Approved AMCAS Application Guide 2025: How to Apply to Medical School Successfully

Understanding AMCAS: Your First Step Toward Medical School

If you're starting your journey to medical school, you’ve likely come across the acronym AMCAS. It may sound confusing at first, but understanding how AMCAS works is essential for getting your application off to the right start.

The American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) is a centralized application portal used by most MD programs in the United States. It’s your primary application, meaning every medical school you apply to through AMCAS will receive the same core application materials.

Key Terms to Know Before You Apply

AMCAS / Primary Application

This is your main application for MD programs. Think of AMCAS as the Common App—but for medical schools.

Secondary Applications

Sent directly to individual medical schools after they’ve reviewed your AMCAS application. Some schools send them to every applicant, others only to selected candidates.

Personal Statement

Known in AMCAS as the Personal Comments Essay. It’s your opportunity to share your motivation for becoming a physician.

Work and Activities Section

This is where you'll list your extracurriculars, leadership, research, clinical exposure, and service experiences. You can include up to 15 entries.

Creating an AMCAS Account

Step 1: Set Up Your Account

Visit the AMCAS application portal and create your account. You’ll choose a username, password, and set up security questions.

Step 2: Choose the Right Application Cycle

Select the current AMCAS application cycle. This is crucial—past and future cycles won’t allow you to submit.

Step 3: Create Your Profile

You'll receive an AAMC ID, which links to your MCAT and AMCAS profile.

Completing Your AMCAS Application

Here’s a breakdown of each section:

Identifying Information

• Legal and preferred names
• Gender identity and pronouns
• AAMC ID, MCAT ID, and other test identifiers
  
  

Schools Attended

• Include all colleges and universities (including dual-credit or community college coursework)
• High school information is required, but no transcripts are needed
  
  

Biographic Information

• Contact details, citizenship, languages spoken
• Disadvantaged status (optional)
• Family and background demographics
  
  

Coursework

List every course you've taken, including:

• Study abroad and extension programs
• Dual enrollment from high school
• Summer and military education
• Transcripts must be sent directly from each institution to AMCAS.
  
  

Work and Activities

Use the 15 slots wisely. Highlight leadership, clinical experience, research, volunteering, and global health exposure. If you’ve participated in international medical internships through Go Elective, be sure to include them—they show initiative, adaptability, and cross-cultural competence.

Letters of Evaluation

• You can assign letters to each school
• Letters must be sent directly by the evaluator or school’s letter service
• AMCAS will not accept self-submitted letters
  
  

Standardized Tests

Report your MCAT scores, test dates, and any other relevant exams such as the CASPer (if required by specific schools).

Writing Your Personal Comments Essay

You have up to 5,300 characters (including spaces and punctuation). Use this space to explain why you want to be a doctor, and what has prepared you for medical school.

Tips for Success:

• Start with a personal story that led to your interest in medicine
• Reflect on meaningful experiences that shaped your path
• Demonstrate your resilience, empathy, and commitment to healthcare
• Avoid clichés and overly generalized statements
• Use a tool like Grammarly or Hemingway to polish your writing

Need inspiration? Students who’ve joined Go Elective’s programs often describe powerful patient encounters and cultural immersion in Kenya and Tanzania—experiences that translate beautifully into memorable essays.

Selecting Your Medical Schools

You’ll be able to search for and add each school you’re applying to. Once added, schools will have access to your application once it’s submitted and processed.

Make sure to research each school’s mission and requirements ahead of time—some focus heavily on service, research, or diversity, and you want to demonstrate alignment.

Final Steps: Review and Submit

Before submitting:

• Carefully review each section for errors
• Ensure your transcripts and test scores have been sent
• Confirm letters of evaluation have been assigned correctly
• Save a PDF copy of your application for your records
  
  

Application Status Codes:

AMCAS uses different codes to show where your application stands:

• Submitted – Awaiting Transcripts
• Under Review
• Returned to Applicant
• Processing Complete

Monitor your dashboard for updates and stay on top of school-specific deadlines for secondaries and letters.

Additional Resources from AMCAS

• Fee Assistance Program
• Participating Medical Schools
• AMCAS Tools & Tutorials
• Medical School Admission Requirements (MSAR)
  
  

Boost Your Application with Global Health Experience

Want to make your application stand out? Consider enrolling in a Go Elective internship abroad before or during your gap year. You’ll shadow doctors, participate in community outreach, and gain a deeper understanding of healthcare systems in underserved regions.

Interns often return with:

• Clinical experience that enriches personal statements
• Cross-cultural communication skills
• A renewed sense of purpose and clarity on specialty interests

Learn more at goelective.com/healthcare and explore how our immersive programs in East Africa can help shape your future in medicine.

Article Details

Categories

Recent Articles , Pre-health, Medical Electives,

Author: Go-Elective Abroad

Date Published: May 14, 2025