Early Decision Medical School

Before submitting an Early Decision Program (Early Decision Program) application, students are encouraged to review the Medical School Admission Requirements site. This powerful online database allows students to browse, search, sort and compare individual U.S. and Canadian medical schools and BS/MD programs. This tool includes specific Early Decision Program data including deadline dates and specific residency requirements.

Early Decision Program

The Early Decision Program gives medical school applicants the opportunity to secure an acceptance from one Early Decision Program-participating medical school by October 1, while still allowing sufficient time to apply to other schools if you are not accepted.

New section

New section

To apply through the Early Decision Program, applicants must follow these guidelines:

• Apply to only one U.S. medical school by the stated deadline date (August 1* for schools that participate in AMCAS);
• Not to apply through the Early Decision Program if they have already submitted an initial or secondary application (AMCAS or non-AMCAS) to a U.S. medical school for the current entering class.
• Attend only this school if offered a place under the Early Decision Program to familiarize yourself and comply with the school-specific Early Decision Program policies and agreements of the program to which you were accepted, including any school-specific impacts if you decide to change programs types and apply to other medical schools.

If these guidelines are met, applicants will be notified of the school’s admission decision by October 1.
If not accepted under the Early Decision Program, applicants will automatically be placed in the regular applicant pool by the school and may then apply to additional schools. Early Decision Program regulations apply to both AMCAS and non-AMCAS participating schools. Not all medical schools offer admission through the Early Decision Program; check medical schools’ admission requirements to verify a school’s participation. Since most participating schools only admit a small portion of their entering class through the program, only applicants with an excellent chance of admission to a particular school should apply under this program.

Medical School Admission Requirements®

Before submitting an Early Decision Program (Early Decision Program) application, students are encouraged to review the Medical School Admission Requirements site. This powerful online database allows students to browse, search, sort and compare individual U.S. and Canadian medical schools and BS/MD programs. This tool includes specific Early Decision Program data including deadline dates and specific residency requirements.

*If August 1 or October 1 falls on a weekend/holiday, the deadline will apply to the next business day.

Medical School Admission Requirements™

The Medical School Admission Requirements™ (MSAR®) is an online database that enables you to browse, search, sort, and compare information about U.S. and Canadian medical schools and BS/MD.

Should You Apply Early Decision to Medical School?

More than ninety allopathic medical schools operate Early Decision Programs (EDPs). Is applying early right for you? Even for very competitive applicants with high MCAT scores and GPA , applying early to medical school is risky. We advise caution as you carefully weigh the potential advantages and drawbacks.

How Early Decision Programs Work

Students who apply for early decision take the MCAT in April or May (or in the year prior to applying) and typically submit their AMCAS application in early June. The official EDP deadline for schools that participate in AMCAS is August 1.

Early decision applicants are prohibited from applying to any other school until they receive a decision on their application, by October 1 or earlier. If you are accepted, then you are obligated to accept the offer.

Potential Advantages of Applying Early to Med School

1. It streamlines the admission process.

You will only have to apply to one school, thus reducing the cost and hassle of applying to med school .

2. It reduces senior year stress.

You will have your med school admission decision early in your senior year. If accepted, you will be able to enjoy your last year of college with less stress and worry.

3. It demonstrates your enthusiasm.

You are clearly stating your first choice of school, which can be advantageous to your med school application. Medical schools prefer to admit students who have a strong interest in their particular program. However, med schools do not admit students via early decision who would not be admitted during the regular admissions cycle. If you are a marginal applicant, you will not improve your chances of admission by applying early decision.

Drawbacks of Applying Early

1. You must be 100% ready to commit.

You need to be absolutely certain that you want to attend the medical school you apply to. If you are accepted, you have to attend, even if you later discover something that makes you less inclined to go to that school.

2. Only a small portion of the entering class is accepted early.

Early Decision admission, like everything else related to med school, is very competitive. Since med schools only save a few seats for early decision applicants, your application must be a standout from great grades to extensive clinical experience to make the cut.

2. You could enter the admissions cycle late.

If you are not accepted early decision, you will enter the regular admissions cycle, some time between September 1 and October 1. AMCAS says this still provides sufficient time to apply nationally, meeting all final deadlines (which occur between November 1 and December 15). But the reality is that you will be entering your application at the tail end of the admissions cycle, and at a measurable disadvantage, unless you are a particularly strong applicant.

When it comes to getting into medical school, there are no shoo-in applicants or safety schools. So, while an an outstanding GPA, high MCAT scores, and stellar overall application could put you in a good position to apply early, they also put you in a good position to apply regular decision—without risking a competitive disadvantage.

Consult with your pre-med advisor or strategize with our med school admissions experts to determine if applying to an Early Decision Program is the right game plan for you. Whatever you decide, we can help you position your accomplishments for your best primary and secondary applications.

Want to get an edge over the crowd?

Our admissions experts know what it takes it get into med school. Get the customized strategy and guidance you need to help achieve your goals.

The Staff of The Princeton Review

For more than 40 years, students and families have trusted The Princeton Review to help them get into their dream schools. We help students succeed in high school and beyond by giving them resources for better grades, better test scores, and stronger college applications. Follow us on Twitter: @ThePrincetonRev.