The AMCAS deadline is approaching faster than the speed of light! (3.0 x 10^8 m/s - don’t forget to memorize this for the MCAT!)
Alright, only figuratively, but it’s still important to outline your AMCAS application timeline and make note of important dates!
This year, the AMCAS opens up on May 4th, and the first day for submission is May 31st. It’s imperative to get your application in as soon as you can due to the rolling admissions process. That means that applications are considered on a first-come-first-serve basis. The earlier you apply, the more spots are yet available.
Before you hit that sacred submit button, use this checklist to ensure you’ve covered all your bases.
You'd be surprised how often this happens.
Your MCAT scores are automatically uploaded to your AMCAS application.
Do not forget to send any community college transcripts, whether you were a transfer student or just took a couple courses over the summer.
Accuracy is vital here; if the AAMC notices any discrepancies, your application may be delayed.
With activities you may have done a couple years ago, it’s easy to confuse your exact timeline.
With all the effort and time you put into your application, you definitely don’t want to miss any of your target schools.
Make sure you have the most recent version of your essays in your application.
This is important because if the PDF has errors, the essays in your application most likely do as well.
We would recommend making a folder on your desktop and saving all the different documents there for clear organization and access.
This was previously known as CASPer.
Make sure to leave a buffer time of at least 3 business days as letters can take a while to be received by AMCAS.
Different letters can have different strengths depending on the school you apply to.
About the Author:
Vanshika Goyal is a graduate from the University of California, Davis with a B.S. in Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior. Her aspiration is to become a physician with a focus on patient-centered care and individualized treatment. She is currently an IGNITE fellow with Teach for America and a very active member of her community. In her free time, she enjoys writing poetry and painting.