AAMC Launches AspiringDocs.org Video Contest

Main Category: IT / Internet / E-mail
Also Included In: Public Health
Article Date: 11 Nov 2008 - 8:00 PDT

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The AAMC (Association of American Medical Colleges) has launched an online video contest to give college students a chance to turn their dreams of a career in medicine into assistance with the costs of preparing for and applying to medical school.

The AspiringDocs.org Video Contest asks college students to submit a short video explaining why they want to become a doctor-an "Aspiring Doc." Ten winners will each receive $1,000 toward their medical school application costs.

The video contest is a new feature of the AAMC's AspiringDocs.org campaign, a Web site and outreach effort to increase diversity in medicine. Launched in 2006, the AspiringDocs.org Web site provides college students with the information, tools, and support they need to decide if a career in medicine is right for them. It also helps students understand and navigate the medical school application and admission process, prepare for the MCAT, and apply for financial aid.

To enter, college students should grab a video camera-the first tool in their doctor's bag-and follow these steps:

- Record a short (two minutes maximum) video responding to the question: "Why are you an Aspiring Doc?"
- Upload the video to YouTube
- Submit the URL for the video in the required entry form

Entries are due December 1, 2008.

The contest is open to all undergraduate students enrolled at an accredited U.S. university, college, community college, or junior college. Contest entrants must be U.S. residents age 18 or older. Each winner will receive a $1,000 credit redeemable for AAMC products and services that may be applied toward: medical school application fees through AMCAS® (American Medical College Application Service), registration fees for the MCAT® exam (Medical College Admission Test), or the purchase of publications such as medical school guides and practice tests.

See official contest rules. For questions about the video contest, contact videocontest@aamc.org.

The Association of American Medical Colleges is a not-for-profit association representing all 130 accredited U.S. and 17 accredited Canadian medical schools; nearly 400 major teaching hospitals and health systems, including 68 Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers; and nearly 90 academic and scientific societies. Through these institutions and organizations, the AAMC represents 125,000 faculty members, 70,000 medical students, and 104,000 resident physicians. Additional information about the AAMC and U.S. medical schools and teaching hospitals is available at http://www.aamc.org/newsroom.

Association of American Medical Colleges