Applying Early = More competition?

[JohnDO]

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How many of you have heard that it's better to wait a month or so into the cycle before applying if you have mediocre stats? My overall GPA is 3.4, and science GPA is 3.4 as well. I took the MCAT in April so I won't get my scores back scores until ~June 15th. Here's the deal: I want the absolute best chance of getting in (don't we all?). I've heard for years to "apply early! apply early!"

BUT

The other day I heard that if you are "mediocre" your chances are better if you wait till a little bit later in the cycle because all of the "exceptional applicants" apply early, and you won't stand out as much. Anyone know if there is any truth to this?

Anyhow, my dream school is KCOM, so if anyone has any insider info about applying there, by all means, post 👍 😉

Thanks guys!

 

[Pooh Chong]

I think that's fuzzy logic. Why apply early? Because it is more likely you will get in interview and be interviewing for open seats. Besides...what REALLY matters is when you finish you secondary completely (application + letters)...then your status gets considered.

 

[box29]

Here's a previous thread about the same topic...I thought I had heard this one before...it specifically mentions KCOM and how someone had contacted an admissions counselor there...You might want to contact them directly to find out what they think about your situation.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=117189&highlight=kcom

 

[OSUdoc08]

I agree. Applying too early may not be an advantage. Applying late is certainly a disadvantage. I think its important to make sure you get in your application in before the fall semester starts, but it's also not neccessary to get it in the first couple of weeks the applications are being taken.

 

[Amy B]

I sent my application in at the 3rd week of July. It was sent to the schools the 2 week of August. So it wasn't super early but was still early. If the schools get your application and want to talk to you but want to wait till a few more applications come in, then they will put you in a hold pile and will review your application again. But at least they have it and it is known to them.

Applying early is always best because there are more open seats in the begining. Once you get all spring grades or 1st session summer grades that is when you should send off your application. If you want to hold off until you get your MCAT score, that will be fine also. When do they come out this year?

 

[JohnDO]

Amy, so it takes roughly three weeks between the time you "submit" your application and the time school's actually receive it?

How much time between the time AACOMAS receives your transcripts and the time your file is considered "complete"? I'm going to have my school send out transcripts next week, but I'm wondering if that is too late.

I was assuming maybe a couple of weeks processing...so If I sent them this week, they'd be in by June 7th maybe. Then I have to wait for AAMC to send my MCAT scores [released around June 15], anyone have an idea how long that will take?

I'm just trying to get a general feel for the time this is going to take 🙂

Thanks so much!

 

[Amy B]

It can vary as to how long AACOMAS can take to process your application. Mine took 3 weeks. I heard from half of the schools I applied to within 7 days. I heard from VCOM within 3 days of my application getting to them. They were the fastest to respond. I heard from all the schools within 3 weeks from the time AACOMAS sent my application. So from my submission of my application till I heard from all schools was roughly 6 to 7 weeks. I even got one rejection pre-secondary during that time. It was the Ohio DO school. Not a resident hurt me there.

Schools can vary. AACOMAS can vary with their time. Just make sure you send them all your transcripts early AND make sure you imput all the courses correctly on the application to avoid any unecessary delays. Have all your transcripts in front of you while you are filling out the application. Double and triple check what you have imputed.


You will not be too late with that timetable. You are right on target so don't worry about it. Good luck!!

 

[Adapt]

I believe you should submit your AACOMAS anywhere from June to mid July to be early. I submitted my AACOMAS on July 12 and was verified on July 21. I received my first secondaries in early August and sent them in right away along with my LORs. I received my interviews all in September and October.

 

[calcrew14]

Base on your GPA alone, I think that you should apply to your dream school as early as possible. I would send additional info about retake of MCAT if it should become necessary later on. Looks like your name is appropriate. Congrats!

 

[JohnDO]

Just a real quick update on the issue. I emailed an admissions counselor at KCOM and asked her what she thought of the situation. Here are some excerpts from her response:

There is some truth to both of those answers. You want to apply early to make sure that your application is given full consideration, but most of the high achievers are applying right off the bat. It is more competitive in the early stages. Applying in August is a good timeline because you are not so late that you won't be considered.

We are looking at more than just the numbers ? personal statement, clinical experience, leadership, etc. All of these factors play a big role.

 

[Amy B]

Just a real quick update on the issue. I emailed an admissions counselor at KCOM and asked her what she thought of the situation. Here are some excerpts from her response:

Yep, that's what I said... August is a good time to apply. So if you send off your application begining July, then the schools will have it in August.

 

[Chrisobean]

exactly. there is a big lull during the summer months b/c of vacations and work and whatever...
and if you apply right away in june, there will be a big influx of applications to process, and it will take longer to get them out.
i think mid to late july is ideal. but dont listen to me, i applied in october. 😉

 

[calcrew14]

Just a real quick update on the issue. I emailed an admissions counselor at KCOM and asked her what she thought of the situation. Here are some excerpts from her response:

"......We are looking at more than just the numbers ? personal statement, clinical experience, leadership, etc. All of these factors play a big role."

I believe that numbers are the first thing that adcoms see or look at. Even though they don?t fall in love at first sight, a good impression is established. All adcoms are alike, they wouldn't look at just the numbers alone. But that doesn?t mean that numbers alone can?t get you in. I know of a UC class 2004 with almost naked 3.6998/27. He got in somewhere. A very few of those Adcoms already liked him when they offered him interviews.

You might want to consider some of the following strategies:

1) Apply to all schools that you like at earliest convenience. Ask for early decision if your dream school is the only one that you?d apply for.
2) AACOMAS is reliable. Make sure that your undergrad school is too, in term of transcipt and letters of recommendation. You might try a few weeks delay in your request for "back up" schools.
3) Add more schools later on in December or January when needed.
4) Consider applying early for some MD schools too. Don?t forfeit any chance to become a physician. You will never know. It could be the only school that you get in.

 

[jhubiophysics]

Applying Late = out of Competition.

KCOM 2007
Johns Hopkins 2002

 

[Luck]

Don't apply in August. APPLY NOW. Do you really want to be sitting around while all your other colleagues are getting secondaries in early August, getting interviews in September, and even acceptances by the end of September? I don't think so. Be smart and apply right now. Don't believe the hype.

 

[Runtita]

John,

Your GPAs are very similar to mine. I applied to KCOM only, as early as I could, and interviewed in early October. I was notified I got in about a week later.

It can happen.

 

[raptor5]

My stats were in no way outstanding. I believe my application was pretty good though. I sent in my secondary around mid August. I was told by the PCOM adcom that they don't look at apps until then. I interviewed mid sept. and was accepted 5 days later. I say apply early. The school has less apps to look over in August than they do in October. They are probably less discriminatory (is that a word) in September than at some point later on. I figured it was easier to grab one of PCOMs 250 spots when they were all available than when they have 150.

Good Luck

 

[JohnDO]

Very good points. I appreciate all your input!

 

[Amy B]

Don't apply in August. APPLY NOW. Do you really want to be sitting around while all your other colleagues are getting secondaries in early August, getting interviews in September, and even acceptances by the end of September? I don't think so. Be smart and apply right now. Don't believe the hype.

I sent my application in July, it took 4 weeks from them to process it and it was sent out the first week of August.

I got all my secondaries by 3rd week of August and interviews starting Sept 16th at VCOM. I was 1 of 6 applicants to interview at VCOM on the very first day. So that timetable works.

I will clarify what I said in my post above. I don't mean wait until August to submit your application. You should do it in July so AACOMAS can have the 4 weeks to process it and have it sent off in August.