Advice on timing of MCAT

[LiteralLungs]

I'm scheduled to take MCAT June 27th. I was considering submitting my AMCAS application earlier so that it can get verified in time for July 10th transmission, but honestly, I just want to focus on the MCAT, and then submit my AMCAS within a few days after June 27th. I'm finding it hard to dedicate time out of my MCAT studying time to do my AMCAS.

If I delayed my MCAT to July 7th instead, I'd feel more comfortable taking out a week now to submit my AMCAS early.

Any advice? Will either method make a difference?

Option 1: Take MCAT June 27th (12:15 pm start time),do my AMCAS in a few days and submit on June 30th or first couple days in July. Score would come back July 14th, and verification could take several weeks. I'd expect schools would get my primary and MCAT score in late July/early August.

Option 2: Push MCAT to July 7th (probably won't be able to get a good time though, would have to be at 6:30 am or 6 pm). Submit AMCAS in early June to get verified by July 10th. Score release July 21st, so schools would get my primary and MCAT score at that time.

 

[KnightDoc]

I'm scheduled to take MCAT June 27th. I was considering submitting my AMCAS application earlier so that it can get verified in time for July 10th transmission, but honestly, I just want to focus on the MCAT, and then submit my AMCAS within a few days after June 27th. I'm finding it hard to dedicate time out of my MCAT studying time to do my AMCAS.

If I delayed my MCAT to July 7th instead, I'd feel more comfortable taking out a week now to submit my AMCAS early.

Any advice? Will either method make a difference?

Option 1: Take MCAT June 27th (12:15 pm start time),do my AMCAS in a few days and submit on June 30th or first couple days in July. Score would come back July 14th, and verification could take several weeks. I'd expect schools would get my primary and MCAT score in late July/early August.

Option 2: Push MCAT to July 7th (probably won't be able to get a good time though, would have to be at 6:30 am or 6 pm). Submit AMCAS in early June to get verified by July 10th. Score release July 21st, so schools would get my primary and MCAT score at that time.

The best advice is to not do anything until you are ready. Everyone freaks out about being the first to make submissions, and adcoms repeatedly advise that applications are not reviewed chronologically, so there is no advantage to being in on 7/10 instead of 7/20, or 7/30, or 8/10. Being complete by Labor Day is fine in a normal year, and we probably have a few extra weeks this year.

Take the test at the optimal time and day for you to take the test, and don't rush the application to get it in a few weeks earlier than otherwise. You have everything to lose by rushing a submission before it is ready for prime time, and absolutely nothing to gain by being submitted on 7/10 rather than a few weeks later.

 

[LiteralLungs]

The best advice is to not do anything until you are ready. Everyone freaks out about being the first to make submissions, and adcoms repeatedly advise that applications are not reviewed chronologically, so there is no advantage to being in on 7/10 instead of 7/20, or 7/30, or 8/10. Being complete by Labor Day is fine in a normal year, and we probably have a few extra weeks this year.

Take the test at the optimal time and day for you to take the test, and don't rush the application to get it in a few weeks earlier than otherwise. You have everything to lose by rushing a submission before it is ready for prime time, and absolutely nothing to gain by being submitted on 7/10 rather than a few weeks later.

Thanks

 

[mikki007]

The best advice is to not do anything until you are ready. Everyone freaks out about being the first to make submissions, and adcoms repeatedly advise that applications are not reviewed chronologically, so there is no advantage to being in on 7/10 instead of 7/20, or 7/30, or 8/10. Being complete by Labor Day is fine in a normal year, and we probably have a few extra weeks this year.

Take the test at the optimal time and day for you to take the test, and don't rush the application to get it in a few weeks earlier than otherwise. You have everything to lose by rushing a submission before it is ready for prime time, and absolutely nothing to gain by being submitted on 7/10 rather than a few weeks later.

I'm a reapplicant. If my app is ready, should I submit tomorrow or wait until after I retake the MCAT on July 7th? I have a previous score of 495 from last summer and my practice test scores are currently >505 with 6 weeks of studying to go. My app will have that new date listed as pending, but I don't want to be pre-screened out.

 

[KnightDoc]

I'm a reapplicant. If my app is ready, should I submit tomorrow or wait until after I retake the MCAT on July 7th? I have a previous score of 495 from last summer and my practice test scores are currently >505 with 6 weeks of studying to go. My app will have that new date listed as pending, but I don't want to be pre-screened out.

My advice is to time your submission so that schools don't receive it until your new score is available. If they only see they old score, they are not obligated to wait, even though they will know that the new score is pending. Your score will be available on 7/21, which is still very early. If it were me, I'd submit with a throwaway anytime between now and the end of June to get verified. You can add more schools when you see your score, and they will receive your app the next day.