Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is Alpha Omega Alpha?
A: AOA is the premier academic and now socially conscious group
award in US Medical schools, which reflects effort throughout the 4
year period.
Q: How do I join AOA?
A: Criteria for election into Alpha Omega Alpha varies
according to the chapter. How the process works at Wayne State
is different depending on whether a student is being elected during
their junior or senior years of medical school. It is
important to understand that this process is subject to minor
changes at the discretion of the current leadership. However,
the system that is currently used has remain unchanged over the past
3 years. It is important to note that the process is blinded
to prevent any bias on the part of those doing the ranking.
Q: What criteria are used for Junior AOA
selection?
A: During the fall, the current president and vice-president of
AOA will receive a list of approximately the top 10% of the 3rd year
class based on cumulative class rank from years 1 and 2. These
students will be sent an application via email where they will
describe their extra-curricular activities; specifically community
involvement, leadership positions, and research. These
applications will then be returned to the Office of Student Affairs.
The president and vice-president will then use a grading system to
rank the applications and submit that list to the administration.
This data will be used in a formula to develop the final rank list
based on the following break down:
Class Rank = 80%
Extra-curricular Rank = 20%
The final list will then be reviewed by the AOA board and
administration to determine the final ranking. The number of
students chosen varies each year according to class size, but is
typically 6%. The students who rank within the top 6% are then
notified of their acceptance. Those who do not receive an
application as a 3rd year, or who do not make the final list should
not be discouraged as more students will be elected during their 4th
year. The final notification usually takes place sometime
around the end of October or beginning of November.
Q: What criteria are used for Senior AOA
selection?
The process for senior applicants is very similar to that
described above for juniors. The main difference is the
inclusion of USMLE Step-1 scores in the criteria
for election. Also, there is the issue of declaring AOA status
on the ERAS application. AOA status is specifically put under
the Profile section of ERAS, not because it is considered extra
important, but so it can be changed after you submit your
application in early September. If you feel there is a good
chance you may be elected into AOA, select the option on ERAS that
states AOA elections are held later in the year. Then when you
learn whether or not you were elected into AOA in October, you may
change your status on ERAS and the next time the programs download
your application it will be updated.
As for the process, in the fall the current president and
vice-president will receive approximately the top 20% of the 4th
year class based on cumulative class rank from years 1, 2, and 3.
These students will be sent an application via email where they will
describe their extra-curricular activities; specifically community
involvement, leadership positions, and research. These
applications will then be returned to the Office of Student Affairs.
The president and vice-president will then use a grading system to
rank the applications and submit that list to the administration.
This data will be used in a formula to develop the final rank list
based on the following break down:
Class Rank = 70%
Extra-curricular Rank = 20%
USMLE Step-1 Rank = 10%
The final list will then be reviewed by the AOA board and
administration to determine the final ranking. The number of
students chosen varies each year according to class size, but the
AOA constitution dictates that no more than 16% of a graduating
class may be members of AOA. Thus, we take as many students as
possible, although this is not necessarily the case for other
chapters. Since 6% of the class was inducted during their
junior year, that leaves 10% to be elected as seniors. The 4th
year applicants who rank within the top 10% (excluding the 6% who
are already members) are then notified of their acceptance sometime
in October.
Q: Who can I contact with questions regarding
AOA at Wayne State?
A: Please contact the AOA president
Neha Ahuja at
nahuja@med.wayne.edu
|
AOA
Home
