The number of schools you should apply to depends on the strength of your application. I generally suggest 10-15 for strong applicants, 15-25 for average applicants, and 25-40 for applicants with low grades/MCAT scores and reapplicants.

As for where to apply, that depends on what you. Every accredited medical school will give you a good education. The decision often comes down to location, curriculum, special programs offered, financial aid/cost, and overall vibe.

Need help deciding where to apply? Email info@MDadmit.com or call 415.939.5251 to set up a consulting session with a Harvard/Stanford MD and medical school admissions insider.

Having trouble with your AMCAS application? Email info@MDadmit.com or call 415.939.5251 to gain the insight of a published author, experienced editor, medical school admissions expert.

Before starting on your personal statement and list of activities for AMCAS, you need to decide what general program you will apply to. Do you want to be a MD/PhD? How about getting a dual MD/MBA? Or perhaps you know exactly where you want to apply and hope to be accepted early. No matter what path you choose, it will require some research to learn the exact rules and requirements for each path. Here are some general guidelines:

Early Decision Program (EDP): You can only apply to one school and will find out by October 1 if you are accepted. If don’t get in, you can then turn in a regular AMCAS application. This approach is fantastic if you are a stellar candidate and know exactly where you want to go to school. However, it is risky for most. If you are not accepted, you will be submitting an application much later than the rest of the pre-meds, a huge detriment when it comes to rolling admissions schools. You are not allowed to apply to the EDP and AMCAS at the same time. The EDP deadline is August 1.
Regular MD: Follow the AMCAS guidelines. The application deadlines vary by school and range from mid-October to mid-December.
MD/PhD: This program is for candidates who want to focus on research. MD/PhD students generally complete their first two years of medical school then head off to lab for 3-7 years and return to complete medical school upon finishing their PhD research. Many are drawn to the MD/PhD path because tuition is subsidized by the school. However, money is certainly not a reason to pursue this course. Schools expect you to enter this program because you love research. You will need to prove a talent for research to the admissions committee. MD/PhD candidates are required to submit two extra essays through AMCAS.
Other combined programs: Many schools are starting to offer combined programs such as MD/MBA, MD/JD, MD/MPH, and MD/MPA. Such programs often shave a year off of the regular requirements. Joint degree programs are becoming more popular so be sure to check with each school to see if any such programs exist or will exist in the near future. You will have to contact each school separately for the specific application. Many schools will have you apply to the joint program once accepted into the medical school.

Want help deciding which program to apply to? Email info@MDadmit.com or call 415.939.5251 to set up a consulting session with a Harvard/Stanford MD and medical school admissions insider.

Get started with transcripts. Did you know that you can request transcripts to be sent to AMCAS even before your application is complete?

Medical schools require transcripts from every post-secondary school you have attended. This includes all junior college, community college, trade school, or graduate school. You have to submit a transcript even if no credit was earned from a course.

AMCAS provides a transcript request form that you can complete online, print, and turn into each school’s registrar’s office. You can fill this form out and submit it even if the rest of the AMCAS application is incomplete. Go to www.aamc.org/amcas and get this done now as the process can often take weeks. Transcripts are notorious for holding up applications. It is also a good idea to obtain a transcript from each school for yourself and put it on file. You may need it later.

Do you want to increase your chances of medical school admissions? Contact info@MDadmit.com or call 415.939.5251 for personalized advice from a Harvard/Stanford MD and medical school admissions expert.

Trying to figure out what to do next and how to improve your application? Call 415.939.5251 or e-mail info@MDadmit.com to schedule a consulting session with a Harvard/Stanford MD and medical school admissions expert!

Making a last-minute decision? In the end, you can make a hundred pro-con lists but the decision should come down to gut. Where do you feel more comfortable? Where do you really want to train to become a doctor and spend the next (at least) four years of your life? I bet deep down you know. Decide now!

After May 15, many schools start making offers to those on the waitlist as applicants are no longer able to hold multiple acceptances. So if you are stuck on the waitlist, you may start hearing from schools soon.

Need help deciding which medical school is best for you? E-mail info@MDadmit.com or call 415.939.5251 to get help from a Harvard/Stanford MD and medical school admissions expert!

Want help picking which medical school to attend? Email info@MDadmit.com or call 415.939.5251 to set up a consulting session with a Harvard/Stanford MD and medical school admissions expert.

Where and in what field do the students match? Each medical school should have this list readily available and it can often be found on the website. If not, just call up the admissions office and ask the see their “match list” from the past few years. This will give you an excellent sense of whether medical students from each school are going into areas of medicine and residency programs that you are interested in.

Still grappling with which school to attend? We can help you decide. Email info@MDadmit.com or call 415.939.5251 to set up a consulting session with a Harvard/Stanford MD and medical school admissions insider.

What are the living expenses (rent, food, gas, medical insurance)?
Does the school provide subsidized housing?
Do you need a car?
Can you take a 5th year to do research or travel without paying extra tuition?
Are resident advisor positions available that provide free room and board on campus in return for some service to the school?
Does the curriculum allow any time to hold a part-time job?
What financial aide options are available?
Do you have interest in joining the military or public service corps and having the government pay?

You may not believe it, but Harvard Medical School was my cheapest option because:
1. I didn’t need a car
2. I lived and ate for free as a resident advisor for four years

Remember – the FAFSA (financial aide information) is due June 30. But it’s better to get the FAFSA forms in as early as possible so that you can know your financial aide options early.

Looking for tips on how to make medical school more affordable? Email info@MDadmit.com or call 415.939.5251 to set up a consulting session with a Harvard/Stanford MD and medical school admissions insider who paid for medical school herself!

How do you learn? Do you prefer formal lectures or small group learning? Do you learn better on your own or with study partners? Are you motivated by grades or prefer a “pass-fail” environment? Though the trend in medical school education is toward “problem-based learning” in small groups, some schools still focus on the more traditional lecture-style. Be honest with yourself about how you best learn (it’s ok if you like traditional lectures better than small-group learning) and ensure you choose a school whose curriculum fits that learning style.

Another tip – don’t be fooled by “pass-fail” schools that offer high pass, pass, and fail. That is basically an A, B, F grading system and creates competition for those few A slots. If you want pass-fail, be sure that’s what the school really offers. Schools will also often have different grading systems in the first two and last two years. Be sure you are informed.

Still grappling with which school to attend? We can help you decide. Email info@MDadmit.com or call 415.939.5251 to set up a consulting session with a Harvard/Stanford MD and medical school admissions insider.