amcas disadvantaged essay example

• Medical School Application

AMCAS Statement of Disadvantage Examples

Reading some AMCAS statement of disadvantage examples will help you understand this baffling section of the AMCAS application . Understanding the different AMCAS sections and questions will help you understand how to prepare your med school application . A statement of disadvantage is a tool which can keep your application in the potentials pile by providing context of your personal situation and any barriers you face when applying to med school. If your application has any weak points, a statement of disadvantage can provide the necessary background information to explain them, leading to a better chance of being accepted to your chosen school. In this blog, we’ll look at what AMCAS considers a disadvantaged applicant, how applying as a disadvantaged student will affect your application and how to write a statement of disadvantage. You can also read some AMCAS statement of disadvantage examples to use as a guide.

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Article Contents 7 min read

What is a “disadvantaged” amcas applicant.

Preparing your application to medical school through the American Medical College Application System (AMCAS) is a lengthy process, and the application asks many detailed questions about your education, your most meaningful experiences , extracurriculars or hobbies , work activities as well as biographical and demographical questions. One question that might confuse students is about writing an AMCAS statement of disadvantage. The AMCAS application form asks students if they consider themselves disadvantaged, and to explain why.

AMCAS has replaced the self-reported \"disadvantaged\" question in its application with a question about \"other impactful experiences\" relating to your application. Visit the AMCAS website for details. ","label":"NOTE","title":"NOTE"}]" code="tab2" template="BlogArticle">

But what does being a disadvantaged AMCAS applicant mean? Should you mark yourself as disadvantaged? How will it affect your candidacy?

The explanation of being disadvantaged on the AMCAS website is a little vague, but essentially it is asking if there are personal circumstances or experiences you want the medical school admissions board to consider when reviewing your application. A disadvantage is any circumstance, barrier or obstacle which presented a roadblock to your schooling, academic development or ability to successfully apply to medical school. A statement of disadvantage is different from a diversity secondary essay or an AMCAS personal statement in that it outlines how you have overcome a hardship or difficulty in your life to apply for medical school or receive a formal education.

Marking yourself as a disadvantaged student will not otherwise affect your application or your time at your chosen medical school. If anything, it may help you get into the school of your choice even if your application has some weak points. A statement of disadvantage is designed to give student with barriers a fair shot at being accepted to the school of their choice. To qualify as a disadvantaged student, you’ll need to be able to explain in detail why your circumstances affected you and how you overcame them. For the statement of disadvantage on the AMCAS application, you’ll have just over 1,300 characters to write, so use as much space as you have available to explain your disadvantage.

A medical school advisor can assist you with a medical school application if you plan to apply as a disadvantaged student but aren’t sure what to include or what school resources there are to help you. An advisor will also know what medical school admission requirements (MSAR) are for your chosen schools. That way, if your application falls short in some way, for example your scores a below the average accepted threshold or your GPA is too low, they can advise you on how to get a better chance of applying as a disadvantaged student.

For example, if you are submitting a late medical school application because you have responsibilities at home which include caring for ill family members, as well as working a full-time job and applying to medical school, you can consider explaining these circumstances in a statement of disadvantage. It’s a good idea to have a medical school application timeline so you can begin putting together your application early, but of course this isn’t always possible.

Other options for disadvantaged medical school applicants who feel they cannot or don’t want to pursue traditional routes in the medical field can explore an application to AACOMAS instead with a DO school application to osteopathic medicine . You can always weigh the advantages of DO versus MD and decide which career path suits your situation.

Writing a good statement of disadvantage means writing clearly, to the point and with sufficient detail. You’ll only have about 250 words or so to explain your disadvantage, so keep to the facts and provide as much detail as you can on your situation. Keep your answers focused on the barriers you experience throughout your life which have presented obstacles to you getting into med school. Be sure to end your statement on a high note and include how you have worked to overcome your disadvantages and how you have risen above your circumstances.

Below we’ve included some important tips to keep in mind when writing your AMCAS statement of disadvantage.

Avoid veering off track by talking about your parents\u2019 struggles as immigrants or low-income earners. Don\u2019t talk about your siblings\u2019 illness extensively. Focus on how you weren\u2019t able to dedicate enough time to studying because you were caring for your sick sibling or how you worked a full-time job alongside your parents to help provide more money for the family. Be sure to highlight how you personally were affected by your disadvantage, not others around you. ","label":"Don't tell other's stories","title":"Don't tell other's stories"}]" code="tab1" template="BlogArticle">

Below are three examples of AMCAS statement of disadvantages. We’ll take a look at three different disadvantages students might experience which present barriers to pursuing a medical education. Each example is under the 1,325-character limit AMCAS imposes, but be sure to use as much space as you are able when writing your own statement of disadvantage.

Statement of Disadvantage Example #1 – Economic

I grew up in an economically depressed area, where there were few work opportunities for the adults and the nearest school for me and my siblings was over an hour-long bus ride away. My parents both worked at one of the only factories still open in the area that paid enough to provide for the family. When I was old enough, I also began applying for work to help bring in supplementary income. Because of the long commute to and from school, and then to my part-time job, I had less time for homework and studying than my peers. My grades did slip, as I had to prioritize working over schoolwork. I managed to complete my high school courses, though with a lower GPA than I had wanted to achieve. Despite this, I started preparing for college applications and chose to apply to the schools I thought I had a reasonable chance of being accepted to with my GPA and test scores. My college required me to move into dorm living, and I wasn’t able to stay at my part-time job any longer. I found a new position in the same area as my college so I could continue to send money home to my family while I studied at college. I am happy to say that I completed my degree despite having to work long hours to achieve my goals.

My high school education was delayed in the middle of my junior year thanks to a tornado tearing through our community and destroying countless homes, including our own. For over a year, we moved from place to place, staying with family or friends or even in motels when we could afford it. This also meant my sister and I weren’t able to attend school regularly, if at all. Between my sister and I, we were temporarily placed in 5 different schools. I was enrolled in online schooling for a brief period when it became too difficult to move from school to school and I was missing large pieces of the curriculum. As a result of missing so many classes, I was held back and graduated almost 2 years after my peers did. Because of my age and falling behind in my coursework, I faced some difficulties in applying to college with a low GPA and late applications, and I started later in the year than the other students. Our housing situation has thankfully been stabilized, but I will not be able to recover the year of missing out on school. I have been able to attend college regularly and have made a commitment to not miss any classes. This is a promise I have kept for myself as I do not want to miss any more opportunities for my education.

