WHY YOU SHOULD ATTEND
The AAMC Virtual Medical School Fair enables aspiring applicants and premeds like you to connect with medical schools and admissions experts from around the U.S. and Canada. In addition, you can attend information sessions led by admissions officers, current medical students, and other experts. Registrants will also receive a 15% discount on a one-year or two-year MSAR subscription. (Codes are sent within 2 business days after registration.)
Note: In order to register, you must create a new user name and password. The fair platform is separate from other AAMC applications.
Since 2016, over 80,000 aspiring medical students have attended this free event and interacted with experts, medical students, and admissions officers. Some attendees have been offered interviews based on their conversations during the fair.
AGENDA & INFORMATION SESSIONS
This year we will continue to offer a two-day format for the fair. Please note: We understand that many attendees are students or working professionals with busy schedules. Feel free to login and exit the fair as your schedule allows.
Tuesday, October 17: Join us from 11 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. ET for live information sessions*:
- How to Gauge When You’re Ready to Apply, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm ET
Admissions officers and advisors often say the best time to apply to medical school is when you are ready. But practically speaking, what does that really mean? How do you determine when your application is strong enough, and how do you really know when you’re ready? In this session, admissions representatives will share insights into the components of the application, how their institution uses holistic review, and how to make your application stand out in a highly competitive environment. Speakers will also offer insight into how their admissions model may change due to the recent Supreme Court ruling on the use of race in college admissions. - Bad at Standardized Tests? Strategies for High Stakes Assessments like MCAT and Beyond, 12:00 pm – 1:15 pm ET
Are you a great student but you struggle with anxiety, overthinking or low confidence before high stakes exams? Do you believe you’re simply ‘bad at taking standardized exams,’ and see the MCAT as an obstacle preventing you from becoming a physician?Dr. Shavonia Wynn, Director of Student Success Programs at the Frist College of Medicine at Belmont University, will explain why tests are structured the way they are, and share strategies to set you up for success on the MCAT as well as the subsequent standardized exams you’ll encounter throughout your medical education and career. Dr. Wynn will share real-world examples from more than a decade of working with premeds and medical students so you, too can put these learning strategies into practice. The session will also feature current medical students who will share their experiences overcoming test taking challenges. - Watch What Happens Live: Mock Interviews with Real Admissions Officers, 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm ET
Although medical schools use interviews as a tool to evaluate applicants, it’s also a chance for applicants to evaluate the culture of a medical school and determine which schools are the best fit for them. This session will share tips for preparing for both virtual and in-person interviews, explain how schools use interviews as part of their assessment process, allow participants to view a live mock interview and hear feedback from current admissions officers. - Money Management, Budgeting, and Scholarships – Making a Difference in Medical School Indebtedness, 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm ET
Many medical students (71%) borrow student loans to finance medical school. Knowing how to borrow strategically, utilizing your school’s cost of attendance, setting a manageable budget, and applying for scholarships can have a positive impact on total indebtedness and loan repayment. Join this presentation to learn about the AAMC FIRST program and resources to help you make wise borrowing and budgeting decisions so that you will ultimately be able to repay your student loan debt responsibly. - Demystifying Combined Degree Programs – BS/MD, MD/MPH, MD/PhD, 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm ET
The popularity of dual-degree medical programs has risen over the past few years to accommodate medical students who seek to gain unique clinical perspectives. This session will help you decide whether a dual-degree program is right for you. Although every dual-degree program is different, we will cover the basics of the common dual-degrees programs and offer some considerations to help you decide. Hear insights from medical school representatives and current students enrolled in combined degree programs.
*Session titles, descriptions and times are subject to change. All sessions will be recorded and available to watch on-demand approximately 24 hours after the live presentation.
Wednesday, October 18: Join us from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET to chat with representatives from medical schools, associations and student groups.