What Is MSAR? A Must-Know Guide for Medical School Applicants

What is MSAR, and why is it important for medical school applicants? MSAR (Medical School Admission Requirements™) is an official resource from the AAMC (Association of American Medical Colleges) that helps students compare admission requirements for medical schools in the U.S. and Canada. Whether you’re researching MCAT score expectations, GPA cutoffs, or application deadlines, MSAR provides a one-stop database to simplify your med school application strategy.

But how useful is the MSAR for your medical school journey? What’s the cost, and is it worth purchasing? Keep reading to find out the answers to these questions and learn how this valuable resource can help you make informed decisions about your application!

How much does MSAR cost in 2025, and is it worth it? The AAMC offers two subscription plans: $28 USD for one year or $36 USD for two years.

With an active MSAR subscription, you’ll gain full access to medical school admission data, including MCAT and GPA expectations, application deadlines, and tuition estimates for schools across the U.S. and Canada. This investment can help you strategically narrow down your list of target schools, potentially saving money on unnecessary applications.

Now that you know the cost of an MSAR subscription, you may be wondering how to use the MSAR tool to its full potential.

The platform is designed to help medical school applicants compare schools, review admission criteria, and make informed decisions about where to apply. By understanding how to use MSAR effectively, you can streamline the application process, save time, and ensure your applications align with the requirements of each school. Once you get the hang of it, MSAR can give you access to a wealth of detailed and up-to-date information!

What Medical School Data Can You Find on MSAR?

MSAR is a powerful tool for medical school applicants looking to gather detailed admission information. It offers a wealth of data that allows you to make well-informed decisions about where to apply – but what specific information can you find on MSAR? With your MSAR subscription, you can search for and compare the following:

• Medical School Admission Requirements: Find the specific prerequisites and coursework required for each school.
• MCAT Score Requirements: Search for average MCAT scores accepted by medical schools across the U.S. and Canada.
• GPA Expectations: Compare the average GPA of accepted applicants to better understand your chances of admission.
• Application Deadlines: Access up-to-date information on application deadlines for each medical school.
• Program Types: Search for schools that offer MD programs, DO programs, or combined degree programs like MD/PhD.
• Location and Diversity: Filter schools by location and student diversity factors, such as international and/or Canadian student acceptance and in-state vs out-of-state admission.
• Tuition and Financial Aid: Get an overview of the estimated cost of attendance and available financial aid options.

How to Navigate MSAR: A Step-by-Step Guide

Navigating the MSAR tool may feel overwhelming at first, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll find it to be an invaluable resource for choosing the right medical school! After logging into your MSAR subscription, follow these simple steps to make the most out of the platform:

1. Start with the Search Filter:
   • Use the search filter to explore schools based on various criteria such as location, program type, and admission requirements.
   • Narrow your search by selecting specific features like MD or DO programs, or whether the school accepts international and/or Canadian students.
2. Compare Admission Information:
   • Once you’ve selected your schools, MSAR allows you to compare essential admission data side-by-side.
   • This includes MCAT score requirements, GPA expectations, prerequisite courses, and application deadlines.
3. Create Customized School Lists:
   • MSAR lets you create customized school lists tailored to your preferences. Focus on schools that match your qualifications and goals!
4. Review School Profiles:
   • Dive deeper into each school’s profile, which provides detailed information about curriculum, admission policies, and even average student success rates.
5. Stay Updated:
   • MSAR regularly updates its data, ensuring that you always have the most accurate and current admission information.

By following these steps, you’ll be able to streamline your research process, save time, and ensure your medical school applications are tailored to each institution’s specific criteria!

Is MSAR worth buying? The answer to this question relies on a few different factors, most importantly, are you planning on applying to medical schools in the U.S.?

Is MSAR Worth It for American Medical School Applicants?

If you’re planning to apply to U.S medical schools, then I think MSAR is most certainly a useful and cost-effective tool. I would even go as far as to say it’s an invaluable investment. Let me break down some of the numbers for you:

Average Costs of Medical School Applications (in USD):

• Primary Application Fee: $100 – $250 per school
• Secondary Application Fees: $50 – $150 per school
• Interview Travel Expenses: $200 – $1,500 per interview (depending on distance)

MSAR Subscription:

• One-Year Subscription: $28 USD for full access to admission data across U.S. and Canadian medical schools

As you can see, the cost of applying to multiple American medical schools can quickly add up. In contrast, MSAR offers an invaluable resource for just $28 USD. MSAR gives you access to a wealth of admission information, such as prerequisites, MCAT score expectations, GPA requirements, and application deadlines. By using MSAR to help you identify schools that align with your academic profile, you can focus your applications on schools where you have the best chance of acceptance, potentially saving hundreds (or even thousands) of dollars in application fees.

Is MSAR Worth It for Canadian Medical School Applicants?

On the other hand, if you’re only planning to apply to medical schools in Canada, then MSAR might not actually be worth it. While MSAR offers extensive data on U.S. medical schools, the information provided for Canadian medical schools is relatively limited and lacks the depth you might expect. In this case, you’re probably better off exploring other resources, such as our articles on how competitive your MCAT score is, what the CASPer test is and which Canadian schools require it, and applying to Canadian medical school: timelines and where to start. Additionally, the official websites of the Canadian medical schools you’re considering applying to often provide more in-depth information than you would find in MSAR.

I hope this article has provided you with some valuable insight into what MSAR is and helped you determine whether it’s a helpful tool for your medical school journey!

Have any other questions about the MCAT or medical school admission? Book a free consultation with one of our experts!