Medical School Application Timeline for 2025-2026
Applying to medical school is one of the most exciting and challenging steps on the journey to becoming a physician. The process spans over a year and requires careful planning, preparation, and timing. Submitting early, staying organized, and understanding deadlines will give you the strongest chance of acceptance.
This guide provides a detailed month-by-month breakdown of the 2025–2026 medical school application cycle, including MCAT® dates, application deadlines, and strategy tips.
Key Dates and Deadlines (2025–2026 Cycle)
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May 2025: AMCAS application opens for data entry
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Late May / Early June 2025: First day to submit AMCAS application
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End of June 2025: AMCAS transmits data to medical schools
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July 2025: Secondary applications begin arriving
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August 2025 – Spring 2026: Interview season
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October 15, 2025: First date schools can send acceptances
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April 30, 2026: Applicants must select one school (“Plan to Enroll” deadline)
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May–June 2026: Waitlist movement and final admissions
📌 Pro Tip: All AMCAS scheduling deadlines are at 11:59 p.m. local test center time. Secondary and interview deadlines vary by school.
Expect secondary applications from schools two to four weeks after submitting your primary application. While they may not have immediate deadlines, aim to complete them within 7-14 days. Prioritize quality over speed, but ensure you meet the deadlines.
Interviews typically occur from August to September, potentially extending into the following spring. Don’t wait for an invitation to start preparing. Begin interview practice well in advance to ensure you’re confident and ready to impress.
Medical School Application: A Step-by-Step Breakdown
Applying to medical school involves several key stages. Let’s explore them in detail, along with a recommended timeline for each step.
Step 1: Take the MCAT®
The MCAT is a 7.5-hour standardized exam that evaluates your readiness for medical school. Choosing the right date is critical:
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If you want to go straight into medical school after college, plan to test by Spring 2025.
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If you’re taking a gap year, you may have more flexibility (summer 2025 is common).
👉 Check the full 2026 MCAT Testing Calendar for exact dates, registration deadlines, and score release schedules.
Also check out our comprehensive MCAT Guide for all the essential info on MCAT.
Step 2: Primary Application
Most U.S. MD schools use the AMCAS system. Other pathways include:
Applications open in early May 2025, but you cannot submit until late May/early June. Because of rolling admissions, applying early (by June) is strongly recommended.
Step 3: Secondary Application
Secondary applications are sent 2–4 weeks after your primary submission. These typically include essays and short answers specific to each school.
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Aim to return secondaries within 7–14 days.
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Prioritize quality; thoughtful, well-written responses show commitment.
📖 Learn how to approach secondaries in our guide to secondary applications.
Step 4: Scheduling Interviews
Interview season begins as early as August 2025, with most scheduled between September and February. Formats may include traditional interviews, MMI (multiple mini interviews), or virtual interviews.
🎥 Watch real student insights: Medical School Interview Stories
Step 5: Acceptance and Admissions Decisions
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October 15, 2025: Schools begin releasing acceptances
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April 30, 2026: Multiple acceptances must be narrowed to one (“Plan to Enroll”)
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May–June 2026: Waitlist movement continues
👉 Not accepted yet? Learn how to craft a strong letter of interest or intent to increase your chances.
Month-by-Month Application Preparation Schedule
February 2025
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Draft your personal statement
Read: How to Write a Perfect Medical School Personal Statement
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Request letters of recommendation
Read: Why Are Letters of Recommendation So Important?
Read: 6 Things You Need to Know About Medical School Recommendation Letters
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Register for spring MCAT dates
March 2025
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Refine personal statement with feedback
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Confirm letter writers and deadlines
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Compile activities for the Work & Activities section
April 2025
- Fine-tune personal statement and seek feedback
- Confirm letters of recommendation and follow-up
- Compile and fine-tune extracurriculars for the Work and Activities section
- Decide which medical schools you’ll apply to
Read: Top Ranking Medical Schools: A Complete Guide
- MCAT test dates available for junior/senior students
- Possible Casper preparationRead: Everything You Need to Know About the Casper Test
May 2025
- At the beginning of May, AMCAS, AACOMAS, and TMDSAS open, begin filling in your applications (you are not able to submit yet)
- Complete any optional or mini-essays
- Fine-tune your application
- Follow up on any late or missing letters of recommendation
- Make final decisions about which schools you’ll apply to
- MCAT test dates available for junior/senior students
June 2025
- You can begin submitting your application at the very end of May or early June. Most students will submit before the end of June. The later you apply, the lower your chances are of admission.
