Being accepted to medical school makes you part of an elite group of high-achieving perfectionists, but in an age where many medical schools and board exams are becoming pass/fail, finding ways to positively differentiate yourself from your peers is essential to helping you achieve your career goals.
So, how can residency program directors and other future employers distinguish the best medical students? A key metric is the Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) Honor Medical Society status.
In this article, we will explain what AOA is, its founding principles, why medical students should strive to become members of this prestigious group, and what to do if you do not earn AOA status.
What Is Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA)?
Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) is a prestigious national honor medical society in the United States that’s dedicated to recognizing and promoting excellence in the medical profession. Founded by Dr. William Root and the first five medical student inductees at the University of Illinois College of Medicine, AOA now stands as the most respected and well-known honor medical society.
The society’s mission is to honor exceptional academic achievement, leadership, professionalism, and service within the medical field by fostering a culture of high standards and ethical behavior.
Notable alumni include former Surgeon Generals, several Nobel Laureates, a few state Governors, a couple of US Secretaries of Health, multiple NASA astronauts, best-selling authors, and celebrated medical scientists. Collectively, this group of physicians have pioneered vaccines (Jonas Salk and the Polio Vaccine), revolutionized surgery (Eric Genden and Jaw Transplants), and even founded sectors of modern medicine (Marshall M. Parks and Pediatric Ophthalmology).
AOA is arguably the most elite group of physicians in the world, and earning membership to their organization is a goal shared by tens of thousands of medical students.
The History of the AOA
Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) was founded on August 25, 1902, at the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Chicago by Dr. William Root, a young medical professor, along with five medical students.
Root was inspired by the academic honor society Phi Beta Kappa and aimed to create a similar organization to honor medical students who demonstrated exceptional academic and professional standards.
The founding members envisioned AOA as a society that would promote and recognize excellence in medical education and clinical practice.
Following its establishment at the University of Illinois, AOA quickly expanded to other medical schools across the United States. By 1903, just a year after its inception, the society had established its second chapter at Northwestern University Medical School. The following years marked the beginning of a steady growth, with new chapters regularly being formed at prestigious medical institutions nationwide.
By 1950, AOA had grown to 50 chapters, and by 1970, the society had more than 100 chapters. This period saw an increasing emphasis on not only academic excellence but also on professional ethics and service to the community.
Today, AOA includes more than 130 active chapters at medical schools across the United States, with a membership of over 150,000 physicians, medical students, and researchers.
Why Should Med Students Care?
If it’s not abundantly clear, having AOA status as a line on your resume will certainly catch the attention of residency program directors. Here are a few reasons medical students should care about earning AOA.
1 | Competitive Edge for Residency Applications
Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) is synonymous with medical academic excellence. Being inducted into AOA signifies a student’s outstanding academic achievements and dedication to the medical profession. This recognition distinguishes students from their peers, showcases their commitment to maintaining high standards of academic performance, and often helps with residency applications.
Many residency programs regard AOA status as a marker of excellence, leadership, and professionalism. On ERAS applications, there is a checkmark applicants can select if they have AOA status, which is often believed to be a filterable selection criteria that program directors can use to quickly sort through the thousands of applicants they might receive.
AOA status can be particularly beneficial for students applying to highly competitive residency specialties, with more competitive specialties having upwards of 35% of matched applicants being AOA members. Although this could be self-selecting, as the students who are earning AOA are more likely to be high achieving in other aspects of their medical school journey, there is a clear correlation between the most competitive specialties and the number of AOA students matching into those fields.
AOA status is so important to competitive residency programs that it’s included in the Med School Insiders Specialty Competitiveness Index, which ranks medical specialties based on average match rate, Step 2 CK score, number of publications, and more. Access the complete index of 24 specialties here.
2 | Networking and Professional Development Opportunities
AOA provides extensive networking opportunities and professional development with peers, faculty, and alumni who are leaders in the medical field. Many AOA members lead government health departments, lead entire hospital organizations, and have even become astronauts.
Having this personal connection can be invaluable for professional development, mentorship, and career advancement. The relationships built through AOA networking events can help students find physician mentors, collaborators for research, and future job opportunities.
3 | Enhanced Opportunities for Awards and Scholarships
AOA members have access to exclusive awards, scholarships, and research grants. These opportunities can support further education and research, reducing the financial burden on medical students and allowing them to pursue interests and projects that can positively impact the medical field.
Notably, the awards include the highly prestigious Carolyn L. Kuckein Student Research Fellowship, the Robert J. Glaser Distinguished Teacher Awards, and the Volunteer Clinical Faculty Awards.
4 | Legacy and Pride
Being part of AOA immediately connects students to a legacy of distinguished medical professionals. The society includes notable members who have made significant contributions to medicine. Joining this prestigious group can be a source of pride and motivation, inspiring students to strive for excellence throughout their careers.
Interestingly enough, it is well documented that several physicians have included AOA status on their tombstone, including the founder Dr. Roots.
