Podcast Summary
AMCAS and AAMC updates for medical school applicants during the pandemic: The AMCAS and AAMC are making adjustments to the medical school application process due to the pandemic, focusing on holistic review frameworks, providing resources, and emphasizing financial literacy
The American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) and the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) have been making significant changes to the medical school application process due to the coronavirus pandemic. Jeffrey Young, the senior director of student affairs and programs at the AAMC, and Patrick Fritz, the senior director of AMCAS, joined the Med School Admissions Podcast to discuss these changes. Jeff has had various roles in medical education, including serving as a dean of student affairs and admissions, and leading units focusing on admissions, student affairs, student diversity affairs, student records, and student financial aid. Patrick oversees the day-to-day operations of AMCAS, including the development and maintenance of applications and interfacing with technology vendors. They emphasized the importance of applicants staying informed about the application process and encouraged them to check the AAMC website for updates. The AAMC is also focusing on holistic review frameworks and providing resources to medical schools to implement these frameworks. Additionally, they discussed the importance of financial literacy and debt management for medical students. Overall, the conversation highlighted the adaptability of the AAMC and AMCAS in response to the pandemic and their commitment to supporting aspiring physicians.
AAMC's Role in Medical Education During the Pandemic: The AAMC is a key player in medical education, advocating for members and supporting applicants, medical students, and hospital CEOs during the pandemic crisis.
The American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC) is a member-serving institution that supports 157 medical schools in the US, as well as teaching hospitals and various societies. During the pandemic crisis, the AAMC has been operating with an all-hands-on-deck approach, with representatives from all units meeting regularly to assess the needs of the medical education community, which includes applicants, medical students, residents, and hospital CEOs. The AAMC has a rapid response team in place to advocate on behalf of members and ensure a collaborative response to the crisis. The AAMC's role extends beyond the application process to medical school and includes supporting medical students throughout their education and into residency. The senior directors discussed their roles in this context, with Jeff focusing on student affairs and programs, and Patrick on the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS).
Adapting to the Rapidly Changing Environment During the Pandemic: The AAMC has been working to effectively communicate and provide resources to medical students, applicants, and other stakeholders during the pandemic, acknowledging the anxiety and uncertainty while collaborating with pre-health advisors and admissions deans.
The AAMC, during the pandemic, has been working to effectively and efficiently adapt to the rapidly changing environment, providing resources to a broad constituency of individuals seeking to become physicians. The organization, which includes the Association of American Medical Colleges and the American Medical Association, has had to pivot quickly to meet the needs of its large and diverse groups, including medical students and applicants. The challenges have been numerous, including the need to communicate effectively and anticipate the impact of COVID-19 on those they serve. Additionally, there has been a high level of anxiety among applicants and students, and the AAMC has been sensitive to this, acknowledging the moment and working to address concerns and unknowns as new information becomes available. The AAMC does not operate in a bubble, but rather works closely with pre-health advisors and admissions deans to provide resources and support throughout the medical education process.
AAMC supporting medical school applicants and students during COVID-19: The AAMC is collaborating with prehealth advisors, medical schools, and committees to ensure flexible and transparent admission requirements, discussing ways to handle pass/no pass grading and other challenges, and delaying the transmission of applications to support medical school applicants and students during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) is actively working to support medical school applicants and students during the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. They are collaborating with prehealth advisors, medical schools, and committees to ensure flexible and transparent admission requirements. For example, the AMCAS advisory committee and the committee on admissions are discussing ways to handle pass/no pass grading and other challenges. AMCAS has also delayed the transmission of applications by two weeks. The AAMC is advocating for applicants and students at the highest levels and encouraging open communication between admissions offices and the premedical community. They are working behind the scenes to understand the impact of the pandemic on applicants and to encourage medical schools to be sensitive to these challenges.
AMCAS Delays Application Submission Deadline: AMCAS delayed application submission, allowing more time for fine-tuning and letter collection. Verification process takes 6 weeks, with 50,000 apps anticipated.
The American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) has pushed back the submission deadline for medical school applications this year. Applicants can begin filling out their applications from May 4th, but they won't be able to submit them for verification until May 28th. Schools will not receive these applications until July 10th, despite the submit button becoming available earlier. This delay gives applicants more time to fine-tune their applications and collect letters of recommendation. The verification process, which involves applicants entering their transcript data into the AMCAS application and sending official transcripts for verification, will take approximately 6 weeks this year. AMCAS anticipates that the overall volume of applications will remain around 50,000 this cycle. They also accept electronic transcripts, with the majority coming from electronic sources. This change provides applicants with additional time to ensure their applications are as strong as possible before submission.
