AMCAS Application: The Ultimate Guide (2026)
A step-by-step guide to completing the AMCAS application for medical school
The AMCAS application is used by most allopathic medical schools in the U.S.
What is the AMCAS application?
If you’re applying to medical school for the first time, you’ve likely heard of AMCAS, the American Medical College Application Service.
Run by the Association of American Medical Colleges, the AMCAS medical school application is a centralized application service through which you’ll submit your grades, MCAT scores, descriptions of your work experience and extracurricular activities, your AMCAS personal statement, and AMCAS letters of recommendation. The AMCAS is basically the Common Application for MD programs.
AMCAS is used widely by U.S. allopathic medical schools, so it’s necessary to understand how it works and how to fill it out correctly. It can be a confusing system to navigate, so we’ve broken it down into its tiniest components in this comprehensive AMCAS application guide. Below, we’ll walk you through each step of the process so you can be sure to get it right.
What to know before getting started
Before you sit down to work on your AMCAS application, it's helpful to familiarize yourself with a few particulars regarding deadlines and what happens after it's been submitted.
Deadlines:
AMCAS is centralized, but submission deadlines vary by school — make a list of each school's deadline for both your application and your official transcripts.
All materials must be received by 11:59 p.m. ET on the deadline date.
Early Decision Program applicants: the deadline is August 3.
Submit early. Because most schools use rolling admissions, a June submission consistently outperforms an August one.
How does AMCAS process my application?
Verification generally takes about six weeks during the peak season, which runs from June through September. While you might see that timeline drop to just one or two weeks if you submit early, the wait can stretch to four to six weeks once the queue builds up. For instance, submitting in early June could mean you’re verified by late June, whereas a late-June submission might not be cleared until August. You can keep an eye on your progress at any time by clicking "View Application Status" on the main menu. While you're there, you will see one of two key statuses: "Ready for Review," which means AMCAS has received all your materials, including transcripts, and is waiting to check them, or "Under Review," which indicates that AMCAS is actively verifying that everything in your application is in order.
Tips for reapplicants
Reapplying isn't a setback. It's a chance to present a stronger, more self-aware application. Start by honestly diagnosing what held you back, then rebuild around it.
Assess what went wrong:
Was your GPA or MCAT score below your target schools' averages?
Were your personal statement and secondaries compelling and specific to your journey?
Get outside eyes — whether mentors, advisors, consultants, or otherwise — on your previous application.
Revise your essays:
Keep your core motivation, but show growth and new experiences since you last applied.
Weave in additional clinical experience, research, or post-baccalaureate coursework.
Don't reuse old essays. Fresh, reflective content signals accountability and readiness.
Update your Work and Activities section:
Keep strong, still-relevant descriptions; revise the rest to reflect new achievements and responsibilities.
Highlight any new clinical, research, or volunteer work and any leadership roles you've taken on.
The goal: show admissions committees exactly how you've strengthened your candidacy since last cycle.
Using AI on your application
When you sign your AMCAS certification, you are acknowledging that while AI is a permitted tool for brainstorming, proofreading, and editing your essays, there is a very clear line you must not cross. Your final submission must genuinely reflect your own work and experiences. This means that having AI draft, outline, or write your personal statement or Work and Activities entries is strictly prohibited.
The certification acts as a sworn attestation; if a medical school concludes that an essay isn't authentically yours, they can treat it as a serious integrity issue. Admissions readers review thousands of applications and are highly skilled at spotting generic, voice-less AI prose, which can hurt your candidacy even if no specific rules are broken.
How schools use AI to review applications
Regarding how your application is reviewed, the AAMC has clarified that they are exploring ways for AI to support rather than replace human reviewers. Their core admissions services remain designed and operated by people. While a few individual institutions, such as the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, have adopted AI-assisted screening to help triage large applicant pools, this is currently a school-specific choice rather than an AMCAS-wide practice.
The bottom line for any applicant is to never assume an algorithm is deciding your fate. You should always write with a human reader in mind, ensuring your unique voice and personal journey remain at the forefront of your application.
AMCAS registration
The first step is to register an account. Go to the AMCAS website. You’ll see a tab to the right labeled “AMCAS Sign In.”
Click on it, and on the next screen you’ll see an option to create an account. You’ll be asked for your name and email address. It’s fairly straightforward. Once you’ve confirmed your email, you’ll be registered.
Starting an AMCAS application
Once you've signed into your new account, you'll see the available application cycles. To start in the summer or fall of 2027, click "Start the 2027 application…"
You'll first enter some preliminary details and get your AMCAS ID:
Preliminary info: your legal name, citizenship, and birth information.
