Apply to all schools or just one school, without MCAT score?

ilton said:

I was in a similar situation. I say it depends partially on your MCAT practice test scores. I would say if your MCAT PT avg is on par with the most competitive schools on your list then you should go ahead and apply with all your schools. When I submitted I applied to all of them and then added two more once I got my score.

Obviously if money is a big issue, perhaps take the true reach ones out of the equation until you get your scores.

I think your advisor is wrong by the way. It's not a negative that your score is not there yet, BUT obviously by the time you have a score (ie september) then it might be considered late for some schools.

Your application will NOT be considered complete at any school until you have your score. BUT you should submit as early as possible because it takes weeks for your app to be verified. As soon as you receive your scores, every school you applied to will receive your scores, as long as your application has been verified.

I understand you can't control when you get your score, but get those LORs in ASAP.

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ilton said:

Good luck by the way. I know how much this whole thing sucks. When you get interviews and all that, be confident, but also realize they don't mean acceptances, so stay humble (in life too lol)

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ilton said:

Well the fact that you don't have a score doesn't directly affect your application, but the date by which they receive your score does affect your application. In other words, september may be considered late for some schools, especially those with rolling admissions.


I was in a very similar situation. I had to delay my MCAT twice due to health problems, which was not my plan at all obviously.

I applied to 12 schools I think, it was a very top heavy list. I had five interviews (yale/musc/usc/vanderbilt/dartmouth), 2 acceptances. I imagine if I would have been able to be "complete" earlier I would have had more success.

My MCAT was later than yours by the way, so I think if you have a solid score you'll be fine.

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ilton said:

Well my 2 acceptances (pretty sure would have been three but I turned USC down) were rolling admissions, so it depends. I think it ultimately hurt me at say, Vandy, that it was late because even though I got an interview it wasn't until January. I'm pretty sure their class was close to full by then, if not entirely full.

So certainly include some nonrolling, but I would tailor your list more to your stats, goals, and whatever else. You should have both really. I think generally speaking nonrolling are more competitive, so it's somewhat of a trade off.

I mentioned my health issues in my PS because it's been a lifelong thing, and it certainly influenced my decision to pursue medicine. But I was not detailed at all about what they were or what treatments I undergo etc... I was asked about it during my interviews, and I went into as much detail as the interviewers wanted.

I have to be honest, I have to imagine my health issues hurt my chances. Because the interviewers definitely brought them up and they seemed a bit too curious at times. Obviously I'll never know for sure, because they can't legally tell me that (I think), but it was something that was always in the back of mind during the process.

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