Advantages of Applying Early

[ragna]

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From what I've been told by my pre-med advisor and peers, you have better chances of getting into the schools of your choice by applying in June - the earlier the better, basically.

Now, I got a 32 on my MCATs last year August without taking a Kaplan course (big mistake, as I procrastinate about studying more than anyone I know). I will be taking a Kaplan course over the summer and will be taking the MCATs again in August, so I'll have to apply around September. I don't really want to submit my application earlier with my current MCAT score, because I'm afraid schools might judge my application based on the 32 without waiting for the pending second score.

So, I guess the question is, how big of an advantage is it to apply early in June as opposed to September or even later? To me, it just doesn't seem logical for the school to be accepting lesser qualified students just because they submitted their apps earlier, as it would reduce the number of open spots for better qualified students later on in the admission timeline.

 

[Steve203]

ummm...a 32 is a pretty good score buddy...its not like you got a 22...unless you totally bombed one section (8 or lower), then why would you retake?

It is probably a much bigger advantage to apply early...besides what are the odds that you raise your score? Most students ( I think over 60%) get the same score or lower when retaking.

 

[Dr. Breyean]

Even if you did submit the AMCAS application earlier with the current score, the medical school won't really look at your application or consider it complete if you mark that you will be taking the August MCAT. So even if you did submit in June, they wouldn't consider it until September when the new score is released.

Seriously though, a 32 is pretty good. Just submit your application in June and don't bother retaking.

 

[premeddick]

To me, it just doesn't seem logical for the school to be accepting lesser qualified students just because they submitted their apps earlier, as it would reduce the number of open spots for better qualified students later on in the admission timeline.

They are not accepting lesser qualified candidates earlier. There are plenty of qualified candidates that apply early. And there are very few spots for all candidates. Forget retaking the MCAT and apply in June with a 32. You might not get into Harvard but you should still be fairly competitive depending on your other stats and EC's.

 

[psipsina]

I agree about applying with the 32 and seeing what happens. I got an interview at a top ten with a 32 and a none too stellar GPA so you're not evey out of the realm of consideration for top schools. I think any advantage you may gain by a redo (probably only a few points) would be lost with they delay.

 

[BigRedPremed]

From what I've been told by my pre-med advisor and peers, you have better chances of getting into the schools of your choice by applying in June - the earlier the better, basically.

Now, I got a 32 on my MCATs last year August without taking a Kaplan course (big mistake, as I procrastinate about studying more than anyone I know). I will be taking a Kaplan course over the summer and will be taking the MCATs again in August, so I'll have to apply around September. I don't really want to submit my application earlier with my current MCAT score, because I'm afraid schools might judge my application based on the 32 without waiting for the pending second score.

So, I guess the question is, how big of an advantage is it to apply early in June as opposed to September or even later? To me, it just doesn't seem logical for the school to be accepting lesser qualified students just because they submitted their apps earlier, as it would reduce the number of open spots for better qualified students later on in the admission timeline.

Your first mistake is retaking the MCAT. At my Princeton Review class, they told us that their goal is for each one of their students to get a 30 and they teach to that. I don't think the Kaplan course will help you if you are good enough to get a 30 anyway.

 

[Robizzle]

They are not accepting lesser qualified candidates earlier. There are plenty of qualified candidates that apply early. And there are very few spots for all candidates. Forget retaking the MCAT and apply in June with a 32. You might not get into Harvard but you should still be fairly competitive depending on your other stats and EC's.

Totally agree. Here's my take on this issue:

They're not accepting the early applicant with a 27 MCAT over you, they're accepting the other guy with the 32 over you. I assume as spots fill up, they're gonna see a ton of 32's, the early applicants who didn't make the cut who are getting re-reviewed as well as the new wave of applicants. Problem with applying late is that unless you're stellar, it's just hard to stand out. It's not your fault, it's the fact that the number of applicants keep piling up... and unfortunately numbers are probably the first thing adcoms will look at when trying to separate one person from another.