Statement of Disadvantage Example #3 – Social

My parents moved our family to the US when I was 13 years old. Although we were living in a largely immigrant populated community, and I could speak some English, it was still quite isolating when I started middle school. Learning in another language sometimes presented challenges for me, but socially it was even more difficult as I tried to make friends and learn about my new home. I still have troubles connecting with my peers at times or relating to them if I don’t understand the cultural or linguistic significance. My language barrier has also been an issue when applying for job positions or internships to gain some medical experience. I applied for a clerical position at a local medical center, which I did get accepted to. However, I still sometimes struggle when communicating with patients and my peers. Working at the medical center is providing me the opportunity to practice my language and communication skills, but again it has been somewhat isolating on a social level. I can communicate effectively in a professional setting when I need to, but socially it can still be challenging. I have wanted to be a doctor since before our family moved to the US, and I knew that I would need to learn to communicate in English, so I have joined a group of fellow students like myself to practice our conversational English to prepare me for the challenges of med school.

An AMCAS statement of disadvantage is an optional short essay where students can explain any circumstances where they experience a disadvantaged situation or circumstance in applying to medical school.

Disadvantages are considered any economic, educational or social hardships a student might face in getting their medical education or in applying to med school.

No; a statement of disadvantage is designed to aid students who experience barriers to their education to have a fair chance at being accepted to medical school.

For an AMCAS statement of disadvantage, be clear and keep to the facts of your situation. Also be sure to include details instead of just a summary of your barriers or disadvantages. AMCAS provides 1,325 characters for your statement.

Disadvantaged students are medical school applicants who have experienced any barriers or obstacles to their education or a lack of access to the same opportunities and resources as their peers.

Yes; writing a statement of disadvantage can help explain any gaps or weaknesses on your application and the admissions board will take these disadvantages into account when reviewing your application.

Yes; if you experience more than one disadvantage you can provide further information in your AMCAS application.

Disadvantages can include anything from parental unemployment to personal health problems, housing instability or lack of access to resources or healthcare facilities. Any significant barrier in your life to getting a formal education can be considered a disadvantage. 

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June 26, 2023

How to Answer the AMCAS Other Impactful Experiences Question (Formerly the Statement of Disadvantage)

If you have experienced any form of severe hardship – at any time in your life – medical schools want to know. Prior to the 2023-2024 cycle, AMCAS allowed candidates to self-identify as a disadvantaged applicant because of social, economic, or educational circumstances. Aiming to leave behind the negative connotations of the term “disadvantaged,” this year’s question has been replaced with “Other Impactful Experiences” and asks,

Have you overcome challenges or obstacles in your life that you would like to describe in more detail? This could include lived experiences related to your family background, financial background, community setting, educational experiences, and/or other life circumstances.

This essay allows applicants to contextualize the challenges they have faced. With additional prompts and examples of what to include, applicants will have more guidance and greater scope for what kinds of information to share here.

The purpose of the question remains basically the same, however: to promote a more holistic review of the candidate’s application. The benefit of applying as a disadvantaged applicant in the past was that most medical schools would not reject the candidate’s application until it had been reviewed by at least one admissions officer. In other words, the applicant wasn’t screened out automatically because of their GPA or test scores. The AAMC is providing additional guidance to medical schools on the appropriate use of this year’s question, as well as training to reduce unconscious bias and improve holistic review.

Should you answer the Other Impactful Experiences question?

Many applicants will not need to answer this question. If your answer is flippant or shallow, it could do you more harm than good. On the other hand, the obstacles in your life might not be something you want to share. If this is the case, don’t feel obligated to write anything.

If you do answer this question, you are asked to write a short, 1,325-character essay describing your experiences. This isn’t the place to repeat what you’ve written about in your personal statement and activities. Instead, think of this as a separate but related piece of the puzzle, one that will provide a fuller understanding of who you are.

What should you include in your Other Impactful Experiences essay?

To answer this question well, you will need to reflect on your experiences to determine how life circumstances beyond your control have affected and/or limited you and your opportunities. These can relate to your family situation or financial background, the community in which you were raised, the educational opportunities you had (or didn’t have), the impact of your religion on your life, or other life experiences. 

Unlike your personal statement, which should focus primarily on your mature experiences, this essay is an opportunity to discuss experiences from any point in your lifetime, including your very early life. Here are some examples:

• Growing up in a restrictive community that limited certain activities or potential careers
• Struggling with an undiagnosed learning disability
• Taking on a demanding caregiving role for an ailing family member
• Growing up with a single parent or in an impoverished and/or high crime community
• Being stigmatized because of factors beyond your control (e.g., language, sexual orientation, religion)
• Holding multiple jobs through high school (or college), which had an impact on academic performance

Some applicants will have experienced multiple challenges that could be included in this essay. Creating a timeline of the barriers that you encountered from the beginning of your life to the present can help you identify which ones are most relevant here and which might be better placed in other parts of your application.

How do you write the Other Impactful Experiences essay?

Having read hundreds of these kinds of essays in my over two decades of admissions experience , our admissions consultants have seen what makes a successful statement. The following approaches will help you tackle this new question. 

1. State the facts.

Did your family rely on food stamps? Did you live in Section 8 housing? Simply stating the objective facts can help you quickly and effectively approach this portion of the application. These details will provide the selection committee members with the information they need to understand just how hard you had to work to meet your educational goals.

2. Show how the different parts of your life connect.

You can include any details about your childhood, adolescence, and early adulthood that are relevant. Focusing only on college or not sharing information that could explain why you were not prepared to enter college – such as attending a low-performing public school that had inadequate materials for its students – could hurt your application. You might need to start with your parents, especially if they immigrated to the United States before you were born or when you were a child. Any events that had a direct impact on the resources available to you should be included, from before your birth to the present day.

3. Keep the focus on you.

Most people prefer to write about someone other than themself, but this essay isn’t about the struggles of your parents, your siblings, or even your community. Their experiences set the stage for who you are today.

