Well, here's my thoughts. First, I was under the impression that this was a forum where we can all commiserate with each other and share our experiences about the application process. Clearly, I was mistaken, because it seems like it's a forum where people get on a high horse and develop an attitude with other people's experiences.
While I am a reapplicant, and I do know a little something about the process, occasionally timelines don't matter. Life happens and you have to deal with it according to your own conscience. I have absolutely no regrets about my experience in the application process. I am here not to judge how other people conduct their business, I am simply here to share my thoughts with those willing to listen.
Now, normally I wouldn't respond to your comment, because quite frankly, it came across as rude and condescending. Perhaps you didn't mean to be, but that is the impression you gave given the phrasing of your response. I have very good and personal reasons for applying late in the process.
Given that they're personal, I'm not required to share them, but to "avoid being slapped" I will provide some context. Last year, I applied late because I wan't sure if I wanted to apply then, or wait another year. I was, and still am, caring full-time 24-7 for an ill parent with a severe neurological disease, and wasn' even sure that I would have the time or energy to devote to the process. But my parent told me not to wait and encouraged me to apply anyway.
Last April, I had absolutely no incentive to retake the MCAT, because my previous scores were strong, and I was still interviewing. As it turned out, I ended up being wait-listed, and consequently, throughout the summer I was waiting, and people DO get off wait-lists. When the wait-list closed in August, I set about re-applying. However, the schools I was most interested in would not accept MCAT scores from 2001, so I had to retake the test then (August 2004), or wait another two years to reapply.
As we all know, August MCAT scores are not released until Oct. 15th. And as you seem to be expressly familiar with the process, I assume you know that schools will not review your AMCAS application or send you a secondary until they receive your August MCAT scores. And of course, things do not happen instantaneously by magic--it does take some time after Oct. 15th for the schools to actually receive your scores, review your application, and then send you a secondary.
Consequently, yada yada yada, here I am. Seem reasonable?
Final thoughts: I am going through this "gut-wrenching process AGAIN" because I definitely want to be a physician. If medicine was truly the profession I wanted, then why would I stop after only one application? or even two?! Even if I am unsucessful again this year, I still plan on reapplying becuase I will not abandon my dreams and goals. And each time, I will continue to be proactive with my application, talk to schools, and focus on what is truly important in the application process--impressing upon the committee why I would be an asset to their school and why I am well-suited for medicine. And that task is the same regardless of when one begins the application process.
I seriously don't know why I applied to UC's, but oh well. UCSF is still considering me for some reason, so maybe UCLA and UCSD will see something in me too. Who knows. Still nothing but rejections on my end. It's getting really old!
