Investing adequate time and effort into building the most substantive and meaningful profile possible is your best chance at getting into your intended program. Don’t force yourself into a timeline that worked for someone else. When you are ready, submit a strong application that highlights the valuable contribution you in particular will make to your cohort and the medical community.
Thoughtful planning for completion of required coursework, tests, and participation in meaningful activities should begin early in your undergraduate career. Research your target schools to find those that are a good fit. For the graduate and professional schools that follow a rolling admissions policy, so as long as you don’t sacrifice quality it is best to apply early in the cycle.
Application Service |
Launch Date |
Earliest Submission Date |
AACOMAS (DO Schools) |
Early May |
Same as launch date |
AACPMAS (Podiatric Medicine) |
Early August |
Same as launch date |
AADSAS (Dental schools) |
Early June |
Same as launch date |
AMCAS (MD schools) |
Early May |
Early June |
CASPA (PA schools) |
Mid - Late April |
Same as launch date |
OPTOMCAS (Optometry) |
Mid July |
Same as launch date |
OTCAS (Occupational Therapy) |
Mid July |
Same as launch date |
PHARMCAS (Pharmacy) |
Mid July |
Same as launch date |
PTCAS (Physical Therapy) |
Late June |
Same as launch date |
SOPHAS (Public Health) |
Mid - Late August |
Same as launch date |
VMCAS (Veterinary) |
Early May |
Same as launch date |
TMDSAS (Texas Med & Dent) |
Early May |
Same as launch date |