 

[12loser12]

Get your apps in as soon as you can. I took the August as well (1st time)

I'm a 35, 3.96GPA but the late apps killed me. The few points on your MCAT are not worth the late app.

 

[Queenshawtii]

^yup. Late apps suck alot. I would submit with your current score quite honestly..

 

[narc]

Wow dont retake with a 32. Apply early and you will be fine.

 

[ragna]

ok, follow up question:

if applying early is so advantageous, what score would I need to get on the second MCAT score to outweigh the disadvantages of applying late? Or does it not matter?

 

[mongrel]

Ballparking it.... 36+ MCAT score

EDIT: meyeah, make that a 37+

 

[CardiacIntensivist]

Remember, most people tend to do worse after retaking. You'll find stories of how people did soooooooooo much better but don't get disillusioned by them. A 32 is fine.

 

[PlayMeSomeMusic]

ok, follow up question:

if applying early is so advantageous, what score would I need to get on the second MCAT score to outweigh the disadvantages of applying late? Or does it not matter?

why are you retaking it?

 

[Steve203]

ok, follow up question:

if applying early is so advantageous, what score would I need to get on the second MCAT score to outweigh the disadvantages of applying late? Or does it not matter?

dude...are you not paying attention to the answers here??? Obviously if you have your heart set on retaking it..then by all means go and retake it.

 

[ragna]

Remember, most people tend to do worse after retaking. You'll find stories of how people did soooooooooo much better but don't get disillusioned by them. A 32 is fine.

why are you retaking it?

Sigh... this is going to sound conceited but I was overconfident in my abilities, didn't take the MCAT seriously, and ended up dicking around the whole summer, cramming for the test around two days before taking it. Basically I was an idiot. I feel really guilty about this and I really think I can do a lot better if I actually study this time around... so that's why I'm taking it again.

I just wanted to know how much of a hit I'd be taking by applying late. Apparently it's a huge hit, which makes me a bit sad.

 

[AnEyeLikeMars]

Sigh... this is going to sound conceited but I was overconfident in my abilities, didn't take the MCAT seriously, and ended up dicking around the whole summer, cramming for the test around two days before taking it. Basically I was an idiot. I feel really guilty about this and I really think I can do a lot better if I actually study this time around... so that's why I'm taking it again.

I just wanted to know how much of a hit I'd be taking by applying late. Apparently it's a huge hit, which makes me a bit sad.

Is there anyway you can take the class so that you take an earlier MCAT? Even pushing it up to July would be an improvement. If you screwed around and got a 32, you're probably in a good enough position that you could probably prep on your own after this semester and take the test in June/early July.
Also, if you're going to send it the primary late, do the secondaries the minute you get them and try to schedule the earliest interview possible.

 

[Falco2525]

Sigh... this is going to sound conceited but I was overconfident in my abilities, didn't take the MCAT seriously, and ended up dicking around the whole summer, cramming for the test around two days before taking it. Basically I was an idiot. I feel really guilty about this and I really think I can do a lot better if I actually study this time around... so that's why I'm taking it again.

I just wanted to know how much of a hit I'd be taking by applying late. Apparently it's a huge hit, which makes me a bit sad.

regardless dont retake with a 32...again you are currently being "overconfident in YOUR abilities" to go from a 32 to a 36+ is a huge difference in the number of questions you need to get right...so it is not worth the risk or the time wasted in applying late....a 32 is good so take it an run...

 

[Crazy4F1]

someone correct me if i'm wrong, but arent you statistically more likely to actually do worse on the mcat once you break a certain score barrier/range? i was sure it was basically once you were above 30.

 

[Dr.Inviz]

Ah, the sign of a gunner ...

