Another new member needing advice!

[Awapi]

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So, I posted this in the general pre-med forum, but I realize I'll probably get better info here since I'm a non-trad and you guys seem super helpful!

Undergrad:
Major: Environmental Science
Cum GPA 3.4, graduated cum laude
Sci GPA 3.2
Full tuition merit scholar
*My GPA was pulled down by a couple of bad years because of a family situation, I plan to address this in my application where appropriate.

*I was a biochem major until junior year with the plan to apply to med school, the family situation happened early on in school and I realized that med school would be out of reach at the time so I switched paths, but I have the hard science background from the first three years as a biochem major.

Grad school:
Major: Global Epidemiology
GPA (ongoing): 3.9
- Merit Scholar
- President of student organization
- Volunteer in clinic
- Lots of health-related ECs

My biggest catch is that I will be leaving to work in a rural community doing strategic planning for a clinic in a sub-saharan African country for the summer. With my current courseload I will just plain have to take the MCAT when I return in September. I'm concerned that many schools will have filled their interview slots by the time my application is verified with my MCAT score in October.

Assuming I do well on the MCAT can anyone offer opinions/advice? Do you think the delay in MCAT would be enough to keep me out of most schools (so I should just wait a year to apply) or should I go for it and just understand that I may need to re-apply early next year?

Thanks!

 

[Deekle]

The last MCAT date is September 11, and that is late, even for the late folks. Also, at least in my area, not all MCAT dates were available at all testing locations, so you may have to travel to take the MCAT that late. You'll likely not get the results until mid-October.

Assuming the rest of your AMCAS application is all up to snuff once the MCAT scores come in, you're actually probably looking at November or even (possibly) December before the entire application gets verified.

On paper, you look good to me and your EC's will intrigue folks. You should at least get a look from your state schools.

If there's any way to swing the MCAT before September I would do it.

 

[Awapi]

Thanks for the reply! I don't get back to the US until August 23, so I'm currently registered for the Sept 1 exam, unfortunately (in case anyone else willing to offer advice is wondering) there's no way of taking it before then. I'll literally be living without running water or electricity for 3 months (but at least I won't be distracted at night from the 100 lbs of MCAT study books I'm bringing, right?). Fortunately I'm used to the lifestyle from Peace Corps where I studied for the GRE, so I know that it's a good study environment for me.

I've heard that a few schools (UW and Emory specifically) only accept the cream of the crop after rolling interviews and hold most spots to be filled until all interviews have been done (and fill interview spots more slowly as well leaving some open for late applicants). Did anyone find this to be the case/not the case in practice?

Thanks again!

 

[Chip N Sawbones]

Thanks for the reply! I don't get back to the US until August 23, so I'm currently registered for the Sept 1 exam, unfortunately (in case anyone else willing to offer advice is wondering) there's no way of taking it before then. I'll literally be living without running water or electricity for 3 months (but at least I won't be distracted at night from the 100 lbs of MCAT study books I'm bringing, right?). Fortunately I'm used to the lifestyle from Peace Corps where I studied for the GRE, so I know that it's a good study environment for me.

I've heard that a few schools (UW and Emory specifically) only accept the cream of the crop after rolling interviews and hold most spots to be filled until all interviews have been done (and fill interview spots more slowly as well leaving some open for late applicants). Did anyone find this to be the case/not the case in practice?

Thanks again!

UW takes very few students from out of their region. If you're not in a WWAMI state and you're thinking of going there, you'll need to apply early with a really, really good application and a demonstrated interest in rural medicine. I think that no matter where you apply this cycle, you will need to accept the possibility that you will be too late to get in anywhere. Other than the time factor, your application is great, and you'll be a strong candidate for the 2013 cycle.

Greet my friends in Africa for me. Living in the bush there once was enough for me.

 

[MT Headed]

The last MCAT date is September 11, and that is late, even for the late folks. Also, at least in my area, not all MCAT dates were available at all testing locations, so you may have to travel to take the MCAT that late. You'll likely not get the results until mid-October.

Assuming the rest of your AMCAS application is all up to snuff once the MCAT scores come in, you're actually probably looking at November or even (possibly) December before the entire application gets verified.

Their primary could be verified in late June, the secondaries submitted in July, and once the final puzzle piece (the MCAT score) automatically appears in mid October, they will be instantly complete at all their schools.

