ACCEPTANCE WITH JANUARY MCAT's
Started by tbcnm
Nevermind. I see you already submitted your primaries. Is there any way to get into a september date. You really have no viable chance with a jan mcat.
Um... yes. Either you know very little about the application process or you should re-word your question so it makes since.
Most schools accept any MCAT score as long as it hasn't been more than 3 years or so. Some school take anything within the last 5 years.
Edit: Sorry, I thought you meant you already took the MCAT in January 2010 and were planning on re-taking in August. The thought that you had not taken the MCAT yet and were thinking about taking it in January 2011 for this years application cycle was so absurd that it didn't even cross my mind. Like the other poster said, since your application isn't considered complete until the schools have your MCAT scores, and by late February (one month after the end of January, when the Jan. MCAT is scheduled) no schools are looking at new applications, you have no shot. Even if you had a 4.0 and a 45, your application would probably never even be seen by a human being so it wouldn't matter.
Most schools accept any MCAT score as long as it hasn't been more than 3 years or so. Some school take anything within the last 5 years.
Edit: Sorry, I thought you meant you already took the MCAT in January 2010 and were planning on re-taking in August. The thought that you had not taken the MCAT yet and were thinking about taking it in January 2011 for this years application cycle was so absurd that it didn't even cross my mind. Like the other poster said, since your application isn't considered complete until the schools have your MCAT scores, and by late February (one month after the end of January, when the Jan. MCAT is scheduled) no schools are looking at new applications, you have no shot. Even if you had a 4.0 and a 45, your application would probably never even be seen by a human being so it wouldn't matter.
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Double post. My bad.
God.....my goal is to edit every single post in this thread. Sorry.
I took the January MCAT (Late Cycle) and got accepted to two schools.
Possible? Yes. Probable? No. I'd try to take it earlier if possible. NavyRick also did very well on the MCAT (>2 standard deviations above DO averages) and with prior military service has great life experiences. He is the exception not the rule. Unless you have an above average GPA and are for sure going to break 30 I'd recommend trying to get into an earlier test.
Thanks, This gives me hope. I figure I would only be out the cost of secondaries. We will see.
tbcnm
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And another year of applications next year if you don't get in, and stress. plus don't underestimate the secondary costs. Not saying you shouldn't do this, its just beneficial for you to try to get a better date. Maybe sign up for the soonest possible (Jan or was that just because you feel thats the best time for you to take it?) and check each day to try to push it up. I dunno, I just feel that my applications last year were late-ish being in november and that was part of the reason I didn't get in.
Don't forget the re-applicant label also comes with the idea that they want to see significant improvement in your application as well, not just applying earlier. You will need to do something else if you have to apply the following year.
So you had one MCAT, completed applications, took another in january?
The difference here is that your applications were complete early. The OP won't get his secondaries until he has A MCAT, meaning that he wont' even be receiving most secondaries or be considered complete until February. Unless he has an outstanding MCAT its going to be difficult to get interviews/acceptances that late.
So if at all possible take the MCAT in August and then retake it in January to improve my score if I need to. This would be a better option.
tbcnm
Is the reasoning behind postponing to January because you can't get a sooner date? is it because you are unprepared?
You still have alot of time to prepare for an Aug 20th test, however, I would never advise anyone to take the test if they are not ready for it. Without knowing specifics it'd be hard to give real advice. Basically...
If your reasoning is postponing becuase you feel unprepared than postpone it. If it is for a reason such as you can't make it than definitely postpone it. if the first available date is January than keep checking back every day, people cancel tests all the time and a new spot will open. Between August and January. If that makes sense.... Basically, take the MCAT as early as you are prepared to do so. If you are unprepared and feel you will do horribly earlier for whatever reason by all means take it in January. Just make sure you do well.
OP, you might find this helpful - http://www.aacom.org/InfoFor/applicants/Documents/AcceptingJan2011MCAT.pdf
If it's your first MCAT, it might be difficult but not impossible. If you're retaking and your previous score meets the school's cut-off then I think you should be ok. I'm assuming this is your first, though. What's your GPA like and how are you scoring on your practice MCAT tests?
If it's your first MCAT, it might be difficult but not impossible. If you're retaking and your previous score meets the school's cut-off then I think you should be ok. I'm assuming this is your first, though. What's your GPA like and how are you scoring on your practice MCAT tests?
Gotcha, I was under the impression the op already had an MCAT on file. It is not unheard of to get in with just a January MCAT.
My advice would be to only take it in August or September if you are definitely ready. No score on record is MUCH better than a crap score. But if you kick its ass in January, you'll get interviews, assuming you got all the EC's and a good GPA.
