Applying Early/The Point

[clement]

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I know I must sound like a broken record by now, but I'm a confused broken record...

I will be a RE-applicant this season. 90% say apply early no matter what, with the same stats and "update the schools" with new grades, MCATs, LORs... My stats stink. My overall GPA is a 3.5, my post-bac is a 3.1 and my overall sci is a 2.93. My MCAT is a 23 (6 PS, 8 BS, 9 V).

Western COMP is my number one choice. Why should I submit AACOMAS to them ASAP, when I won't be able to take that one class to boost my sci GPA to a 3.0 (i have a feeling that's a cut-off number for them), until this summer or fall, and when my MCAT score won't be out till October? I think they don't give a dang about my post-bac GPA (even though I'm a non-sci major)...And I need a DO LOR.

I would have to update my application with AACOMAS once the new class is done, and the school itself is NOT going to recalc my gpa upon the addition of a new grade. So what's better for a REAPPLICANT to the same school (just applied), wait for new grades, DO LOR, MCAT, and present nicer package fromt the beginning... Or, submit AACOMAS early, and update AACOMAS with a new grade and update school with new MCAT LATER ON? I don't get the advantage of the early application method in my case (at least AACOMAS-wise). HELP!

 

[nvshelat]

I would have to update my application with AACOMAS once the new class is done, and the school itself is NOT going to recalc my gpa upon the addition of a new grade. So what's better for a REAPPLICANT to the same school (just applied), wait for new grades, DO LOR, MCAT, and present nicer package fromt the beginning... Or, submit AACOMAS early, and update AACOMAS with a new grade and update school with new MCAT LATER ON? I don't get the advantage of the early application method in my case (at least AACOMAS-wise). HELP!

I vote for the former. Others will disagree, but I think if you apply early you run the risk of being rejected early. It's a tricky tradeoff. I retook and waited. Anyway, your MCAT won't be in so schools won't look @ your app till then.

 

[BengaliDocIsl]

I know I must sound like a broken record by now, but I'm a confused broken record...

I will be a RE-applicant this season. 90% say apply early no matter what, with the same stats and "update the schools" with new grades, MCATs, LORs... My stats stink. My overall GPA is a 3.5, my post-bac is a 3.1 and my overall sci is a 2.93. My MCAT is a 23 (6 PS, 8 BS, 9 V).

Western COMP is my number one choice. Why should I submit AACOMAS to them ASAP, when I won't be able to take that one class to boost my sci GPA to a 3.0 (i have a feeling that's a cut-off number for them), until this summer or fall, and when my MCAT score won't be out till October? I think they don't give a dang about my post-bac GPA (even though I'm a non-sci major)...And I need a DO LOR.

I would have to update my application with AACOMAS once the new class is done, and the school itself is NOT going to recalc my gpa upon the addition of a new grade. So what's better for a REAPPLICANT to the same school (just applied), wait for new grades, DO LOR, MCAT, and present nicer package fromt the beginning... Or, submit AACOMAS early, and update AACOMAS with a new grade and update school with new MCAT LATER ON? I don't get the advantage of the early application method in my case (at least AACOMAS-wise). HELP!

I also vote for the latter, I am going to do that also (submit AACOMAS in middle of july), but update with MCAT score of August later. i think you still have a chance to get in even if it is a little late. i think you should present a nicer package.

 

[clement]

I also vote for the latter, I am going to do that also (submit AACOMAS in middle of july), but update with MCAT score of August later. i think you still have a chance to get in even if it is a little late. i think you should present a nicer package.

bumpity bump..Thanks guys..

 

[sayoc]

Clement. How old are you? Do you have a plan for this coming year?

I know I must sound like a broken record by now, but I'm a confused broken record...

I will be a RE-applicant this season. 90% say apply early no matter what, with the same stats and "update the schools" with new grades, MCATs, LORs... My stats stink. My overall GPA is a 3.5, my post-bac is a 3.1 and my overall sci is a 2.93. My MCAT is a 23 (6 PS, 8 BS, 9 V).

Western COMP is my number one choice. Why should I submit AACOMAS to them ASAP, when I won't be able to take that one class to boost my sci GPA to a 3.0 (i have a feeling that's a cut-off number for them), until this summer or fall, and when my MCAT score won't be out till October? I think they don't give a dang about my post-bac GPA (even though I'm a non-sci major)...And I need a DO LOR.

