How to Use MSAR: A Step-by-Step Guide for Premeds

What Is MSAR and Why Should You Care?

MSAR (Medical School Admission Requirements) is an online database created by the AAMC. It’s not a blog. It’s not a Reddit thread. It’s not a ranking site. It’s the actual data submitted by medical schools every year—GPA stats, MCAT ranges, number of interview invites, in-state acceptance rates, tuition costs, prerequisites, and a lot more.

Why It’s Worth Paying For

Yeah, you’ll pay $28 for a one-year subscription. But think about what you’re applying for: med school is a six-figure decision. MSAR is pennies by comparison. If you use it right, it can save you hundreds in secondary fees—and help you avoid applying to schools that don’t even take students like you.

What You’ll Need to Get Started

• AAMC login (free)
• Paid MSAR access ($28)
• Your latest GPA and MCAT score (or range)
• A spreadsheet, Google Doc, or Notion board to organize your findings
• A clear idea of your priorities (location, mission, cost, etc.)

What’s Inside MSAR? Here’s a Quick Tour

Each medical school has its own page packed with information. Here’s what you’ll find:

• Mission statement
• Median GPA and MCAT for matriculants
• Range of scores (25th–75th percentiles)
• Total applicants, interviewees, accepted and matriculated students
• In-state vs. out-of-state acceptance numbers
• Demographic breakdown of matriculants (age, background, etc.)
• Curriculum format and interview type (MMI or traditional)
• Research opportunities, joint degrees (MD/PhD, MD/MPH, etc.)
• Secondary essay prompts
• Pre-reqs and recommendation letter requirements

This isn’t just background noise. Every single data point is useful—if you know what you’re looking for.

Additional Features Worth Checking

• Links to each school’s admissions website
• Average age of matriculants
• Detailed course requirements for prerequisites
• Data on gap years and non-traditional students
• Percentage of students with research or volunteer experience
• Average number of accepted applicants per interview invite

How to Use MSAR to Build Your School List

Step 1: Use GPA and MCAT Filters Strategically

Don’t use the filters to eliminate everything below your exact score. Instead:

• Set a MCAT range that includes 1–2 points below and above your score
• Do the same for GPA (±0.2)
• Check the median and the 10th–90th percentile range if available

Why? Because med schools use holistic review. Being below the median doesn’t mean you won’t get in—it just means you should look deeper into fit and mission.

Also look at how your GPA/MCAT compares to other accepted applicants. Some schools may have lower average stats but very high in-state preference or mission-specific focus.

Step 2: Evaluate In-State and Out-of-State Preference

Let’s say your stats are perfect for a school, but you’re out-of-state. If that school only interviews 3% of out-of-state applicants, your chances are slim.

Use the matriculant breakdown and interview invite stats to figure this out. Some public schools are very selective about this.

Pro tip: Use filters to narrow to private schools or state-friendly schools if you're applying out-of-state. Create a tracker to flag state residency policies early.

Step 3: Look at Class Size and Diversity

A school with 300 students might be less selective statistically—but could also have less individual support. A smaller class size might mean better faculty contact, but also tighter admissions.

Also check:

• Age range of matriculants
• % of first-gen college students
• % of underrepresented in medicine (URM) applicants
• Types of degrees students had before applying (BS, BA, post-bacc)

Ask: will you find community here? Do their student support programs align with your needs?

Step 4: Compare Missions and Program Focus

This is where people get lazy. Don’t skip the mission statements.

Some schools are focused on:

• Primary care
• Underserved communities
• Research or academic medicine
• Global health
• Rural or regional service

You need to ask: Does this align with my story, background, or career goals?

If not, it’s probably not worth applying—even if your stats match.

Also read the "education philosophy" or "about us" sections. These can hint at how traditional or progressive a program is.

Step 5: Analyze Interview Format

Interview type matters. If you're nervous about MMI or thrive in traditional settings, MSAR tells you what each school uses.

• MMI = Multiple Mini Interviews (usually more structured)
• Traditional = 1-on-1 or panel (more personal, sometimes unstructured)

Plan ahead: If 10 of your 15 target schools use MMI, start practicing now.

