Essential med school timeline tips

Med school application timeline

Suppose you’re a pre-med student or an early career healthcare professional exploring options for an advanced degree. Chances are, you’ve devoted significant time to understanding the medical school application timeline and what’s required for competitive med school applications. Students spend years preparing for this rigorous process, balancing challenging coursework, dedicated MCAT preparation, and hands-on experience.

Becoming a physician is an incredibly rewarding career path for individuals passionate about medicine, drawn to science and math, and motivated by helping others. Navigating the medical school timeline begins with your first major step: submitting your med school applications.

Our comprehensive guide is designed to support you through every phase of the medical school application process and answer questions about how long each stage takes, especially when applying to Doctor of Medicine (MD) programs. Careful planning is essential, so use this timeline to ensure your materials are organized and ready for a successful application during the upcoming admissions cycle.

We’ll begin by outlining the essential undergraduate courses that establish a strong foundation for med school. Next, we’ll walk you through MCAT preparation, share crucial details on the exam, and explain its role within the broader medical school application timeline. Finally, we provide a comprehensive med school application timeline highlighting important milestones so you’ll know when to request recommendation letters, submit your primary and secondary essays, and prepare for interviews.

The typical medical school application timeline, starting with taking the MCAT and ending with enrollment, spans approximately a year and a half. Note that this period doesn’t factor in MCAT study time, which usually requires a minimum of 3 additional months before applications open. To maximize your chances of success, we recommend beginning the process early and allowing yourself ample preparation time for each part of your application well before final deadlines approach.

Are you ready to approach your medical school timeline with confidence? Read ahead!

Medical school admission requirements

All medical schools have specific medical school admission requirements that applicants must meet. Typically, you need to earn a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university (either a B.A. or B.S.) and complete a set of foundational pre-med courses.

When considering medical school admission requirements, most programs mandate at least 2 semesters of science and mathematics courses before you can apply. These core pre-med classes include:

• Biology
• Chemistry (both general chemistry and organic chemistry)
• Physics
• Mathematics (calculus and/or statistics)

Fulfilling these medical school admission requirements ensures you build a strong foundation in the sciences and develop key analytical thinking skills. Additionally, many medical schools require coursework in English and strongly recommend classes in the social sciences or humanities, highlighting the value of a well-rounded academic background. The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), which oversees the MCAT and the primary medical school application process, maintains an updated list of pre-med course requirements by medical school.

As you begin your undergraduate studies, it’s wise to consult the AAMC’s materials early so you can plan your coursework to satisfy all medical school admission requirements. Most colleges offer a pre-med track designed to cover these essential courses, but always double-check with the AAMC’s catalogue to ensure you’re fulfilling the prerequisites for the specific medical schools you intend to apply to.

Completing these required courses and maintaining a strong GPA are crucial aspects of meeting medical school admission requirements. Participating in extracurricular activities, such as gaining clinical experience or volunteering in healthcare settings, can further strengthen your application. Succeeding as a pre-med student means balancing academic achievement with hands-on experiences, effectively preparing you for the rigors of medical school and future clinical practice.

What if I’m not a science major?

Plenty of students pursue medical school with majors outside of the sciences. In fact, many future medical students choose to major in fields beyond biology or chemistry to diversify their coursework and potentially achieve a higher GPA. As long as you complete all medical school prerequisites and build a strong foundation in the core sciences, you’ll be well-prepared to apply.

To further enhance your readiness for medical school, especially if you’re coming from a non-science background or want to maximize your MCAT performance, it’s wise to add extra science courses to your studies. Enroll in recommended classes like:

• Biochemistry
• Human anatomy and/or physiology
• Cell biology, molecular biology, genetics, or immunology

If you’re already deep into your college education and find it hard to fit all required courses into your undergraduate schedule before graduation, you’re not alone. Fortunately, post-bacc programs for medical school, also known as post-baccalaureate “linkage” programs, are available to help supplement your transcript and strengthen your application.

How to prepare for the MCAT

MCAT test dates

The MCAT, administered by the AAMC, is available approximately 30 times each year from January through September. Medical schools use your MCAT scores to assess your readiness and competitiveness. Due to the consistently high demand for AAMC MCAT registration, securing your preferred test date and location as early as possible is essential. Early registration can also help you plan your MCAT study schedule and align your timeline with medical school application resources like MSAR (Medical School Admission Requirements) from AAMC.

To complete your AAMC MCAT registration, follow these steps:

1. Create your AAMC account at students-residents.aamc.org
2. Select your desired MCAT test date and testing center location
3. Pay the current MCAT registration fee of $345
4. Carefully review all test-day requirements and AAMC policies

Staying organized with your MCAT study schedule and exploring AAMC resources can help you prepare effectively for test day. After your exam, you can track when MCAT scores are released by checking the official AAMC U.S. MCAT calendar.

