Timeline for Application & Admission to Medical School

Meet with Your Pre-Health Advisor

• Schedule an appointment with Dr. John Dubé to introduce yourself, finalize your fall classes, and discuss how to sequence your courses moving forward.
• Attend pre-health advising meetings in the fall and spring

Begin Prerequisite Coursework

• Chemistry: Begin General Chemistry I and II (CHM107 and CHM109, lecture and lab).
• Biology: Take Biology I and II (BIO143 and BIO144, lecture and lab).
• Mathematics: Complete Calculus I (and possibly Calculus II, depending on your major).

Campus Activities

• Learn about campus resources and organizations for pre-health students, including Pre-Med Club and
• Attend pre-health meetings and subscribe to HPAC email
• Develop relationships with faculty, advisors, and mentors. These relationships will be essential for finding volunteer, shadowing, and research opportunities, as well as for securing strong letters of recommendation

Clinical & Volunteer Experiences

• Visit Chatham's Office of Career Development to learn about healthcare-related internships or employment
• Look for medically related work or volunteer experiences during the school year, and consider volunteering at UPMC Shadyside Hospital or other local healthcare facilities.
• Search for opportunities to shadow a physician or other healthcare professional
• Keep a journal about your experiences to refer to later for essays and 

Research Opportunities

• If interested in research, identify potential opportunities with Chatham faculty. Discuss possibilities with professors teaching your science courses.
• Consider participating in summer enrichment or research programs. Click here to explore the AAMC's summer programs. 

Additional Resources

• Explore the AAMC's Aspiring Docs program (aamc.org/aspiringdocs).
• Follow @AAMCPreMed on Facebook and X (Twitter).
• Subscribe to the AAMC's Premed Navigator newsletter.
• Explore osteopathic medicine on aacom.org.

Meet with Your Pre-Health Advisor

• Check in with Dr. Dubé to ensure you are on track with coursework, discuss the MCAT preparation timeline, and review your clinical experiences.
• Continue attending pre-health advising meetings in the fall and spring.

Continue Prerequisite Coursework

• Organic Chemistry: Complete Organic Chemistry I and II (CHM231 and CHM332, lecture and lab).
• Social/Behavioral Sciences: Take psychology, sociology, or other behavioral science courses (many medical schools require these).
• English Literature: Complete an English literature course at the 100 level (required by many medical schools). 

Campus Activities

• Continue developing relationships with faculty, advisors, and mentors.
• Pursue or continue leadership opportunities within pre-health organizations (Pre-Med Club, MedLife).

Clinical & Volunteer Experiences

• Continue meaningful medically related activities, including volunteer roles, paid work, research positions, and/or leadership opportunities in health organizations.
• Consider returning to your previous summer position or applying for a new summer volunteer, paid, or research position in a healthcare-related environment.

Begin Learning About Applications

• Begin to learn about the medical school application process (aamc.org/students/applying).
• Click here to learn about the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT).
• Learn about the PREview Professional Readiness Exam at aamc.org/preview (some schools require or recommend this exam).
• Investigate the AAMC Fee Assistance Program (aamc.org/fap) if applicable.

Strategize Your Application Timeline

• Meet with Dr. Dube to determine if you'll apply to enroll immediately following graduation or after one or more gap years. Many successful applicants choose gap years to strengthen their experiences, pursue meaningful work, complete additional coursework, or gain maturity. Gap years are advantageous and increasingly common.
• If considering a gap year, investigate meaningful paid or volunteer medically related experiences to complete during that time (Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, research positions, clinical work, etc.).

Summer Opportunities

• Apply for summer research, internship, or enrichment programs, such as the Summer Health Professions Education Program (shpep.org).
• Click here to explore AAMC summer research programs.

Fall Term

Meet with Your Pre-Health Advisor

• Meet with Dubé early in the fall semester to ensure you are on track with all requirements.
• Discuss and finalize your application timeline—whether you'll apply after junior year or take gap year(s).
• Develop a backup plan in case you need to reapply or pursue an alternative.

Continue Prerequisite Coursework

• Biochemistry: Complete Biochemistry (typically required by most medical schools).
• Physics: Complete Physics I and II (with labs).

Campus Activities

• Identify, pursue, or continue leadership opportunities within pre-health organizations on
• Think about which faculty, advisors, and mentors you'll approach to write letters of recommendation for your applications. You should request letters in the spring semester.

Clinical & Volunteer Experiences

• Continue participating in meaningful clinical experiences, other medically related activities, volunteer work, and research; if possible, take on a more substantial leadership role.

MCAT Preparation

• Begin serious preparation for the MCAT exam. Attend Chatham's MCAT Preparation Strategy Workshop in October.
• Determine when to register for the MCAT exam in the spring (typically March-May). Visit aamc.org/mcat to find test dates and locations.
• Consider when you should take the PREview exam if required by your target.

Research Medical Schools

• Begin researching medical schools you're interested in using the Medical School Admission Requirements (MSAR) tool at aamc.org/msar.
• Use the 'My Favorites' feature in MSAR to create a preliminary list of schools.
• Research medical school curricula and joint, dual, and combined-degree programs.
• If interested in osteopathic medicine, learn more about the LECOM Early Acceptance Program partnership available to Chatham students.

Begin Your Personal Statement

• Begin working on your personal statement. Attend Chatham's Personal Statement Writing Workshop in November.

