AMCAS 2027: what changed
The “Social Justice/Advocacy” experience type is now “Community Health Advocacy,” plus a reworked Medical School section. Dates, fees and fee assistance for 2027.
Key facts
- The AAMC lists two changes for the 2027 AMCAS application: a renamed experience type and a reworked Medical School section.
- The “Social Justice/Advocacy” experience type is now “Community Health Advocacy.”
- The application opened May 5, 2026, submissions began May 28, and schools first received applications June 26.
- The processing fee is $180 including one school, plus $48 for each additional school.
- The Fee Assistance Program waives fees for one submission with up to 20 schools.
AMCAS, the AAMC’s application service for US MD programs, changes a little every cycle. For 2027 the AAMC lists two changes.12
The two changes
A renamed experience type. In the AAMC’s words: “The Social Justice/Advocacy experience type has been updated to Community Health Advocacy.”2 When you enter your experiences, pick the type that fits best under the 2027 list.
A reworked Medical School section. The AAMC says it updated how applicants edit school selections, update program details, manage letter assignments and handle restricted programs, with a clearer multistep process for releasing restricted programs.2
Key dates
- April 2026
- 2027 AMCAS resources available
- May 5, 2026
- Application opens
- May 28, 2026
- Submission begins
- June 26, 2026
- First applications sent to medical schools
- Aug 3, 2026
- Early Decision Program deadline
- Sept to Dec
- School application deadlines
These dates come from the AAMC’s 2027 cycle webinar.1 The Early Decision deadline is August 1, or the next business day when August 1 falls on a weekend or holiday.3
Fees
The 2027 processing fee is $180, which includes one medical school. Each additional school is $48.4
If you’re approved for the AAMC Fee Assistance Program, it waives AMCAS fees for one submission with up to 20 medical schools, a $1,092 value, for applications submitted by December 31, 2027.42 The program also covers PREview registration fees and a free scored PREview practice exam.1
Who uses AMCAS
The AAMC lists tentative 2027 participation of 155 schools and programs. That’s every MD-granting school in the US except the MD programs at Texas public schools.1
Questions
Do I need to rewrite an experience I labeled Social Justice/Advocacy?
The AAMC has renamed the experience type to Community Health Advocacy. Choose the type that best fits each experience under the 2027 categories.
How many schools use AMCAS?
The AAMC lists tentative 2027 participation of 155 schools and programs: every MD-granting school in the US except the MD programs at Texas public schools.
Sources
- AAMC. Supporting Applicants through the 2027 AMCAS Application Cyclestudents-residents.aamc.org · Accessed October 2026
- AAMC. 2027 AMCAS Applicant Guidestudents-residents.aamc.org · Accessed October 2026
- AAMC. AMCAS submission and deadlinesstudents-residents.aamc.org · Accessed October 2026
- AAMC. Certifying and submitting your applicationstudents-residents.aamc.org · Accessed October 2026