4. Avoid blame or bitterness.

Reflecting on the challenges you’ve faced can be difficult and could bring up some unresolved feelings. These feelings might be valid, but this essay is not the proper space to work through them. Try journaling about them, going for a walk, or otherwise clearing your head before continuing to work on this essay.

5. Keep your tone positive.

The tone you establish in your essays – both here and elsewhere in your application – says a lot about your character. If the tone is one of gratitude, the selection committee might be impressed that you have found ways to thrive despite severe disadvantages. If you attempt to manipulate your reader or elicit pity by exaggerating or telling them how to feel about the events of your life, the response will not be positive. Make conscious decisions about how you approach the tone of this essay.

6. End on a high note.

The best essays celebrate what has gone right or what the applicant has been able to accomplish despite the difficulties they have faced. Did you work throughout high school to be able to pay for college? Did your patriarchal family want you to marry young, but you followed your dream of studying instead? Sharing how you’ve advocated for yourself and found ways to be successful despite obstacles reveals your resilience. 

It’s important to remember that your application will be treated with the utmost respect and that you are heroic for overcoming obstacles that would have prevented most people from applying to medical school. Congratulate yourself for making it to this point in your education!

Do you need help writing your Other Impactful Experiences essay or any other element of your medical school application? Explore our services and work one-on-one with an Accepted advisor who will help you create a strong, successful, admission-worthy application.

Since 2001, Cydney Foote has advised hundreds of successful applicants for medical and dental education, residency and fellowship training, and other health-related degrees. Admissions consulting combines her many years of creating marketing content with five years on fellowship and research selection committees at the University of Washington School of Medicine. She’s also shared her strategy for impressing interviewers in a popular webinar and written three books and numerous articles on the admissions process. Want Cydney to help you get Accepted? Click here to get in touch!

Related Resources:

• Ace the AMCAS Essay , a free guide
• 4 Tips for Applying as an Underrepresented Applicant in Medicine
• The AMCAS Primary “Deadline”

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FAQs for Statement of Disadvantage

• April 21, 2023

Introduction

What is the statement of disadvantage, what does the amcas mean by “disadvantaged”, how is this different from a diversity essay, when should i consider writing a statement of disadvantage, what happens if i self disclose as disadvantaged, will it harm my chances of admission if i disclose sensitive personal information, how to write the statement, what to avoid doing in your statement.

​​On your medical school application , you will have the opportunity to disclose yourself as a “disadvantaged” applicant. The AAMC provides little information as to what this means, so it is a point of confusion for many students. This disadvantaged statement is an optional short essay where you can explain any extenuating circumstances that affected your life or your circumstances in applying to med school. Students who check this box self-identify as having extenuating circumstances that affected their grades, MCAT scores, activities, health, or other factors relevant to their application. Marking yourself as a disadvantaged applicant provides a greater context for your application. If you choose to use it, this statement can provide an explanation for any weaknesses you are concerned about and keep your application in the pile! However, not every applicant should write a statement of disadvantage; you should consider whether your circumstances were extenuating, how they compare to your peers, and more. Here, we break down our tips on the disadvantaged disclosure section of the AMCAS application.

By writing a statement of disadvantage, you are asking the admissions committees to consider any challenges, obstacles, or barriers you have faced on your path to medical school application. In other words, you lack the same resources, opportunities, or access to services that most applicants have. This can provide context and explanation for areas of your application that could be considered weak. For example, your circumstances could have affected your grades, attendance, MCAT score(s), or ability to secure shadowing or research opportunities.

Generally the AMCAS considers three types of disadvantages: economic, educational and social. Economic disadvantages may include but are not limited to having a low-income household, parental unemployment, helping support your own family, or facing food and/or housing insecurity. Types of educational disadvantage may include lack of academic resources or support, disruptions to your education, having a learning disability, lack of pre med resources, or being a second-language speaker. Social disadvantages could include personal loss or trauma, being undocumented, having a disability, facing discrimination, family challenges, surviving violence, or medical difficulties.

The statement of disadvantage is focused on how you have responded to, overcome, or managed your disadvantage(s) to apply to medical school. Whereas a secondary essay on diversity may be focused on what makes you unique, and can certainly include examples of challenges you have faced, this prompt is focused solely on how your circumstances have presented hurdles to your path as a premed–not just how they make you a unique candidate. In this prompt, admissions committees want to hear about your circumstances and how you have grown from them or responded to them.

One of the hardest parts of the statement of disadvantage is deciding if you should write it. Applying to medical school is a long, expensive, challenging, and grueling process. It is a challenge to any applicant. You need to consider your circumstances in the context of your fellow applicants. For example, most college students work part-time, but not all medical school applicants help financially support their families through school. Many applicants take some “ gap years ” after college graduation, but not everyone does so because of a serious illness. That being said, don’t automatically dismiss or discredit your experience as not being “disadvantaged” enough. We recommend that you seek advice from advisors or mentors if you are unsure of your individual case. Overall, you should consider writing a statement of disadvantage if you believe your circumstances were extenuating and explain any areas of your application that may be weak.

Marking your status as disadvantaged will not change your application in any other way. You will only need to provide a statement explaining the challenges you have faced and why you consider yourself at a disadvantage because of them. The admissions committees will take these circumstances into account when reviewing your application. 

The point of disclosing your challenges is to demonstrate how they have put you at a disadvantage so that admissions committees can consider your application in the best light possible. Your circumstances cannot ostensibly be used to discriminate against you, and explaining disadvantages you have faced is a valuable tool to keep your application in consideration. However, if you think that your statement of disadvantage could put you at risk in some way or decrease your chances of admission, you should discuss it with an advisor or mentor, or one of our excellent medical school application advisors . 

You have 1325 characters to explain any obstacles or extenuating circumstances that have influenced your path to medicine. This is not the place to focus on all the details, meaning, and lessons learned from your story— the personal statement is a better place for that. Instead, focus on the facts. Describe the barriers you have faced and how they affected your path to applying to med school. Importantly, it will help to end your statement on an optimistic note. For example, you can briefly state how you have risen above your challenge, or how you have grown from it, how you will handle more in the future, or how it influenced you in your decision to apply to med school.

Do you need help brainstorming ideas for your disadvantaged statement? Click here . 

