OSR Liaison Update - GSA Committee on Admissions (COA)

July 2009

Medical School Applicant Studies Update - Medical school applications are now processed by AMCAS within 72 hours of receipt. The overall medical student applicant pool is flat for 2009 and the total applicant pool is expected to hover around 42,000. The 2010 total entering medical school class is expected to be 18,350 in comparison to 18,036 last year due to the opening of four new medical schools. Several major studies are currently underway including reviews of applicants with community college coursework and a review of course requirements for the medical school application.

American Medical College Application Services (AMCAS) - 14,075 AMCAS applications have been submitted (1.4% increase from last year) as of July 10, 2009 with students applying to an average of 16 schools. The current verification turn-around time is approximately 2.5 weeks.

Fee Assistance Program (FAP) - The FAP eligibility threshold is currently 300% above the poverty level and the number of applications completed as of July 10, 2009 is 4,675, which is a 30% increase over 2008. The number of applications approved has increased 32% to 3,414 and the number of denials has also increased 25% to 1,261.

Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) Update - There are currently 28 test dates for the MCAT and scores are usually released 30-35 days after the test date. The new fee assistance program for examinees applying for the MCAT now includes subsidization for evaluation of whether the applicant would qualify for testing accommodations. The award is up to $500 and the funding is first-come first-served and will be good for testing in 2010. The MCAT is also currently undergoing its fifth comprehensive review (MR5).

Criminal Background Checks (CBC) - CBCs through Certiphi Screening Inc. have been approved for service for the 2010 entering class admissions cycle. All medical school applicants applying through AMCAS will now be screened in January, 2010.

Virtual Letters of Evaluation (LOE) - 117 medical schools are receiving virtual LOEs through AMCAS and 21,500 letters have been received to date. Authentication of letters of recommendations remains a concern that has been raised with the virtual LOEs and has not been resolved at this point.

Holistic Review Update - The COA is continuing to help with the AAMC Holistic Review project for admissions in order to develop tools and resources that medical schools can adopt or adapt to create and sustain student diversity. The committee is exploring how AMCAS can give medical schools a better idea of unique student qualities. An implementation plan to guide medical schools is currently being developed in order to facilitate the use of a holistic review in the admissions process.

Additional Items - The GSA-COA also discussed feedback from the 2009 admissions professional development conference, potential revisions to a new edition of the admissions handbook, and admission committee evaluations of online and community college premedical courses.

If you have any questions, comments, or recommendations concerning the GSA-COA, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Gabriel Fine
OSR GSA-Committee on Admissions Liaison
University of Washington School of Medicine
fineg@u.washington.edu

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