Pre-Health Advising: Health Professions Applications

Most health profession programs have developed their own centralized application service. Medical schools have two; one for allopathic programs (M.D.) the other for osteopathic programs (D.O.). The centralized system has streamlined the application process so that students do not have to request applications from each individual school. Many of the applications are computerized but a paper copy can be requested. A student can complete an on line application and designate which schools they want it sent to. The cost of the application is based on the number of schools selected. The school then reviews the content of the application and makes a decision whether to send a secondary or formal application. Upon receiving the secondary application and letters of evaluation, the school reevaluates the entire application and decides which candidates to interview. The chances of being accepted greatly increase when offered an interview.

Many health profession schools use a "rolling admissions" process where applicants who submit their materials first get interviewed first. These schools select candidates for admission from interviewed and continue this process until the class if filled. Therefore some students will be admitted before others even get interviewed. It is to every student's advantage to get his or her application materials completed and submitted as early as possible.

Here are the application services used by health profession schools:

Medical

Allopathic programs (M.D.)
American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS)
Section for Student Service2450 N St. NW Suite 201
Washington, D.C. 20037-1131
www.aamc.org (202) 828-0600

Osteopathic programs (D.O.)
American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOMAS)
5550 Friendship Boulevard Suite 310
Chevy Chase, MD 20815-7231
www.aacom.org (301) 968-4190

Not every medical school is an AMCAS or AACOMAS member. These schools have to be contacted individually to obtain an application.

Dental

American Association of Dental Schools (AADSAS)
1625 Massachusetts Ave. NW Suite 601
Washington, D.C. 20036-2212
www.adea.org (202) 667-1887

Veterinary

Veterinary Medical College Application Service (VMCAS)
1101 Vermont Ave. Suite 411
Washington, D.C. 20005-3521
www.aavmc.org (202) 682-0750

Physician Assistant

Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA)
American Academy of Physician Assistants
450 N. Washington St.
Alexandria, VA 22314-1552
paeaonline.org  (703) 836-2272

Pharmacy

Pharmacy Application Service (PharmCas)
American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy
www.PharmCAS.org
(Not all pharmacy colleges are members of PharmCas. Check individual schools for their participation.)

Optometry

Students can contact individual schools to request information and application materials.
www.opted.org

Podiatry

American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine (AACPM)
1350 Piccard Drive Suite 322
Rockville, MD 20850
www.aacpm.org (800) 922-9266

Chiropractics

Students can contact individual schools to request information and application materials.
www.amerchiro.org