Avoid expressing bitterness or seeking pity. Describe your situation in neutral language, focusing on the facts of the situation and how you have overcome or worked through it. Don’t just summarize your circumstances, use specific examples. Avoid describing other people’s challenges. If you cared for a sick family member instead of going to school, for example, focus on how it affected your academic opportunities or performance, not on the extent of the illness. 

The statement of disadvantage can serve  as a strong addition to one’s med school application. Most applicants are unsure whether or not to consider themselves disadvantaged or not. It is important to carefully consider whether your circumstances qualify you as disadvantaged or not. Seek out the help of advisors, mentors, or one of our medical student team members at Motivate MD to help you with this important decision.

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Meaning of Disadvantaged Med School Applicant

For those who may consider themselves disadvantaged, here's what an important AMCAS change means.

Disadvantaged Medical School Applicants

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The AMCAS statement is vague to many applicants, and you must really consider your circumstances to determine if you should apply disadvantaged to your situation.

There are so many steps in applying to medical school , and the AMCAS application is one of the first and most significant.

In addition to a personal statement and extracurricular activities, AMCAS, or the American Medical College Application Service , asks various biographical and demographic questions. Prior to the 2023-2024 application cycle, AMCAS included a question regarding if an applicant identified as disadvantaged, which was an opportunity for the applicant to include details about life circumstances that could affect their application.

However, AMCAS recently removed that question and replaced it with an optional section for the applicant to include "other impactful experiences." With this new terminology, the Association of American Medical Colleges, which provides the AMCAS service, hoped to remove any potential negative connotations with the term "disadvantaged" and to provide additional clarity on how to answer the prompt.

What Are the Specifics of Other Impactful Experiences?

Here's the specific prompt included on the AMCAS application: "Have you overcome challenges or obstacles in your life that you would like to describe in more detail? This could include lived experiences related to your family background, financial background, community setting, educational experiences, and/or other life circumstances."

To remove some of the ambiguity that was associated with disadvantaged, AMCAS offers additional guidance, including some examples that can be shared about experiences that directly affected the applicant's life opportunities:

• Family background, such as being a first-generation college student or serving as a caregiver to a family member.
• Community setting, such as living in a rural area or experiencing food scarcity, high poverty or crime rate, or lack of access to regular health care.
• Financial background, such as being from a low-income family, having worked to support your family, needing work-study to pay for college or having depended on federal or state financial support.
• Educational experience, such as limited access to advisers or counselors who were knowledgeable about higher education requirements.

Other general life circumstances that were beyond your control and presented barriers.

The instructions ask applicants to consider whether the question is relevant to them and notes that med schools don't expect all applicants to answer “yes.” The question is intended for applicants "who have overcome major challenges or obstacles," and it acknowledges that "some applicants may not feel comfortable sharing personal information in their application." Applicants who decide to answer the question are allotted 1,325 characters to explain the situation to medical schools.

How Do Medical Schools Use This Information to Evaluate an Application?

Though every medical school evaluates applicants differently, admissions committees use this additional information to contextualize an application.

For instance, perhaps an applicant who lived in a medically underserved area has fewer clinical activities than competing applicants. Admission committees tend to take that into account when reviewing the application. They realize that with fewer available opportunities, one applicant’s extracurricular activities may look different than those of similar applicants.

Including other impactful experiences in no way unlocks a secret door into medical school, but it can help the admission committee evaluate an applicant’s total application – including hardships or special circumstances they may have faced.

Should an Applicant Answer This Question?

Whether a med school applicant should include details here totally depends. They should be introspective and think about how their circumstances may have affected their education, social interactions, extracurricular activities and finances.

Often, if an applicant can’t readily identify a situation that they consider applicable here, then it is probably best not to add information. But for applicants with extenuating circumstances and hardships, providing this additional context allows them to explain the circumstances to medical schools and hope that admissions committees will take the information into account when reviewing the entire application .

What Should Be Written in the Allotted Space?

The applicant should use the space to discuss why they consider themselves disadvantaged and significant challenges they overcame .

It is important to not try to garner pity from the admissions committee. Instead, contextualize the circumstances and application. Avoid repeating the personal statement or theorizing about how things may have been different if an event had not occurred. The statement should help readers understand what the applicant has gone through and how it has affected their life and preparation for medical school.

As difficult as it can be to make the decision about whether to select disadvantaged, a draft of the statement is difficult to write, as well. If an applicant is unsure how to go about putting the situation on paper, work with an adviser to fully articulate the specific circumstances.

Opportunities for Students With Challenges in Their Application

An additional challenge for some students is they often cannot afford the same level of tutoring, advising and coaching as advantaged students. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, only about 22,500 students matriculated in medical school in 2022 from more than 55,000 applicants – only about four in 10 getting accepted. For students with financial or social challenges, their odds can be even lower due to their lack of resources and support systems.

Students who get one-on-one coaching can boost their exam scores and the application presentation, which is likely to substantially increase their odds of acceptance. For example, MedSchoolCoach offers a PreMed Scholarship for bright and deserving students who can benefit from medical school tutoring and advising, but for whom cost is prohibitive.

For disadvantaged students fortunate enough to get accepted but who may need help paying for medical school, organizations like online resource Fastweb provide students with connections to scholarships and financial aid.

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About Medical School Admissions Doctor

Need a guide through the murky medical school admissions process? Medical School Admissions Doctor offers a roundup of expert and student voices in the field to guide prospective students in their pursuit of a medical education. The blog is currently authored by Dr. Ali Loftizadeh, Dr. Azadeh Salek and Zach Grimmett at Admissions Helpers , a provider of medical school application services; Dr. Renee Marinelli at MedSchoolCoach , a premed and med school admissions consultancy; Dr. Rachel Rizal, co-founder and CEO of the Cracking Med School Admissions consultancy; Dr. Cassie Kosarec at Varsity Tutors , an advertiser with U.S. News & World Report; Dr. Kathleen Franco, a med school emeritus professor and psychiatrist; and Liana Meffert, a fourth-year medical student at the University of Iowa's Carver College of Medicine and a writer for Admissions Helpers. Got a question? Email [email protected] .

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Personal Statement and Essay Prompts 2020: AMCAS, AACOMAS, and TMDSAS

Looking for a comprehensive index of all required essay prompts for the AMCAS, AACOMAS, and TMDSAS applications?

Look no further. Personal statements, short essays, experience descriptions - it’s all covered here.