Understanding Alternative Grading Systems for Medical School Applications: During medical school applications, be sure to accurately report alternative grading systems like pass/no pass and check individual school policies for COVID-19 grading adjustments on MSAR or their websites to avoid delays in the verification process.
During the application process for medical school, it's crucial to pay close attention to instructions, particularly when it comes to submitting transcripts and entering grades. The AMCAS team has been working closely with schools to understand alternative grading systems, such as pass/no pass, and has resources available on their website to help applicants understand how these grading systems may impact their overall GPA. However, it's important to ensure that all information entered is accurate to avoid delays in the verification process. Each school has its own policies regarding grading during the COVID-19 pandemic, so checking the Medical School Admission Requirements (MSAR) or a school's website is recommended for the most up-to-date information. This year, the AMCAS application is also being integrated with the MSAR, allowing applicants to access school-specific policies directly within the application.
AMC expands fee assistance program to help more medical school applicants: The American Medical College (AMC) expanded its fee assistance program, increasing eligibility from less than 300% to 400% of National Poverty Guidelines, allowing more applicants to have their AMCAS application fee waived and apply to 20 schools for free, with potential secondary fee waivers and resources to help complete applications.
The American Medical College (AMC) has expanded its fee assistance program to help more medical school applicants by increasing the eligibility criteria from less than 300% to 400% of the National Poverty Guidelines. This change is expected to greatly expand access to the program. For those who qualify, they will have their AMCAS application fee waived and will be allowed to apply to 20 schools for free. Additionally, there is a reconsideration process for applicants who were previously denied but have experienced income loss since March 2020. Furthermore, if a student qualifies for the AMCAS fee waiver, most medical schools will also waive their secondary application fees. The AMC offers various resources to help applicants complete their applications, including webinars and a premed resources page. A forthcoming webinar will focus on helping students highlight the competencies identified by the AMC in their applications.
Understanding the AMCAS Application Process: Familiarize yourself with the AMCAS application guide, pay meticulous attention to details, and submit a well-crafted and error-free application to increase chances of acceptance.
The AMCAS application process can be complex, but there are resources available to help. The AMCAS team has put together a comprehensive guide to filling out the application, and applicants should familiarize themselves with it. Careful attention should be paid to specific sections, such as coursework and personal information, as certain changes cannot be made after submission. Applicants are encouraged to review the certification page and the "Four Tips for Completing Your AMCAS Application" page on the AMCAS website to understand what can and cannot be changed. Submitting a well-crafted and error-free application is crucial, as admissions committees receive a high volume of applications and may overlook poorly done applications.
Ensure thorough and accurate application submissions despite delays: Applicants should carefully review their applications, read school-specific requirements, and communicate with advisors for updates, despite potential delays in verification and data download.
Applicants should take their time to ensure their medical school applications are comprehensive and accurate before submitting, even if the verification process and first data download may be delayed. Applicants should not worry if they are not verified right away, as many admissions offices are adjusting their timelines due to changes in the AMCAS and MCAT processes. If reapplying, applicants must resend transcripts and letters of recommendation. Common pitfalls include not checking applications thoroughly and not reading school-specific requirements carefully. The AAMC recognizes the challenges applicants may be facing this year and is offering additional time and resources to help reduce anxiety and stress. Applicants should stay informed and communicate with their pre-health advisors and admissions deans for the latest updates.
Coordinated efforts to support medical applicants during uncertain times: The AAMC and AMCAS are collaborating with medical schools, holding weekly meetings, and providing resources to help applicants navigate the application process amidst pandemic challenges, prioritizing safety and flexibility.
The AAMC and AMCAS are working closely with medical schools to ensure a coordinated and supportive experience for applicants during these uncertain times. Weekly meetings are being held to address the challenges posed by the ongoing pandemic and adapt to new changes. It's essential for everyone to prioritize safety and well-being while continuing the application process. Applicants are encouraged to reach out to AMCAS and the AAMC for assistance and support, and resources are readily available on their websites. Despite the challenges, the ultimate goal remains to fill the next class of medical students, and flexibility and adaptation are key. The AAMC and AMCAS are committed to helping applicants navigate the application process and look forward to a time when they can connect in person at conferences once again.
