08/06 MCAT for this cycle?

[basophilic]

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I'm currently studying for a retake (had a 6 in VR with 13s in sciences). I have already asked my professors for the LORs about 3 weeks ago. I'm currently working on the personal statement, but haven't had enough time to comfortably think about it due to full-time MCAT studying (12+ hrs/day). So I had a few questions:

1. Would taking the early August MCAT (i.e. 08/06 or 08/07) be too late or has anyone done this? July spots are hard to find and those extra couple weeks really might help (I'm done with almost all content review, but could squeeze in extra FLs and passages). My plan was to take the 08/06 exam, send in primary by mid-July and say that I'll be retaking, and then have my score updated thereafter; but this doesn't seem like a feasible plan since, I learned, that schools will just screen me out and will still consider it late.

2. How long does AMCAS verification take and is there any faster way of getting everything verified sooner? When would I be verified if I send in the app in late July?
Initially, I wanted to take the 08/06 exam, but IF that's not possible can I do this: take the mid-July exam, send in the primaries soon after, the score gets updated by mid-August, and send in secondaries in latter half of August. Is this feasible and would this be on time?

Some advice would be really appreciated! Thanks

 

[ChrisMack390]

What is your GPA?

 

[Lucca]

That date seems late enough to be to put you at a significant disadvantage in the cycle. Does it preclude you from all interviews or acceptances? No, you probably still have a shot. But by the time your scores got in and you got verified it might be late September / October and at the point it is way too late.

 

[EthylMethylMan]

I wouldn't bother applying this cycle unless the rest of your app is stellar (great GPA, unique EC's, research, etc.). My first cycle I applied with a 3.7/36 but didn't have my MCAT scores in until mid-August. I'm convinced that that is mainly why I didn't get in that cycle.

 

[nwts]

As others have said, this will make you pretty late. It would probably be best to wait for the next cycle. I know that kind of sucks because you've already asked for letters of recommendation, but it just doesn't seem worth it to take the substantial disadvantage of being late in the cycle.

 

[believe <3]

I wouldn't bother applying this cycle unless the rest of your app is stellar (great GPA, unique EC's, research, etc.). My first cycle I applied with a 3.7/36 but didn't have my MCAT scores in until mid-August. I'm convinced that that is mainly why I didn't get in that cycle.

Would you mind sharing when you were complete the first cycle?

 

[basophilic]

I really can't afford to take another gap year; I mean two years before starting med school feels like way too much. Hence, I really want to do it this cycle. GPA is 3.7 for both
If not 08/06, wouldn't the mid-July date work? I've content review done and have about a month in which I could just do FLs and more passages.
I'd send in the primaries soon after the exam; then if it takes up to a month to get verified by AMCAS, I'd be verified by mid-August and send in my secondaries even before September arrives. I've heard that the "late" clock for submitting primaries starts ticking about three weeks into August (by several posters here on SDN).

 

[Holmwood]

You'd still be considered pretty late into the cycle with a July test. Late application is okay for really strong applicants, but not for borderline peeps. I'm not sure where you fall, so it might help to give us a general idea of where your practice test scores are like, extracurriculars, and whether you are URM/ORM.

 

[basophilic]

You'd still be considered pretty late into the cycle with a July test. Late application is okay for really strong applicants, but not for borderline peeps. I'm not sure where you fall, so it might help to give us a general idea of where your practice test scores are like, extracurriculars, and whether you are URM/ORM.

Avg practice scores for first take were around 36 (14 PS/8-10 VR/13-14 BS), so my lower score especially in VR could have been due to burnout; will start taking the 2015 practice tests soon (though none of the companies seem to be very representative and would prefer to take the AAMC closer to the exam)
Extracurriculars are decent: 300+ hours volunteering across 2 hospitals, 150+ hours volunteer tutoring a high school kid and chem department tutoring, ~300 hours EMS volunteering on campus, 2000+ hours in p chem research with publication; also am South Asian
Say if I get around 512 (around 31-32 on old) with improved verbal; would I still be able to get into low-mid tier schools, particularly my in-state ones: Penn State, Temple, Drexel, Commonwealth? Also, even if I applied next year, my app couldn't possibly be significantly better for mid-top tier schools.
So many of the past threads on July MCATs are saying that July is borderline but fine; even August-takers were told they can still apply.

 

[Holmwood]

Avg practice scores for first take were around 36 (14 PS/8-10 VR/13-14 BS), so my lower score especially in VR could have been due to burnout; will start taking the 2015 practice tests soon (though none of the companies seem to be very representative and would prefer to take the AAMC closer to the exam)
Extracurriculars are decent: 300+ hours volunteering across 2 hospitals, 150+ hours volunteer tutoring a high school kid and chem department tutoring, ~300 hours EMS volunteering on campus, 2000+ hours in p chem research with publication; also am South Asian
Say if I get around 512 (around 31-32 on old) with improved verbal; would I still be able to get into low-mid tier schools, particularly my in-state ones: Penn State, Temple, Drexel, Commonwealth? Also, even if I applied next year, my app couldn't possibly be significantly better for mid-top tier schools.
So many of the past threads on July MCATs are saying that July is borderline but fine; even August-takers were told they can still apply.

If you play it safe and apply broadly, I think it'd be fine. . . But I would check to see which schools end their interviews early and not bother applying to those. I would first make a preliminary list based off MCAT 30-31 and narrow down those that interview late into the cycle (preferably with interview dates all the way into January or February).