All the prompts and character limits were gathered online from primary sources ( AAMC , AACOM , etc.) or from our past 2019 students. We’ve tried to ensure that this information is accurate and up-to-date, but please note that it’s subject to change.

We want to be a one-stop shop for all the medical school primary essay prompts, so please let us know if you notice any discrepancies. Don’t forget to brush up on the AMCAS, AACOMAS, and TMDSAS Deadlines .

Oh, and if you’re looking for tips and examples, you’ll find those here, too.

Just follow the links:

Table of Contents

2020 AMCAS Essay Prompts

Personal Statement Prompt

Institutional Action Prompt

Disadvantaged Information Prompt

Experience Descriptions Prompt

Most Meaningful Remarks Prompt

2020 AACOMAS Essay Prompts

2020 tmdsas essay prompts.

Personal Characteristics Prompt

Optional Essay Prompt

Most Meaningful Essays Prompt

BONUS: All Medical School Secondary Essays 2019-2020 (by state)

2020 AMCAS PERSONAL STATEMENT PROMPT

(5300 characters max)

Use the space provided to explain why you want to go to medical school. The available space for your response is 5300 characters, or approximately one full page. You will receive an error message if you exceed the available space. For additional assistance, click "help" on the tool bar at the top of the screen.

There are a few follow up questions to help you:

• Why have you selected the field of medicine?
• What motivates you to learn more about medicine?
• What do you want medical schools to know about you that hasn't been disclosed in other sections of the application?
• Unique hardships, challenges, or obstacles that may have influenced your educational pursuits.
• Commentary on significant fluctuations in your academic record that are not explained elsewhere in your application.

SAVVY PRE-MED TIPS:

Whew, where to start? Hmm… probably here:

Savvy Pre-med's Ultimate Guide to Writing Your Personal Statement

But seriously, the personal statement is a complex, multifaceted process, so you might want to target certain areas. Here are some elements we’ve covered:

Getting Started on Your Draft

Writing Attention-Grabbing Hooks

Average vs. Compelling Personal Statements

Crafting Your “Why Medicine” Answer

Cliches to Avoid

How to Know Your Personal Statement is Finished

Our full archive of articles on the personal statement

Jump back to the Table of Contents .

2020 AMCAS INSTITUTIONAL ACTION PROMPT

(1325 characters max)

MILITARY DISCHARGE

The question asks if you’ve ever been discharged by the Armed Forces. If you answer Yes, you’ll be asked if you received an honorable discharge or discharge under honorable circumstances. If you answer No, you must explain in 1,325 characters the circumstances of your discharge, including the circumstances leading to your discharge, your period of service, and your rank at the time of discharge.

FELONIES AND MISDEMEANORS

You must indicate if you have ever been convicted of, or pleaded guilty or no contest to, a felony crime or misdemeanor, excluding

(1) Any offense for which you were adjudicated as a juvenile

(2) Convictions that have been expunged or sealed by a court (in states where applicable).

You need not disclose any instance in which you:

• Were arrested but not charged

• Were arrested and charged, with the charges dropped

• Were arrested and charged, but found not guilty by a judge or jury

• Were arrested and found guilty by a judge or jury, with the conviction overturned on appeal

• Were arrested and found guilty but received an executive pardon

If you answer Yes, you’ll have 1,325 characters to explain the circumstances of your conviction, including the number of conviction(s), the nature of the offense(s) leading to conviction(s), the date(s) and location(s) of conviction(s), the sentence(s) imposed, and the type(s) of rehabilitation.

Academic Probation

You must answer "Yes" if you were ever the recipient of any institutional action resulting from unacceptable academic performance or a conduct violation, even if such action did not interrupt your enrollment or require you to withdraw. You must answer "Yes" even if the action does not appear on or has been deleted from your official transcripts due to institutional policy or personal petition. If you answer Yes, you’ll have 1,325 characters to explain the circumstances.

If you are not certain whether or not you have been the subject of an institutional action, contact the registrar, student affairs officer, or other appropriate party at the institution for confirmation of your record. Applicants who become the subject of an institutional action after certifying and submitting the AMCAS application must inform their designated medical schools that an action has occurred.

Don't feel obligated to fill all 1325 characters for this essay:

PARAGRAPH 1

1-2 sentences to explain the factors that led to the institutional action

It's wise to let the facts speak for themselves. If there were extenuating circumstances that led to this anomalous blip in your record, make sure to include those as evidence, BUT DON'T editorialize or try to make direct excuses for what happened. The goal in the beginning is to just acknowledge and own up to the IA.

PARAGRAPH 2

3-4 sentences to explain how you've rectified the situation

This will depend a lot on your situation, but typically, it will involve some kind of probation, mandatory classes, written letters, court appearances, etc. Beyond explaining the requirements you fulfilled and your current good standing, discuss the ways you've sought to improve overall as a person.

PARAGRAPH 3

1-2 sentences to explain the growth, personal qualities, and lessons you’ve gained

Again, this will depend a lot on your situation. Perhaps there's some activity or endeavor that you can use as "proof" of your growth as a person (i.e. tutoring other struggling students or serving on the student judiciary board). If not, just explain what you learned from the experience and how it's turned you into a better person moving forward.

2020 AMCAS DISADVANTAGED INFORMATION PROMPT

When you click the box on the AMCAS application to see if the status applies to you, here is what AMCAS provides:

Underserved: Do you believe, based on your own experiences or the experiences of family and friends, that the area in which you grew up was adequately served by the available health care professionals? Were there enough physicians, nurses, hospitals, clinics, and other health care service providers?

Immediate Family: The Federal Government broadly defines “immediate family” as “spouse, parent, child, sibling, mother or father-in-law, son or daughter-in-law, or sister or brother-in-law, including step and adoptive relationships.”

State and Federal Assistance Programs: These programs are specifically defined as “Means-Tested Programs” under which the individual, family, or household income and assets must be below specified thresholds. The sponsoring agencies then provide cash and non-cash assistance to eligible individuals, families, or households. Such programs include welfare benefit programs (federal, state, and local) Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC or ADC); unemployment compensation; General Assistance (GA); food stamps; Supplemental Security Income (SSI); Medicaid; housing assistance; or other federal, state, or local financial assistance programs.

If you think there are other circumstances that have contributed to your disadvantaged status that are not listed, don't feel constrained by the above.

