Application Timeline

[Roy7]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hi, I was wondering what the typical timeline is for people applying to foreign medical schools. When did you apply, hear back, get the interview, then finally begin school? When should I start applying after I get my MCAT score if I take it in april versus taking it in august? When were the letters of recommendations due in comparison to U.S. Schools? Did you apply to both at the same time?

I've been searching through the forum and havent been able to find that much information. So any help is much appreciated. Thanks.

 

[JohnB79]

Most of the schools are rolling admissions that being said you want your apps in as soon as possible just because of the fact that people who apply late are those who didn't get into us schools and there is usually a rush of apps begining in late Jan when people have been rejected from a majority of their schools.

 

[tlew12778]

You don't take the MCAT for entrance into foreign medical schools. You need to take the entrance exam for *that* specific medical school to which you are applying. I don't know if any of the Carib. schools take the MCAT as their entrance exam but I am almost positive that no European school will.

 

[Winged Scapula]

The process really depends on where you are applying. There are separate forums for most of the major schools, and I'm sure you can find details there.

If you are applying to schools which take entering classes twice a year (ie, most of the Caribbean schools), then admissions is indeed "rolling" and if you aren't accepted for the current semester because its full, you would most likely be evaluated for the following semester.

Schools with one entering class a year have different timelines. Aussie schools start in Jan/Feb for example, and typically your application should be in the summer/fall before. You can apply earlier, but its not really necessary and I'm almost sure you will be told to wait.

While the MCAT is not a worldwide accepted test, it is used by most of the Caribbean schools and the Aussie ones. Check the European forums for any requirements they may have if you are looking into those schools.

I would venture that most students applying abroad also have applications in at US schools, "just in case", at the same time, especially those with one entering class a year.

Many schools will take your application without the MCAT score but will defer decision until the score is available. Therefore, when you take it may not matter as much as how you do on it.