Every year, medical school application systems undergo changes that can significantly impact how applicants should prepare their materials. From updates in required experiences to new essay expectations, staying informed is essential for maximizing your chances of acceptance.

At AcceptMed, we ensure that applicants stay ahead of these changes and adapt their applications accordingly. Whether you're applying through AMCAS (MD programs), AACOMAS (DO programs), or TMDSAS (Texas medical schools), understanding these updates will help you craft a stronger, more competitive application.

Key Changes in the 2025 AMCAS Application Cycle

AMCAS remains the primary application service for MD (allopathic) medical schools in the U.S. For the 2025 cycle, applicants should be aware of several key changes:

A. Increased Emphasis on Clinical Experience

Medical schools are prioritizing applicants who have significant hands-on experience with patients. While shadowing is still valuable, schools now prefer active engagement in clinical roles such as:

• Medical scribing
• EMT, CNA, or phlebotomy experience
• Hospice and palliative care volunteering
• Hospital or clinic-based medical assisting

Many secondary applications now include essay prompts asking about direct patient interaction and how applicants learned from those experiences.

B. Work & Activities Section Adjustments

• Admissions committees want to see impact-focused descriptions rather than simple lists of duties.
• The Most Meaningful Experiences section should emphasize personal growth, leadership, and patient interactions rather than just summarizing responsibilities.
• Strong storytelling and specific examples of impact can set an applicant apart.

How to Prepare: Make sure your Work & Activities section highlights how you made a difference, not just what you did.

Key Changes in the 2025 AACOMAS Application Cycle

AACOMAS is the application system for osteopathic (DO) medical schools. While it shares similarities with AMCAS, DO schools have unique requirements and expectations that have evolved for 2025.

A. Greater Emphasis on Osteopathic Philosophy

Osteopathic medical schools are placing more weight on applicants’ understanding of DO principles, including:

• The holistic approach to medicine
• The role of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM/OMT)
• How DO philosophy aligns with their career goals

Applicants should expect more secondary essay prompts asking them to demonstrate their knowledge of osteopathy and how they plan to integrate these principles into patient care.

B. New Letters of Recommendation Requirements

• Several DO schools now require a letter from a practicing DO physician.
• Shadowing a DO is no longer just recommended—it is becoming essential.

How to Prepare: If you haven’t already shadowed a DO, start as soon as possible and secure a strong letter of recommendation to strengthen your application.

Key Changes in the 2025 TMDSAS Application Cycle

TMDSAS serves Texas medical schools, which have a unique admissions process that differs from AMCAS and AACOMAS. The 2025 cycle brings new updates and policies that applicants must keep in mind.

A. Increased Preference for In-State Applicants

Texas medical schools already prioritize in-state residents, with 90% of seats reserved for Texas applicants. However, the 2025 cycle may introduce even stricter in-state policies, making it harder for out-of-state applicants to gain admission.

Out-of-state applicants will likely need to:

• Show strong ties to Texas (family, past residency, or long-term commitment to practicing in Texas).
• Apply strategically to private Texas medical schools, which accept more out-of-state students than public institutions.

B. Changes in the Personal Characteristics Essay

The TMDSAS Personal Characteristics Essay is evolving to place greater emphasis on diversity, leadership, and resilience. This means:

• More essay prompts focusing on how applicants contribute to a diverse medical school environment.
• Greater weight on leadership experiences, mentorship roles, and ability to adapt to challenges.

How to Prepare: If you’re applying through TMDSAS, ensure your Personal Characteristics Essay tells a compelling story about your personal growth, leadership, and unique perspective in medicine.

What These Changes Mean for 2025 Applicants

The 2025 medical school application cycle is shaping up to be more competitive than ever, with greater emphasis on clinical experience, holistic patient care, and meaningful engagement in leadership roles. Here’s what applicants need to do to stay ahead:

• Start preparing early – The earlier you begin gathering experiences, drafting essays, and securing letters of recommendation, the better.
• Adapt to new requirements – Make sure your application aligns with the latest expectations for clinical exposure, osteopathic philosophy, and diversity in medical education
• Polish your essays and application materials – Strong storytelling, specific impact statements, and clear alignment with each school’s mission are more important than ever.
• Apply strategically – If you’re applying to Texas medical schools, MD and DO programs, or multiple application systems, understand the differences in requirements and tailor your application accordingly.

Stay Informed and Stay Competitive

Medical school applications change every year, and staying updated on AMCAS, AACOMAS, and TMDSAS modifications is essential for success. The 2025 cycle will emphasize hands-on clinical experience, osteopathic philosophy, and in-state advantages for TMDSAS applicants.

• AMCAS is placing more weight on clinical experience and leadership in the Work & Activities section.
• AACOMAS now expects applicants to show a deeper understanding of osteopathic medicine and requires stronger DO shadowing experiences.
• TMDSAS continues to favor in-state applicants and is emphasizing diversity and resilience in its Personal Characteristics Essay.
• Staying ahead of these changes and tailoring your application to each system will give you a stronger competitive edge.