But primarily focus on bringing that verbal score up. : ) The mcat should be the main focus for now.

 

[GrapesofRath]

Beggars can't be choosers. You can't have a 6 verbal score then complain about taking another gap year if you need it(which you do) . Your putting yourself at a real disadvantage that you can't afford with a late MCAT. Also a couple extra weeks of prep won't make much of a difference for a verbal score at all

Wait a year boost your app and only take the mcat when your absolutely ready. Another poor verbal score will be a set back.

If your hell bent on applying this cycle apply broadly to DOs and you can get interviews. But no as of now applying this cycle for MD with a late rushed MCAT is not the wisest move

 

[schiffbased]

I'm a reapplicant (2013 cycle three interviews, three WL's) who reapplied in 2014 and was accepted to 5 schools with 12 interviews (I was able to decline a few interviews and withdraw myself off of post-interview considerations/waitlists.) That being said, I took my second MCAT on August 27, 2014.. I feel like it worked out okay 😀

But in all seriousness, my application was submitted before new MCAT scores were released, and I received 2 II's before they saw my new scores. I received probably 4-5 II's very late in the cycle, with the others coming sporadically. I also sent tons of update letters, including one that specifically said, hey look at this awesome increase in MCAT scores. I also retook a 31 and got a 40, so just make sure you improve in all sections. Good luck!

 

[basophilic]

Beggars can't be choosers. You can't have a 6 verbal score then complain about taking another gap year if you need it(which you do) . Your putting yourself at a real disadvantage that you can't afford with a late MCAT. Also a couple extra weeks of prep won't make much of a difference for a verbal score at all

Wait a year boost your app and only take the mcat when your absolutely ready. Another poor verbal score will be a set back.

If your hell bent on applying this cycle apply broadly to DOs and you can get interviews. But no as of now applying this cycle for MD with a late rushed MCAT is not the wisest move

I understand
But are you saying even a mid-July date wouldn't work? Also, would I not have chance at lower tier MD schools, if I do have some increase in verbal?

 

[GrapesofRath]

I understand
But are you saying even a mid-July date wouldn't work? Also, would I not have chance at lower tier MD schools, if I do have some increase in verbal?

Rushing to take the MCAT is a terrible idea. If you haven't been seeing sizable improvement in your practice verbal scores from your practice verbal scores last time around, don't re-take. Simple. The damage of doing poorly again is honestly greater than any benefit from doing slightly better on the verbal this time around. And of course given how different this new MCAT is from the old one there are hardly any guarantees about the sciences and social sciences as well.

Also given you've already had a poor verbal score on your record the standards this time around are higher. An 8 or equivalent if it was your first attempt could have sufficed. Now if you get a 50th percentile after getting a 6 your first time around it's not going to look the same.

IF you are open to applying to a number of DO programs in addition to your MD list you can apply this cycle and hope you get a II or two and perhaps a late MCAT could get in time for them and have an influence if you do well enough. But overall the smart plan is to just wait a year; the odds of you being a re-applicant if you follow through with your plan are just too high to justify. And if you rush to re-take the MCAT instead of taking your time on it you'll have damaged any future application.

 

[basophilic]

Rushing to take the MCAT is a terrible idea. If you haven't been seeing sizable improvement in your practice verbal scores from your practice verbal scores last time around, don't re-take. Simple. The damage of doing poorly again is honestly greater than any benefit from doing slightly better on the verbal this time around. And of course given how different this new MCAT is from the old one there are hardly any guarantees about the sciences and social sciences as well.

Also given you've already had a poor verbal score on your record the standards this time around are higher. An 8 or equivalent if it was your first attempt could have sufficed. Now if you get a 50th percentile after getting a 6 your first time around it's not going to look the same.

IF you are open to applying to a number of DO programs in addition to your MD list you can apply this cycle and hope you get a II or two and perhaps a late MCAT could get in time for them and have an influence if you do well enough. But overall the smart plan is to just wait a year; the odds of you being a re-applicant if you follow through with your plan are just too high to justify. And if you rush to re-take the MCAT instead of taking your time on it you'll have damaged any future application.

Thanks for the input.
In terms of MCAT studying, I've done a thorough content review already for the new stuff that's added for the 2015 MCAT, adding in things I learn from my textbooks, review books, and Khan academy videos; I've been doing practice passages using old materials meanwhile. I have about a month in which I can go through close to 10 FLs and several more practice passages. My verbal's not amazing, but decent enough to get an equivalent of 9 on the old one. Is it still not possible?
Also, what if I intentionally take a later exam (like in August), send all my materials in early July, prewrite secondaries in August, and be complete the first week of September? That way I could at least maximize chance of a good score if I end up needing to reapply. In that case, is being a reapplicant worse than a regular applicant (even if it's not at the same schools)?

Also, if I do end up with 2 gap yrs, what could I even do? I know I could continue the research I was going to do next year, but I'd really want to be active education-wise. I was thinking a Masters in chemistry or an MPH as I am interested in the two, can get clinical/bench research on the side, and do more clinical/nonclinical volunteering to further enhance my app.

I know that I don't deserve to be choosy, but I'm just really scared to waste two years - I was happy to take 1 gap year and planned it since sophomore year, and had a pretty solid plan/timeline for everything when I was a junior; I'm just finding it hard to fathom (and accept) how everything went so wrong.
Thanks again for the honest opinions.