October is still late to be complete, for sure, but it's not like you need your MCAT scores to submit your primary for verification in June.

 

[Deekle]

Awapi, by virtue of the fact that you're posting now, I'm assuming this is a summer gig in Africa? What's preventing you from taking the MCAT in April or May? I realize that the temptation is to spend months and months studying, but the reality is that the studying you do a few weeks prior is probably more beneficial than all of the months of working your way through the Kaplan guide. (In retrospect, I wish I had spent more time taking practice tests in the 2-3 weeks prior and less time methodically plugging through the guide) In your situation it may be more beneficial if you can take the MCAT earlier and get the application in earlier. You sound like you've got a good head on your shoulders, with a few weeks of dedicated study you could probably do just fine on the MCAT and still get the application in early.

 

[Deekle]

Their primary could be verified in late June, the secondaries submitted in July, and once the final puzzle piece (the MCAT score) automatically appears in mid October, they will be instantly complete at all their schools.

October is still late to be complete, for sure, but it's not like you need your MCAT scores to submit your primary for verification in June.

Yeah, I was assuming that the OP would already be without electricity/phone by June/July...

 

[Awapi]

Awapi, by virtue of the fact that you're posting now, I'm assuming this is a summer gig in Africa? What's preventing you from taking the MCAT in April or May?

It's something I've considered but just isn't possible if I want to do well. The last MCAT before I leave the country is April 28 (1 month from now), I'm in a very rigorous program and this is the "worst" semester for people in my concentration (i.e. I'm up until 2 or 3 in the morning working on SAS coding or Biostatistics stuff about 3 nights a week and the other nights I'm working until midnight and then call it an "early evening" before getting up at 6 am to start again). I'm responding to this while waiting for code to run on a project.

It's not only the classwork, but (you already saw this above, I'm sure) I'm the president of a student organization that works with a large government health entity and requires a lot of work, I'm also a Student Ambassador, part of Scholars in Action, volunteer at a clinic, work part-time on a research project, and I've travelled twice out of the country this year to work on tuberculosis research which caused me to miss a week of school both times (so I'm having to make up for that lost time). Additionally, April 28 is two days before my first final exam of the semester...

Basically a really long-winded way of saying that I could probably devote about 20-30 minutes to studying a week and it's been 7 years since I was in a chem or bio class so I don't think it's a pragmatic approach as much as I'd like to get it out of the way 🙂

Yeah, I was assuming that the OP would already be without electricity/phone by June/July...

Haha, and yes, you are correct! I leave May 15 for Africa...however, I will have to make trips to a town with electricity/internet a few times a month to do reports, etc. I plan to download the essays from schools posted June 1 and then work on those from site either by hand or using the solar charger I have from Peace Corps for an electronic device. I may not be able to have them in by early June, but I am hoping to have them in well before I return in late-August.

Thanks again for the advice/help, I didn't realize they didn't need your MCAT to verify your primaries...SDN was really helpful for me when I was applying to my MPH, I'm glad to see it working out this time as well.

 

[Deekle]

Well darn. Sounds like you're getting well prepared for med school. I wouldn't go for the early MCAT in your situation either. You know, gotta say that if you don't mind the application expenses, I would just swing for the fences in September and hope for the best. If you aim at nothing, you'll hit it every time. It does get expensive quickly though. The good news is, it's possible to get in. My application wasn't verified until late November due to some military records delay. I got an interview in Feb and an acceptance in March to one of my state schools. Good luck to you and have fun in Africa.

 

[clausewitz2]

Protip Emory: tell them early and often that you are interested in academic medicine. I interviewed there and did not and it cost me. Their program is also set up in such a way as to make getting an MPH relatively painless, so it might be an excellent fit for you.

 

[Awapi]

2) You are deeply involved in your MPH and will not have completed the degree before you apply? Why is a question some schools may ask. Are you not committed to it? was it just a stepping stone to medical school.

On the opposite side of the coin, most successful late applicants are those who had indepth summer project, had great grades, and do well on MCAT, which you seem to have.

Personally I would concentrate on your MPH, especially with this summer project and apply next cycle. You'll being doing medicine the rest of your life, another year will matter little 30 years from now

Thanks for this, I hadn't really thought about #2, but you're right, it's a distinct possibility that I'll encounter this question...I had been concerned about convincing them of my interest in medicine independent of my public health background. I'm hoping my late application will illustrate my dedication to my current program (choosing to concentrate on my MPH rather than study for the MCAT during the semester).

