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

Emergency Medicine Research Programs for Undergraduate Students 2023

We curated a list of emergency medicine research programs open to undergraduates, post-baccalaureates, and other students interested in pursuing a career in the emergency department.  Are you interested in becoming an Emergency Room Physician or partaking in...
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

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

MCAT Prep Courses: A Collective List

If you're reading this, then you're probably looking for the best MCAT prep courses out there. And that's a great idea! The MCAT is one of the most important tests you will ever take, and it's crucial that you do everything possible to prepare for it. This article...
Read More

5 Topics to Write About in Your Optional Secondary Essays for Medical School

In the secondary application process, most medical schools will include an optional essay prompt that allows candidates to share any additional information they haven’t included in their primary application. Although these essays are optional, filling them out shows...
Read More

7 Ways to Force Yourself to Stay In and Study When You Have Zero Motivation

Exam season is coming up. Consequently, you have to dedicate the next few days to studying. The only problem is you’d rather do anything but study. Maybe the class you are studying for is not particularly interesting. Maybe you rather be socializing with...
Read More

Med School Letters of Recommendation (LORs) | The Ultimate Guide 2023

Letters of recommendation (LORs), also known as letters of evaluation or reference letters, are a huge part of your medical school applications. These letters serve as an opportunity for others to vouch for your future as a physician. Great reference letters give...
Read More

Oxidative Phosphorylation Steps 

What is oxidative phosphorylation? Oxidative phosphorylation is the process by which cells produce ATP from glucose through a series of oxidation-reduction reactions and a proton gradient. The process occurs in the mitochondrial matrix and the mitochondrial...
Read More

Pre-med Summer Programs for Undergraduates – Updated 2023 List

Summer for pre-meds is the perfect time to venture out of the classroom! We have curated a list of pre-med summer programs all over the country with their most current website links, deadlines, and program dates. Med school admissions highly favor students who...
Read More
Download a printable list of M.D. medical schools in the United States
do med school list