Med/Vet/Dental Application Newsletter

Information about the MCAT

2024-2025

September 2023

 

For those of you who are planning, or strongly considering, taking the MCAT this year, please note that MCAT registration for the first half of the 2024 testing year (January – June) will open on October 24^th and October 25^th at noon EST. Your registration opening date is based on your test center location (see more information below about testing sites).

 

IMPORTANT! Testing dates do fill quickly, so if you already know when you want to take the MCAT, make sure to sign up as soon as registration opens.

 

Be sure to read this newsletter carefully for essential information about signing up for the MCAT, as well as information about preparation in general. Please also read the attached MCAT Tips and MCAT Prep Resources for further information. Even if you plan to take the MCAT in a future year, this information may still be helpful for you.

 

Table of Contents

Reminder: Sign-Up for the MedApp2024-2025 Listserv!. 1

MCAT Registration: Test Dates & Calendar. 2

The Financial Assistance Program (FAP). 2

Nearest Testing Sites. 3

Preparation Resources. 3

Dartmouth Class of ’85 Bridges to Health Professions Grant. 3

 

Reminder: Sign-Up for the MedApp2024-2025 Listserv!

If you have not already, please make sure to sign-up for the MedApp2024-2025 listserv (see link to the sign-up form below) if you plan, or are seriously considering, applying to the 2024-2025 Med/Vet/Dental application cycle. As we get further into the cycle, we will use this listserv exclusively to convey crucial information about the application, so it is to your benefit to sign-up for the listserv so you can receive these communications.

 

Note: If you are a current senior, when filling out the sign-up form it will be beneficial to you to also enter a non-Dartmouth email so you can continue to receive communications after you graduate, and your Dartmouth email becomes deactivated.

 

MedApp2024-2025 Listserv Sign-Up Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc4A5hdR4uckZOukolAiKHRO_wK8bada8DRbmqH84jz-GUhmQ/viewform?usp=pp_url

MCAT Registration: Test Dates & Calendar

• For January – June testing dates, registration opens on October 24^th and October 25^th at noon EST.
• IMPORTANT! Testing dates do fill quickly, so if you already know when you want to take the MCAT, make sure to sign up as soon as registration opens. Research ahead of time to know the locations nearest to Dartmouth (see Nearest Testing Sites section below for more info) or your home.
• See the AAMC-MCAT website for information about the content of the MCAT, how to register, and resources for preparation; as well as financing the MCAT. You can also learn about MCAT prep resources.
• DO Sign up HERE to receive email updates from the AAMC about MCAT updates and important logistical information.
• GO HERE to learn all about registering for the exam itself ahead of time. Don’t wait until the sign-up day opens. Understand the process, location of testing centers, etc.
• Create YOUR AAMC account HERE now! You can do this already. Then you’ll be all set if you are planning to register this October for Jan-March dates. That account will be your AAMC account for everything including your future application, and beyond!
• Here is the link for the 2024 MCAT dates.
• If you need to reschedule your test date, you can learn more about how to reschedule and reschedule fees here.

The Financial Assistance Program (FAP)

The AAMC does have a Fee Assistance Program (FAP) to help defray the cost of the MCAT and AMCAS application.

• IMPORTANT NOTE! You must apply for and be approved for the FAP before you sign up and pay for the MCAT. It is NOT retroactive!
• If you qualify for the FAP you also receive it for the AMCAS application (within a certain timeframe).
• If you miss the FAP eligibility by a tiny fraction, it can’t hurt to contact the FAP Office directly. They are constantly changing their policy during COVID.
• If you do sign up for the MCAT before getting approved, you can still apply to get approved for the actual application process.

Nearest Testing Sites

Planning will be required to travel to your testing sites and may require leaving the day before to be at the site on time on test day.

• The closest testing site to Dartmouth is in Concord, NH which is about an hour away.
• The next closest testing site is in Burlington, VT which is about an hour and a half away.
• There are several sites in Massachusetts including three in Boston, several in surrounding areas, and 1 in Springfield, MA.

Preparation Resources

It is essential to make a plan that is appropriate to YOU. When will you be best prepared to take the MCAT? When will you have time to commit to studying for the MCAT?

• There is information on the AAMC website about MCAT content, preparation materials, and more.
• The HPP website also has information and links to resources to prepare for the MCAT.
• Advice from Dartmouth Alumni: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Yc5h-xuHtEvSBM239p896tnU1Xhg7wG8_FdtaT2VqsM/edit?usp=sharing
• HPP is planning an MCAT Panel, where you can hear tips and advice from students/alumni who have taken the MCAT about how to study/prepare, later this Fall. Please stay tuned for more information!

Dartmouth Class of ’85 Bridges to Health Professions Grant

Thanks to the generous donation of the Class of ’85, we have the Bridges to Health Professions Grant to help defray the costs of preparing for and taking the MCAT for a few students with high financial need. We will be sending out more information within the next few weeks about the application, so please stay tuned!