Hi -
I’m having some difficulties with all the abbreviations. Does anyone know of a common definitions list here on OPM or on the net?
Thanks
Neil
Neil, not right off the top of my head, but if you want to ask them on here, we’d be happy to help.
TWA: Three-word acronyms. 
Well here’s a few off the top of my head, totally random firings from a very tired brain and no, I am not going to put them in alphabetical order. It’s just what occurs to me.
MCAT = Medical College Admissions Test
URM = Under-Represented Minority
AdCom = Admissions Committee
UGPA = Undergrad GPA
BCPM = Biology, Chemistry, Math, Physics
AO = All Other (on the AMCAS, you’ll see calculations for your BCPM GPA, your AO GPA, and your overall GPA)
AMCAS = American Medical College Admissions Service (or something like that, the clearinghouse through which applications to MOST allopathic schools go)
AACOMAS = um, the Osteopathic equivalent of AMCAS, I dunno what it stands for though
USMLE = United States Medical Licensing (Licensure?) Exam; Step 1 generally taken after 2d year of med school; Step 2 taken after third year to around graduation from med school; Step 3 taken during intern year or later
COMLEX = the DO equivalent of USMLE, hopefully one of our DOs can spell it out
DEA = Drug Enforcement Administration, and once you’ve got an unrestricted license you’ll get a number from the DEA, so yes, this is a relevant acronym
USUHS = Uniformed Services University for Health Sciences, or something like that - the med school for military folks
HPSP = Health Professions Scholarship Program, for those intending to enter the military after med school.
It’s not quite a precise analogy, but I think of USUHS as the equivalent of the service academies for undergrads, and HPSP like ROTC at other schools.
OPM = OldPreMeds
SDN = Student Doctor Network (www.studentdoctor.net)
I think we’ve done this at least once before; as I recall it devolved into some fun, silly stuff. Let the acronym-flinging begin!
Mary
killing time until the office server comes back up so I can finish working for the day…
on the MCAT, the subtests are:
VR = Verbal Reasoning
WS = what s**t, oops, I mean, Writing Sample
BS = no, silly, Behavioral Science
PS = Physical Science
GFY = rejection letter