College and Geographic Context Explorer Access Information

The College and Geographic Context Explorer is currently in the pilot phase as it is evaluated for future integration into AMCAS for Schools. As a pilot, the process to access the tool currently requires multiple steps. We appreciate your patience as we navigate the pilot launch of this tool. Please read the instructions below and contact mcatadmissions@aamc.org with questions.

For AMCAS for Schools users granted access during the July 2025 pilot launch:

1. If you were granted access during the pilot launch, you would have received two emails on or around July 7, 2025, one from AMCAS for Schools and one from Microsoft Invitations. 
2. Locate the email from “Microsoft Invitations on behalf of Association of American Medical Colleges.” This email contains an invitation link to a Microsoft SharePoint group that will allow you to access the Explorer tool. You do not need an existing Microsoft account for access. If you cannot find this email, contact mcatadmissions@aamc.org to request another send.
3. Click the “Accept Invitation” link in that email, and follow the instructions provided in this job aid to gain access to the SharePoint group. 
4. Once you have established SharePoint access by following the steps above, click this link to access the Explorer in Power BI. Your SharePoint authentication should persist on the same device, allowing you to access the tool directly from this link on future visits without repeating steps 1-3.
5. Accept the Terms of Use on the Power BI site and begin exploring. 

For users NOT granted access during the July 2025 pilot launch:

1. Contact mcatadmissions@aamc.org to request access to the Explorer tool. We will grant AMCAS for Schools and other verified users at U.S. medical schools access to the SharePoint group required to access the Explorer tool. 
2. Once SharePoint access is granted, follow steps 1-5 in the section above to access the Explorer tool. 

About the College and Geographic Context Explorer 

The College and Geographic Context Explorer is a map-based tool that shows important information about the regions and institutions your applicants are from. It combines data from the AAMC, U.S. Department of Education, and U.S. Census to help you better understand the undergraduate and geographic context of applicants during the recruitment and admissions process.

The Explorer allows you to answer the following questions:

• What types of undergraduate institutions are your applicants from? 
• How do academic metrics compare across U.S. regions and states?
• How well do applicants align with your mission? 
• Are your recruitment efforts and strategies yielding applicants who will align with your mission? 

The AAMC is here to support your use of academic metrics and contextual data during your recruitment and admissions process. We welcome your feedback and suggestions for improvement on this tool.