I often refer to an “ideal admissions timeline” in articles and blogposts on the site. Rather than retyping that information over and over, I thought I’d write the timeline here and then link to it.
Your Ideal Pre-med Admissions Timeline
| More than 1 year before you apply | Get a comprehensive understanding of the overall admissions process |
| 9 to 12 months before you apply | Start MCAT prep |
| 6 months before you apply | Ask for Recommendation Letters |
| 3 months before you apply | Take the MCAT |
| 2 months before you apply | Update your resume |
| 2 months before you apply | Write your personal statement |
| 1 month before you apply | Print out unofficial transcripts from all colleges you’ve attended |
| Application date | Complete the AMCAS or ADSAS applications |
| On receipt | Write your secondary applications |
| Summer after you apply |
Prepare for interviews |
| Winter after you apply |
Write update letters (The Do’s and Dont’s of update letters) |
Learn more about the ideal application timeline, and learn how to get your application verified by AMCAS in this video
Resources I have that can help
- Understanding the admissions process: Medical School Admissions Blueprint
- MCAT Help: The MCAT Club
- Letters of Recommendation: My book Great Letters of Recommendation
- Personal Statement: (How to Write Your Medical School Personal Statement
- Secondary Application: How to Write Your Medical School Secondary Application
- Interviews: Medical School Interview Video Course
Keep in mind that the timeline above is an ideal, aka perfect, picture. Your mileage may vary, and the timeline above may not fit with your current reality and your life.
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