The 3 Main Medical School Applications Every Premed Must Know

Mar 31, 2021

medical school applications

There are three stages to the medical school application process: primary applications, secondary applications, and interviews. The primary application is the initial application a medical school receives. Secondary applications (a.k.a. supplemental applications) are school-specific applications sent to an applicant after the primary application has been approved. Finally, the interview is when you visit the school and get the chance to talk to the faculty directly. 

All U.S. medical schools use 1 of 3 application services: AMCAS, TMDSAS, and AAMCOMAS. Each medical school program only uses one application service. Knowing the difference between these three main medical school application services prior to applying can help you prepare for the different components of each application. In this article, we will discuss each of these medical school application services and the differences between them. 

American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS)

Used by: U.S. allopathic (M.D.) medical schools
Application Cost: $170 for first medical school. Additional medical schools cost $41 each.
Application opening date: AMCAS opens May 4, 2021.

AMCAS is the AAMC’s centralized medical school application service. Most M.D. medical schools located in the United States use AMCAS as their primary application method. 

Official AMCAS Website
AMCAS Application
List of medical schools that use AMCAS

Texas Medical & Dental Schools Application Service (TMDSAS)

Used by: Texas allopathic and osteopathic medical schools
Application Cost: $185 flat rate regardless of how many schools you apply to.
Application opening date: TMDSAS opens May 1, 2021

TMDSAS is the medical school application service for medical schools, dental schools and veterinarian schools in Texas. Medical school applicants can use TMDSAS to apply to medical schools in the state of Texas. 

Official TMDSAS Website
TMDSAS Application
List of medical schools that use TMDSAS

American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service (AACOMAS) 

Used by: U.S. osteopathic (D.O) medical schools
Application Cost: $196 for first medical school. Additional medical schools cost $46 each.
Application opening date: AACOMAS opens May 5th, 2021.

AACOMAS is the centralized online application service for the US osteopathic medical schools. 

Official AACOMAS Website
AACOMAS Application
List of medical schools that use AACOMAS

How to Get Shadowing Experience as a Premed

If you want to gain exposure to medicine but don’t have the time commitment to take on a full-time job, shadowing is a great way to show admissions boards that you are invested in medicine. In addition, you can give yourself the chance to determine whether the...
Read More

MD-MBA Programs List and How to Get in 2023

An MD-MBA is a Medical Degree and a Master’s of Business Administration. Understanding business can be the game changer for your career in medicine. In this article, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about MD-MBA programs. Table of Contents What is an MD-MBA...
Read More

What is MSAR? Medical School Admissions Requirements Database

MSAR is an official database that provides medical school admissions requirements for M.D. medical schools in the U.S and Canada. If you're planning on applying to medical school, you've likely come across a ton of different acronyms, including MSAR, AAMC, TMDSAS,...
Read More

15 Free MCAT Practice Tests

Preparing for the MCAT can be very expensive. Test prep companies can cost over $10,000. Luckily, there are many alternative methods to study and prepare for the MCAT on a budget. One of the most important tasks you can do to prepare for the MCAT is taking practice...
Read More

AAMC PREView: The Ultimate Exam Guide in 2023

The AAMC PREview exam assesses your understanding of pre-professional behavior. As an entering medical student, your understanding of these behaviors is important so that you can be successful through school and into residency! AAMC PREview Exam overview  With a...
Read More

15 White Coat Ceremony Gift Guide – [2023 edition]

If you were invited to a white coat ceremony, congratulations! This is a momentous occasion for your loved one to receive his/her/their first white coat and commit to a lifelong career in medicine. Even if you just attended your loved one’s graduation from a...
Read More

Classes to take before the MCAT

When deciding what classes to take during your premed undergraduate career, you should keep in mind a list of prerequisite courses for medical schools and a list of courses that will help you sufficiently prepare for the MCAT.  In this article, we will discuss...
Read More

Which Medical Schools are Graded? Which Rank Students?

Every medical school in the United States uses some form of grading policy to measure student performance. These systems can be complex, and it can be difficult to understand how your grades will impact your medical school career. However, it is important to take the...
Read More

How to Gain Trust from Faculty and Professors

Before we discuss tips on how to build professional relationships with faculty and professors, let’s discuss why it is a good idea. Medical school admissions members understand that professors play a vital role in your career endeavors. Not only do they educate you,...
Read More

Post-bacc vs. Masters – 2023 Comparative Guide – Premed

Many premed students often ask, what is the difference between a post-bacc and a master’s program? This guide will cover everything you need to know about the two.  It’s no secret that medical school is hard to get into. According to the Association of American...
Read More
Download a printable list of M.D. medical schools in the United States
do med school list