In addition to requesting family financial data, AMCAS provides the opportunity for a 1,325 character statement explaining why you should be considered disadvantaged.

EXAMPLE PARAGRAPH 1

2-3 sentences to explain the factors that contribute to your disadvantaged status

I am blessed to have been adopted by my grandparents, who provided a stable life by removing me from a destructive environment with an absent father and drug-addicted mother. However, due to my grandparents’ age and physical limits, I missed out on many things people take for granted, like playing catch with one’s father or enjoying student-parent activities.

EXAMPLE PARAGRAPH 2

5-6 sentences to illustrate the day-to-day struggles as a result of your status

I am a first-generation college student who has been financially independent since age 18. My discipline stems from my teenage years when I worked manual labor on construction sites. This translated into dedication and focus, as I later sought a scholarship to subsidize my schooling and worked full-time alongside a rigorous course load. To fund my college experience, I attended a local university and gained merit-based aid, balancing school (20+ unit semesters) and three jobs (totaling 40+ hours/week). My lack of expendable income prevented me from accessing certain opportunities off-campus. Luckily, the Wilkinson Honors Scholarship provided a dorm stipend that covered most of my living expenses. However, to further cut costs, I went without a car and obtained an on-campus job and research opportunity.

EXAMPLE CONCLUSION

1-2 sentences to explain the growth, personal qualities, and lessons you’ve gained as a result of your status

Overall, my obstacles have given me more resolve to plan ahead, meet my goals, and help others do the same.

2020 AMCAS EXPERIENCE DESCRIPTIONS PROMPT

(15 activities or less, 700 characters max for each)

The Work/Activities section of the application is designed to give you the opportunity to highlight your work experience, extracurricular activities, awards, honors, or publications that you would like to bring to the attention of the medical schools to which you are applying.

You may enter a maximum of 15 experiences, and you may enter four separate date ranges for recurring experiences. This section cannot be edited or updated after the original submission of your application. Work and activities will appear on your application in chronological order and may not be rearranged. However, please be aware that medical schools sort your entries and view them in a variety of different orders to suit their specific review processes.

Medical schools receive your Work/Activities descriptions as plain text. Therefore, formatting options such as bulleted lists, indented paragraphs, and bold/italic fonts do not appear for reviewers and are not available.

You have the opportunity to describe or summarize each experience. The space allotted for each description is 700 characters.

We often get questions about whether it’s better to use bullet points or paragraphs for these descriptions. Either is fine! The key is being consistent in the way you choose to format your descriptions. Here’s an example of both methods:

BULLET POINT EXAMPLE

Outreach Coordinator                St. Augustine Orphanage, Tijuana, Mexico

- Planned, fundraised, and led a volunteer service trip to impoverished communities in Mexico

- Coordinated and managed a team of 20 volunteers and faculty

- Executed simple, precise interventions to spread change across a population

- Improved communication and bedside manner while engaging locals about their health problems and barriers to care

- Lived alongside children in multiple orphanages in Tijuana and poorer rural areas

- Brought clothes and supplies and provided hygiene demos for the children

- Gained insight into disparities and social determinants of health in underserved populations

- Wrote detailed protocol and reflection exercises for future leaders to use on their trips  

PARAGRAPH EXAMPLE

As outreach coordinator, I fundraised and led a service trip to impoverished communities in Mexico. In this role, I managed a team of 20 volunteers and faculty to execute interventions and spread change across a population. As part of this experience, we lived alongside children in multiple orphanages in Tijuana while donating supplies and providing hygiene demos. I improved my communication and bedside manner while engaging locals about their health problems and barriers. During this time, I gained insight into disparities and social determinants of health for the underserved. After the trip, I wrote a detailed protocol and reflection exercises for future leaders to use on their trips.

In your experience descriptions, try to show your “Trackable Progress”:

“Trackable progress” can be any number of things:

- Earned promotion within first three months of working for Lab XYZ

- Assigned new responsibilities of training recent hires and creating orientation manuals

- Ran promotional campaign that tripled our club’s active membership

- Garnered over half of the company’s referrals during the last two years

- Updated and improved the lab’s protocols to cut costs by more than half

If possible, support these bullets with quantitative evidence and stats (EX: raised membership by 50%, trained 50+ employees, etc). This data will show a lot about your contributions without taking up too much space.

020 AMCAS MOST MEANINGFUL REMARKS PROMPT

(choose 3 of your activities, 1325 characters max for each)

You may identify up to three experiences that you consider to be the most meaningful. This designation will allow you an additional 1,325 characters to explain why the experience(s) was particularly meaningful to you.

When writing your summary, you may want to consider the transformative nature of the experience, the impact you made while engaging in the activity, and the personal growth you experienced as a result of your participation. If you have two or more experience entries, you will be required to identify at least one as the more or most meaningful.

You may change which experience(s) you designate as Most Meaningful until the initial submission of your application. The text you entered in the Experience Summary section will be lost if you remove an experience from those you have designated as Most Meaningful. Your Most Meaningful selection(s) will be designated as such by a check-mark in the Work/Activities main screen.

If you’re in doubt about what to choose, many students will include one medically oriented activity, one leadership activity, and one extracurricular (research, service, etc). As long as you’ve invested significant time and energy into the activity (compared to your others), then it’s fair game for a most meaningful essay.  

Once you’ve narrowed down your possible choices based on time and commitment, you’ll want to ask yourself some brainstorming questions to determine the best activities and angles to explore in your most meaningful essays.

Remember that it’s okay to overlap the experiences of the personal statement and most meaningful essays, as long as you don’t repeat stories or lessons verbatim.

BRAINSTORMING QUESTIONS:

Which of the activities had the most setbacks or failures? Can you recall one or two specific moments that required your resilience?

Which of the activities presented the steepest learning curves? Why were they so challenging? Did you have to change something about yourself to succeed?

Did any of the activities expose you to people much different than yourself? Were their difficulties in communicating and collaborating with them?

Which of the activities most surprised you? Can you recall any moments within them when your perspective on medicine or life shifted?

Did you get more than expected out of a particular activity? Why? Vice versa, were there activities that disappointed you for some reason? How did you respond?

Which of the activities made you the most apprehensive? Why? Can you recall one or two moments that pushed you outside your comfort zone?

