Dear 2022 Applicants,
With the opening of the 2022 AMCAS application on May 3rd, we want to wish you all the best of luck with the application cycle! Please try to remember that this is a marathon, not a sprint. Harvard applicants are generally very successful in this process and you can get a great medical education at any medical school in the country.
1. AMCAS. The slides from the "Completing the 2022 AMCAS Application" 4/22 webinar are attached to this email, and can also be viewed under the "AMCAS" tab on the OCS website<https://ocs.fas.harvard.edu/amcas>. Anyone who was not able to attend the live webinar can access the webinar recording here<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_2muO3Oc8w>. This slide deck and the webinar presentation includes Harvard applicant specific information and instructions as well as instructions from the AAMC's AMCAS resources for how to complete the application. Note that our slide deck does not contain a complete set of screenshots from the actual AMCAS application; for visual instructions by AMCAS section, please view the AAMC's Navigating the 2022 AMCAS Application for Applicants webinar<https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=FhVbzcxgOkajUIX4IEPAh7S…> (note- you have to complete this form to access their recording), as well as the resources, tools, and FAQs on the main AMCAS landing page<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__students-2Dresidents.a…>. Be sure to use of the 2022 AMCAS Applicant Guide<https://students-residents.aamc.org/media/11616/download> (you can also access the relevant part of the AMCAS Applicant Guide from within your own AMCAS application by clicking on the 'Help' button). We also recommend viewing the AMCAS tutorials<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__students-2Dresidents.a…> for additional support with the individual sections of the application. For any questions not answered in our AMCAS webinar, FAQs for Applicants<https://ocs.fas.harvard.edu/amcas> (scroll about halfway down the page to locate our FAQ sections), or in the AAMC's AMCAS resources, please call the AMCAS helpline<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__students-2Dresidents.a…>, which is staffed M-F, 9am-7pm. The AMCAS staff can provide definitive answers to individual, specific questions not answered elsewhere.
As a reminder, the AMCAS application opened on May 3 for applicants to begin working on it. May 27th remains the date on which you can begin submitting a completed AMCAS application. We recommend that all applicants submit their AMCAS applications by mid June. Medical schools will begin to receive verified AMCAS applications on June 25.
It is also a good idea to follow the AAMC on Twitter (@AMCASinfo), where new information is often first shared.
Non-AMCAS medical school application services: Please see "Completing the 2022 AMCAS Application" webinar and our website<https://ocs.fas.harvard.edu/amcas> for information and links to the Texas state medical school common application system TMDSAS<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.tmdsas.com_&d=DwMF…> and the Osteopathic (DO) medical schools<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.aacom.org_become-2…> and their AACOMAS<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__aacomas.liaisoncas.com…> applications. Applicants applying to Canadian schools<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.afmc.ca_en_learner…>, including Ontario schools using the OMSAS<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.ouac.on.ca_omsas_&…> common application, or other foreign medical schools, should contact the Academic Coordinator in your House for support with sending your letters of recommendation to these schools.
1. For anyone not yet familiar with the OCS medical school applicant advising process and resources: If you have not yet viewed the "Applying to medical school: A marathon not a sprint" webinar recording, please go here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFM8SBsLkyk (be sure to watch to the end to complete the google form to register your attendance and then be activated to book a 2022 medical school applicant advising appointment in Crimson Careers). The handout for the webinar can be found here<https://ocs.fas.harvard.edu/files/ocs/files/navigating_the_medical_school_a…> and the guidelines for the 2022 cycle can be found here<https://ocs.fas.harvard.edu/files/ocs/files/navigating_2022_medschool.pdf?m…>. For a complete overview of our application resources, see https://ocs.fas.harvard.edu/applying-to-medical-school. (Note that this is not the same med school applicant onboarding process as the one you have completed with your House Premed Committee.)
If you missed any of the other webinars for the 2022 applicants held this spring, here are the links to the webinar recordings and to the portion of the OCS website where the resources and handouts that go with the webinar can be found:
Personal Statement<https://ocs.fas.harvard.edu/personal-statement> workshop (access recorded webinar here<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewGwPLppffk>) (please email premed@fas if you would like us to send you the "Medical Schools that have accepted applicants with lower GPAs handout)
Selecting Medical Schools<https://ocs.fas.harvard.edu/selecting-school> workshop (access recorded webinar here<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxX2NCNFy_k>)
Completing the 2022 AMCAS Application<https://ocs.fas.harvard.edu/amcas> workshop (access recorded webinar here<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_2muO3Oc8w>).
