Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA)

Alpha Omega Alpha is a national honor society for medical students, residents, scientists and physicians in the United States.The Northwestern chapter; founded in 1903, is the third oldest chapter in the country. Undergraduate, graduate, and honorary members are selected on the basis of scholastic achievement and significant contributions in medicine.  AOA by charter allows each Chapter to consider for nomination up to 25% of the medical school class. That group is defined by academic performance in the first two years (top 25% of Structure – Function and Scientific Basis of Medicine test scores, nominations from PPS1 & 2 units) and the required clerkships up until August 31 of the final year.  Students receive relative points for Honors or High Pass grades received in the required clerkships. These are weighted by the duration of the clerkship.  A point is given to students whose USMLE Step 1 score is in the top 25% of the class. This is the group of students that the Selection Committee considers for membership.

The AOA charter allows up to 16% of the class to be named to AOA. The Selection Committee, a group of faculty who are themselves AOA members and have considerable experience in our educational programs, considers all students in the top 25% of the class. The Selection  Committee analyzes overall student performance in the following 5 categories:

1.      Awards received in medical school;

2.      Research performed in medical school;

3.      Publications accomplished during medical school;

4.      Community Service performed while in medical school;

5.      Evidence of leadership in the medical school.

Each student's application package is evaluated by at least 2 reviewers. The candidates are then ranked numerically and up to 16% of the class is selected.  The entire process is completed in sufficient time to contain both nominations and appointments to AOA in the student's MSPE letter. Notification of the outcome of the selection process is sent to individual students by e-mail and direct mail on or about October 15.