How to Earn AOA Honor Society Status
Although AOA is a national organization with over 130 chapters throughout the United States, every school has its own process of selecting students who they deem to be the best of the best of their cohort.
Generally speaking, this is what schools are asked to look for.
1 | Academic Excellence
Typically, AOA chapters invite the top 10% of a medical school class based on academic performance. This often means achieving high grades in pre-clinicals, excelling in clinical rotations, and performing well on national board exams, such as USMLE Step 1 and Step 2.
Being among the highest-ranked students in your class is also beneficial. Many chapters use class rank as a primary criterion for eligibility. However, it’s worth noting that many medical schools are moving away from student rankings, meaning this might not be a criteria your school uses.
2 | Leadership Qualities
Demonstrating leadership through involvement in student organizations, medical societies, or community groups is critical. Taking on roles such as president, vice president, or other leadership positions can be beneficial, especially if the group has a significant impact on the local community.
As this is one of the founding principles of AOA, it’s likely your medical school weighs this aspect when deciding which students should be AOA members.
3 | Service to the Community
Participation in community service and volunteer activities, both within and without the medical school, is highly valued. This includes volunteering at health fairs, free clinics, and other outreach programs. It is even better if you initiate or actively participate in service projects that address health disparities, improve patient care, or benefit the community.
4 | Research and Scholarship
Engaging in research activities, publishing papers in medical journals, and presenting at conferences can also strengthen your application. Contributions to medical knowledge and innovation are core values that AOA advocates for.
Applying and receiving research grants or fellowships demonstrates a commitment to scholarly pursuits, so focusing on your research will help you be inducted into AOA.
5 | Peer and Faculty Nominations
Many AOA chapters consider nominations from peers and faculty. Strong letters of recommendation from faculty members who attest to your academic achievements, leadership abilities, professionalism, and service contributions will significantly boost your chances.
Additionally, being nominated by your classmates and mentors who recognize your contributions and character means following the unwritten rules of medical schools.
6 | Professionalism
Exemplary ethical behavior and professionalism in all interactions with peers, faculty, patients, and staff is essential. Consistently receiving positive evaluations and feedback from faculty and clinical mentors regarding your professionalism and ethical standards, without any disciplinary actions on your transcripts, will also help your AOA nomination.
Steps to Achieve AOA Status
- Excel Academically: Focus on achieving high grades and performing well on clinical rotations and exams.
- Engage in Leadership and Service: Take on leadership roles and participate in or initiate service projects.
- Conduct Research: Get involved in research activities and seek opportunities to publish and present your work.
- Maintain Professionalism: Exhibit professionalism and ethical behavior consistently.
- Obtain Strong Letters: Build relationships with faculty and seek mentorship to help guide your development.
- Prepare for Nominations: Be aware of the nomination process at your school and seek recommendations from faculty and peers.
What If You Don’t Get AOA?
It is important to understand that not earning AOA is not the end of the world and does not preclude a successful and fulfilling career in medicine. Here are several reasons why medical students should not be too concerned if they do not earn AOA.
1 | Holistic Evaluation in Residency Applications
Residency programs evaluate applicants based on a variety of factors, including clinical performance, letters of recommendation, personal statements, research experience, and extracurricular activities. AOA status is just one of many aspects considered.
Having a stellar ERAS personal statement and performing well during residency interviews will allow you to highlight your unique strengths, experiences, and personal attributes that go beyond academic achievements.
2 | Development of Other Skills
Continue to demonstrate leadership and service through involvement in student organizations, community service projects, and other initiatives. These activities are highly valued by residency programs and future employers, meaning that even without AOA status, these traits are highly sought-after.
3 | Alternative Honors and Recognitions
There are other medical honor societies and recognitions that students can achieve, such as the Gold Humanism Honor Society (GHHS), which emphasizes compassion and humanistic care in medicine.
Putting It All Together
Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) represents the pinnacle of academic and professional excellence in the medical field.
As a prestigious honor society, AOA recognizes medical students who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement, leadership, professionalism, and a commitment to service. Membership in AOA offers numerous benefits, including enhanced residency applications, valuable networking opportunities, access to exclusive awards and scholarships, and a lifelong commitment to the highest standards of medical practice.
Medical students aspiring to earn AOA status should be proactive in their journey by striving for academic excellence, engaging in leadership roles, participating in community service, and pursuing research opportunities.
By embodying the core values of integrity, compassion, and dedication to patient care, you can position yourself for this esteemed recognition. Embrace the challenge, seek mentorship, and take initiative in all aspects of your medical education and training. Aim high, work diligently, and let your commitment to excellence guide you toward achieving AOA membership and a distinguished career in medicine.
Residency Application Editing
Whether or not you earn AOA, Med School Insiders can help you prepare a residency application that will get you noticed by your top choice programs. We offer industry leading application editing, tutoring, and mock interviews tailored to your specific needs. Access our Residency Admissions Consulting Services today!
We also offer a number of online resources, including guides on the entire residency application process, how to choose a specialty, how The Match algorithm works, and more.
