The student wants to avoid repeating information found elsewhere in the application, but can use this section as an opportunity to explain or elaborate on answers given elsewhere in the forms. Personal comments must be limited to the space provided. The student should be sure that the schools initially listed are ones in which he or she are really interested. Other schools can be added later using an additional designation form, but it will require an additional fee. When the schools receive an application, they will send the applicant supplementary materials requesting recommendations and a fee.
Many schools have a supplementary application with additional essays and -further questions.
A few schools do a preliminary screening before supplementary materials. The student should plan the senior year courses accordingly. Most allopathic and a few osteopathic medical schools offer an early decision option, an advantage to the well-qualified applicant who is sure of his or her choice of a medical school. Students file an application to one school, usually by August 1, and are guaranteed an admission decision by October 1. This serves as a transmittal notification.