- Start preparing for interview season, especially if you struggle with interview skills
Read: How to Prepare for a Medical School Interview
- MCAT test dates available for junior/senior students
- Possible Casper preparation (you may have time available to take the Casper test after you submit your application and are waiting for secondaries)
July 2025
- Begin preparing answers for common secondary questions
Read: What Is A Secondary Application For Medical School? - Complete interview practice and mock interviews
- MCAT test dates available for junior/senior students
August 2025
- Medical school interview invitations begin in August (the first interview days could occur in late August, but most start in September)
- Complete interview practice and mock interviews
Watch: Medical School Interviews with Admissions Expert Nicole Sam I Jack Westin MCAT
- Continue completing secondary applications as they come through (complete secondaries within 14 days)
- MCAT test dates available for junior/senior students
September 2025
- Continue completing medical school interviews
- Send interview thank you letters
- MCAT test dates available for junior/senior students (the last test dates of the year usually occur by early to mid-September, and then no more MCAT test dates until next January)
October 2025
- Continue completing medical school interviews and sending thank you emails
- Send letters of interest and updates, if appropriate
Read: Letter of Interest & Letter of Intent Medical School Questions Answered
- Optional: Send a letter of intent to your top school (you can only send this letter to one school)
- You may receive an acceptance as early as mid-October
- No MCAT test dates, but students may be studying for next year’s test dates
November 2025
- Continue completing medical school interviews and sending thank you emails
- Send letters of interest and updates, if appropriate
- Optional: Send a letter of intent to your top school (you can only send this letter to one school)
- You may receive acceptance offers
- No MCAT test dates, but students may be studying for next year’s test dates
December 2025
- Continue completing medical school interviews and sending thank you emails
- Send letters of interest and updates, if appropriate
- Optional: Send a letter of intent to your top school (you can only send this letter to one school)
- You may receive acceptance offers
- No MCAT test dates, but students may be studying for next year’s test dates
January 2026
- Continue completing medical school interviews and sending thank you emails
- Send letters of interest and updates, if appropriate
- Optional: Send a letter of intent to your top school (you can only send this letter to one school)
- You may receive acceptance offers
February 2026
- Continue completing medical school interviews and sending thank you emails
- Send letters of interest and updates, if appropriate
- Optional: Send a letter of intent to your top school (you can only send this letter to one school)
- You may receive acceptance offers
- Optional: Send a letter of intent to your top school (you can only send this letter to one school)
March 2026
- Continue completing medical school interviews and sending thank you emails
- Send letters of interest and updates, if appropriate
- Optional: Send a letter of intent to your top school (you can only send this letter to one school)
- Offers are sent out by the middle of March (If you do not receive acceptances by this time, you may be waitlisted)
April 2026
- Send letters of interest and updates, if appropriate
- Optional: Send a letter of intent to your top school (you can only send this letter to one school)
- Applicants must formally choose a medical school by the end of April
Frequently Asked Questions
When Do Applications Open?
Medical school applications usually open the first week of May for the subsequent year’s medical school class. You have approximately a month to prepare your application before submissions open at the end of May or early June. The application process begins in the spring of 2025 for entry into medical school in the fall of 2026.
What’s the Latest I Can Submit My Application Without Consequence?
Applications close between October and December. While technically possible to submit until December, submitting in September is considered the latest to avoid significant consequences. Submitting later decreases acceptance chances due to rolling admissions, affecting secondary applications, interviews, and admissions decisions.
When Should I Take the MCAT?
The ideal MCAT timing depends on post-college plans. For direct entry into medical school, taking the MCAT in the summer after sophomore year is recommended. Planning a gap year suggests taking the MCAT in the summer between junior and senior years.
When Should I Take the Casper Test?
Casper test necessity varies by school, and test completion timing depends on individual school requirements. Taking the Casper test early, preferably in June, is advised because it allows completion before the intense secondary application phase.
If My Primary Application is Late, Should I Wait Until the Next Application Cycle?
Yes, waiting for the next application cycle is advisable if the primary application is not submitted by the end of summer. Late submissions decrease acceptance chances, and rushing through subsequent stages leads to potential rejections. Focusing on thorough preparation for the next cycle is a strategic approach.
Which Application Service Do I Need to Apply Through?
The application service depends on location and the desired medical degree (MD or DO). AMCAS is for MD programs in the United States. AACOMAS is for DO programs, streamlining applications for osteopathic medical schools. TMDSAS is for Texas-based medical schools, catering to in-state and limited out-of-state applicants. Understanding the specific requirements of each service is crucial, especially when applying to both MD and DO programs or to schools in and outside of Texas.
Conclusion
Applying to medical school in the 2025–2026 cycle requires foresight, preparation, and strategy. Start early, use resources wisely, and stay consistent.
Remember to tune in to Jack Westin’s MCAT Podcast on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. Gain expert insights, elevate your preparation, grasp key topics, and conquer the MCAT with confidence!
To learn more about what’s tested on the MCAT, you can go to Jack Westin’s MCAT Content or check out our admissions services and choose a package that best suits your needs.