When is the best time to take the MCAT?

You should plan to take the MCAT about 18 months before the academic year you expect to begin medical school, making sure your MCAT scores are available in time for your applications. For instance, if you intend to start medical school in September 2027, the optimal testing window would be early 2026. College students aiming to matriculate directly after graduation should schedule their MCAT exam during the first months of their junior year’s second semester. If you are considering a gap year before attending medical school, it’s ideal to sit for the MCAT in the latter half of your senior year, so your MCAT scores are available for the next application cycle.

Aim to complete your exam and have your official MCAT scores released by May. Taking your first test as early as January is beneficial, allowing time for a potential retake if necessary. Application services like AMCAS (American Medical College Application Service) begin sending verified applications to medical schools at the end of June each year. Keep in mind that there is a 4-week processing period after your exam before MCAT scores are released; medical schools will not review applications until official scores are received.

Understanding the MCAT timeline, including when official MCAT scores come out, ensures you can submit a complete application early and align with AAMC’s recommended guidelines for timely submission. This approach maximizes your chances for a successful medical school application, providing ample time to review your results and reference MSAR AAMC data to target the best-fit programs.

How long should I study for the MCAT?

Creating an effective MCAT study schedule is essential for maximizing your score and achieving your medical school goals. Most students should dedicate between 3 and 6 months to MCAT preparation, but the ideal schedule depends on your academic background, daily commitments, and target score. Allocating 15 to 20 hours of study each week is recommended, leading to a total of about 300 to 500 hours throughout your MCAT study schedule.

The MCAT is divided into 4 key sections, and your study schedule should ensure balanced preparation across each:

If you’re a current college student with up-to-date knowledge in science courses or strong familiarity with MCAT content areas, you may be able to follow a more condensed study routine. In this case, prioritize completing targeted practice questions and refining your test-taking strategies.

For those taking a gap year or spending additional time before medical school, building a comprehensive MCAT study plan can help balance test prep with gaining clinical experience. If you’ve been out of school for some time, plan to allot extra weeks in your MCAT study schedule for reviewing foundational science subjects.

When designing your MCAT study schedule, be realistic about your strengths, weaknesses, and weekly availability. Be sure to integrate frequent full-length practice exams into your study plan, thoroughly review all content areas, and systematically address any weak spots to ensure you’re fully prepared by exam day.

We’ve put together a helpful table outlining steps for building a practical MCAT study guide:

A well-structured MCAT study schedule is your roadmap to success. By tailoring your study plan to your individual needs and consistently following it, you’ll maximize your readiness for test day and move confidently toward your medical career.

How long are MCAT scores valid?

MCAT scores are typically valid for 2 to 3 years, depending on each medical school’s policy as listed in the MSAR (Medical School Admission Requirements) database.

For example, if you received your MCAT scores in 2025, they may be accepted for medical school application cycles in 2025, 2026, and possibly 2027. However, many schools will not accept MCAT scores over 2 years old, so reviewing individual med school requirements through the MSAR is crucial before applying.

Applicants often want to know when MCAT scores come out or what time MCAT scores become available. Release dates and times are published annually by the AAMC and are crucial for planning your application timeline.

Medical school application timeline

Below you’ll find a comprehensive medical school application timeline designed to guide you through every step of the process. This med school application timeline outlines the key phases of your journey, providing a detailed, month-by-month breakdown of what to expect during the medical school application cycle. You’ll see important application deadlines, suggested start times for each element of your medical school application, and actionable recommendations to help you stay on track.

Following this structured medical school timeline will give you a clear understanding of when to gather materials, request letters of recommendation, and submit your application for the upcoming cycle.

1 - 3 years before starting applications

• Register with your school’s pre-health advising committee. If you’ve already graduated or your school doesn’t have a pre-health advisor, you can find one through the National Association of Advisors for the Health Professions. An advisor will help you sequence your necessary classes and support you throughout your academic career.
• Develop and maintain relationships with faculty, staff, and mentors. These connections will come in handy when looking for shadowing or research opportunities and for your letters of recommendation.
• Get involved with your school’s pre-health club or other related groups.
• Pursue meaningful research assistantships and medically related volunteer activities during the school year and summer. Taking on paid clinical jobs, like being a certified nursing assistant, phlebotomist, or emergency medical technician, will look fantastic on an application and count toward clinical contact hours for medical school.
• Look up medical school programs and start thinking about where you’d like to apply. Review your class schedule and activities to ensure that you are on track to fulfill the requirements needed for each school.