Spring Term

Meet with Your Pre-Health Advisor

• Meet with Dubé early in the spring semester to prepare for your HPAC committee interview in May.
• Attend the mandatory Committee Interview Preparation Workshop in early April.

Letters of Recommendation

• Request letters of recommendation from faculty, advisors, and/or healthcare professionals who know you well (typically 2-3 individual letters).
• Discuss letter procedures and timeline with Dr. Dubé. Learn about Chatham's committee letter process.
• Provide your letter writers with your CV, personal statement draft, and information about your goals to help them write strong letters.

Application Preparation

• Decide which schools you want to apply to and finalize your school list with Dubé's guidance.
• Complete and refine your personal statement. Seek feedback from Dr. Dubé, faculty mentors, and Chatham's Writing Center.
• Prepare your curriculum vitae (CV) with all clinical, volunteer, research, employment, and extracurricular experiences.

Take the MCAT Exam

• When you're prepared and ready, take the MCAT exam (typically in March, April, or May).
• If needed, decide when to register to retake the MCAT based on your performance and score release timeline.

HPAC Committee Interview Process

• DEADLINE: Submit all application materials to HPAC by May 1st. Required materials include: personal statement, CV, unofficial transcript, confirmation of letters of recommendation arrangements, and application information form.
• Schedule and complete your HPAC committee interview in mid-May (45 minutes).
• Participate in mock interview sessions offered in February to practice and build confidence.
• Receive feedback from the committee on your interview performance and suggestions for strengthening your application.

Campus Activities & Experiences

• Continue all meaningful clinical experiences, volunteer work, research, and leadership activities. Do not let these lapse even as you focus on applications.

Stay Connected with Your Pre-Health Advisor

• Meet regularly with Dubé throughout the application cycle to discuss:
  • The status of your applications and the admission process
  • Interview preparation and scheduling
  • Any challenges or questions that arise
  • Your options if you need to reapply or pursue alternative paths

Submit Applications

• AMCAS application opens in late May. Complete your AMCAS application as early as possible for the best chance of success (the earlier you apply, the better).
• HPAC committee letters will be finalized in late May and delivered to students in early June. Letters will be uploaded to AMCAS and other application services on your behalf.
• If applying to osteopathic schools, submit applications through AACOMAS (opens in June).
• Complete and submit secondary applications promptly as you receive them (typically July-August). Turn these around within 1-2 weeks of receiving them.
• Periodically verify your application status. Check emails from schools regularly.

Prepare for Interviews

• Become familiar with Application and Acceptance Protocols from the AAMC.
• Prepare for interviews and campus visits. Review your application materials, research each school thoroughly, and practice common interview questions.
• Attend interview preparation workshops and practice with Dubé or HPAC members if needed.

Complete Coursework & Maintain Performance

• Complete all coursework required for medical school and for your Do not let your grades slip during senior year—medical schools will see your final transcripts and may rescind acceptances if grades decline significantly.

Continue Meaningful Activities

• Continue meaningful clinical, volunteer, research, and leadership activities throughout your senior year or gap year. Schools want to see sustained commitment, not just checkbox activities.

Many successful applicants take one or more gap years before medical school. Gap years can strengthen your application, provide valuable life and work experience, allow time for additional coursework if needed, and give you the maturity and perspective that medical schools value. Gap years are increasingly common and often advantageous.

Stay Connected with Your Pre-Health Advisor

• Continue to meet regularly or keep in touch with Dr. Dubé throughout your gap year(s), especially if you are reapplying or updating your application.

Seek Meaningful Experiences

• Pursue meaningful employment, education, and/or experiences, if possible, in medically related environments. Examples include:
  • Clinical research coordinator positions
  • Medical scribe or medical assistant roles
  • Public health positions
  • Peace Corps or AmeriCorps service
  • Post-baccalaureate premedical programs (if strengthening academics)
  • Master's programs in related fields
  • Global health or volunteer medical work

Financial Planning

• Pay down credit card and/or undergraduate debt as much as possible during gap
• Review the AAMC's financial resources and information: students-residents.aamc.org/financial-aid
• Save money for medical school application costs, interview travel, and moving expenses.

If Reapplying

• Meet with Dubé to develop a reapplication strategy if you were not accepted in your first application cycle.
• Identify areas for improvement (MCAT score, clinical experience, personal statement, school selection, etc.).
• Use gap year experiences to strengthen your candidacy.

Congratulations! You've been accepted to medical school. Here are the important steps to take before you matriculate:

Make Your Decision

• Receive program acceptances and carefully consider your options.
• Make interim and final decisions about which medical school to attend. Consider factors like curriculum, location, cost, student culture, and fit.
• Notify medical schools on or before the deadline that you will not be attending. This is an ethical obligation and allows other students on waitlists to receive offers.

Financial Aid & Logistics

• Ensure all financial aid forms are completed and submitted as early as Complete the FAFSA and any school-specific forms.
• Purchase books and equipment as required by your medical school.
• Make appropriate living Research housing options near campus and secure housing early.

Prepare for Matriculation

• Attend orientation programs offered by your medical school. These are invaluable for meeting classmates, learning about resources, and preparing for the rigors ahead.
• Complete any required pre-matriculation coursework, immunizations, background checks, or other requirements specified by your school.
• Matriculate into medical school! Celebrate this incredible achievement and prepare for the challenging and rewarding journey ahead.

Stay in Touch

• Let Dr. Dubé and Chatham HPAC know where you'll be attending medical school. We love celebrating our students' successes and staying connected with our alumni!