The Medical Minority Applicant Registry (Med-MAR)

Med-MAR was created to enhance admission opportunities for groups currently underrepresented in medicine. Students applying to medical school who self-identify they are from groups underrepresented in medicine or who are economically disadvantaged and have taken the most recent MCAT can register for the Med-MAR.

The program's registry distributes Web-based basic biographical information about the examinee and the examinee's MCAT scores to minority affairs and admission offices of AAMC member schools and certain health-related agencies interested in increasing opportunities for students who self-identify as underrepresented or economically disadvantaged individuals.

You are eligible for Med-MAR if you meet the following criteria:

1. You are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident visa holder, and;
   
2. You self identify as a member of a racial or ethnic group currently underrepresented in medicine and/or economically disadvantaged.

If you meet the eligibility requirements and ask to be included in the registry, the following computerized information is made available to U.S. medical schools and other health-related agencies: name, address, date of birth, Social Security Number, state of legal residence, racial/ethnic self-description, undergraduate college, major, MCAT scores.

A medical school, wishing to increase its applicant pool of students from groups who self-identify as a member of a racial or ethnic group currently underrepresented in medicine or who are economically disadvantaged, uses the registry to mail information about the school directly to registrants. Med-MAR registrants are also encouraged to apply directly to medical schools they wish to attend.

Med-MAR serves only as a means of identifying and communicating the availability of applicants from groups who self-identify as underrepresented in medicine and/or as economically disadvantaged. No attempt is made by the Med-MAR to advise students where to apply or to influence any admissions decisions.

The registration to participate in the Med-MAR is during the MCAT registration. Prior to MCAT registration, the candidate is required to read online the MCAT Essentials. Under the section "Score Release Options" the candidate would have the opportunity to read about releasing his/her scores and biographical data to Med-MAR. During the registration process, the candidate will be prompted to accept or reject this offer. Registration is the only time the candidate will be asked about these releases (this, too, is stated in the MCAT Essentials).

Med-MAR registrants also are encouraged to review the following AAMC publications before choosing which schools they wish to attend:

• Medical School Admission Requirements (MSAR™)—Contains current and official information on premedical preparation and admission for schools in the United States and Canada. Each school entry includes information on admission requirements, selection factors, financial aid, and information for individuals from racial and ethnic groups that are underrepresented in medicine. There is a chapter entirely devoted to information for applicants from groups that are underrepresented in medicine.
   
• Minority Student Opportunities in United States Medical Schools—Contains descriptions of medical school programs designed to provide opportunities for racial and ethnic groups that are underrepresented in medicine. Topic areas include recruitment, admission, academic aid, summer programs, and financial aid.