Which of the activities taught you a new skill that you otherwise wouldn’t have learned? Did you learn or realize how you could apply this skill moving forward?

How-to Guide and Most Meaningful Essay Example

5 Reasons You Should Apply to DO Schools - MUST READ!

2020 AACOMAS PERSONAL STATEMENT PROMPT

This section is where you can write a statement, which is shared with all your osteopathic medicine schools. Once you submit your application, you cannot edit this section.

• Keep your topic general : Keep the statement general as this essay is sent to all the programs you apply to. If you plan to only apply to one program, we still strongly recommend keeping your statement general in case you later apply to additional programs. Once you submit your application, the essay cannot be edited or changed.
• Do not exceed the maximum length : Refer to the number below the field in the application. This is the number of characters (not words) that you can use in your essay. As you type, you can see how many characters are still available. Characters include spaces, carriage returns, and punctuation. You cannot save your essay if it exceeds the character limit.
• Use your own words : Plagiarizing any part of your essay is a violation of the code of conduct and may subject you to sanctions.
• Use simple formatting : Formatting such as tabs, italics, multiple spaces, etc. will not be saved. To delineate paragraphs, type a double return between each paragraph.

Thankfully, the AACOMAS recently decided to give candidates more space, as compared to past years when you only had 4500 characters.

Still, most candidates face the challenge of converting an MD personal statement into a DO one. What to cut? What to add? What are the essentials to include?

We’ve distilled our years of wisdom from helping candidates down into:

5 Simple Steps to Turn Your AMCAS Essay into Your AACOMAS Essay

2020 AACOMAS DISADVANTAGED INFORMATION PROMPT

There is no essay on the AACOMAS to explain your disadvantaged status, but the application has a series of questions to categorize you:

(Yes/No) Your parent's family income falls within the table's guidelines and you are considered to have met the criteria for economically disadvantaged.

(Yes/No) I am from a family that lives in an area that is designated as a Health Professional Shortage Area or a Medically Underserved Area.

(Yes/No) I graduated from a high school at which many of the enrolled students are eligible for free or reduced price lunches.

(Yes/No) I am from a school district where 50% or less of graduates go to college or where college education is not encouraged.

(Yes/No) I am the first generation in my family to attend college (neither my mother nor my father attended college).

(Yes/No) English is not my primary language.

Savvy Pre-med Tips:

Use some space in the personal statement to elaborate on your disadvantaged background, especially if the circumstances require contextual explanation.

Also keep in mind that the DO secondary essays tend to be rather generous in the amount of space they provide (sometimes up to 500 words per essay). These essays will give you additional opportunities to discuss disadvantages.

Refer to our tips for the AMCAS Disadvantaged Information Prompt .

2020 AACOMAS INSTITUTIONAL ACTION PROMPT

(500 characters max)

Applicants will be asked to disclose information regarding prior criminal offenses. Failure to accurately and truthfully disclose such offenses on the AACOMAS application may result in an offer of admission being rescinded or, if the omission is discovered after enrollment in medical school, in dismissal.

Have you ever been disciplined for student conduct violations (e.g. academic probation, dismissal, suspension, disqualification, etc.) by any college or school?

Have you ever been disciplined for academic performance (e.g. academic probation, dismissal, suspension, disqualification, etc.) by any college or school?

Have you ever been convicted of a Felony?

Have you ever had any certification, registration, license or clinical privileges revoked, suspended or in any way restricted by an institution, state or locality?

Have you ever been convicted of a Misdemeanor?

If you answer Yes to any of these questions, you’ll have 500 characters to explain.

Refer to our tips for the AMCAS Institutional Action Prompt .

2020 AACOMAS EXPERIENCE DESCRIPTIONS PROMPT

(600 characters max for each entry)

Key differences between AACOMAS and AMCAS experience descriptions:

• AACOMAS does not have Most Meaningful Remarks
• AACOMAS gives you 100 fewer characters for your descriptions
• AACOMAS breaks its “Supporting Information” into Experiences and Achievements - no limit on the total number of entries for either
• AACOMAS has fewer category distinctions for Experiences (only volunteering, healthcare experience, or paid/non-healthcare experience)
• Achievements include honors/awards, presentations, or publications
• Distinguish your AACOMAS hobbies as “non-healthcare experience”

Refer to our tips for the AMCAS Experience Descriptions Prompt .

2020 TMDSAS PERSONAL STATEMENT PROMPT

(5000 characters max)

The personal statement essay is limited to 5000 characters, including spaces. Explain your motivation to seek a career in medicine. Be sure to include the value of your experiences that prepare you to be a physician.

Refer to our tips for the AMCAS Personal Statement Prompt .

2020 TMDSAS PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS PROMPT

(2500 characters max)

The personal characteristics essay is limited to 2500 characters, including spaces. Learning from others is enhanced in educational settings that include individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences. Please describe your personal characteristics (background, talents, skills, etc.) or experiences that would add to the educational experience of others.

It’s wise to choose one of your Most Meaningful AMCAS essays and expand upon it (from 1325 to 2500 characters).

Is one of your three Most Meaningfuls more distinct than the other two? Does one focus on a more atypical pre-med activity? If so, that’s probably the one to choose, since this prompt is looking for “diverse backgrounds and experiences.”

If all three of your Meaningfuls feel equally distinct (or equally average), pick the one that would give you the most useful insights to share with your future classmates (i.e. “add to the educational experience of others”).

When adding content (~1000 characters) to your Most Meaningful, here’s where to focus your attention:

Add 1-2 sentences to the “hook” of the essay (paragraph 1) to make the experience even more vivid and concrete for the reader

Add 3-4 sentences to the “plot” of the essay (paragraph 1 or 2) to expound on your biggest responsibilities, contributions, and accomplishments

Add 3-4 sentences to the “reflection” of the essay (paragraph 2 or 3) to explain how this activity and its lessons make you a diverse and valuable candidate

Refer to our tips for the AMCAS Most Meaningful Essays Prompt .

2020 TMDSAS OPTIONAL ESSAY PROMPT

The optional essay is limited to 2500 characters, including spaces. The optional essay is an opportunity to provide the admissions committee(s) with a broader picture of who you are as an applicant. This essay is optional; however, you are strongly encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity. Briefly state any unique circumstances or life experiences that are relevant to your application. This is not an area to continue your essay or reiterate what you have previously stated - this area is provided to address any issues which have not previously been addressed.

