If you are applying to medical school, you may be applying to both DO and MD schools. While the applications are relatively similar, there are a few differences in the character counts/limits for the DO application, including the character count TMDSAS limitation that applicants need to keep in mind while drafting their essays. It’s also important to note that the most meaningful activities AMCAS section is not applicable in AACOMAS applications.
The AMCAS activities section is slightly longer than the same section in AACOMAS applications. Thankfully, these are the only details to keep track of, as the AACOMAS and AMCAS personal statement criteria are the same. When writing your medical school personal statement for either of these applications, you’ll need to keep it to 5,300 characters.
Here’s a quick guide that highlights the differences and similarities between these two types of applications:
| Application | Personal Statement Character Limit | Activities Section | Most Meaningful Activities |
|---|---|---|---|
| MD (AMCAS) | 5300 characters (including spaces) | 700 characters (including spaces) | 3 can be selected as a “most meaningful activity.” You’ll have an additional 1325 characters for these |
| DO (AACOMAS) | 5300 characters (including spaces) | 600 characters (including spaces) | Not applicable |
As always, if you need help through your MD or DO application, MedSchoolCoach is here!
