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HPA

Application Timeline

HPA Menu
  • Home
  • Career Pathways
    • Medicine (MD/DO/DPM)
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Important Deadlines
Download a PDF of the Application Timeline

January 31

You must request at least three letters of recommendation from Bard faculty for your file
 (two from the sciences and one additional letter from any faculty member)

Additional letters can be requested throughout the process. The goal is to have your file complete (letters received) by June so that the committee letter is ready when you need it.

June 1 

Letters of recommendation due in the Career Development Office

  • Login to Handshake to schedule an appointment with the Pre-professional Health Career Adviser to discuss your plans and open your file
  • Open a file in the Career Development Office
  • Start requesting letters of recommendations
  • Formalize your plan for studying for the MCAT/DAT and register for the test
  • Plan to take the MCAT/DAT by the end of June
  • Review "Getting Organized" on the AAMC website
  • Registration for all January-June 2025 MCAT test dates is open
  • The AAMC PREview® professional readiness exam registration opens
  • January 31: You must request at least three letters of recommendation from Bard faculty for your file (two from the sciences and one additional letter from any faculty member)

June 30

In order to receive a committee letter of recommendation, the following items have to be satisfied. Otherwise, the committee reserves the right to not provide a formal composite letter of evaluation. The individual letters of recommendation in your file will be forwarded to the schools with an accompanying generic cover letter.
 

June 30

  • At least three letters of recommendation shall be requested from Bard faculty
  • The primary application must be submitted to the respective administrative service
  • The standardized test required must be completed by the end of June of the year you are applying

February-March

  • Start thinking about your personal statement
  • Start compiling your list of activities
  • February 27, 2024: MCAT Registration for the July-September 2024; these test dates are typical for those planning to apply next year or later, not in the upcoming application cycle. 

April-June

  • Begin researching schools using the MSAR and create a list of potential schools
  • Schedule a time to meet with the Pre-Professional Health Career Adviser to discuss your school list, activities and/or for personal statement review
  • Typical MCAT Testing time frame for those entering the next cycle
Forward Test Scores: 
  • Administered by the AAMC, scores are automatically sent to AMCAS
  • Request that your scores be sent to AACOMAS and/or TMDSAS
  • AADSAS request scores be sent at the time of testing

May

  • Attend info session hosted by the CDO reviewing the process
  • Register for the centralized application service:
    • May 1, 2025: AMCAS (MD) begin filling out the application
    • May 5, 2025: AACOMAS (DO) submission opens
    • ADDSAS (Dental) submission opens 
    • TMDSAS (Texas Medical and Dental Schools) application is available online 
  • Request transcripts to be sent to the application service 
    • Review the instructions: AMCAS, AACOMAS, AADSAS
    • TMDSAS will send a request to you when they want your transcripts
    • Use the National Student Clearing House to send transcripts (choose "electronic" under "delivery method")
  • Be sure to have transcripts sent to the centralized application service from any college level work you have done (not just Bard)
  • Send an unofficial copy of the external transcript(s) to [email protected] 
  • May 27, 2025: AMCAS application opens for submission

June

  • AMCAS: Send a PDF of the Letter of Recommendation Request form to the Pre-Professional Health Career Adviser
  • Request the committee letter through ADDSAS/AACOMAS/TMDSAS using [email protected]
  • June 1: Letters of Recommendation due to the CDO
  • June 27, 2025:  AMCAS submission to medical schools
June 30:  In order to receive a committee letter of recommendation, the following items have to be satisfied. Otherwise, the committee reserves the right to not provide a formal composite letter of evaluation. The individual letters of recommendation in your file will be forwarded to the schools with an accompanying generic cover letter.
  • you must have requested at least three letters of recommendation from Bard faculty;
  • your primary application must be submitted to the respective administrative service;
  • and you must have completed the MCAT by the end of June of the year you are applying

July-December

Submit secondary applications; don’t wait for the deadlines to submit…early is better!

August-February

Interview Season begins

  • Respond to interview invitations
  • Schedule a mock interview with the Pre-professional Health Career Adviser
    • Please wait for an interview invitation before scheduling so we know how to prepare for it. Schools have different interview formats
  • Send thank you emails to interviewers

September

  • AACOMAS Academic Update (Coursework) Periods
    • Sept.2, 2024 – Oct. 11, 2024
    • Dec. 16, 2024 – Feb. 14, 2025
    • Mar. 17, 2025 – Apr. 11, 2025

January

  • Send fall transcripts to allopathic medical schools directly
  • Refer to academic update periods for DO programs
  • Send any significant updates to schools you are waiting to hear from

Career Development Office
HPA Office Location:
Resnick Family Gatehouse, Room 205 (CCE)
Schedule an appointment

Bard College
30 Campus Road
Annandale-on-Hudson, New York 12504-5000 
845-758-7539