AMCAS advice

[NA19]

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Hi there,

I'm a Canadian and I'm applying to Cornell, Duke and UCLA. My average is a 3.84. I took two summer courses which will be boosting my average to a 3.87. However, my summer courses still have to process my transcripts and will only be doing so after August 22. I am wondering if I should:

(1) Enter my summer courses as past courses on AMCAS. However, I'm under the impression that if I do this, AMCAS will only begin processing my application after my school sends them my transcript. This will mean 5-7 business days after August 22 (for my school's processing) and then around 5 days for mail. So. two weeks. I know that rolling offers are given out, which means that if I wait this long, I might not get an offer at all.

(2) Enter my summer courses as current/future courses and deal with a 3.84 GPA. Does 3.84 vs. 3.87 make a big difference for these schools?

Advice?

 

[BlueLabel]

Mcat?

 

[SN12357]

Hi there,

I'm a Canadian and I'm applying to Cornell, Duke and UCLA. My average is a 3.84. I took two summer courses which will be boosting my average to a 3.87. However, my summer courses still have to process my transcripts and will only be doing so after August 22. I am wondering if I should:

(1) Enter my summer courses as past courses on AMCAS. However, I'm under the impression that if I do this, AMCAS will only begin processing my application after my school sends them my transcript. This will mean 5-7 business days after August 22 (for my school's processing) and then around 5 days for mail. So. two weeks. I know that rolling offers are given out, which means that if I wait this long, I might not get an offer at all.

(2) Enter my summer courses as current/future courses and deal with a 3.84 GPA. Does 3.84 vs. 3.87 make a big difference for these schools?

Advice?

3.84 vs 3.87 will not make a difference. You should submit as soon as possible.

 

[ghboyd25]

Are you applying to schools in Canada as well?

 

[NA19]

I'm writing my MCAT on Sept 11. So I should submit as soon as possible? I'm applying to Alberta and MUN in Canada.

 

[SN12357]

I'm writing my MCAT on Sept 11. So I should submit as soon as possible?

That potentially changes things, because since you won't be complete until your MCAT scores are in anyway, you potentially lose less (or nothing) by submitting later. Depends on how many weeks it takes to get verified for a late August submission.

You're going to be complete very late in the cycle either way. Better hope for a killer score.

I have no idea how things work for the Canadian schools, but for American schools, you want to be complete as early as you can.

 

[NA19]

Will they not process my application until my MCAT scores are in?

 

[deleted526486]

Will they not process my application until my MCAT scores are in?

AMCAS will process your application before your MCAT scores are in. If you submit right now, you're probably looking at verification around early October at the earliest, probably later. Schools won't look at your application until MCAT scores are in. If I were you, I would submit ASAP.

 

[NA19]

If schools won't look at application until MCAT scores are in, what does it matter if I submit now or later?

 

[freakingoutabit]

If schools won't look at application until MCAT scores are in, what does it matter if I submit now or later?

It's currently taking AMCAS 2 months to process primary applications. If you want to be complete as early as possible, submit now so that your primary application will be reviewed around the time you get your MCAT scores.

 

[NA19]

The marks shouldn't make a difference? (sorry, i'm super paranoid)

 

[SN12357]

The marks shouldn't make a difference? (sorry, i'm super paranoid)

You're super paranoid, but submitting this late? .03 on a GPA already above a 3.8 won't mean anything.

 

[NA19]

Haha yeah, I didn't know the American school process and was a bit confused about applying over the past few months. Canadian school invitations aren't rolling! Thanks for all your help though 🙂

 

[NA19]

What kind of MCAT score do you guys think I should be aiming for? I read some requirements butttt opinions?

 

[freakingoutabit]

What kind of MCAT score do you guys think I should be aiming for? I read some requirements butttt opinions?

Aim for a 45. Set your expectations with your average AAMC practice scores.

I strongly recommend you apply to more than 3 schools no matter what you score.

 

[SN12357]

What kind of MCAT score do you guys think I should be aiming for? I read some requirements butttt opinions?

You are going to be a late applicant. For the schools you listed? They have median MCATs around 36. What do you think you'll need to stand out in the late applicant crowd?

 

[Cambover]

Are you sure you want to apply to UCLA? They had 300 international applicants and only 1 matriculation. They are not very OOS friendly.

 

[NA19]

Haha, I know! But I guess it's always a worth a shot (even if its a small one).

One more question:
For one of my AMCAS activities (most meaningful), I included a service trip I did with Habitat for Humanity. I then go on to talk about how valuable this trip was to me in terms of developing my critical thinking skills. I critique the trip and the fact that its part of the altourism "sector". I did this because (a) this trip was actually very influential in my understanding of charity and actually DID develop my critical thinking skills and (b) I want to try to stand out.

However, one of my friends told me that this would just end in me being flagged by US schools and it was wildly inappropriate, especially because of some of these schools conduct similar service trips. Thoughts?

 

[ghboyd25]

Just to be realistic- you have little to no chance getting into any of the us schools you're applying to because your application will be processed so late. Unless you get an incredible MCAT score your application won't stand out that late in the process. Also, only applying to 5 schools is a risky move. I'm not sure about the selectivity of the Canadian schools but you may want to consider applying to some lower tier ones as well.

 

[NA19]

Okay, hmm, I think I will apply to some more lower tier from everyone's feedback. Thoughts on the service trip thing?

 

[NA19]

Just want to bump this, does anyone have thoughts on my activity/service trip dilemma?

 

[IncognitoGuy]

Haha, I know! But I guess it's always a worth a shot (even if its a small one).

One more question:
For one of my AMCAS activities (most meaningful), I included a service trip I did with Habitat for Humanity. I then go on to talk about how valuable this trip was to me in terms of developing my critical thinking skills. I critique the trip and the fact that its part of the altourism "sector". I did this because (a) this trip was actually very influential in my understanding of charity and actually DID develop my critical thinking skills and (b) I want to try to stand out.

However, one of my friends told me that this would just end in me being flagged by US schools and it was wildly inappropriate, especially because of some of these schools conduct similar service trips. Thoughts?

Why even critique it? What do you know about the "sector", really? If you had taken years and years of these trips (and had some administrative work too) then I might see some ground for you to stand on. To draw critiques from one trip is bold, to say the least. And likely not in a good way.

That aside - the .03 difference is minimal. And also please be realistic about your MCAT date.. you won't get your scores until October. By then, people will be getting acceptances and your application will not even have been looked at.

 

[freakingoutabit]

Haha, I know! But I guess it's always a worth a shot (even if its a small one).

One more question:
For one of my AMCAS activities (most meaningful), I included a service trip I did with Habitat for Humanity. I then go on to talk about how valuable this trip was to me in terms of developing my critical thinking skills. I critique the trip and the fact that its part of the altourism "sector". I did this because (a) this trip was actually very influential in my understanding of charity and actually DID develop my critical thinking skills and (b) I want to try to stand out.

However, one of my friends told me that this would just end in me being flagged by US schools and it was wildly inappropriate, especially because of some of these schools conduct similar service trips. Thoughts?

I would not critique any charity work you've done (or any charity work at all, for that matter). Surely you can talk about how the trip changed your perspective without insulting HFH and HFH volunteers.