AMCAS Submission Timeline

[MS2024]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I am retaking the MCAT June 15th and wondering if I should submit my application June 1st, wait to send it based on the return of my scores, or submit it somewhere in between. While I recognize it is risky to submit scores before applying, I also know that applying late can be detrimental. Because I received such a poor score I also am nervous about them seeing my application with only my bad score on it.

I applied late last year after taking the mcat in September. I scored a 498 (Chem/Phys 123, CARS 124, Bio/BioChem 126, Behav 125) but didn't feel like my studying was adequate. I am now studying full time for the repeat mcat.

Other personal stats to consider:
GPA: science 3.9, overall 3.93
70 hours shadowing
950 hours service
2400 clinical hours ER/Peds Onc
Graduated 12/21/2017 (Finished pre reqs Aug 2018)

Thoughts? THANKS!

 

[DrStephenStrange]

Send your application out with just one throwaway school, so it can get processed. Then when you get your mcat score, if it's decent enough for the schools you actually wanna apply to, you can go ahead and add your school list. But you definitely don't wanna spend thousands of dollars applying to a bunch of schools and find out later that you lost both your time and money because your mcat score is mediocre.

 

[907914]

Send your application out with just one throwaway school, so it can get processed. Then when you get your mcat score, if it's decent enough for the schools you actually wanna apply to, you can go ahead and add your school list. But you definitely don't wanna spend thousands of dollars applying to a bunch of schools and find out later that you lost both your time and money because your mcat score is mediocre.

Make it a throwaway school or a school who you are fully confident you will meet their 25th %tile. (e.g. My state school has a median MCAT of 506 with a 504 25%. I will be applying there regardless if I get a 504 or a 525.)

 

[DrStephenStrange]

Make it a throwaway school or a school who you are fully confident you will meet their 25th %tile. (e.g. My state school has a median MCAT of 506 with a 504 25%. I will be applying there regardless if I get a 504 or a 525.)

I would say make it a throwaway because then you won't have worry about being a reapplicant to that school in case you have to retake the MCAT. Being a reapplicant makes it harder for you to get accepted especially with almost the same exact app (besides new mcat score) a year later.

 

[MS2024]

Send your application out with just one throwaway school, so it can get processed. Then when you get your mcat score, if it's decent enough for the schools you actually wanna apply to, you can go ahead and add your school list. But you definitely don't wanna spend thousands of dollars applying to a bunch of schools and find out later that you lost both your time and money because your mcat score is mediocre.

Once my new MCAT score is updated, is there an additional processing period? Or will it automatically be sent to the schools I select since the rest of my application has had a month or so to process?

 

[907914]

Once my new MCAT score is updated, is there an additional processing period? Or will it automatically be sent to the schools I select since the rest of my application has had a month or so to process?

Should be automatic.

 

[MS2024]

I would say make it a throwaway because then you won't have worry about being a reapplicant to that school in case you have to retake the MCAT. Being a reapplicant makes it harder for you to get accepted especially with almost the same exact app (besides new mcat score) a year later.

I submitted a primary to a school that apparently had an MCAT cut off date sooner then the others and so I automatically did not qualify for a secondary app. When I apply to that same school this year am I going to have to apply as a reapplicant still even though I didn't send a secondary app?

 

[gyngyn]

When I apply to that same school this year am I going to have to apply as a reapplicant still even though I didn't send a secondary app?

Yes.

 

[DrStephenStrange]

I submitted a primary to a school that apparently had an MCAT cut off date sooner then the others and so I automatically did not qualify for a secondary app. When I apply to that same school this year am I going to have to apply as a reapplicant still even though I didn't send a secondary app?

Yes, you are a reapplicant to any school you've previously sent a primary to. Also once your new MCAT score is available all the schools you apply to should be able to see it automatically. There's no more processing time. The processing time is only to verify that your coursework matches your transcript(s).