@WayOutWestMom Now that the FAFSA is available to fill out in October, would it be advantageous to fill it out sooner than later in case the school(s) give any scholarships? Also, the FAFSA website indicates that D might be independent since she will attend an MD program, but I thought I read somewhere that this may not be the case (as you have also indicated). I am not sure on this, so hopefully the school(s) can provide her with some guidance.
@texaspg Thank you!! It’s nice to know early that she has a seat somewhere!
Financial aid offices aren’t accepting FAFSAs yet. (There will be an active link in your D’s application/acceptance portal when the FA office opens for the 2019-2020 school year.) The FA offices typically don’t process or accept FAFSAs unit the spring. Need based aid won’t be awarded until sometime in April or May. Or possibly later.
AMCAS traffic rules do not require med schools to award financial aid (merit or need-based) before the April 30 decision deadline.
Merit aid is usually awarded before than Decision Day, but merit doesn’t require having a FAFSA on file.
Your D will be independent for FAFSA, but some medical schools still require a parental FAFSA for institutional need-based aid. The FA offices at your daughter’s programs will send her info in the spring (usually around March) telling her what forms are required.
NeedsAccess isn’t available for 2019 yet and, IIRC, it requires having a school-specific link sent to your D by those programs where she holds an acceptance.
@CottonTales Thank you! Yes it is, but it feels like this journey has been going on for 7 years already! D started volunteering her sophomore year of high school and then added community service EC’s on top of keeping a very high high school GPA. She applied for a BAMD program with similar interviews and application to med school, but she didn’t get accepte. So, it feels like she has been doing this for a long time, but it’s really only the beginning.
@WayOutWestMom Good to know! That was very helpful info. I am not going to worry about it right now then.
@texaspg Thanks a lot for your wishes. Yes, we are from CA. I never thought she will get get TX knowing it is only 10% OOS. Equally I never thought she will NOT even get an interview for any CA schools. I knew UCSF, UCLA, UCSD will not look at her. But was hoping at least UCI or UCD, just interviews but that also did not happen. Anyhow, we are extremely happy for her and she is happy and that is what matters.
Thanks to so many of you in these forums to guide both students and parents.
Not to slight California schools but Southwestern is a lot better than any schools outside of Stanford, UCSF and UCLA and your daughter did extremely well! Only thing slightly better in Texas is Baylor.
So she will be giving up combined admission at Oklahoma?
@grtd2010 Thanks. Not really. Though few have not communicated anything at this point, not sure, is there any need to think about anything else. When she is home this week, will know her decision.
When you’re home for winter holidays, consider making an appointment to see your primary care provider. In order to start med school in the fall, you will need to provide proof of immunity to a variety of infectious diseases.
Proof requires more than just your immunization records. You’ll need QUANTITIVE blood titers for Hep B, plus potentially titers for MMR and chickenpox (school dependent).
Since the Hep B immunization series requires 6 months to complete, you will want to get your blood titers done sooner rather than later so that if your immunity has waned over time (and it does for most people) you can update your immunizations and be done in time to begin classes.
You will also need a negative TB skin or blood test or negative chest X-ray done less than 6-12 weeks prior to reporting for class, and to have proof of a current (2018-19) flu shot.
Here’s AAMC’s standardized immunization report, but each school may have its own requirements and immunization form.