*OCS Applicant listserv communications: If your House Premed Tutors forwarded you this email, and you are not yet subscribed to this listserv, please subscribe to the OCS Medical School Applicant Listserv <https://lists.fas.harvard.edu/mailman/listinfo/harvardocs-medschool-applica…> using a harvard.edu address (@college, @post, or @alumni.harvard.edu). If you are an alum and have not yet created your alumni.harvard.edu address, instructions for how to register your alumni.harvard account can be found here<https://alumni.harvard.edu/help/site-access/harvardkey> and here<https://alumni.harvard.edu/help/site-access/current-students>. If you have any problems setting up your alumni email account, please email ithelp(a)harvard.edu<mailto:ithelp@harvard.edu> or call 617-495-7777 for assistance.
1. 2022 Application Q&A webinars. As a reminder, these are held on the following Wednesdays: 5/5 @9am<https://harvard.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Eb4I0fm8Q7yZBbCi0SFfEQ>, 5/12 @2pm<https://harvard.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_i2uSn74qSH2Tfhuk1oX2UQ>, 5/19 @11am<https://harvard.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_olk73G7UT9yGNGMatATAXQ>, 5/26 @12pm<https://harvard.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_h0eQqQ5JQ--QQC1QpPUcFw>, 6/2 @11am<https://harvard.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_dP8UPvioTOmjGIXvutrU2A>, 6/9 @3pm<https://harvard.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_lkq1G862Q7quLUvMPFRpAA>, and 6/16 @4pm<https://harvard.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_dyZirdZiQXGeDPbqvFHubw>. These will be a great way to ask any questions you might have about completing your AMCAS or another one of the primary applications!
1. OCS premed and pre-health advising schedule. Starting May 17, individual premed advising appointments are only open to 2021 (those of you wrapping up your cycle) and 2022 applicants (i.e., those of you who are submitting applications for medical school matriculation in 2022). OCS does this every spring to ensure that current applicants get the time-sensitive advising they need. For students who are not applying to medical school now, but have other premed or pre-health related questions during this time, please first review the information that can be found on the Premed section of the OCS website for information on premed courses, medical school requirements, getting clinical experience, gap year planning, and how to find research opportunities (http://ocs.fas.harvard.edu/medical-health).<http://ocs.fas.harvard.edu/medical-health).Appointments> You may also book a general OCS advising appointment for help with your summer plans (see https://ocs.fas.harvard.edu/ for the OCS virtual advising schedule through the end of June). Individual premed and pre-health appointments for all students will open again in August. If you are not a current applicant, and have an urgent premed/pre-health question, email us at premed(a)fas.harvard.edu<mailto:premed@fas.harvard.edu>. *Please do not book a "2022 Med School Application" appointment with Oona or Emiko if you are not applying now, as these appointment slots are reserved for the current applicants.
Advising times and availability for Oona (Ceder) and Emiko (Morimoto) can be found in Crimson Careers<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__harvard-2Dcsm.symplici…>. If you have trouble booking a 2022 medical school applicant advising appointment, please email ocsrecep(a)fas.harvard.edu<mailto:ocsrecep@fas.harvard.edu> for assistance. In July, OCS advisers throughout the office do not offer any advising appointments so that we can focus on publications, web revision, and program planning for the upcoming school year. Your House Premed Tutors are available in July to answer questions related to secondary applications. If you have an urgent issue related to your medical school application that your Premed Tutors or the AMCAS helpline cannot answer, please email premed(a)fas.harvard.edu<mailto:premed@fas.harvard.edu> and an adviser will get back to you within 24 hours.
1. OCS Medical School Admissions Data book. We recommend that all current applicant use this book to make school selection choices. If you are a current student or alum and do not have a copy, please email premed(a)fas.harvard.edu<mailto:premed@fas.harvard.edu> to request access.
