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How to Apply to Medical School

The application process typically begins 15 to 16 months before matriculation into medical school. A centralized application service (AMCAS) is used submit your application.

AMCAS

The American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) a centralized application processing service that is available to applicants applying to participating U.S. medical schools. Most M.D. granting medical schools use AMCAS as their primary application method. The notable exceptions are the Texas medical schools that belong to Texas Medical & Dental School Application Service (TMDSAS). There is a fee associated with this application service. See the AAMC Fee Assistance Program for information concerning financial assistance.

AAMC Fee Assistance Program

The AAMC Fee Assistance Program (FAP) assists MCAT examinees and AMCAS applicants who, without financial assistance, would be unable to take the MCAT exam or apply to medical schools that use the AMCAS application. See the links below to learn more about this program, the eligibility requirements, and how to apply.

AACOMAS

The American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service (AACOMAS) is a service run by the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) through which prospective osteopathic medical students can apply to osteopathic medical schools in the United States that grant the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree.

International students applying to U.S. medical schools

International students in the USA on a Visa without permanent U.S. resident status ("Green Card") often find it surprising that it is much more difficult to enter a U.S. medical school (M.D. or D.O) than it is to enter a U.S. university or graduate school to study for a Ph.D. or M.S. degree. Many U.S. medical schools give preference to legal residents of the geographic state in which the school exists. Eligibility for many U.S. Federal Government sponsored financial loans may well be defined by being a U.S. citizen, or a U.S. permanent resident ("Green Card"), or PERHAPS being designated sometimes as a 'political refugee', fleeing violence in their homeland. Information on such issues can usually be found on U.S. college campuses in the Financial Aid Office (at UGA in the Hunter-Holmes Academic Bldg. near the Arch) and in the Office of Global Engagement (south of the Georgia Center, opposite the track and field center) or Office of International Student Life (at UGA in Memorial Hall).

Some students may benefit from discussing their situation with an attorney knowledgeable in immigration law and procedures in applying for U.S. residency. Some international students not eligible for U.S. Federal Government Loans, but have the ability to pay (such as through family financial resources), sometimes write the Admissions Offices at U.S. medical schools to declare such an ability to pay.

International students should review the Medical School Admission Requirements (MSAR) to determine the medical schools they are interested in accept international applicants.

How do I apply as an international applicant?

Review My Application (RMA)

The Review My Application (RMA) process is a way for any student that is planning on applying to medical school soon to begin preparing their application documents and essays. This form will walk you through the different sections of the application and prompt you to type out your responses. You should then set up an appointment with Michele Johnson to review your RMA form in preparation for the upcoming cycle. The goal of the RMA is to give you the chance to work on the different application pieces ahead of time and to get feedback. Below you can find the instructions for how to complete the RMA form as well as fillable RMA form.

Review My Application Instructions

Review My Application Fillable Document

Please be sure to read all of the directions in the document before beginning the RMA process. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Michele Johnson (mtjohnso@uga.edu).