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[Qwerty2013]

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[WhittyPsyche]

I'm not sure about MCAT specific questions, but regarding your citizenship did your case worker give you that timeline? Not to be in your business, but if your not applying as a spouse or child of a U.S. citizen it will likely take much longer than 2 years. Unless your app has already been accepted. In which case it would matter what stage of verification you are in.


Source: PR who applied first through immediate family (mother), a PR, that took ages it was ongoing throughout high school and beyond at least 4-5 years, then after getting married re-applied/updated as a spouse of citizen which took about 1 year from start to card.

Edited to include bit more specifics

 

[RicoSalamandra]

Hi everyone.... So I am currently an international student studying in the US (I have an SSN) I am just waiting on permanent residency which I expect to take another 1-2 years).
Currently a sophomore--may apply in senior yr (if I get my PR by then) bc I don't have a realistic chance of getting into med school as an international student. I don't want to take the 2015 MCAT so I am going to take it next year (as a junior). But what if I still don't have PR by senior yr and considering the MCAT is only good for 3 years, is it worth taking the test next year? 😕

Was in your exact same situation. Green card took longer than expected for many of my acquaintances, so I decided to wait until I had it in my hands to register for the MCAT. It ended up taking two years longer than expected so it was the right choice for me. I guess my advice is to make sure that estimate of yours is certain first, then decide when to take it. And you're right, do NOT apply as an international student. It's incredibly weighed against you. Good luck!

 

[WhittyPsyche]

Was in your exact same situation. Green card took longer than expected for many of my acquaintances, so I decided to wait until I had it in my hands to register for the MCAT. It ended up taking two years longer than expected so it was the right choice for me. I guess my advice is to make sure that estimate of yours is certain first, then decide when to take it. And you're right, do NOT apply as an international student. It's incredibly weighed against you. Good luck!

+1 You simply cannot trust the feds on timelines, esp USCIS and particularly if you live in a very large city.

 

[joonage]

Agreed. Check the visa bulletin religiously and see how your priority date matches up and the time difference with the visa bulletin.

I'm a PR, too. I got my PR just last September so I could apply to this year's cycle even though I had already taken the MCAT. In fact, I was supposed to get approved two years ago but it got delayed! So you can't really trust the timeline ...

But word of advice: Gap years don't hurt. Honestly, not being able to apply was a blessing in disguise. I'm currently raising my grades and getting more ECs in. Also, at least I don't have to apply during the school year!

If you really want to apply asap though, word hard. You NEED to get stellar grades as an international student if you want to have a chance of getting in.