If you are applying in a future cycle, please wait and request the new version which will be available in the fall.
7. MSAR. We strongly recommend that all current applicants subscribe to the Medical School Admissions Requirements online database for $28 (access to MSAR is included for free for FAP<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__students-2Dresidents.a…> recipients). Log in to MSAR here<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__apps.aamc.org_msar-2Du…>.
Medical schools have varying policies for matriculation based on factors including state of residency. Current applicants should refer to this spreadsheet when selecting the schools to which to apply. U.S. Medical School Admissions Information - Financial Aid Policies, MCAT policies, and information about in-state, out-of-state, and international applicants<https://ocs.fas.harvard.edu/files/ocs/files/us_med_school_admissions_info-f…> (prepared by Harvard OCS based on information available in the Medical School Admissions Requirements (MSAR)).
If you are a DACA recipient: see the AAMC document Medical School Policies on Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)<https://students-residents.aamc.org/media/7031/download>. This document shows a list of medical schools that have reported willingness to consider applicants who have received DACA. The list is not comprehensive, so you may also need to contact the medical schools directly to learn more.
International students applying to US medical schools can find additional resources here<https://ocs.fas.harvard.edu/information-canadian-other-intl-students>. You may want to reach out to individual medical schools early on in the application process to learn more about their financial aid policies for international students.
8. CASPer. Most applicants to US medical schools will need to take this online situational judgment test (SJT). You can learn more about CASPer here<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__takecasper.com_about-2…>.
Medical schools using CASPer<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__takecasper.com_schools…> (scroll down to find the list of participating US schools).
Scheduling your test: Click here<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__takecasper.com_dates-2…> for the schedule of upcoming CASPer tests. Since participating schools use CASPer as a screening tool, it is important to prepare and schedule your test in a timely manner. Although you will see a range of test dates extending into 2021, plan to take yours by early August in order to ensure timely evaluation at all participating medical schools, and particularly at rolling admissions schools where an earlier interview date confers an advantage over later dates.
The CASPer webinar for applicants can be viewed here<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__takecasper.com_2020_05…>. You may also find the following resources helpful for preparing to take CASPer:
How to Maximize Your Chances of Success on CASPer<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__view.attach.io_HyRRQrd…>
Student Information Flyer on CASPer<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__view.attach.io_rklcvnl…>
The resources page on TakeCASPer.com<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__takecasper.com_blog_&d…>
9. AAMC SJT<https://students-residents.aamc.org/aamc-situational-judgment-test/aamc-sit…>. At the moment, just 6 schools<https://students-residents.aamc.org/aamc-situational-judgment-test/particip…> are using AAMC's Situational Judgement Test (SJT), with just 2 of those schools requiring this test. The AAMC SJT page includes resources<https://students-residents.aamc.org/aamc-situational-judgment-test/prepare-…> on how to prepare. Please note that this test is only offered from June through September<https://students-residents.aamc.org/aamc-situational-judgment-test/aamc-sjt…>.
10. If you still have questions that are not answered in the 2022 applicant webinars, on our website<https://ocs.fas.harvard.edu/amcas> (be sure to review the FAQs for Applicants), or in the AMCAS resources for applicants on the AAMC website, plan to attend our AMCAS Q/A webinars (see #3 above for the schedule). Additional questions not answered elsewhere can be emailed to premed(a)fas.harvard.edu<mailto:premed@fas.harvard.edu>. If you need to email us at premed@fas, please copy the Premed Tutor assigned to you by your House (usually an NRT) and the resident Premed Tutor/s you usually communicate with about your application so that the OCS and House premed teams can coordinate our responses most efficiently. The premed@fas account is accessible and read only by Oona and Emiko.
We hope you are all staying healthy and safe. For those of you still in school, we wish you good luck with finishing up the academic year. To everyone applying in the 2022 cycle, we look forward to supporting you as you start this process and over the coming months!
Best,
Oona and Emiko
Hi all,
Quick reminder that our AMCAS webinar is Thursday 4/22 from 1-2:30pm ET. Please register here: https://harvard.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_LqRZm56HQN2q7v7bSmcFww
We go through many of the details of AMCAS and discuss some Harvard-specific things like Harvard Summer School, ordering transcripts, how to enter your committee letter into AMCAS, etc.!
