
Primary Application Components
All three application services collect the following information:
Biographical and Identifying Information
Schools attended
College coursework
Work & Activities
Letters of Evaluation
School list
Essays
Test Scores
Application Fees
Application Timeline
The three primary application services follow roughly the same timeline.
Early May: Primary applications open
Late May: Primary applications open for submission
Late June: Application service sends verified applications to medical schools
Recommended Primary Application Deadlines
Mid June:
Submit primary application
Request transcript(s). It is important to wait to request your transcripts until your spring grades are posted.
Late June:
Letters of Evaluation submitted
Test Scores received
Submit your primary application within the first 2 weeks of June so that it can be verified in a timely manner. Verification is the process by which the application service providers compare the information you entered in the College Coursework section of the application to your official transcript(s). Verification can take 2-6 weeks.
Resources
AMCAS Bootcamp: Held the first week of May, these virtual and in-person bootcamps offer applicants a chance to drop in and ask questions about AMCAS, work on the application with advisers on hand, and listen to the questions and concerns of their peers.