 

[Falco2525]

someone correct me if i'm wrong, but arent you statistically more likely to actually do worse on the mcat once you break a certain score barrier/range? i was sure it was basically once you were above 30.

you are correct which is why the op should not risk it...it will likely hurt him in the time lost than the difference in the score if he somehow does significantly better

 

[AnEyeLikeMars]

someone correct me if i'm wrong, but arent you statistically more likely to actually do worse on the mcat once you break a certain score barrier/range? i was sure it was basically once you were above 30.

I think that some scores are such statistical outliers that if you retake you're likely to do worse. I seriously doubt the barrier is 30 though. I think I'd be more like 35/36 (at the point where a single question can be the difference between 1 scaled-score point)

 

[Crazy4F1]

...i thought i'd seen this somewhere. no idea how reliable it is: http://www.studentdoc.com/mcat-test.html

basically, it told me if i took the test over (i got a 33), i would be most likely to get a 32 next time.

 

[Robizzle]

Retake only if:

1) You have less than a 9 in any section.
2) You retake it during June or before. Study yourself, for more than 2 days.

Unlike everyone else, I am not at all worried about your score dropping. You've proven your nerdiness to me just from the few posts I've read on this thread.


Otherwise, suck it up and leave it alone because from what I'm reading, you are just doing it for pride.

 

[batman1983]

I am in the same boat as you. I applied late in the cycle (sent in my 2ndaries in December) with avg or above avg stats(34, 3.6, lots of ECs), and didnt get many interviews. I have thought about retaking the MCAT myself if I dont get in this year, since I think there is room for improvement. But from talking to people, they recommend that I apply early next time, as time is the most important factor for the process, and what probably hurt me the most.

 

[Cirrus83]

lol, if all your sections were 10 or over I wouldn't bother with a retake...I mean, you did study...so it's a little silly to think taking some review course will magically jump you up.

The last thing you want to do is bomb the retake lol.

 

[LizzyM]

Don't apply late. If you insist on taking the August MCAT then wait out the year and apply in June 2008. Don't waste your money on applications this year if you are going to be applying late.

The 32 is just fine, unless it is unbalanced.

 

[Cirrus83]

Don't apply late. If you insist on taking the August MCAT then wait out the year and apply in June 2008. Don't waste your money on applications this year if you are going to be applying late.

The 32 is just fine, unless it is unbalanced.

With all due respect, I don't know if I can agree with this...I applied quite late this last cycle, and while I will admit it was a waste of quite a few application fees, I'm still pretty happy that I got 3 interviews at schools where they accept ~50% of those interviewed.

And to be honest I'd be happy going to Stony Brook or Downstate or Buffalo, so if I hadn't applied I'd have to have taken yet another year off (still might have to, since I'm still waiting on decisions, but these schools still have acceptance spots so it's not just waitlist interviews).

Anyways, point is, I'd rather get in this year than next, so whether or not to apply late also depends on whether you could spare that extra year easily. I don't at all regret applying late, even if I end up being rejected by the 3 SUNYs I got interviews at, it still gave me a better chance than if I hadn't applied this year, and at the very least I've learned a lot about the application process lol.

 

[notgettingin]

The other thing to think about is that if you dicked around and didn't take it seriously you probably went into the MCAT not really caring so your stess levels were pretty low. If you start studying like crazy it could have the opposite effect and you could become MORE stressed out by the test, and do worse.

This happened to me with my SATs. Could have cared less, actually went out drinking the night before, and pulled off an amazing score. MCAT- studied my ass off, and was nervous about the test, and scored a 31. While not bad, I feel like I could have done better had I not hyped it up so much.

 

[notdeadyet]

Remember, most people tend to do worse after retaking. You'll find stories of how people did soooooooooo much better but don't get disillusioned by them. A 32 is fine.

Can't agree with this more. Everyone thinks they are the exception, but if you look at the AAMC data, you'll see that most folks with a 32 tend to worse on retake.

It's very questionable whether you should retake at all and you definitely shouldn't if it will delay your app.