If you are unable to attend, please email us at premed(a)fas.harvard.edu<mailto:premed@fas.harvard.edu> a week after the webinar (we can't share the recording until it is captioned).
Best,
Emiko & Oona
Emiko Morimoto, PhD
Assistant Director, Premedical and Health Careers Advising
617-495-2595 / morimoto(a)fas.harvard.edu<mailto:morimoto@fas.harvard.edu> / LinkedIn<https://www.linkedin.com/in/emiko-morimoto-7282386/>
Pronouns: she / her / hers
Office of Career Services<http://www.ocs.fas.harvard.edu/>, Harvard University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences
54 Dunster Street, Cambridge, MA 02138
[insta small]<https://www.instagram.com/harvardocs/>
If you are applying to medical school in 2021 for matriculation in 2022, please subscribe to the Harvard OCS Medical School Applicant Listserv, by visiting https://lists.fas.harvard.edu/mailman/listinfo/harvardocs-medschool-applica… and signing up using a @college.harvard.edu address, a @post.harvard.edu address, or an @alumni.harvard.edu address.
Hi 2021 applicants,
Congrats on getting closer to wrapping up the cycle. We know it has been very challenging in almost every possible way, and we hope it's been a successful cycle. If it hasn't and you want to start discussing reapplying, please feel to book a 30 minute appointment with me or Oona.
Choose Your Medical School Tool
Please be familiar with the tool and the guidelines<https://students-residents.aamc.org/applying-medical-school-amcas/amcas-cho…>. Remember that by April 15, if you are holding more than 3 acceptances you must narrow to 3, and by April 30th you can only hold one acceptance. On April 30th, the commit to enroll option becomes available, so if you are ready to commit to a school, you can do so. If you just "plan to enroll" at a school, you are allowed to continue to hold your waitlist spots.
Best,
Emiko & Oona
Emiko Morimoto, PhD
Assistant Director, Premedical and Health Careers Advising
617-495-2595 / morimoto(a)fas.harvard.edu<mailto:morimoto@fas.harvard.edu> / LinkedIn<https://www.linkedin.com/in/emiko-morimoto-7282386/>
Pronouns: she / her / hers
Office of Career Services<http://www.ocs.fas.harvard.edu/>, Harvard University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences
54 Dunster Street, Cambridge, MA 02138
[insta small]<https://www.instagram.com/harvardocs/>
If you are applying to medical school in 2021 for matriculation in 2022, please subscribe to the Harvard OCS Medical School Applicant Listserv, by visiting https://lists.fas.harvard.edu/mailman/listinfo/harvardocs-medschool-applica… and signing up using a @college.harvard.edu address, a @post.harvard.edu address, or an @alumni.harvard.edu address.
Wanted to make sure you were aware of this opportunity...
AAMC Virtual Medical School Fair<https://aamc.6connex.com/event/AAMCVirtualFair/2021/login>
April 22, 2021
11am-4pm ET
Chat with admissions officers from over 80 medical schools & attend live information sessions:
* Applying During and After the COVID-19 Pandemic - What's Changed?
* Resources to Help You Manage Your Finances as a Premed and Beyond
* Live Q&A Panel: Anatomy of an Applicant
* **Registration is free!!
Emiko Morimoto, PhD
Assistant Director, Premedical and Health Careers Advising
617-495-2595 / morimoto(a)fas.harvard.edu<mailto:morimoto@fas.harvard.edu> / LinkedIn<https://www.linkedin.com/in/emiko-morimoto-7282386/>
Pronouns: she / her / hers
Office of Career Services<http://www.ocs.fas.harvard.edu/>, Harvard University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences
54 Dunster Street, Cambridge, MA 02138
[insta small]<https://www.instagram.com/harvardocs/>
If you are applying to medical school in 2021 for matriculation in 2022, please subscribe to the Harvard OCS Medical School Applicant Listserv, by visiting https://lists.fas.harvard.edu/mailman/listinfo/harvardocs-medschool-applica… and signing up using a @college.harvard.edu address, a @post.harvard.edu address, or an @alumni.harvard.edu address.