The AMCAS Application
The AMCAS (American Medical College Application Service)
application is a standardized application form that is accepted by the vast
majority of the U.S. medical schools. You should look at the AMCAS as a blessing
since you will only have to complete one application for many medical schools –
although many schools require you to fill out their own unique
"secondary" application as well.
Personal Statement
Most of the AMCAS is relatively straight forward. You are
asked to list the honors you have received, extracurricular activities, work
experience, etc.
We conservatively estimate that at least 99% of all
medical school applicants spend the most time worrying about the AMCAS personal
statement. The reason is quite simple. You must write an essay that in less than
1,000 words that:
- Attaches your personality to the rest of the
application
- Clarifies how you have prepared yourself for success in
medical school
- Explains why you want to pursue a career in medicine
- Argues why you will make a good doctor
Put a lot of time into this personal statement and do
treat it as the most important essay you will ever write. We encourage you to
start outlining your thoughts in the spring of your junior year. A successful
essay will keep the readers focused on you, the applicant. It will also tie the
rest of your application together and explain the relevancy of the different
activities you have listed on the AMCAS – even if it is just to state that you
are well rounded and believe that this is a necessary trait for all doctors to
have. (The admissions committees will not disagree with you on this.)
We have an affiliate website with some good tips on
writing college admissions essays. Some of these are indeed transferable to the
AMCAS essay. You can click on the following link to visit
College Admissions Essays.
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