Your AMCAS ID: a number you'll want to keep handy all cycle — you'll use it in your signature every time you email an admissions office with an update letter, letter of intent, or letter of interest.
Note that the system can be finicky — you must complete certain sections (like identifying and college information) before moving on to the core of the application.
The next two pages cover "Schools Attended" and "Biographical Information." Both are straightforward but time-consuming:
Schools Attended: your college(s) and high school, dates attended, degrees earned, and majors/minors.
Institutional actions: if you have any on your record (from academic performance or a conduct violation), you'll write a short explanatory statement. AMCAS allots 1,325 characters (roughly 200–250 words).
Biographical Information: contact info, citizenship, family details, languages spoken, and more.
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AMCAS coursework
As part of the AMCAS application, you’re asked to enter all of your college coursework. It’s a headache, but luckily not all that complicated. Keep your transcript next to you and plug and play. The trickiest part may be coming up with course classifications. Not all courses classify neatly as belonging to one subject. If you ever get confused—for instance, as you’re entering an interdisciplinary course, refer to how your university classified it.
Remember as you designate “Academic Year” that the AMCAS year begins in summer and ends in spring. Per the AMCAS website: “Don’t enter your summer courses in the wrong year. If your course was taken in the summer of calendar year 2022, it goes in the 2022-2023 academic year (AY). This is AY 2022-2023 in the AMCAS application.”
AMCAS course classification
When calculating your GPA, the AMCAS application separates Biology/Chemistry/Physics/Math courses, otherwise known as “BCPM courses” or “science courses,” from “non-science courses,” otherwise known as “all other (AO) courses.” Collectively your BCPM GPA (science GPA) and AO GPA (non-science GPA) comprise your total GPA.
The AMCAS Course Classification Guide clarifies what courses count as BCPM courses as follows:
Biology: Anatomy | Biology | Biophysics | Biotechnology | Botany | Cell Biology | Ecology | Entomology | Genetics | Histology | Immunology | Microbiology | Molecular Biology | Neuroscience | Physiology | Zoology
Chemistry: Biochemistry | Chemistry | Physical Chemistry | Thermodynamics
Physics: Astronomy | Physics
Mathematics: Applied Mathematics | Biostatistics | Mathematics | Statistics
Some students ask whether a research course will be classified as a science or non-science course within AMCAS. It typically depends on whether the course is classified under one of the BCPM departments listed above. That said, you have the option of selecting science or non-science in your application when listing courses, but AMCAS reserves the right to change those classifications upon review.
AMCAS transcripts
AMCAS requires one official transcript from every post-secondary institution (i.e., college-level and beyond, including college courses you took during high school) where you have attempted course work. Official transcripts must be sent directly from each institution. Moreover, AMCAS accepts both paper and electronic transcripts. Finally, you should wait until you have registered for an AMCAS account before requesting that your transcript(s) be sent to ensure that AMCAS can accurately match your transcript(s) with your application ID and to avoid delays.
(Note: You can find detailed instructions on how to send your transcript(s) to AMCAS.)
Once your transcripts have been received and verified, AMCAS will not accept updated transcripts. Therefore, your course list and GPA will be “locked in,” even if you receive new course grades since submitting your AMCAS application. If you would like to update individual schools on more recent grades, you may do so in your secondaries—if there’s a natural place to mention an update—or via an update letter.
That said, if you’re applying with an exceptional GPA, like a 3.9+, then sending an update about how you received more As is probably not necessary. On the other hand, if you applied with, say, a 3.6+ and your spring or summer grades took you over the 3.7+ GPA mark, that would justify a grade update.
AMCAS Work and Activities section
In this part of your AMCAS application you’ll list work experiences and extracurricular activities that have been meaningful to you or that are relevant for your future career in medicine.
You can list up to 15 examples. You’ll be asked to highlight up to three as the most meaningful (or at least one, if you’ve listed two or more examples). You’ll write about these most meaningful experiences, focusing on your impact and the qualities these experiences demonstrate. The process can take some time, but it’s not that difficult once you get the hang of it.
For more details plus numerous examples, read our comprehensive AMCAS Work and Activities guide.
When you click “Add Work/Activity,” an entry page will come up. First, you’ll be asked to place the experience in one of several categories. These include community service (medical or non-medical), artistic endeavor, honors/awards, military service, paid employment, and hobbies, among others. If you can’t find an appropriate category, you can choose “other.”
You’ll then be asked to list the start and end dates of the experience, the name of the organization (if there is one), and a contact name for a supervisor, manager, mentor, etc. (if applicable).
