August MCAT basically the same. For those taking the MCAT when it comes out more than 2x/year the timeline will be similar. Someone said high GPA means you may get 2ndry without an MCAT score. I don't know but check around. I only know of WVSOM doing this but it is worth a look and maybe you can use the April timeline. This is just an "ideal" timeline. You can apply in March and get into DO school but that is not the SDN way.
February - Ask my professors and DO to write me reccomedations. Try to get more science letters than you need. Give them deadlines of May1st. don't tell them your timeline. Professors and DOs procrastinate just like us but instead they say "I'm very busy". Use interfolio.com if you are not using a committee letter. If you are taking a class now and will need a letter meet this professor at the start of the semester and discuss this.
April/May - Work on your PS(This could take some time so starting in June may not be the best idea). Start follow up calls/meetings for LORs. Find out when you can start sending out transcripts to AACOMAS.
June--
Study for MCAT starts.fill out application with the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service. you are studying for MCAT now so if you did not finish PS before this, it may be slow going.
Confirm transcripts received by AACOMAS.
transcripts can go to AACOMAS as soon as it opens for applications EVEN before you submit it.Another Follow up on LORs. Tell them your app is complete and schools are waiting on the LORs only at the moment.confirm AACOMAS received transcripts.
July- confirm LORs with premed committee or letter service.
Send LORs. tweak PS.
August--
confirm transcripts are all received at AACOMAS by Aug 1st.If not resubmit($5 is worth the peace of mind). submit AACOMAS no later than the weekend after the MCAT.
September-AACOMAS needs 4-6 weeks to process. If you did not submit by now you dropped the ball and are probably not part of the early August group. Need more help? Ask someone on SDN. April MCATers are posting 2ndry questions on SDN so work on those now.
Oct-Dec- MCAT scores are out. Nice Job!! be sure to
submit MCAT scores to AACOMAS via THx. This takes around 10 days. Why is this not completely electronic? Hopefully getting secondaries about 1-2 weeks later. 2ndry should go out same day or 1 week tops since you had perhaps 2 months to work on them. tackle "why DO" and "why doctor first". "why our school" essays can be used as a template for others. be sure not to put the wrong school in the essay.
Winter-hopefully start getting acceptances. Help other pre-osteopathic students on SDN. Don't slack on final exams and make the "Will I lose my acceptance if I get a D or F?" post. This is so not cool!
Spring - choose your top choice. Meet the SDNers that are going there. Decide what you will do for fun during spring break and summer.
As another poster said you could start the PS now.
As an August MCATer it is important to have your AACOMAS submitted by the 1st week after the MCAT so you have time to be complete before scores come out. LORs should all be in you interfolio portfolio or premed office BEFORE the MCAT. This is so when you get your MCAT around mid-October you are only waiting on the MCAT score.
These usually hold up the process:
-LORs/ committee letters not received. could be probs with writer or school.
-transcripts not being sent
-stuck on your PS
-slacking on 2ndry
August MCAT allows for more time for LORs and finishing PS/AACOMAS but there is no reason to finish these before June when you start studying for the MCAT.