Timeline & Application Cycle
The above timelines explain the timeframe for the overall application process and the Dartmouth-unique Composite Letter of Evaluation process specifically for Allopathic (AMCAS) and Osteopathic (AACOMAS) medical school. Veterinary, Dental, or other health professions schools follow similar timelines, but use different application services and may have additional requirements. As noted below, the process can take up to a year, if not longer. Consider the questions below as you begin to understand the application timeline.
General Timeline for the Application Year
In general, the ideal submission date for the AMCAS primary application is any time between June 1 - July 15. If you submit on a date later than July 15th, please discuss it with your pre-health advisors. You can see that the process spans more than a year!
Taking Gap Years Before Graduate School
80% of Dartmouth applicants take at least one or more additional years after graduation before matriculating to medical school or other graduate programs in the health professions. The majority of these students apply as they graduate (i.e. at the end of senior year) or a future year. This gives applicants time to demonstrate success in Dartmouth coursework, engage in diverse kinds of scholarship, prepare for the MCAT, and allow for more meaningful opportunities to grow. The average age of students entering medical school is currently 24.5 years. For more information about gap years before medical school, visit Pre-Health After Dartmouth.
20% of students manage to generate a complete application by the end of Junior Spring (timeline above). This means: (1) successfully completing course work needed for the MCAT, (2) preparing for and taking the MCAT, and (3) accumulating enough substantive extra-curricular experience to mount a competitive application by June of Junior year.
Working with HPP
HPP guides applicants through the entire application process by providing essential information about tasks and steps, offering workshops on different parts of the application, reviewing applicants' materials, and helping students select schools for application.
The Health Professions Program oversees the Composite Letter of Evaluation Process. To best assist you, we require certain actions from you, which are explained in Letters of Evaluation.