Application Process for AUC

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A couple of readers have asked me about what the procedure was like when I applied to AUC, so here, I’d like to address it.

The application process for AUC is very swift and straightforward. This is because after AUC receives your online application, they assign all applicants an admissions advisor who guides you throughout the whole process and answers all your questions. They contact you often and keep you up to date as of your application status. They are a great resource of information and I highly recommend anyone applying to AUC to always be in contact with them.

The application process went by very fast for AUC. Here is a timeline of my application:

May 16: I submitted the online application. I also printed off the Signature Form from the online application, signed it, and sent it via priority mail to the Miami office.

May 20: I was assigned an admissions advisor, and she emailed me a checklist.

June 8: All my transcripts, test scores, recommendations are received and the Miami office submitted my complete application to the admissions committee in St. Maarten.

June 22: My admissions advisor notified me of my acceptance by phone and email. A few days later, I received the official acceptance letter in the mail, as well as an enrollment packet with all the necessary documents and forms. I sent in the enrollment form + fee, and housing reservation form + fee as soon as I could, via priority mail, as spaces in the dorms run out fast.

July 17: Besides the enrollment and housing reservation form and fees, all the other documents were not as urgent, so AUC received all of this by July 17 (health clearance form, passport photo, visa form etc.).

August 27: I flew to St. Maarten

AUC says that they notify you of their decision in 2-5 weeks, but I heard back from them within 2 weeks.

Interviews at AUC

It used to be that AUC gave direct admissions and only interviewed applicants whose applications they thought needed clarifications. However, as of 2013, AUC now interviews all applicants who they think are competitive, and so if you receive an invitation for an interview, it is definitely a good sign that they are interested in you!

For me, I was given direct admission before AUC started doing routine interviews, and so I don’t have any personal experience with the interview at AUC. However, I did have experience interviewing at other schools in the US and Caribbean, and was also able to gather some information about the AUC interviews from students that came after me. Don’t worry, you won’t have to fly to St. Maarten for an interview. Depending on where you are located, you may either do the interview in-person or over the phone, at several different locations in the US. The interviews tend to be short, around 30 minutes. The questions they ask are fairly standard. Be prepared to answer questions like:

  • Tell me about yourself.
  • Why medicine? Why doctor?
  • Why AUC?
  • What are your strengths and weaknesses? What makes you stand out as a candidate? What can you bring to the field of medicine?
  • What are your career goals/future plans in medicine? How do you see yourself in 5 years?
  • Why the Caribbean? Why do you think you were not accepted to a US school?
  • What do you like to do in your free time? What are your hobbies or special interests?
  • Tell me about ______ (something you did during undergrad, etc.). Be prepared to answer any holes or red flags in your application.

Good luck to all those who are applying to AUC and other medical schools!

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