apply early vs. wait for better stats

[jessicaholland1]

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Sooo I know everyone says it's a lot better to apply early, especially for rolling admissions.

I wanna apply as soon as I get my pcat scores back (i took it in june). BUT im planning on re-taking it in august anyway (already signed up) AND I'm taking 2 more pre-reqs in the fall.

My question is: will schools wait for these new stats to come in before rejecting me? In other words, if I dont get accepted with these stats, will they wait to see my new pcat/grades before making a decision?

I assume that if i'm borderline, they may defer me util the pharmcas update period or something. What do ya'll think? Should I email specific schools about this?

 

[Farmercyst]

Sooo I know everyone says it's a lot better to apply early, especially for rolling admissions.

I wanna apply as soon as I get my pcat scores back (i took it in june). BUT im planning on re-taking it in august anyway (already signed up) AND I'm taking 2 more pre-reqs in the fall.

My question is: will schools wait for these new stats to come in before rejecting me? In other words, if I dont get accepted with these stats, will they wait to see my new pcat/grades before making a decision?

I assume that if i'm borderline, they may defer me util the pharmcas update period or something. What do ya'll think? Should I email specific schools about this?

Apply using your June scores. Unless the increase in GPA is significant, or puts you over a minimum GPA threshold, it's not going to be that important. (2.99 vs 3.0 and even then only for the really anal schools that make no exceptions) The earlier they see your application the sooner they can consider you as an applicant.

 

[eddie269]

Seriously, how much improvement can you make to your GPA (aka stat's) by taking 1-2 classes during the summer? Apply early and update.

 

[jessicaholland1]

Seriously, how much improvement can you make to your GPA (aka stat's) by taking 1-2 classes during the summer? Apply early and update.

Yeah, probably not much improvement in gpa, but depending on my pcat score, that could make a difference.

I'm definitely applying early anyway, but I was wondering if schools would automatically reject or wait to see new scores/grades.

 

[Wan2BPharmD]

I'd definitely call the schools to ask. I'm sure each schools handles it just a bit diff.

 

[overhillpharmer]

APPLY AS SOON AS YOU CAN!!!!!

I took the October PCAT test last year and was really worried about my score so I put off my pharmcas application and several stand alone schools' applications until my PCAT score came back a 95 %ile comprehensive and gave me the confidence to finish my applications. I ended up applying at 8 schools. I interviewed at the 4 schools that offered me interviews. Three of those schools required the PCAT. I got ran over by rolling admissions. The only school I got into was USN South Jordan Campus and that was by the skin of my teeth. I am lucky though. USN was my first choice and is located less than 13 miles from my house. If I had to do it over again I would have taken my chances with my score and would have applied early. I'm sure I would have been accepted by more schools and been offered more interviews. I still would have chosen USN but I was getting seriously stressed out that I was going to have to endure another year of the application rat race.

 

[bsps_2007]

with rolling admissions, you are only competing against the completed applications the schools have at that time. in august, say a school might receive 100 completed applications. they have to pick from those 100 apps for the first round of interviews. if you wait until december to apply, the school probably has >1,000 applications to look at for interviews. also, people with really good stats probably don't feel the need to apply super early, so your app is less likely to be sandwiched between 4.0 people if you apply ASAP.

 

[aboveliquidice]

I think you have your answer Jessica - Get that application in ASAP

Let the schools you are applying to make the decision on whether or not to wait for better stats - at worse - they will wait for them - at best, you sneak an early interview / acceptance. Either way - its positive for you.

~above~

 

[FutureGaPharm]

I am concerned about waiting until my classes end this summer to apply as well. I am taking an A & P II course w/ lab, but it is not even an important pre-req for the institutions that I am interested in applying to. The summer semester ends on July 31 at my school and grades will post around august 3rd. I am still wrestling with the decision as to whether I should e-submit my application or wait until the grades post since this the semester ends in less than 3 weeks. The only benefit that I have for waiting is a gpa increase ~ .10, which probably won't make much of a differerence.

 

[binghamkid]

I am concerned about waiting until my classes end this summer to apply as well. I am taking an A & P II course w/ lab, but it is not even an important pre-req for the institutions that I am interested in applying to. The summer semester ends on July 31 at my school and grades will post around august 3rd. I am still wrestling with the decision as to whether I should e-submit my application or wait until the grades post since this the semester ends in less than 3 weeks. The only benefit that I have for waiting is a gpa increase ~ .10, which probably won't make much of a differerence.

If the GPA increase makes the difference between a 2.9 and a 3.0, then wait. If not, then go ahead and submit it. If it's a difference between a 3.4 and a 3.5, the difference isn't that large. I've never heard of 1 class having such a substantial impact on one's GPA though, but to each his/her own.

 

[FutureGaPharm]

If the GPA increase makes the difference between a 2.9 and a 3.0, then wait. If not, then go ahead and submit it. If it's a difference between a 3.4 and a 3.5, the difference isn't that large. I've never heard of 1 class having such a substantial impact on one's GPA though, but to each his/her own.

I may have overestimated the numeric impact that the course would have on my gpa.

 

[bubblechasincat]

would getting all the application material in by late aug/early sept (first few days of sept) be too late for most rolling admissions schools? I have about 1.5 wk more of summer school and i think by end of aug is the earliest i can get my apps in (cramming for finals like crazy now) =/

thank you =)

 

[terse]

would getting all the application material in by late aug/early sept (first few days of sept) be too late for most rolling admissions schools? I have about 1.5 wk more of summer school and i think by end of aug is the earliest i can get my apps in (cramming for finals like crazy now) =/

thank you =)

you should be fine.