Adding more schools to AMCAS after app submission/reception of MCAT scores

[EthylMethylMan]

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Hey guys, so I'm taking the MCAT on July 2nd, and a few people on here have suggested applying to only one school that's in my safe GPA/MCAT range before I take the exam, then adding a finalized list after I get my score. Is there any disadvantage to this? I know it obviously saves money and allows you to pick schools that are more likely to offer you an interview, but is it in one's interest to add them all at once? Or does timing only matter as far as getting in the AMCAS app itself goes?

 

[Juan Solo]

I don't think that there is any disadvantage to adding the schools all at once.

 

[ace12345]

How long can we continue to add schools? For example, if I submit on June 10th, could I theoretically still add schools sometime in July?

 

[EthylMethylMan]

I don't think that there is any disadvantage to adding the schools all at once.

Sorry, kinda worded the question poorly; I meant to ask, is there an admissions/application disadvantage to waiting until after my MCAT scores are in to add more schools?

How long can we continue to add schools? For example, if I submit on June 10th, could I theoretically still add schools sometime in July?

I'm fairly certain that you can add them up until their individual deadlines. But of course, you're gonna wanna do it way before that. For a precise answer, the "help" tab on the page of your AMCAS application is the place to go.

 

[MacNCheesy]

How long can we continue to add schools? For example, if I submit on June 10th, could I theoretically still add schools sometime in July?

You can add schools until each schools primary submission deadline. Most are in September and October, but some are even later.

 

[Juan Solo]

How long can we continue to add schools? For example, if I submit on June 10th, could I theoretically still add schools sometime in July?

It is school specific on when the deadline is to submit the school to AMCAS for the primary. I for one added a few schools to AMCAS a couple of hours before an October 15th deadline.

 

[mvenus929]

Sorry, kinda worded the question poorly; I meant to ask, is there an admissions/application disadvantage to waiting until after my MCAT scores are in to add more schools?

I mean, you'll be complete later than a lot of people, but it's better than waiting to submit your primary in July/August, when the wait time for verification is in the weeks range. If you submit your primary early and add schools later, they get your information immediately. If you're working on the secondary applications to schools you might be interested in before your MCAT, you can have a rapid turn-around time and be complete by September, which isn't bad. When I applied, I aimed to be complete prior to school starting in the fall--the last week in August or so, so you wouldn't be too far behind the curve.

 

[LiveLoveLearn]

Sorry, kinda worded the question poorly; I meant to ask, is there an admissions/application disadvantage to waiting until after my MCAT scores are in to add more schools?

I don't see any disadvantage. Schools aren't going to really consider your application until you have your MCAT scores back. So, you gain nothing by adding all of the schools that you want to apply to prior to getting your scores. I can't you see you getting secondary invites until you submit your MCAT scores, anyway.

By waiting, you can make more informed decisions about the schools that you apply to, based on your MCAT and the MSAR information for the schools that you are interested in. If you were to pick all of your schools now, and score significantly lower than you predict, than you likely threw away a good chunk of change on primary application fees for schools that you aren't competitive at. On the other hand, if your score is higher than anticipated, then maybe your "safety school" range (there isn't really a such thing - but you get what I mean) shifts, and you can save the money on a couple of the application fees for schools that you aren't as interested in.