Year One

• Meet with a pre-health adviser to discuss overall premedical curriculum.
• Begin prerequisite coursework - this typically begins with the Biology and/or the Inorganic Chemistry sequence.
• Become involved in prehealth organizations and extracurricular activities on campus. Some campuses offer Pre-Student Osteopathic Medical Association activities.
• Begin seeking an osteopathic physician to learn more about the profession.
• Gain clinical experience in health fields through shadowing, volunteer, employment (i.e. CNA, EMT), and internship opportunities. Keep records of your experiences.

Year Two

• Meet with a pre-health adviser to discuss current coursework, activities, and begin thinking about preparations for the MCAT exam.
• Continue prerequisite coursework.
• Continue to gain clinical experience.
• Focus on building relationships with professors, advisers and medical professionals — they are future sources for evaluations.
• Attend health professional fairs in your area to learn more about schools of interest.
• Stay involved in pre-health organizations and get involved in community service - look for leadership opportunities.
• Continue to keep records of experiences.
• Begin planning to meet and shadow an osteopathic physician this year or early next year.

Year Three — Fall

• Consult with a pre-health adviser regarding letters of evaluation (inquire about the availability of a prehealth committee).
• Continue prerequisite coursework.
• Continue to gain clinical experience.
• Explore available research opportunities.
• Stay involved in prehealth organizations, volunteer experiences, and extracurricular activities.
• Begin serious preparation for the MCAT exam (offered in April and August each year).
• Set aside time to work on personal statement - revisit and rework statement over a period of time.

Year Three — Spring

• Meet with a pre-health adviser to review the details of your application.
• Contact those who will be writing evaluations for you, but make sure to give them plenty of time to write a quality letter.
• Research medical schools that are of interest to you — contact each school to inquire about their specific admissions criteria and, if possible, schedule a time to visit campus.
• Continue prerequisite coursework.
• Continue to gain clinical experience and stay involved in prehealth activities.
• Take MCAT exam.
• Start the AACOMAS application process and arrange to have your transcripts sent.

Year Three — Summer

• Apply to AACOMAS as early as possible. Applications can be submitted in June for the fall of the following year.
• Submit the online secondary application after completing the AACOMAS application.
• Periodically contact each school to verify your application status.

Year Four

• Meet with a pre-health adviser to prepare for upcoming interviews. If possible, complete a mock interview.
• Review online prehealth forums for current and past feedback on your schools of interest.
• Complete prerequisite coursework. If possible, enroll in upper-level science courses such as Biochemistry and Gross Anatomy.
• Continue to gain additional clinical and/or research experience.
• Stay involved in prehealth organizations and volunteer activities.
• Periodically contact each school to verify your application status.
• Share news of upcoming interviews and acceptances with those who helped along the way — pre-health advisers, professors, physicians, family and friends.