3 - 6 months before starting applications

• Develop a comprehensive MCAT study plan using trusted AAMC resources to ensure sufficient exam preparation. Review official study materials, align your schedule with the AAMC MCAT registration deadlines, and utilize tools like the MSAR database from AAMC to guide your study approach.
• Assess your eligibility for the AAMC Fee Assistance Program, which can help reduce costs for AAMC MCAT registration.
• Consider the financial aspects of your medical education early by researching external scholarships, evaluating educational loan options, and aiming for a high MCAT score to qualify for merit-based scholarships offered by medical schools. Compare tuition and available aid at your target schools.
• Narrow down your list of prospective medical schools by reviewing admission criteria and program details through the MSAR AAMC platform.

January - April (Year 1)

• Take your MCAT exam as a critical step in the medical school application timeline. Your performance is a key component of your AAMC medical school application.
• Request your letters of evaluation early, ensuring you meet the medical school admission requirements for recommendations. Most programs specify how many letters of recommendation for medical school are needed. Typically, this includes a minimum of 3 letters, including 2 from STEM professors and one from a non-science discipline or an extracurricular supervisor familiar with your qualifications.
• Build your preliminary school list by consulting the MSAR database. This resource outlines each institution’s specific medical school admission requirements and helps you determine where to apply based on your interests and credentials. When considering how many medical schools you should apply to, review admissions data and program fit.
• Check whether any desired schools require the AAMC PREview professional readiness Exam. While most institutions do not yet mandate this component, more may add it to their AAMC medical school application process in upcoming years.
• Begin crafting your medical school personal statement and organizing your Work and Activities section, both vital elements of every application. Supplement these with well-developed primary essays that reflect your motivations and experiences. Take advantage of campus writing centers or specialized advisors for guidance on structuring, drafting, and editing your personal statement for medical school to maximize your impact.

May

• Take your final MCAT early in the month to ensure scores are ready for your AMCAS Medical School Application.
  • If you’re applying to Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) programs or medical schools in Texas, you’ll also need to send MCAT scores and essays through the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service (AACOMAS) and/or the Texas Medical and Dental Schools Application Service (TMDSAS).
• Remind your evaluators to submit their letters of recommendation directly to the appropriate application services (AMCAS, AACOMAS, or TMDSAS) as required by your chosen schools.
• Complete your personal statement and other relevant writing materials for your AMCAS application, AACOMAS application, and/or TMDSAS application. Strong essays can distinguish you in the medical school application process.
• Order official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended. Ensure transcripts are sent accurately across all relevant application portals for review.
• Register for the Casper Test if needed. Many medical schools listed in the AAMC MSAR require Casper or similar assessments as part of their admissions criteria.
• Prepare your medical school secondary essays carefully. These secondaries are integral to the AMCAS, AACOMAS, and TMDSAS application processes and give schools a more holistic understanding of you as a candidate.
• Use secondary essays to explore your pre-professional background and meaningful experiences in depth. Even if secondaries are listed as optional, submitting them can help you stand out in the competitive AAMC, TMDSAS, and AACOMAS application pools.
• Release your MCAT scores to each applicable application service before June to avoid delays.
• Finalize your list of schools where you will submit applications.

June

• Complete your AMCAS and other applications by submitting all required materials, including admissions essays, letters of recommendation, official transcripts, and test scores. Regularly check your application portal to confirm that schools have received your documents through AMCAS, AACOMAS, and TMDAS, depending on where you are applying.
• Continue drafting, polishing, and finalizing your secondary essays for each medical school. Timely and well-crafted responses are crucial to a successful AAMC, TMDAS, or AACOMAS submission.
• Send thank-you notes to your evaluators for their support with letters of recommendation. Professional communication helps bolster your credentials as you advance through the medical school admissions process.

July

• Submit your secondary applications promptly, which will reflect well on your candidacy.
• Begin preparing for medical school admissions interviews by reviewing common medical school interview questions. While many institutions now offer virtual interview formats, be prepared to travel if your chosen schools require in-person meetings.

August

• Send in your final Early Decision application to your preferred school.

