Early Decision Program (EDP)

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

1. Apply to only one U.S. medical school by the stated deadline date (August 1 for schools that participate in AMCAS);

2. Provide the school with all required supplemental information by the stated deadline date (August 1 for those schools that participate in AMCAS); and

3. Attend only this school if offered a place under the Early Decision Program.

If these guidelines are met, applicants will be notified of the school's admission decision by October 1.

If not accepted under the EDP, applicants will automatically be placed in the regular applicant pool by the school and may then apply to additional schools. EDP regulations apply to both AMCAS and non-AMCAS participating schools.

For the 1999 entering class, 91 medical schools offered admission through the Early Decision Program. Since most participating schools admit only 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 the Early Decision Program.

Before submitting an EDP application, students are strongly urged to refer to the AAMC publication, Medical School Admission Requirements (MSAR™). The MSAR provides specific admission criteria for each medical school in the United States and Canada and indicates whether each school participates in the Early Decision Program. For those schools which have an EDP, the MSAR lists not only the deadline dates, but also any residency restrictions schools may place on applicants. Some schools will consider only in-state residents through the EDP; others will consider out-of-state residents only if they apply as Early Decision applicants.

The MSAR is available at most medical and undergraduate college libraries and premedical advising offices.