Step 6: Use Favorites + Spreadsheet

MSAR’s “Favorites” tab is just a scratchpad. Create your own system using:

• Excel or Google Sheets
• Notion or Trello boards
• Columns for: Deadline, Mission fit (score it 1–5), OOS-friendly?, Interview type, Secondary essays, Notes

Here's a quick example of an MSAR medical school entry:

What You Should Really Be Thinking About When Building Your List

Forget National Rankings

Harvard and Hopkins are great. But if they don’t fit your goals, it doesn’t matter. Focus on schools that match your needs:

• Urban vs rural
• Supportive learning environments
• Strong primary care vs research focus
• Family-friendly locations
• Tuition and cost of living

Think About Fit in Real Terms

If a school serves a largely underserved population, and that’s your background, say that in your essays. Schools want applicants who understand and align with their mission.

MSAR gives you the starting point—you build the case from there.

Ask yourself: can I write a compelling "why this school" secondary using the info on this page?

Track Secondaries and Hidden Costs

Some schools have mandatory campus visits. Some require secondary essays for all applicants, others only for screened applicants. This affects:

• Budgeting (apps can cost thousands)
• Time (writing 30 essays isn’t sustainable)

Track this early in your MSAR notes. It can make or break your list.

Consider Curriculum Format

Problem-based learning vs lecture-heavy models, pass/fail vs graded pre-clinical years—these influence your med school experience.

Check if:

• There’s early clinical exposure
• You’ll have flexibility in choosing electives
• The school supports research if that’s your interest

What Kind of Environment Do You Thrive In?

MSAR won’t come right out and say, “this place is cutthroat,” or “students here feel isolated.” But you can still pick up on cues that hint at the school’s personality:

• Does the school emphasize collaboration, diversity, or community service?
• Is it located in a big city, a college town, or somewhere remote?
• Does the class size suggest you’ll have personal attention or just be another face in the lecture hall?

Look at:

• Student support services (tutoring, mental health, mentorship)
• Demographics of the incoming class
• Clubs, student-run clinics, and extracurricular options
• USMLE prep resources and match advising

This stuff matters. You’ll be spending 4 years here. Your well-being, confidence, and sense of belonging will impact how well you do.

Action Tip: Use the school’s official website and MSAR side-by-side to fill in the picture. If you’re someone who thrives in a smaller, tight-knit group, prioritize schools with small class sizes and strong peer mentoring.

You’re not just choosing a curriculum—you’re choosing a lifestyle for the next few years.

Don’t Skip Financial Fit: MSAR Can Help

Medical school is expensive—let’s not pretend otherwise. Tuition alone doesn’t tell the whole story. MSAR helps you understand the real cost by breaking down:

• In-state vs. out-of-state tuition
• Mandatory fees
• Living expenses
• Availability of need-based aid or scholarships

Here’s how to use that info smartly:

• Sort schools by tuition using filters. If your state schools are half the cost of others, that’s a real advantage—especially if your goal is primary care.
• Look at financial aid availability in each school’s profile. Some schools highlight whether they offer grants, scholarships, or loan-forgiveness programs.
• Compare cost of living. MSAR won’t give you rent prices, but a school in rural Kansas will be cheaper to live in than one in San Francisco.

Action Tip: Create a column in your tracker for estimated total cost (tuition + living + fees). Label schools “affordable,” “manageable,” or “expensive” based on your budget.

Applying to med school is already expensive. Make sure where you land won’t trap you in more debt than necessary—especially if your future salary might be on the lower end (e.g., family med or pediatrics).

Common Mistakes People Make with MSAR

Relying Only on Numbers

This one’s obvious, but still common. Stats help—but they don’t tell you who gets in. Focus on who the school says they want in the mission and class profiles.

Applying Only to Dream or Safety Schools

Too many reach schools = burnout and rejection.

Too many safety schools = missed opportunity.

Use MSAR to build a balanced list:

• 3–5 reach
• 5–7 match
• 3–4 safety (based on actual stats + fit)

Ignoring School Culture

MSAR won’t say: “We’re cutthroat.” But you can get clues:

• Curriculum type (pass/fail vs graded)
• Student support services
• Availability of advising or tutoring

Expert Tips: How to Get the Most From MSAR

• Revisit the database weekly during list-building season
• Highlight schools that match multiple criteria: location, mission, stats
• Use the “Notes” field for secondary prompts, updates, etc.
• Cross-reference school data with Reddit/SDN, but don’t rely on hearsay
• Create "fit scores" based on how well your values align with the school’s focus

Final Thoughts: Use MSAR, Don’t Worship It

MSAR is a map, not a rulebook. It helps you find your path, but it won’t make decisions for you.

Use it to guide your list, then double-check with your story, your goals, and your gut. And if you’re stuck, ask for help. That’s what we’re here for.

FAQs

To your success,

Your friends at BeMo

BeMo Academic Consulting