When should I take the MCAT

Hey guys I'm taking the Kaplan MCAT prep course from April until the beginning of July. And from what I understand the opening day to apply is the first week of August. If you have any ideas on when would be the best time to take the actual MCAT test to send it in let me know your thoughts thanks!

baseball1986 said:

Hey guys I'm taking the Kaplan MCAT prep course from April until the beginning of July. And from what I understand the opening day to apply is the first week of August. If you have any ideas on when would be the best time to take the actual MCAT test to send it in let me know your thoughts thanks!

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Most schools do not fill up until around may/june and some even July. That being said you have plenty of time. The higher the MCAT (and gpa) score the higher the scholarships that are handed out. Take it when you feel ready. But to be safe I would have the entire application filled out and turned in by January as scholarships can run out the longer you wait.

Good luck to you.

I plan on taking the MCAT the last week of July and hope to send in my applications around the same time. I want to have the applications in right when the new application year starts in the first week of August. I want the best opportunity to get looked at and for scholarships if possible. Is this the best way to do this or what do you guys recommend? Thanks

baseball1986 said:

I plan on taking the MCAT the last week of July and hope to send in my applications around the same time. I want to have the applications in right when the new application year starts in the first week of August. I want the best opportunity to get looked at and for scholarships if possible. Is this the best way to do this or what do you guys recommend? Thanks

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The earlier the better.

I'm doing a very similar schedule. Though, I think I'll do the online Kaplan that starts 5-17 and goes to 7-26. Then likely take the MCAT on 7-29, or 8-5. For some reason I kind of had to "dig" for that May to late July course. I don't like the idea of studying for the MCAT on top of my reg school schedule if I don't have to.

I agree with the above posts, as it makes the most sense. The earlier the better. Not only do you get priority in the process including scholarships etc, you'll have a nice buffer time to retake the test if you're not happy with your score considering a priority applicant is one who gets their application in before April 1st for fall matriculation of the same year. The pre-health advisor at my school has everyone take the MCAT in late January, and I guess thats kind of standard across the country? I'd rather take it when I can commit as much time as possible to studying for it ... in the summer. So, yeah ... take it after you finish the course before school starts back up.