Frequently Asked Questions
What is your mailing address?
Albany Medical College
Office of Admissions, Mail Code 3
47 New Scotland Avenue
Albany, NY 12208
What is your email address?
admissions@mail.amc.edu
What is your phone number?
518-262-5521
What is your FAX number?
518-262-5887
How do I apply?
First, complete an on-line primary application through AMCAS (www.aamc.org/amcas). When AMCAS sends us a copy of your verified application, we will send your pin number, via email, to access your on-line supplemental application.
Does everyone who applies to your school get a supplemental application?
Everyone (1)who has submitted an AMCAS application by the November 15, 2009 deadline and (2) whose application subsequently becomes verified will receive an Albany Medical College supplemental application.
What is the supplemental application deadline?
The supplemental application deadline is 11:59 PM, EST, on January 15, 2010.
How do I get a supplemental application?
As soon as AMCAS sends us a copy of your verified application, we will send supplemental application instructions and your pin number via email.
I lost/did not receive my pin number. How can I get it?
Phone the office, 518-262-5521. We will ask you a few simple questions to establish your identity and then we will resend your pin number via email.
I typed in my pin # and AAMC ID#, but I cannot access the application. How can I access the application?
Copy and paste your pin number into the appropriate box. If you are still unable to access the application, email admissions@mail.amc.edu or call our office, 518-262-5521, stating your name, AMCAS ID# and phone number. An Albany Medical College staff member will contact you to resolve the problem.
.Is a special browser needed to access the on-line application?
You should use only Netscape 6.0+ or Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0+
What is the supplemental application fee?
$105.00
Do you offer a fee waiver for the cost of the supplemental application?
Only if AMCAS granted you a fee waiver.
What is the deadline for application to the class of 2010?
The deadline for the AMCAS application is 11/15/2009; the deadline for the Albany Medical College supplemental application is 1/15/2010.
What is the oldest MCAT you will accept?
The oldest MCAT accepted is 4 years old; therefore, for those who wish to matriculate in August of 2010, the oldest MCAT acceptable would have been taken in 2006.
What are the cutoff scores for GPA/MCATs?
We do not have any automatic computer generated cutoffs. All complete applications are reviewed through our admissions committee's screening process, which is a hands on reading of each applicant's file. While we support an holistic approach to our process we find applicants with MCATs of 27 or higher and a GPA of 3.0 or higher are the most successful.
How many recommendations are required?
Our requirements would be filled by either submitting:
1. a premedical advisory committee letter
OR
2. two (2) letters of recommendation from instructors who have given you course credit. One of the two required letters must come from a science instructor. The other required letter may also come from a science instructor, or, an instructor in some other discipline. If you are not sending a letter from a science instructor, a letter may be sent from your supervisor at a volunteer scientific research position or a paid scientific research position.
What recommendations are required from reapplicants?
A reapplicant, whose file was complete by the 2009 deadline, should send one new letter of recommendation reflecting his/her activities during the past year. Examples: employer letter, volunteer coordinator letter. Please call our office to verify that your application was complete.
Do you accept recommendations sent via AMCAS and/or Virtual Evals?
For the 2009-2010 application season, Albany Medical College will accept recommendations sent via regular mail, or recommendations that we download directly from the Virtual Evals. website. We are not accepting recommendations sent via AMCAS, recommendations sent to AMCAS via Virtual Evals, or recommendations sent via email.
Do I need to send you a transcript?
At the time of application, generally applicants do not need to send transcripts unless required science courses were taken outside the US. If required science courses were taken outside the US, then an unofficial transcript must be sent to the Albany Medical College Admissions Office.
By August 1 of the year that a confirmed accepted applicant plans to enroll, the accepted applicant must submit official transcripts from every college attended.
When will I know whether I am invited to interview?
Once your application becomes complete, it is sent to the Admissions Committee for screening (review). The screening outcome may place you in one of three categories: interview, hold, no interview. All communication regarding interview status will be made by email. Once an application has become complete, the screening process takes between one and two weeks. Our screening process begins in August and continues through March.
I am in the "hold" category. When will I know if I will be invited for IV?
