Help & How-To Guide

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Help & How-To Guide

Learn how to use every module of The PreMed Lab.

Getting Started

Recommended Setup Order

  1. 1Complete your Profile (GPA, MCAT, cycle year, systems)
  2. 2Add schools to your School List (aim for 15–25)
  3. 3Log your Activities with descriptions
  4. 4Add your Letter Writers
  5. 5Draft your Personal Statement
  6. 6Set key Timeline milestones
  7. 7Work through the Submission Readiness checklist before submitting

Module Guide

My Profile

Start here. Enter your GPA, MCAT score, cycle year, and which application systems you're applying through (AMCAS, AACOMAS, TMDSAS). This data powers smart recommendations across the entire app.

School List

Add every school you're considering. Assign Reach/Target/Likely tiers, track application status from Researching → Accepted, and note why each school is a good fit.

Primary Applications

Track your AMCAS, AACOMAS, and TMDSAS primary application progress — section-by-section completion, transcript status, and submission dates.

Activity Descriptions

Log all your experiences — clinical, research, volunteering, leadership, and more. Write AMCAS/AACOMAS/TMDSAS descriptions with live character counting. Mark your 3 most meaningful activities.

Story Bank

Extract reusable stories from your activities — with short and long versions. Use these building blocks to write secondary essays quickly and consistently.

Personal Statement

Draft and refine your personal statement. Track your draft status, use the built-in checklist of PS best practices, and save multiple versions.

Secondary Essays

Track every secondary application — received date, your deadline, fee status, and submission. Write and store essays per prompt using the Essay Bank.

Letters of Rec

Track all letter writers — their relationship to you, whether they've agreed, and where letters have been received. Never miss a missing letter.

Submission Readiness

A 5-phase checklist covering Profile, Primary Application, Essays, Letters, and Tests. Complete all phases before submitting to avoid costly oversights.

Interviews

Log invitations, confirm attendance, track travel costs, and record outcomes. Use the Interview Prep section for practice questions and answers.

Decisions & Waitlist

Record admissions decisions, track waitlist activity, manage Letters of Interest, and plan deposits. Compare scholarships across acceptances.

Application Timeline

Set key milestones across all phases of your cycle. Get a visual view of what's coming up in the next 30, 60, and 90 days.

Budget

Track every application expense — primary fees, secondary fees, interview travel, attire, and more. See estimated vs. actual spending.

Weekly Tasks

Create and manage weekly action items. Assign priorities and due dates. Surface overdue items on the home dashboard.

Application Playbook

18 expert strategy guides covering everything from building your school list to waitlist strategy. Track which manuals you've read and add personal notes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Still have questions?

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