Apply this cycle or not?

[Lionesse]

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Hello everyone!

I'm just looking for some insight into my situation here,

I got a fee-waiver from AACOMAS and can apply to 3 schools for free BUT I cannot take the MCATs until January 2011. I know there are some schools that will accept the January MCAT scores and that I can still fill out the application and send it in. Do you think it is worth it to still go through the application process and get a feel for it and just hope for the best?

Either way, I am still preparing to take the MCAT in Jan 2011 so that will at least give me a good start for the next cycle.

 

[Isoprop]

It's really up to you, but it's a long shot because you won't be complete until Feb which is very late AND you are applying to only 3 schools for free.

 

[IfeelYourPain]

Hello everyone!

I'm just looking for some insight into my situation here,

I got a fee-waiver from AACOMAS and can apply to 3 schools for free BUT I cannot take the MCATs until January 2011. I know there are some schools that will accept the January MCAT scores and that I can still fill out the application and send it in. Do you think it is worth it to still go through the application process and get a feel for it and just hope for the best?

Either way, I am still preparing to take the MCAT in Jan 2011 so that will at least give me a good start for the next cycle.

I would wait and apply next cycle. Although it may be beneficial in some way to "get a feel for" the admissions process, I think it would be more of a burden when applying next cycle (assuming you don't get in). For instance, some secondaries ask "did you apply last year/ how have you improved, etc." So, it seems disadvantageous to apply now if you're not comfortable with your stats.

In your position, I would only apply for this cycle if I was consistently scoring very high on practice MCATs (high 30's), as that would be the only highly probable way you'd get in with a Jan MCAT (assuming you don't have awesome ECs).

Take the next year and build your EC stats and (with a good MCAT) you'll be way better off.

Sucks how Med schools don't have spring admissions lol...

 

[Lionesse]

I would wait and apply next cycle. Although it may be beneficial in some way to "get a feel for" the admissions process, I think it would be more of a burden when applying next cycle (assuming you don't get in). For instance, some secondaries ask "did you apply last year/ how have you improved, etc." So, it seems disadvantageous to apply now if you're not comfortable with your stats.

In your position, I would only apply for this cycle if I was consistently scoring very high on practice MCATs (high 30's), as that would be the only highly probable way you'd get in with a Jan MCAT (assuming you don't have awesome ECs).

Take the next year and build your EC stats and (with a good MCAT) you'll be way better off.

Sucks how Med schools don't have spring admissions lol...

Ahh yes, I was wondering about being questioned about how have I improved and I've actually already got some plans to improve in the works (working to gain clinical experience, doing more shadowing, & looking into a research position even) as well as taking a few classes to strengthen my science GPA since it has one or two areas it can be improved. So if it came down to it and I had to apply another round, I would have something to put in as 'how have I improved'. 🙂 This is especially important since there is one school in particular I am aiming to get into. I wonder if my determination would shine through if I applied more than once.

As far as MCAT practice scores, I will definitely gauge myself and see how that seems to be panning out.

 

[Lionesse]

It's really up to you, but it's a long shot because you won't be complete until Feb which is very late AND you are applying to only 3 schools for free.

Yes, I realize that it's up to me. I am the one who has to do all the foot work...😳 But that is not the issue. I am happy to have the waiver which I applied for before I realized the actual date that I could take the MCAT was all the way in January.

I like the feel of this forum/website and just wanted to hear the opinion of some of the individuals here.

 

[Prncssbuttercup]

I have been told by all my friends who are in med school, or have completed it, do not apply late, and do not apply until you are ready. Having to reapply usually hurts your chances, not helps, unless you change something drastically, and it isn't worth it if you only apply to 3 schools... I would wait... Also, nothing wrong with Jan 11 test, but make sure you're prepared for it... otherwise, study more and take a different one

 

[pablum]

I have been told by all my friends who are in med school, or have completed it, do not apply late, and do not apply until you are ready.

Just out of curiosity, at what point is an application considered "late"?

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

Just out of curiosity, at what point is an application considered "late"?

I would say mid September. Everything after that should be considered late. Though I would say that if you're aiming to get in with a higher chance you should be done with everything by mid July at the latest.

To the OP, I say sit out.

 

[Lionesse]

** Argh! Sorry. Was trying not to have to post twice and did it anyway! **

 

[Lionesse]

I have been told by all my friends who are in med school, or have completed it, do not apply late, and do not apply until you are ready. Having to reapply usually hurts your chances, not helps, unless you change something drastically, and it isn't worth it if you only apply to 3 schools... I would wait... Also, nothing wrong with Jan 11 test, but make sure you're prepared for it... otherwise, study more and take a different one

Why would re-applying hurt someone's chances? Doesn't that show dedication?

I would say mid September. Everything after that should be considered late. Though I would say that if you're aiming to get in with a higher chance you should be done with everything by mid July at the latest.

To the OP, I say sit out.

I am a little late in the game here... Might just sit out for Fall 2011 and craft a masterful application for 2012. 🙂 (lol)

 

[just one]

It's really up to you, but it's a long shot because you won't be complete until Feb which is very late AND you are applying to only 3 schools for free.

Actually you wouldn't be complete until March. The Jan mcat score usually doesn't release until the first week of march.