Application Advice Needed!!

[Dr.Docta]

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Hey! So I just had a few questions about the application process. AMCAS has opened the 2019 cycle application today, and one of my goals was to submit my applications early. I've already started applying and requested my transcript to be sent. Also, I think I finished my personal statement (still a rough draft, if anyone is willing to read that and give me some tips that would also be great). But basically, I took my MCAT got my results back yesterday (496, yeah it sucked), but now I'm planning to take it in August! Can I still submit my application early, even though I won't have my MCAT score submitted yet? Will it affect my chances of getting looked at first, even though I've submitted everything else early?

Thank you 🙂

 

[LoveBeingHuman:)]

1) Your application can be submitted and verified without an MCAT score. However, you should indicate on your AMCAS that you will be taking the MCAT again in August.

2) Your application will NOT be reviewed until the MCAT score comes in. Any secondaries that you are sent before the MCAT score is released will be from a school that auto-sends secondaries to all applicants. Other secondaries will have to wait for the MCAT score (therefore you wouldn't have applied early to all schools).

3) Your position in the queue upon score release depends on the school, but you'll be at the bottom for most since your application won't be finished till September/October.

4) Most people in your situation (wisely) only apply to one school before the score release, so really you wouldn't have applied early at all if you also choose to do this.

5) Most importantly, do you really think 3 months is enough to change a 496 to a decent score (512+)?

6) Even more importantly, do you really think your new MCAT score will negate the damage done by effectively applying very late and having a 496 just 4 months prior?

 

[Dr.Docta]

1) Your application can be submitted and verified without an MCAT score. However, you should indicate on your AMCAS that you will be taking the MCAT again in August.

2) Your application will NOT be reviewed until the MCAT score comes in. Any secondaries that you are sent before the MCAT score is released will be from a school that auto-sends secondaries to all applicants. Other secondaries will have to wait for the MCAT score (therefore you wouldn't have applied early to all schools).

3) Your position in the queue upon score release depends on the school, but you'll be at the bottom for most since your application won't be finished till September/October.

4) Most people in your situation (wisely) only apply to one school before the score release, so really you wouldn't have applied early at all if you also choose to do this.

5) Most importantly, do you really think 3 months is enough to change a 496 to a decent score (512+)?

6) Even more importantly, do you really think your new MCAT score will negate the damage done by effectively applying very late and having a 496 just 4 months prior?

Hello, thank you for this info! It's much appreciated.
But I very much believe that 3 months is enough time to bring my 496 to a 505+. As much as I would like to aim for a 512+, I'm a very realistic person. I am not aiming for top tier or mid tier programs. I'm Puerto Rican, and I'm from Florida. The schools that I will be applying to have MCAT averages of around a 505, hell Puerto Rican Medical schools have averages of 500 and below, I'm also applying to DO schools. So I know I will be able to improve my score to at least that. And that's because I don't doubt my work ethic. My previous MCAT score was a miserable fail, but I'm ready to so much better. And I'm sure that there are schools that will notice that although my first MCAT was a failure, my second attempt was an improvement. Also that my experiences and 4.0 GPA will help me in this process.

Again thank you for your advice!

 

[Itsnotsobad]

I can check your PS if ya want

 

[gyngyn]

Don't apply with that MCAT.
Rushing an August date only increases the odds the you will get another such score.
The MCAT is a test of judgement as much as knowledge. A series of weak scores is profoundly more damaging than a single low score.
Do not take the MCAT until you are confident of a score consistent with success.