Dear 2020 applicants, We wanted to share our new guidelines for navigating the 2020 med school application cycle. Please review this and check out the various links, workshops, and resources. Best, Emiko & Oona Navigating the 2020 Medical School Application Cycle Your House and the Office of Career Services (OCS) each provide a lot of support to help you through the long, complex and often stressful application process. This handout will direct you through the steps and help you best utilize the support offered by OCS and your House. Review the Process: Start by attending, in person or virtually, the OCS Medical School Application Process Workshop Wednesday 2/6, 7:00-8:00pm & Tuesday, 2/12, 4:30-5:30pm (webinar) You must attend this workshop to be eligible for an OCS "2020 med school applicant advising appointment." (Note- applicants unable to participate at these times will be able to view the webinar at a later time to gain access to advising). Fill out the House Information Form/Questionnaire: Make sure that your House is aware that you are applying for 2020 matriculation and complete the House personal information form/questionnaire. Be Aware of House Deadlines: Be sure you are in touch with your House regarding all deadlines and expectations. House Advising: Your House will assign you an individual adviser (resident or non-resident tutor) to assist you throughout the cycle. They will provide support on your personal statement, school list, mock interviews, secondary applications, institutional action, etc. Personal Statement: Attend the OCS workshop on Personal Statements: Monday 2/25, 4:30-6pm. Review your personal statement with an adviser in your House. Unfortunately, due to the volume of applicants, OCS is not able to review personal statements. Selecting Schools: Attend the OCS workshop on Selecting Schools: Thursday 4/4, 5:30-6:30pm. Be sure to review the requirements for individual schools and our resource detailing which schools accept out-of-state and international applicants. The AMCAS Application Process: Attend the OCS workshop on Completing the AMCAS Application: Monday 4/22 5-6:30pm (webinar). OCS advisers are not able to review the AMCAS activities list. Letters of Recommendation: Review the OCS resources on building your file of letters of recommendation and be sure your letters are submitted to your House by the House deadline. Interview Prepartion: OCS will hold several interview workshops beginning in late August (sign up will be available in the late summer). OCS advisers are not able to do individual mock interviews. OCS Medical School Application Advising: OCS will be offering Med School Application Q&A Webinars: Wednesdays 5/1, 5/8, 5/15, 5/22, 5/29, 6/5, 6/12 (variable times). Students and alumni who have attended the OCS Medical School Application Workshop can also make individual "2020 med school applicant advising appointments" from February through June to go over their school list, individual concerns, and other issues such as disadvantaged status and applying as a reapplicant, an international student, or DACA/undocumented student. Due to the volume of applicants, the OCS premed advisers are unable to provide advising on personal statements, AMCAS activities, and secondary application essays. For these topics, please refer to the House non-resident and resident tutors. Current applicants are only eligible for up to two OCS premed adviser appointments from February to June. OCS does not offer any advising services during the month of July.