September - May (Year 2)

• Deadlines for completed AMCAS applications for participating medical schools typically fall in November. Be sure to review the comprehensive AMCAS program-participating medical schools and deadlines list to stay on track with your medical school application timeline.
• Schedule and complete your medical school interviews as part of the med school application timeline. Always send “Thank You” emails to each school after your interview to demonstrate professionalism and continued interest.
• Before your interviews, consider sending letters of interest to your targeted schools, especially if you have pertinent updates you didn’t get to include in your supplemental essays.
• After interviews or if you are placed on a waitlist, send letters of interest or intent to your top-choice programs. A letter of interest highlights why you’re a strong match for that medical school, while a letter of intent states your commitment to matriculate if accepted.
• Beginning in October, review admission and financial aid offers as decisions are released. Medical schools using the AAMC application process notify applicants on a rolling basis throughout the fall and spring. By May, you should know whether you’ve been admitted, waitlisted, or denied by the schools you applied to.
• Starting in April, select your top 3 choices for enrollment through AMCAS. Late spring is an ideal time to visit campuses and attend accepted student events to assess your fit. Commit to your chosen medical school by June.
• For DO programs, remember to​​ submit your final decision by May 15. For more details specific to osteopathic programs, refer to the AACOMAS application timeline.
• Congratulations! You’ve reached the end of the medical school timeline. With an exciting medical program ahead, don’t forget to submit your deposit and secure your seat at your selected institution.

Whew, now that’s a long selection process! Navigating the medical school applications can feel overwhelming, but mastering each stage, from submitting MCAT scores to interviews, brings you closer to a rewarding career as a physician. Review this med school application timeline in advance and strategize for success at every step.

NOTE: The above timeline primarily applies to applicants submitting through the AMCAS platform, the most widely used portal for MD programs.

Other specialized application services follow similar timelines and require equivalent materials, but always consult their official information directly. For DO programs, refer to the AACOMAS portal and its detailed AACOMAS application timeline. If you are applying to Texas medical schools, use the TMDSAS portal to follow the TMDSAS application process and deadlines.

How many medical schools should I apply to?

Many applicants wonder, “How many medical schools should I apply to?” for the best results. To maximize your chances of acceptance, experts recommend applying to approximately 15-20 medical schools. With the overall acceptance rate to MD programs hovering around 42%, expanding your list of schools increases your likelihood of receiving an offer. The more schools you can realistically target, the greater your odds of success.

As you determine how many medical schools to apply to, research average MCAT scores and GPAs for each school’s incoming class. Casting a wide net is key: include several reach institutions (highly selective, top-tier programs) alongside multiple options that closely match your academic profile. For detailed guidance on competitive MCAT scores, refer to our breakdown of MCAT scores for top medical schools to help you assess your eligibility for elite MD programs. Making a balanced and informed application list is the most effective strategy.

What happens if I am waitlisted?

While being waitlisted can be incredibly frustrating, it’s not a “no.” Medical schools have a limited number of seats per class, but that doesn’t mean that everyone accepted in the first round will end up enrolling. The best thing you can do if you’re waitlisted from medical school is to take a moment and assess your available options.

Some schools allow waitlisted applicants to send an additional letter of interest. This should be a brief letter emphasizing your qualifications and enthusiasm about the program. You can also provide updates that may boost your candidacy, such as an overview of a research project you were involved in after submitting your application. Always check to see which schools are open to receiving supplemental material.

Once April after the application deadline rolls around, applicants are asked to select their top 3 schools for enrollment through AMCAS. You must only rank schools you’ve been accepted to but can remain on waitlists for others. Once other applicants decide to accept or reject their offers, you can expect updates on your waitlist status for other programs. If you’re still waiting by May or June, it may be a good idea to consider admission to another program so you can pay your deposit and avoid any hiccups with enrollment.

Conclusion

Let’s be clear: the med school application process is notoriously competitive and intensive. Your effort prepares you for the academic rigor of an MD or DO program and moves you closer to earning one of the most respected professional titles in medicine. Every step you take now, from crafting an impressive personal statement for medical school to acing your coursework, demonstrates commitment to the field and your future patients.

When tackling medical school admissions, remember that a strong early start will give you an edge. Begin preparing your personal statement well in advance, even if the application period for your target academic year hasn’t opened yet. Thoughtful early planning allows you to polish and assemble application materials smoothly.

If your preparations for the med school application cycle are running behind, don’t panic! Submitting all required materials by the official deadline still keeps you in the running. Prioritize MCAT preparation, get your recommendation letters ready, and make your personal statement compelling. Refer to the AAMC website for important med school application deadlines and key dates so you never miss a step.

Just like any ambitious goal, approach each part of applying to medical school day by day. Maintain focus on coursework, select expert test prep resources, meticulously refine your essays, and lean on mentors when needed. Cultivate a support system involving peers, faculty advisors, family, and friends to keep you motivated throughout the process. Soon enough, your dedication will lead you toward patient care or groundbreaking research. The hard work you invest now will help you achieve excellence in medicine!