Anyone else submitting their application late?

[Modder]

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Am I the only one who hasn't submitted their application? I've been held up by letters unfortunately... but I'll get the last one within 2 days

From reading some past posts, ppl have mentioned that the application deadlines are not necessarily set in stone and that programs may still review ur application even if it's received after their deadline? Do you guys think this is still the case? Should i just save my $$ by not applying to programs whose deadlines have passed?

For those who's applications were recently verified, how long did it take?

thx!!

 

[wooow]

I think you should be okay. Uploading the documents took about 8 business days for me, that being said, it must vary depending on the amount of people sending them in and I sent it in mid August so probably the busiest time. While some program deadlines have past, if you look at interview offers in the previous years some of these programs send out their first invites much later than the deadline. If they review applications and yours is on on the day they begin selecting for interviews I see no reason why they would not take your app, but an application at the top of the pile is probably helpful.

Anyways, I suggest apply without considering deadlines.

 

[VooDooo327]

I just sent in my materials overnight last Thursday. I had already submitted the CAS a few days before. I just go the materials section changed to "received" today however, yesterday I had received some emails from programs stating they had downloaded my application. So, I am not sure if there is a lag time of when programs can see you and when your status is updated on the SFmatch website. I guess you can always call them if it is taking a little longer than you want if you are worried about timing issues. Goodluck!

 

[carolink15]

I overnight my documents (FedEx by 10:00 am, don't do the 8am one because they tend to deliver like at 6:30-7:00 am and businesses are not open so why spend an extra $30 to get it in 2hrs earlier) anyways my documents were mailed on Tuesday 27, received 8/28, marked as received 8/29 in the afternoon. I just called and my application should be distributed either tonight or tomorrow despite the 3day weekend 🙂 (God is good!!!) The gentleman from customer service also mentioned that once you submit your CAS application, programs will have access to it but they cannot see your supporting documents until your documents are processed.

I hope this helps 🙂

 

[Ilovewater]

I was going to send in my application a little later too, so I emailed several programs with early deadlines asking about how strict they are. Most of them said they will review late applications. UNC was the only program the I emailed that said they will not review late applications.

 

[Modder]

I think you should be okay. Uploading the documents took about 8 business days for me, that being said, it must vary depending on the amount of people sending them in and I sent it in mid August so probably the busiest time. While some program deadlines have past, if you look at interview offers in the previous years some of these programs send out their first invites much later than the deadline. If they review applications and yours is on on the day they begin selecting for interviews I see no reason why they would not take your app, but an application at the top of the pile is probably helpful.

Anyways, I suggest apply without considering deadlines.

thanks for the info and the encouragement! I'm feeling better already! Can't wait to submit and get this move on to the interview waiting game! Goodluck with ur application!

 

[Modder]

I just sent in my materials overnight last Thursday. I had already submitted the CAS a few days before. I just go the materials section changed to "received" today however, yesterday I had received some emails from programs stating they had downloaded my application. So, I am not sure if there is a lag time of when programs can see you and when your status is updated on the SFmatch website. I guess you can always call them if it is taking a little longer than you want if you are worried about timing issues. Goodluck!

Great to hear that they're processing things that fast! thanks and goodluck to u too!! U guys/gals are awesome!!

 

[Modder]

I overnight my documents (FedEx by 10:00 am, don't do the 8am one because they tend to deliver like at 6:30-7:00 am and businesses are not open so why spend an extra $30 to get it in 2hrs earlier) anyways my documents were mailed on Tuesday 27, received 8/28, marked as received 8/29 in the afternoon. I just called and my application should be distributed either tonight or tomorrow despite the 3day weekend 🙂 (God is good!!!) The gentleman from customer service also mentioned that once you submit your CAS application, programs will have access to it but they cannot see your supporting documents until your documents are processed.

I hope this helps 🙂

I was going to send in my application a little later too, so I emailed several programs with early deadlines asking about how strict they are. Most of them said they will review late applications. UNC was the only program the I emailed that said they will not review late applications.

Thanks for that tip carolink!! That's good to know. I'm glad u're application was processed quickly despite the weekend. I was dreading a 3week processing delay, but it seems like they are turning things around in under a week! 🙂

ilovewater that's a great idea!! I'll just email all the programs who's deadline I've missed and ask them directly, this way I don't waste $35 on programs that won't look at my application!

Do u guys know how the distribution works? Is it just made available to the schools and then schools individually download them at their whim? Or does SFMatch actually send out applications in waves say every Wednesday?

Finally, are u guys/gals using ur Ophtho letters for ERAS (prelim/TY applications) or did u get new personalized LORs?

thanks again!!

 

[Ilovewater]

Finally, are u guys/gals using ur Ophtho letters for ERAS (prelim/TY applications) or did u get new personalized LORs?

I asked the letter writers to provide 2 copies: one for ophtho and one for PGY-1 programs. I am unsure whether they modify the letters or not. It's very likely that they used the same letters haha.

 

[VooDooo327]

Just wanted to reply. I sent my materials last Thursday. Showed "Received" Monday. Shows "Uploaded" as of today. Hopefully they are just as fast with everyone's materials.

 

[Modder]

I asked the letter writers to provide 2 copies: one for ophtho and one for PGY-1 programs. I am unsure whether they modify the letters or not. It's very likely that they used the same letters haha.

I did the same too, and i'm pretty sure the letters are monozygous. haha
Hopefully the PGY-1 programs don't mind much..

 

[ophthope]

I did the same too, and i'm pretty sure the letters are monozygous. haha
Hopefully the PGY-1 programs don't mind much..

They don't mind at all. I also copied and pasted my entire personal statement from the SFMatch without editing it other than adding a single sentence at the end saying something like 'to accomplish these Ophthalmology-related goals I will need to first have a year of broad clinical training as a physician and I hope that your program will allow me to complete this training with you' or something like that. They expect this too. Don't write a new personal statement it is a waste of time.

 

[Showa57]

Just wanted to reply. I sent my materials last Thursday. Showed "Received" Monday. Shows "Uploaded" as of today. Hopefully they are just as fast with everyone's materials.

That's dubious. My docs were received last Monday and they haven't been uploaded yet.

 

[Aintjustadoogie]

That's dubious. My docs were received last Monday and they haven't been uploaded yet.

Haha I don't know if it's fair to say dubious. I would say SF Match is just inconsistent in their processing time. For example, my documents were delivered to them on August 8, "received" on August 9th, I submitted my CAS and paid my fees as soon as I saw they were received on the 9th as well, and got the "batchmerge" email and the "uploaded" status for all of the items at 6pm SF time on August 23rd. I have multiple friends who mailed in, submitted CAS and paid several days after me but and then got the "batchmerge" email and the "uploaded" status for all of the items on August 19th. Perhaps their docs got handed to a person who was faster at processing, who knows. I have another friend who waited almost a week for his docs just to get marked "received" after they had been delivered. All of us were within the 3 week processing time, which is clearly stated by SF match on the website in several places, so it's hard to complain about it.

I know the sooner the better and all that, but realistically the few days of difference in programs receiving your apps between you and a luckier person are probably not making a huge difference at this (still quite early) point in the application season. Only three schools have sent out interviews, and at least one of which is "processing applications as they come in" and almost certainly not giving away all of their spots just yet. I'd give it another two weeks at least before worrying about your app being in too late to have it's best shot at most programs. Looking at last year's interview thread, you really have until the last week of September before things really pick up - http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=945390&page=5
and this year's interview list seems to be mirroring the beginning of last year fairly well