Building an intentional, tangible school list is one of the most important parts of the application process. The directories on this page can help you identify programs that align with your academic metrics, experiences, values, interests, and professional goals. Directories allow you to search for programs, compare admissions requirements, review curriculum information, and explore program-specific characteristics. As you research schools, remember that no program is “best” for everyone. Rather, you should seek the program that is best for you, a great fit based on your experiences, skills, values, and career aspirations.
What to Look For
- Compare your GPA, admissions test scores, and experiences to those of accepted students, when that information is available.
- Pay attention to prerequisite requirements, which vary significantly across professions and programs.
- Note which prerequisite courses are required versus recommended.
- Visit program websites and take note of their front-facing information, the program attributes they feature.
- Look for information on program curriculum, grading systems, clinical experiences, and research opportunities.
- Read program mission statements and strategic priorities.
- Consider whether a program's location, patient populations, and clinical training opportunities align with your interests and goals.
Building a School List
- Start exploring schools early, ideally at least a year before you plan to apply. Take notes on schools that stand out to you and why, and keep a list of programs you’re interested in.
- Consider how your clinical, research, community service, leadership, teaching, and extracurricular experiences align with a program's mission and values.
- Focus on programs that align with your academic metrics and experiences.
- Look for schools whose mission reflects your interests, such as research, primary care, rural health, public health, service to underserved communities, or other specialized areas.
- Include a mix of programs where your academic metrics fall above, within, and below the program's typical admitted student range.
- Consider geographic preferences, cost of attendance, support services, curriculum style, and clinical training opportunities.
- Review admissions data carefully, particularly when considering highly selective programs.
- Do not build your list solely around rankings; prioritize fit and alignment with your goals.
- Revisit your list periodically as your experiences, interests, and goals evolve.
MSAR (Medical School Admission Requirements)
MSAR is the primary directory used to research MD programs in the United States, Canada, and select U.S. territories. You can search for schools by geographic region and compare admissions statistics, curriculum information, prerequisite coursework, research opportunities, and other program-specific details. The directory also includes information on accepted students, such as GPA and MCAT scores, pre-application experiences, and demographics, making it a valuable tool for evaluating potential programs and building a school list.
Cost: $30-$40 annually
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Choose DO Explorer is the primary directory used to research DO programs in the United States. You can search for schools by geographic region and compare admissions statistics, curriculum information, prerequisite coursework, clinical training opportunities, and other program-specific details. The directory also includes information on accepted students, such as GPA and MCAT scores, experiences, and demographics, making it a valuable tool for evaluating potential programs and building a school list.
Cost: Free
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ADEA Dental School Explorer is the primary directory used to research dental programs in the United States and Canada. You can search for schools and compare admissions statistics, prerequisite coursework, curriculum information, tuition costs, and other program-specific details. The directory also includes information on accepted students, such as GPA and DAT scores, helping you evaluate programs and build a school list that aligns with your academic background and experiences.
Cost: $35 annually; purchase the ADEA Official Guide to Dental Schools and you will receive access to the online ADEA Dental School Explorer
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ASCO (Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry) Program Admissions Directory
The ASCO Program Admissions Directory provides a centralized listing of optometry programs in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. Through the directory, you can explore individual programs, review admissions requirements, compare prerequisite coursework, and access links to program websites. It is particularly useful for identifying differences in prerequisite requirements, admissions policies, and program offerings as you begin building a list of schools that match your interests and qualifications.
Cost: Free
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PAEA (Physician Assistant Education Association) Program Directory
The PAEA Program Directory provides detailed information on accredited physician assistant programs in the United States. The directory allows you to compare admissions requirements, prerequisite coursework, patient care experience expectations, program length, and degree offerings. As you explore programs, you can identify schools that align with your academic background, healthcare experiences, and professional interests, making it a valuable resource for building a thoughtful school list.
Cost: Free
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VMSAR (Veterinary Medical School Admission Requirements)
VMSAR is a comprehensive resource for researching veterinary programs in the United States, Canada, and other accredited institutions. The directory provides information on admissions requirements, prerequisite coursework, application deadlines, tuition costs, and program characteristics. It is particularly useful for comparing veterinary and animal experience expectations, helping you identify programs that align with your academic background, experiences, and career interests.
Cost: Free (Register for free to view the directory)
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PharmCAS (Pharmacy College Application Service) School Directory
The PharmCAS School Directory provides information on PharmD programs throughout the United States. The directory allows you to explore admissions requirements, prerequisite coursework, program formats, tuition information, and application deadlines. It is particularly useful for comparing traditional and accelerated PharmD pathways, helping you identify programs that align with your academic preparation, career goals, and preferred learning environment.
Cost: Free
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AACN (American Association of Colleges of Nursing)
The AACN allows you to explore graduate nursing programs offered throughout the United States. The directory includes information on program types, admission requirements, degree pathways, and areas of specialization. It is particularly useful for comparing direct-entry MSN programs, helping you identify schools that align with your academic background, prerequisite coursework, career interests, and preferred nursing specialty.
Cost: Free
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