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AOA National Organization
AΩA National Website
Constitution/Bylaws
AOA Mission
AΩA is dedicated to the belief that in the profession of medicine, we will improve care for all by:
- Recognizing high educational achievement
- Honoring gifted teaching
- Encouraging the development of leaders in academia and the community
- Supporting the ideals of humanism; and
- Promoting service to others
AOA Selection Criteria
- Each school may elect up to 20% of the graduating class of students,
- Based on merit, students demonstrate the characteristics of excellent physicians in alignment with AΩA’s mission and values.
- AΩA is committed to national leadership in advancing diversity and inclusion in the profession of medicine.
- Chapters are provided the flexibility to value the diversity of qualities that contribute to high-quality patient care, leadership, service, and scholarship.
AOA Domains for Selection
Excellence demonstrated during medical school of:
- High-Quality Patient Care
- Academic Achievement
- Leadership
- Service
- Scholarship
- Humanism- including altruism, empathy, and compassion
Eligibility
- Students in final year (4th year for most students) of medical school
- Students must be in the top 50 percent of the class by academic rank to be considered for AOA
Selection Process
June/July
Student Application Submission
Students submit applications consisting of:
- CV
- Responses to 2 Essay Question
-
- Essay #1: Choose one accomplishment or activity from your medical school years that has been most meaningful to you. Describe how this activity demonstrates a commitment to leadership, scholarship, research, or community service. (250 words)
- Essay #2: Who or what inspired you during your journey to or in medical school? How has this influenced the kind of physician you wish to be? (250 words)
July
- Faculty Review
- Faculty Judges Review applications. Each application will be reviewed by two judges. Using a scoring rubric, each application will be assigned a score for demonstrated leadership, service, and humanism. Academic achievement will be a consideration in the evaluation process. Students with an academic record in the top 20% of earned Honors will get an additional minor adjustment to their score that is less than 7% of the total score.
August
- Chair Review of Applications
- Two faculty chairs will review all applications and scores to ensure that there are no discrepancies. When there are specific discrepancies, the chairs will get clarification from faculty for scoring and make a final judgment of score. By mid-August, a list of accepted students will be submitted to the medical school Dean and accepted students notified.