Additional Resources

Like all research, you have to know you can trust the source. Remember that anyone can post anything on a message board, so those may be tainted with bias, misinformation, and even malicious trolls. AAMC is a trusted direct source, as are the websites for the individual schools. 

MSAR (Medical School Admission Requirements)

This information is updated annually directly by the medical schools. It is free to access basic medical school profiles, and the full database is $33/1 year or $41/2 years. Typically, the 2 year subscription is the best option as you will need to refer to MSAR during planning and application as well as throughout interviews.

MCAT Preparation Resources

Strong performance on the MCAT is a non-negotiable! Although medical schools take a holistic approach to application review, they are inherently academic programs and the MCAT is a standardized and well-proven indicator of academic success in medical school and residency placement. This test is nearly 8 hours long and reading intensive. As this is a test on material you should already know (and not an aptitude test on just your ability to learn), you should have all pre-requisite courses completed prior to preparing for and scheduling your MCAT exam date.

Content areas: 

• Biology and Biochemistry

• Chemistry and Physics

• Critical Analysis and Reasoning

• Psychology and Sociology

In these courses, you “study for” a test, but now you need to make a study plan for the MCAT. The average time spent studying for the MCAT is 300 hours over 3 months; balance this with your other obligations! When should you take your MCAT? When you have completed your study plan! If you are not ready, you need to re-evaluate and postpone your exam and your application. Keep in mind the annual application cycle that begins over a year in advance of matriculation. When planning to apply on or about June 1 (for matriculation in fall of the next year), it is best to take your MCAT in April or before, so you will know your scores before you send in your application. On or about July 1, AMCAS will release your application to medical schools and you want to be in the first set of applicants they evaluate. 

Pre-Med Competencies

These competencies have been identified by medical school admissions and faculty as key to success in medical school, residency, and as a practicing physician. You will see these incorporated into situational judgement tests (SJTs like CASPER and PREview) and both MMIs and traditional interviews, which are often more conversational. (Megan is available for interview practice and preparation.

You should also keep these competencies in mind when filling out your AMCAS application. Ideally, you will address most or all of them through your reflections on your experiences. Megan advises applicants to share these competencies with faculty and others who will be writing your letters of recommendation. This will assist them in making sure they are showing the medical schools that you demonstrate the types of behaviors and characteristics that will make you a promising future physician.

Pre-Health Advising

Pre-health offices through schools are usually reliable, but these websites may not be as up-to-date as the direct sources. Pre-health offices are an excellent way to receive advice from someone who will be familiar with your pre-health curriculum, will often know involvement and experiences similar to yours, and should be able to provide statistics for recent applications to the medical schools on your list. These services are free to current students and alumni.

The limitation of these services is that the staff are simply overstretched. They have only so much capacity and cannot be available to all students at all times. Megan can work alongside your pre-health office to provide more individualized advising. You will get an appointment when you need one. You will get direct answers. Megan has even been on call for applicants as they meet application and scholarship deadlines and want another review before submitting materials. You do not need to purchase an entire preparation package, but can utilize whatever services fit your needs and pay for only the time you need.