I'll throw it out there that I'm getting my MPH at Emory and that's my top choice med school as well (I thought I'd like to keep anonimity, but there's about a million posts about how much I love the school attached to my screenname and I think it might get me more pointed advice). My advisor in the MPH program is also on the board of the medical school (he advises all the MD/MPH students). He suggested today (and I think I'll follow this), applying to 4-5 schools in the fall where (after research) I determine applying late is not a huge detriment to my application (including Emory). If I don't get in then I'll apply again next cycle. Luckily I'm on scholarship now, have no loans from undergrad and have a husband with a good job, I'm not looking to throw money away, but I don't mind the cost of applying to a few schools if there is an chance of acceptance. You only live once, right?!

Thanks again guys!!

 

[Awapi]

Well darn. Sounds like you're getting well prepared for med school. I wouldn't go for the early MCAT in your situation either. You know, gotta say that if you don't mind the application expenses, I would just swing for the fences in September and hope for the best. If you aim at nothing, you'll hit it every time. It does get expensive quickly though. The good news is, it's possible to get in. My application wasn't verified until late November due to some military records delay. I got an interview in Feb and an acceptance in March to one of my state schools. Good luck to you and have fun in Africa.

Thanks for the vote of confidence! I agree, might as well take the chance or I'll always wonder 🙂 I'll send your love to Africa

 

[Dan1804]

I met a physician from California at a hospital in Haiti who told me that he took the written MCAT while in Africa on Peace Corps assignment back in the 90s. If it was possible then, perhaps....

 

[phltz]

It sounds like you've got a great app, and I think you'll do well if you get your app into schools at a reasonable time. Most schools won't really look at your app until all the pieces are there, which means the beginning of October according to your plan. That will generally put you at somewhere between a big and a huge disadvantage.

There are summer MCAT dates in both South Africa and Qatar. From large portions of the continent, one or the other of these is a short (and relatively affordable) plane ride away. I have a feeling you may be headed to Kenya or Tanzania - round trip flights from Nairobi, Dar, or Arusha to either Doha or Johannesburg typically run between $300-600. You'd probably need to pull yourself away from your work for less than a week to travel to the site, take the test, and return.

Is it at all feasible for you to take the MCAT in, say South Africa on June 21st? That'd put you on a much better timeline.

 

[Awapi]

I have a feeling you may be headed to Kenya or Tanzania - round trip flights from Nairobi, Dar, or Arusha to either Doha or Johannesburg typically run between $300-600. You'd probably need to pull yourself away from your work for less than a week to travel to the site, take the test, and return.

Is it at all feasible for you to take the MCAT in, say South Africa on June 21st? That'd put you on a much better timeline.

So, this is not a terrible idea, but it would be expensive. I could get a flight for $700 from where I'll be, which is less expensive than applying to medical school a second time I suppose, but I also have to consider the cost of staying there and transportation within jo-burg (that's where I've been to work on tuberculosis research twice in the past few months, so I know that it's important to go with more reputable, sometimes more expensive transportation).

The million dollar question is: it will cost me time, money, and efficiency in the project that I'll be working on for the summer. Will taking the MCAT by June 21 make a huge difference? If it will then I'll do it...and I realize all of the advice on here is anecdotal, but if it will make a really big difference (like from "oh, she's got no chance applying in October" to "oh, I totally think she'll get in somewhere applying in late July") then I guess I'll pull the stops and go for it.

Studying is going to be a pain, but I guess it's an intro to med school right?

But seriously, how huge of a difference will it make? Thanks!

 

[phltz]

So, this is not a terrible idea, but it would be expensive. I could get a flight for $700 from where I'll be, which is less expensive than applying to medical school a second time I suppose, but I also have to consider the cost of staying there and transportation within jo-burg (that's where I've been to work on tuberculosis research twice in the past few months, so I know that it's important to go with more reputable, sometimes more expensive transportation).

The million dollar question is: it will cost me time, money, and efficiency in the project that I'll be working on for the summer. Will taking the MCAT by June 21 make a huge difference? If it will then I'll do it...and I realize all of the advice on here is anecdotal, but if it will make a really big difference (like from "oh, she's got no chance applying in October" to "oh, I totally think she'll get in somewhere applying in late July") then I guess I'll pull the stops and go for it.

Studying is going to be a pain, but I guess it's an intro to med school right?