Finally, there’s a box for you to describe the experience. There are 700 characters allotted. You’ll then have to check “Yes” or “No” on whether you consider it one of your most meaningful experiences.
If you do select “Yes,” you’ll be prompted to add 1,325 additional characters.
AMCAS letters of evaluation/recommendation
Next, you’ll have the opportunity to enter letters of recommendation. As noted in the AMCAS guidelines, you’re not required to complete this section before submitting your application, and you’ll be able to submit your application before letters have been received by AMCAS. The reason for this is simply that medical schools have varying deadlines for letters of recommendation and some may not participate in the AMCAS Letters Service (though most do).
You’ll create one AMCAS entry for each letter or letter source—whether it’s a letter from an individual, a committee letter, or letter packet.
You do not need to create separate entries for each individually authored letter if you’ll be receiving a packet or set of letters from, say, your pre-health committee or career center office. If the letters are grouped together as a packet from one source, or are from a committee, you can make one entry for the whole set.
You can create up to 10 entries. Entries may be added and assigned to medical schools after the application has been submitted, but they cannot be edited or deleted after submission. If you’re reapplying for a new cycle, you must resubmit your letters (they don’t roll over).
For each entry, you’ll enter the type of letter (individual, committee, or letter packet), and contact information for the author(s). Once you click “save,” you’ll be asked if you’d like to generate a Letter Request Form.
This form is important, as it allows you to match your letters to your application. You’ll be able to create this form at any time throughout the application process. The form is personalized to you, using your information, and should be sent to the author of your letter(s) or the person that will be sending them. It must accompany all letters sent to AMCAS, whether electronically or by mail. The Letter Request Form also contains instructions on how to send letters to AMCAS for your letter authors.
As you add entries, you’ll be able to see the titles, as well as their status (received or not received), and your letter ID number. When you choose which medical schools you’d like to apply to in the next section, you’ll be able to assign letters to specific schools.
AMCAS medical schools
On the next page, you’ll be able to select the medical schools to which you’d like to apply. Simply type the name of the school or select it from the dropdown menu, or you can filter results by state, deadline, and program type. You can submit AMCAS to only one program and add others, including dual degree programs, at any time.
Once you’ve added a school, you’ll be able to assign letters of recommendation to it and select the program(s) to which you’re applying. You can check boxes for all or some of the letter entries. On this screen, you’ll also be able to see whether the institution uses the AMCAS Letter Service. Remember that you can always add letters later on, even after you’ve submitted your AMCAS application.
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AMCAS essays
On the next tab, labeled “Essays,” you’ll be able to enter your AMCAS personal statement, which here is called “Personal Comments.” It’s a surprisingly low-key screen that belies the importance of what’s being asked of you. This is the big chance for you to say the things about yourself that statistics can’t convey.
5,300 characters are allotted to explain your personal narrative, and why you want to go to medical school. Check out our medical school personal statement guide for advice on how to tackle your AMCAS personal statement, including numerous full-length essay examples.
Note that MD/PhD programs require two additional essays—the “Why MD/PhD?” essay and the Significant Research Experience essay—which are covered in our comprehensive MD-PhD guide.
AMCAS standardized tests
Finally, you’ll have the opportunity to list your test scores. All MCAT tests for which you’ve received a score are released automatically to AMCAS. Remember that most medical schools require an MCAT score from some time in the three years preceding your application. If you’ve taken the MCAT, ensure that your score is listed here.
You’ll need your MCAT exam date:
If you’ve yet to take the MCAT, or you haven’t yet received the scores for a recent test, list the date you plan to take it (or the date it was taken). Without this information, admissions committees won’t know to expect a score or additional scores from you. If you receive a score and report it, remember to update this section to show that you no longer have an upcoming test.
You’ll also be able to enter other test scores, such as the GRE, the LSAT, or the GMAT.
Submitting the AMCAS application
Once your application is complete, you'll certify several statements, which act as your legal signature. Ensure all your information is correct — your ability to edit is limited once you've submitted. After the Acceptance of Conditions, you can pay your application fees by credit card. Your application won’t be processed until all fees are paid.
AMCAS fees (2026–2027 cycle):
$180 processing fee, which includes your first medical school designation
$48 for each additional school
Tax, where applicable, is calculated at checkout
AAMC Fee Assistance Program
If you're eligible, the AAMC Fee Assistance Program (FAP) can significantly cut your application and MCAT costs — over $2,000 in total benefits.
