Application question

[Flexure]

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Just a few quick questions to submit to the experts:

Okay so my wife is plowing along through her postbac program and expects to wrap it up in December. The following April she will take the MCAT. Does this completely rule out her chances of starting med school in the following Fall semester? Do med schools typically start in the Fall semester (IE the traditional August/September start date)? Is this the only time they start? When is the ideal time to apply?

Looking at our schedule it's going to be a year to a year and a half AFTER she is completed with all the required premed courses and MCAT BEFORE she will be potentially able to start taking Med school coursework... is this typical?

Thanks for your time and expertise,

 

[liverotcod]

Applying to US medical schools is a year-and-a-half long process. The earliest matriculation for April 2005 MCAT takers would indeed be late summer 2006. The process for the next cycle after this one is roughly as follows:

April 2005...MCAT
June-July 2005...AMCAS standardized application (also AACOMAS for osteopathic schools and the Texas schools app)
August 2005...2nd shot at MCAT if needed
August-September 2005...Secondary applications
October 2005-April 2006...Interviews, acceptances
May 15, 2006...Deadline for holding only one acceptance
May-July 2006...Waitlist acceptances, get ready to matriculate
August 2006...Matriculation

This is pretty rough. For every date range it is to the candidates benefit to complete it as early as possible. The extra year even has a name: "glide year." Good luck to her (and you!).

Edited to say: I note you are from Texas. The dates are a little more fixed for Texas schools, which all have a uniform acceptance date in February, I believe, unlike the rolling acceptances given out by most schools. Texas folks, any help?

 

[Flexure]

Hey thanks liverotcod!

I think I've got it now, just wanted to make sure I wasn't totally off base. A year and a half... wow... the 'glide year'... This is by far the longest and most intense paper chase I've ever seen!

 

[liverotcod]

Hey thanks liverotcod!

I think I've got it now, just wanted to make sure I wasn't totally off base. A year and a half... wow... the 'glide year'... This is by far the longest and most intense paper chase I've ever seen!

You don't know the half of it. Just wait until residency application time comes (at least from what I hear). Gird yer loins.