But seriously, how huge of a difference will it make? Thanks!

How much it helps really depends on which school we're talking about. Some schools have an pretty aggressive rolling admissions process (Michigan comes to mind). Other schools claim that all applications received before their deadline get full consideration and have a similar shot at acceptance (if I recall correctly, Harvard falls into this category).

Most schools won't take a look at your application until they have all the parts. If you take the mid-September MCAT, you're talking about them sitting down and taking a look at it in mid-October, if you're lucky. Some schools will only decide to send you the secondary at that point. At many schools, this means they'll already have booked up all the interview days through the New Year. There'll be a few interview spots left, but there'll be increasingly stiff competition for them.

If you take the mid-June MCAT, your completed application can be ready for review in mid-July. This puts you solidly on the earliesh end of average, and means that lateness shouldn't hold you back anywhere.

I think at this point, your best bet might be to call or email the admissions offices of a few of the schools you're most interested in, and run the situation by them. Try to get a feel for how aggressive they are with giving out interview invitations early.

 

[Prncssbuttercup]

Wait until next year. Your stats are good, but not good enough for an app that late. Just wait until next years application cycle and submit June 1. Being a reapplicant is bad, especially since you'd be limiting your chances in the first place...

 

[Awapi]

Wait until next year. Your stats are good, but not good enough for an app that late. Just wait until next years application cycle and submit June 1. Being a reapplicant is bad, especially since you'd be limiting your chances in the first place...

Thanks, you think this even with the possibility of taking the MCAT on June 21 or just based off of the original timeline of Sept?

June 21 is looking like a possibility, I have a friend who will be working on a project in Cape Town this summer, it's a little more expensive of a flight, but he can pick me up and I can stay with him while I'm in SA for the test for free, plus I've seen enough of Jo-burg through work 🙂 .

I have a meeting this week with the Dean of Admissions at my top choice, I'm planning to ask him what he thinks (not a complete melodrama of my background, just whether or not I should try to take the June 21 test or wait until Sept or next year). The person who set me up with him is a mutual friend (and did her MD at the school) and he is an adjunct faculty at my program, I (obviously) plan to be very professional, but I foresee him being straightforward with me about what I should do and I've heard he's very down-to-earth.

Also, do schools only know that you are a re-applicant if you applied to that specific school previously? I was planning to only apply to a handful of schools that claimed that the late app didn't make a difference (my top choice is one of those schools) - so most of the schools I would apply to next year wouldn't know I was a re-applicant unless it was something released with my AMCAS application, correct? My second choice school told me that late MCAT = no way so they would be getting my app for the first time next year. And my advisor is on the admissions committee at my first choice and he said that once you pass the initial review the interviewer(s) don't know you are a re-applicant, so I'd really only be concerned about it if it was something that was attached to your general application letting schools know that this is your second try.

 

[startoverat40]

i think the timing of the MCAT and application completion, interviews, etc, is not so much the problem, as just preparing for the MCAT and making sure that you will get a good score. At the pre-interview stage, your MCAT and GPA will have a bigger weight in your selection than your ECs, so you really have to make sure you do well on it. There are plenty of people who get accepted late in the season. but if your MCAT is not competitive it will hurt you. and it will stay in your score report.

Basically a really long-winded way of saying that I could probably devote about 20-30 minutes to studying a week and it's been 7 years since I was in a chem or bio class so I don't think it's a pragmatic approach as much as I'd like to get it out of the way

i really don't think 20-30 mins/week are adequate study time, especially if its been years since you studied the topics. you might be able to do some simple chem/phys problems, but likely not MCAT style passages and questions under timed conditions. you need to take a look at the MCAT topics page, and review the hell out of all of them. you need to do LOTS of practice questions (like 2-3 thousand!). the MCAT is not just something you need to get out of the way. you need to really do your very best on it. visit the MCAT forum and look at the suggested study schedules. don't rush into taking the MCAT.

 

[Prncssbuttercup]

Only take it in June if you could get a good score. If you're only going to be studying 20-30mns/week I would say that's not a great plan, and you should make sure you're doing well on the AAMC full-lengths before you take it... As for "they won't know you're a reapplicant" I call BS its flagged in your AMCAS/AACOMAS, and can have a negative impact on your application. Honestly, I still say wait and be fully prepared. If you look in the reapplicant forum most people in your situation don't get accepted when they throw together their app at the last second