Eligibility:
You must have a U.S.-based address
Your total family income must be at or below 400% of the federal poverty line for your family size (tied to HHS poverty guidelines)
You must be actively applying to medical school
Benefits (for 2026 approval, valid through Dec. 31, 2027):
Reduced MCAT registration fee — $145 instead of $355
Free MCAT Official Prep online bundle
Complimentary 2-year MSAR database subscription
Waiver of all AMCAS fees for one submission, covering up to 20 medical school designations (unused designations don't roll over)
Waived AAMC PREview registration fee for your first exam (60% discount on additional registrations)
60% ERAS discount on up to 50 applications when you later apply for residency
Some schools also waive secondary application fees for FAP recipients — check each school's MSAR profile. One key rule: FAP is not retroactive, so apply before registering for the MCAT or submitting your AMCAS application.
What you can edit after submitting
Once submitted, you can edit only a limited set of fields (letters of recommendation, for instance, can still be added or updated afterward):
ID numbers
Name and contact information
Date of birth
Gender
Your next MCAT test date
Release of application details to your prehealth advisor
Designations of additional medical schools
Because so little is editable, double-check everything before submitting. If you spot an error you can't fix directly — an incorrectly calculated GPA, a wrong school name, omitted coursework — you may need an Academic Change Request, found under "Quick Links" on your AMCAS Main Menu.
If you make changes, click "Resubmit application" and recertify, or your changes won't save. AMCAS notes that changes don't affect your processing time.
Withdrawing your application
Sometimes applicants need to withdraw — whether from an unexpected life event or a rethinking of timing. Keep in mind:
Withdrawing is permanent — you can't continue an application for that academic year.
Your initial processing fee is not refunded, though you can get a refund for each school whose deadline hasn't yet passed.
If your application was already processed, contact each school directly to withdraw.
The "Withdraw Application" button is on the right side of the main menu.
AMCAS verification requirements
Applicants often ask what AMCAS needs in order to verify an application. Here's the breakdown:
| Required for Verification | Not Required for Verification |
|---|---|
| Demographic information | MCAT score |
| Work and Activities section | Letters of recommendation |
| Personal statement | School list (besides the one school required to submit) |
| Grades and official transcripts received | CASPer |
How to avoid verification delays
Verification delays are a stressor you can prevent. The most common causes:
Transcript discrepancies — typos in credit hours, missing grades, or courses listed out of chronological order
Incomplete or inaccurate coursework — leaving out any course, including repeats or withdrawals
Name mismatches — if your transcripts list you under different names, include all of them
Double-check everything before submitting, and submit early to avoid the peak-season backlog.
Final thoughts
Though it can be time consuming, the hassle of filling out the AMCAS medical school application is far outweighed by the convenience of a single service to submit most of your application materials. You’ll still have to submit secondary essays, but you’ll be able to breathe a big sigh of relief knowing your AMCAS application is behind you.
Frequently asked questions
Below is a list of the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) we receive about the AMCAS application.
Please ask any other questions you have about AMCAS in the comments section below. We’ll make sure to answer your questions within 24 hours and add some of them to this FAQ section to make it easier for other students to find this information.
Do all of my recommendation letters need to be uploaded before my AMCAS application can be submitted or verified?
No, you can submit your AMCAS application—and have it verified—before any letters of recommendation have been uploaded to the portal.
Do I need to have an official MCAT score for my AMCAS application to be submitted or verified?
No, your AMCAS can be submitted and verified before you have an official MCAT score.
How can I send MCAT scores to AMCAS?
You do not need to send MCAT scores to AMCAS because your scores are automatically sent to the portal.
Can I pick and choose which MCAT scores I send to AMCAS?
Unfortunately not. All MCAT scores will be released to AMCAS and seen by medical schools.
How much does AMCAS cost?
The AMCAS application costs $175 for the first school and $46 for each additional school in 2025. Keep in mind, that there is still a $345 fee for the MCAT, and you may also encounter fees for secondary applications at individual schools.
If you’re having trouble affording these fees, you may qualify for the AMCAS Fee Assistance Program, mentioned above.
Which med schools use AMCAS?
Most MD-granting schools participate in AMCAS with the exception of many Texas-based schools which use TMDSAS. You can find a full list of participating schools on the AMCAS website.
How can I contact AMCAS?
You can contact AMCAS via email (amcas@aamc.org) or phone at (202) 828-0600. You can also send them a message here. Their offices are open 9AM–7PM EST Monday–Friday and closed on Wednesdays from 3–5PM EST.
About the Author
Dr. Shirag Shemmassian is the Founder of Shemmassian Academic Consulting and one of the world's foremost experts on medical school admissions. For over 20 years, he and his team have helped thousands of students get into medical school using his exclusive approach.