In order to manage our applicant pool, applicants are placed in the "hold" category until we determine if more applicants need to be invited to interview. Our goal is to interview approximately 600-650 applicants out of an applicant pool of over 9,000.
Our interview season begins in September and ends in late April. At this time, we do not know if the hold category will be utilized.
When are interviews held?
The Albany Medical College interviews on Wednesday afternoon, Thursday morning and Thursday afternoon starting in September and ending in April.
When will the committee meet to vote on me?
Generally, interviewed applicants are voted upon on the Tuesday following interview. On occasion, when there is not sufficient time to review all interviewed applicants, some applicants are deferred until the next meeting.
What happens after the committee votes on applicants?
Following the admissions committee meeting and voting process, an applicant may be placed in one of three categories (accept, under consideration, not accepted). These categories are determined by the "average committee vote score." An applicant's "average committee vote score" never changes throughout the admission season. Submission of any additional information will not change the "average committee vote score."
I am in the "under consideration" category. What does that mean?
In order to manage the number of acceptances offered, the "under consideration" category is used as a temporary designation until your application is given a final designation.
As the admission season and interview process progresses (from September through April), we are able to utilize the "under consideration" category as needed, to offer acceptances through May 15th.
In June, all applicants remaining in the "under consideration" category will be given final designations according to final cut-off scores. The "under consideration" category may ultimately result in an offer of acceptance, being placed on the alternate list, or not being accepted.
When will you have an alternate (wait) list?
June
How many people are on the alternate (wait) list?
The number varies from year to year.
How do applicants get on the alternate (wait) list?
Applicants are placed on the list strictly according to their CONFIDENTIAL average committee vote score.
Once an applicant has been voted upon, nothing will change this score.
How many people do you offer admission to from the alternate (wait) list?
That varies from year to year; there is no way we can predict this. We can only use the list if an opening occurs in the class.
What were your school's average GPA and MCATs for the class entering in 2009?
The undergraduate GPA averages for the class matriculating in August 2008 were:
3.6 GPA overall, 3.5 GPA science and 3.7 GPA all other
and
The average MCAT scores for the class matriculation in August 2008 were:
10.0 Verbal Reasoning (Range from 4-13)
10.4 Physical Sciences (Range from 6-14)
10.9 Biological Sciences (Range from 7-14)
While we support an holistic approach to our process we find applicants with MCATs of 27 or higher and a GPA of 3.0 or higher are the most successful.
What is the acceptance rate for applicants who are not NY state residents?
As a private school, no special preference is given to NY state residents. Our statistics do not reflect the acceptance rate for non NY state residents. Rather, our statistic shows that 59% of the 2008 first year class was from out-of-state.
Do you accept non-citizen applicants?
Non-citizens applicants are accepted. However, preference is given to US citizens, and US permanent residents.
How many non-citizens apply?
We do not keep statistics on the number of non-citizen applicants.
How many non-citizens were offered admission?
On average, between 3-5 non-citizens matriculate in each entering class.
What were the average MCATs and GPAs of non-citizens?
We do not keep these statistics.
Do you offer housing for those coming for an interview?
On most Wednesday nights, medical students voluntarily provide housing to a limited number of applicants. One week in advance of the anticipated stay, applicants must have made a reservation through our interview packet website. The week of your interview, you will be contacted by the student housing coordinator to verify your need for housing. Housing hosts will meet their guests in the Neil Hellman lobby by 8:15 PM.
Do you offer a tour?
We offer a tour on the day of interview.
Do you have a transfer program?
The Albany Medical College will consider an application for admission with advanced placement from the spouse, or domestic partner of a current employee, student, resident or postdoctoral fellow at the Albany Medical College, Albany Medical Center Hospital, or Albany Medical Center.
How do I apply for the MD/PhD program?
Medical students interested in obtaining a PhD may apply after the 2nd year of medical school. There is no simultaneous application for an MD/PhD program.
When do classes start?
For admission in 2009, orientation and registration (both mandatory) were on August 12 & August 13. Monday, August 17 was the first day of classes. Dates for admission in 2010 are to be announced.
What is the tuition?
Tuition for 2009 is $46,372.
Do you have a catalog?
Our catalog is only available online at www.amc.edu/academic.
