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  • Affinity Group

    GSA Committee on Admissions (COA)

    The GSA National Committee on Admissions (COA) provides guidance on national policy and procedural issues regarding the admission of students to medical school, and the admission of transfer students or candidates with advanced standing. The Committee receives regular reports regarding two services of the AAMC: the American Medical Colleges Application Service (AMCAS) and the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT).

    Committee Charge

    The Committee discusses issues of national interest that are brought to its attention by GSA constituents or AAMC staff. The Committee may identify projects, such as a national survey or the development of a brochure, where an issue is of national importance and interest. The Committee is advisory to the GSA Steering Committee, and, as such, makes regular reports to the Steering Committee and seeks approval of the Steering Committee for special projects.

    Message from the Chair

    I am honored to serve the national medical school admissions community and the AAMC as the chair of the Committee on Admissions (COA). COA is one of five national committees of the GSA and as with all of these GSA National Committees, we are advisory to the Group on Student Affairs (GSA) Steering Committee and to the AAMC. Our Committee is comprised of the COA chair, four regional representatives, the Committee on Student Diversity Affairs (COSDA) representative, the President of the National Association of Advisors for the Health Professions (NAAHP), an Organization of Student Representative (OSR) Liaison and the GSA National Vice-Chair.

    At this time in history, as we face a myriad of unprecedented challenges due to COVID-19, it is more important now than ever that we work together to understand and to address the multitude of challenges that all constituents- including applicants, pre-health advisors, and admissions officers- face in these difficult and unpredictable times. COA will work to ensure that our charge, to provide guidance on national policy and procedural issues regarding the admission of students to medical school, is fulfilled in collaboration with all stakeholders, and as these unpredictable times unfold, stand ready to move forward with flexibility and creativity.

    We welcome your interest in the efforts of COA. With engagement of our admissions community and its diverse voices, we will be able to more effectively help to shape and to guide medical school admissions, and we encourage you to contact us with any admissions-related questions, ideas or proposals.

    Sincerely,

    Lina Mehta, MD
    National Chair, GSA Committee on Admissions
    Associate Dean for Admissions
    Professor of Radiology
    Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine

    Member Resources

    Handbook for Admissions Officer

    The Handbook for Admissions Officers updated by the Committee on Admissions in 2015 compiles key information, examples of best office practices, and general wisdom based on decades of experience. This handbook is included within the GSA Member Handbook in order to reflect the important relationship between admissions and student affairs. In an effort to go green, this handbook is not available in print. However, you may download the entire handbook (PDF).

    Resources

    (Sign In Required for Some Resources)
    The AAMC offers members access to a wide range of resources. Please select the sign in link located at the top of this page to access member-only resources and all their features:

    Associations

    COA Committee Roster

    Chair
    Lina Mehta, MD (April 2020 – November 2023)
    Associate Dean for Admissions
    Professor of Radiology
    Case Western Reserve School of Medicine

    GSA National Vice-Chair
    Joel Maurer, MD (November 2022 – November 2023)
    Assistant Dean for Admissions
    Associate Professor
    Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology
    College of Human Medicine
    Michigan State University
    Clinical Center

    Committee on Student Diversity Affairs (COSDA) Representative
    Dimple Patel, MS (November 2021 – November 2024)
    Associate Dean for Admissions
    University of Minnesota Medical School/Twin Cities Campus 

    Central Region (CGSA) Representative
    Brian Steele, EdD (December 2022 – November 2023)
    Associate Dean for Admissions; Assistant Professor, Family Medicine
    University of Kansas School of Medicine 

    Northeast Region (NEGSA) Representative
    Liesel Copeland, PhD (November 2020 – April 2023)
    Assistant Dean of Medical Education and Admissions
    Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School

    Southern Region (SGSA) Representative
    Judianne Kellaway, MD, MEd (November 2020 – November 2023)
    Associate Dean for Admissions & Outreach
    Professor of Ophthalmology
    The Long School of Medicine
    UT Health Science Center San Antonio

    Western Region (WGSA) Representative
    Leila E Harrison, PhD, MA, MEd (April 2019 – November 2023)
    Vice Dean for Admissions, Student Affairs, and Alumni Engagement
    Clinical Assistant Professor
    Office of Admissions and Student Affairs
    Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine

    National Association of Advisors for the Health Professions (NAAHP) Liaison
    Michael Deibel, PhD (June 2020 – June 2023)
    Interim Dean of the Faculty
    Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs
    Professor of Chemistry
    Earlham College

    Organization of Student Representatives (OSR) Liaison
    Kia Smurawa (May 2021- May 2023)
    MD Candidate, Class of 2023
    Medical College of Wisconsin

    AAMC Staff Liaison
    Irena Tartakovsky, MD, MS
    Director, Constituent Engagement
    Association of American Medical Colleges