If you’ve written or will be writing a Disadvantaged Essay for the MD application (discussed in the following module), then it makes sense to use that same essay here and expand upon it (from 1325 to 2500 characters).

When adding content (~1000 characters) to your Disadvantaged Essay, here’s where to focus your attention:

Add 1-2 sentences to the “hook” of the essay (paragraph 1) to make your backstory even more vivid and concrete for the reader

Add 3-4 sentences to the “plot” of the essay (paragraph 1 or 2) to expound on your biggest challenges, obstacles, limitations, etc.

Add 3-4 sentences to the “reflection” of the essay (paragraph 2 or 3) to explain how your hardships and their lessons make you a valuable candidate

Even if you’re not disadvantaged, you should still answer this TMDSAS Optional Essay by using another one of your Most Meaningfuls. With the two choices remaining, choose the one that has more autobiographical or personal relevance, or perhaps the one that better illustrates your exemplary qualities (leadership, creativity, problem solving, innovation, initiative, etc.).

Add 3-4 sentences to the “reflection” of the essay (paragraph 2 or 3) to explain how this activity and its lessons make you a valuable candidate

2020 TMDSAS DISADVANTAGED INFORMATION PROMPT

There is no essay on the TMDSAS to explain your disadvantaged status, but the application has a series of Yes/No questions to categorize your socioeconomic standing:

1st generation undergraduate:

1st generation graduate:

Parent/guardian of dependent children:

Primary language:

Bilingual or multilingual:

Fluent in languages other than English:

Household size:

Household income:

Residential property value:

Ever live in subsidized housing:

Ever receive benefits from the Federal Free and Reduced Meal program:

Responsibilities raising other children in household while attending elementary and/or high school:

Were you required to contribute to the overall family income (as opposed to working primarily for your own discretionary spending money) while attending high school:

Zip Code to age 18:

Lived outside US to age 18:

Percentage of college expenses provided by:

Academic scholarships:

Financial need-based scholarships:

Jobs/Employment:

Other Sources:

Received a Pell Grant during undergraduate education:

Still full-time student:

Use the TMDSAS Optional Essay to elaborate on your disadvantages.

Refer to our tips for the TMDSAS Optional Essay Prompt .

2020 TMDSAS INSTITUTIONAL ACTION PROMPT

(600 characters max)

If you answer Yes to any of the following questions, you’ll be given 600 characters to explain.

(Yes/No) Has your education ever been interrupted for any reason?

(Yes/No) Were you ever the recipient of any action by any college or professional school for unacceptable academic performance?

(Yes/No) Were you ever the recipient of any action by any college or professional school for conduct violations?

(Yes/No) Have you ever been sanctioned or received disciplinary action by a State Licensure Board of any kind (i.e., nursing, pharmacy, legal, etc.)?

(Yes/No) Are you currently under charge or have you ever been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor, or have you ever received a felony or misdemeanor deferred adjudication?

2020 TMDSAS EXPERIENCE DESCRIPTIONS PROMPT

(300 characters max for each entry, no limit on number of entries)

Healthcare and Employment Activities may be listed in each category if the experience was a paid position; otherwise, do not list experiences in more than one section. For example, a scribing job would be listed in both Healthcare Activities and Employment. The Employment and Activities categories are as follows:

• Academic Recognition
• Non-Academic Recognition
• Research Activities
• Healthcare Activities
• Community Service
• Extracurricular & Leisure Activities
• Planned Activities
• Identifying Top Meaningful Activities

REFER TO OUR TIPS FOR THE AMCAS EXPERIENCE DESCRIPTIONS PROMPT .

2020 tmdsas most meaningful essays prompt.

(choose 3 of your activities, 500 characters max for each)

This section was recently added last cycle. The TMDSAS now asks you to identify three top meaningful activities.

With only 500 characters, try to capture the activity through an emotionally-gripping or inspirational scene:

As our team approached the scene, we were greeted by the scorched remnants of Dave’s trailer - four deflated tires and a melted frame - the result of an arsonist attack. This was my first ride-along with the American Red Cross. The Disaster Action Team provided clothes, water, blankets, and a few hundred dollars, but it was clear Dave needed more than temporary supplies. A humble realization set in - I will not be able to save everyone, but I will always strive to be a buoy to keep them afloat.

499 characters

END OF CONTENTS

We hope you find this resource useful. Make sure to bookmark it as a reference throughout your application cycle!

If these essays feel overwhelming, you can BOOK A FREE MEETING with our expert medical school advisors for more guidance. We’ve helped hundreds of students write their personal statements and essays, and we’d love to help you on your writing journey!

Good luck!  

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When and How to Write the AMCAS Disadvantaged Statement Essay Workshop

Are you a disadvantaged applicant to medical school? How do you know if you fit this description? This workshop will discuss the AMCAS Disadvantaged Essay, what constitutes being disadvantaged, and how to write this short essay if you consider yourself disadvantaged.

All applicants to medical school in the 2020-2021 cycle should attend this workshop.

More information about this seminar…

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Socioeconomic Status (SES) Disadvantaged Indicator

The SES Disadvantaged Indicator is one tool medical schools may use to identify applicants who come from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds. It’s intended to help schools place your entire AMCAS application information in context as part of a holistic review admission process. The AMCAS indicators were developed as tools to assist medical schools in their review processes, and they are not intended to be used as standalone elements.

The SES Disadvantaged Indicator is derived from information you provide about your parents’ and guardians’ occupation and education levels* by using the schema in the table below. Once the AMCAS program has processed your application, the indicator associated with your parent or guardian with the highest education and occupation level will appear on your printable application. To view the indicator, select the Print Application button on the Main Menu.

Note: EO = Education/Occupation.

An SES indicator of “N/A” indicates one of the following:

• Parent(s) who completed their highest level of education outside the United States and are not legal U.S. residents.
• Parent(s) who are deceased.
• There is no parent data.
• Applicant is not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.

An SES indicator of “Unknown” occurs when:

• All parental EO levels are “Unknown.”
• One parental EO level is “Unknown” and/or all other parental EO levels are “N/A.”

* The AMCAS program does not determine international equivalencies for education or occupation information.

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