Application submission timeline

[redrosesfi]

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[RHeff]

There's typically a lag in being verified by AMCAS so if you submit late and it takes upward of a month or five weeks, you're not getting secondaries until much later than most of the school's other applicants.

At the very least, research the schools you're interested in and prewrite the secondaries.

 

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[MedPR]

Would this be a terrible schedule/is this possible?

I currently work full time, but am thinking of leaving my job and doing classes full time.

Next Spring semester, I am potentially looking at analytical chem&lab, orgo1, physics1&lab, then summer session1 do orgo2&lab and summer session2 do physics2&lab. I have already completed both gen chems and both bios.

During the summer session courses I would study for the MCAT, then take it sometime August/Sept at the completion of the second summer session (which ends in end of July). After taking the MCAT I would work on my apps and submit them before the deadline.

Please let me know any caveats you guys have as I would like to bounce my ideas off of you. I'm 23, and have been working for 1 year since graduating undergrad. Thanks.

Assuming you don't have kids or other people to take care of, you can do all of those courses while working full-time. The schedule you posted makes you only a part-time student each semester. Traditional students generally take 15+ credits during fall/spring and I think full-time during the summer is 6+ credits. Most non-trads have other responsibilities, but we still need to show that we can handle a somewhat heavy courseload. Being a part-time student without a job or ECs or any other committments doesn't help you. Don't quit your job unless you just want a bunch of free time on your hands.

Also don't take analytical chem unless you need to boost your science GPA or are actually interested in it. It isn't required and it won't help you much on the MCAT.

You should take your MCAT in May or sooner so that you can have your application 100% complete when the application season first opens up in June. Applying early is rule #2 of getting into medical school. Rule #1 is having a high GPA and high MCAT. Rule #2, however, is much easier to obey than rule #1.

I also have a question concerning when to start studying for the MCAT. Is it advised to start studying for the MCAT only after all prereqs are completed, or is it possible to start studying at the same time as completing the prereqs (ie start studying in the same semester as finishing up organic2 and physics2)? I am curious because I would think that it would be best to start studying after all the prereqs have been completed, but am wondering if people have done otherwise. Thanks.

Start 3-4 months before your test date. Check out the SN2ed schedule in the MCAT sub-forum. It's very useful and many SDNers have used it and done very well. And definitely finish all of your pre-reqs before studying for the MCAT. Also, the best MCAT prep is doing well in your pre-reqs. Overstudy, learn concepts instead of memorizing equations, learn more than is necessary for getting an A. Strive for getting 100% on everything.

 

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[MedPR]

Thanks for your response. At the school where I want to finish my prereqs, it is required to take analytical + lab as part of the organic chemistry sequence. I don't have any kids or family, but how do I take classes while working a 9-5 job? The only option I can think of is to take my prereqs then at the local community college because they offer night session classes. However I would like to take my prereqs at the public ivy institution nearby instead, but I don't believe they offer night classes. Any suggestions? Thanks.

What is a public ivy institution? Last I checked all the ivy schools were private.

If you don't have the option of taking night classes or switching from day shift to evening/night shift, then at least try to fill out your schedule with ECs like volunteering, shadowing, or doing research. First priority is to get A's, but you also want to show that you are more than just a good student.