I would have to update my application with AACOMAS once the new class is done, and the school itself is NOT going to recalc my gpa upon the addition of a new grade. So what's better for a REAPPLICANT to the same school (just applied), wait for new grades, DO LOR, MCAT, and present nicer package fromt the beginning... Or, submit AACOMAS early, and update AACOMAS with a new grade and update school with new MCAT LATER ON? I don't get the advantage of the early application method in my case (at least AACOMAS-wise). HELP!

 

[HunterGatherer]

I vote for the former. Others will disagree, but I think if you apply early you run the risk of being rejected early. It's a tricky tradeoff. I retook and waited. Anyway, your MCAT won't be in so schools won't look @ your app till then.

I took some summer classes and did not submit to AACOMAS until they were completed. Also I was not complete at medical schools until my August MCAT scores were in. My understanding was that the GPA schools get from AACOMAS is the GPA they will use to calculate if you get an interview. A number of people on this site had different experiences where they state their GPAs were recalculated with updated info.

i can't offer advice but the people who had all LORs in before August scores came out, were complete at AACOMAS before scores came out, and did well on the MCAT seemed to get interviews for Nov-Feb. This was the case for me.

 

[clement]

Clement. How old are you? Do you have a plan for this coming year?

thanks for all your good advice. I'm 26 (and really wanted to start this year!!). of course i'm retaking the mcat this summer, but my biggest dilemma is my sci gpa as opposed to my post bac gpa (see my original post on this thread)...I don't know if it's worth it to try and take a summer class while i study for the mcat to hit 3.0, since some people claim there are interview cut-off numbers. i feel like the schools don't tell you this because they want secondaries....maybe i'm paranoid.

so again, do i apply early to aacomas with a 2.93 sci gpa and 3.1 post-bac gpa (i was a non-sci major and schools don't seem to care about my post-bac gpa) while studying to retake the mcat in august?

or

study for the mcat AND take an extra sci class at the same time, to hit a 3.0 sci gpa, then apply to aacomas after the new grade arrives at the end of the summer? (but mcat isn't there til october anyway)

 

[OSUdoc08]

thanks for all your good advice. I'm 26 (and really wanted to start this year!!). of course i'm retaking the mcat this summer, but my biggest dilemma is my sci gpa as opposed to my post bac gpa (see my original post on this thread)...I don't know if it's worth it to try and take a summer class while i study for the mcat to hit 3.0, since some people claim there are interview cut-off numbers. i feel like the schools don't tell you this because they want secondaries....maybe i'm paranoid.

so again, do i apply early to aacomas with a 2.93 sci gpa and 3.1 post-bac gpa (i was a non-sci major and schools don't seem to care about my post-bac gpa) while studying to retake the mcat in august?

or

study for the mcat AND take an extra sci class at the same time, to hit a 3.0 sci gpa, then apply to aacomas after the new grade arrives at the end of the summer? (but mcat isn't there til october anyway)

What's the point in waiting to apply?

Apply early.

 

[the alchemist]

I know I must sound like a broken record by now, but I'm a confused broken record...

I will be a RE-applicant this season. 90% say apply early no matter what, with the same stats and "update the schools" with new grades, MCATs, LORs... My stats stink. My overall GPA is a 3.5, my post-bac is a 3.1 and my overall sci is a 2.93. My MCAT is a 23 (6 PS, 8 BS, 9 V).

Western COMP is my number one choice. Why should I submit AACOMAS to them ASAP, when I won't be able to take that one class to boost my sci GPA to a 3.0 (i have a feeling that's a cut-off number for them), until this summer or fall, and when my MCAT score won't be out till October? I think they don't give a dang about my post-bac GPA (even though I'm a non-sci major)...And I need a DO LOR.

I would have to update my application with AACOMAS once the new class is done, and the school itself is NOT going to recalc my gpa upon the addition of a new grade. So what's better for a REAPPLICANT to the same school (just applied), wait for new grades, DO LOR, MCAT, and present nicer package fromt the beginning... Or, submit AACOMAS early, and update AACOMAS with a new grade and update school with new MCAT LATER ON? I don't get the advantage of the early application method in my case (at least AACOMAS-wise). HELP!

i don't think western has a 3.0 cutoff. my '06 aacomas gpa sci gpa was <2.8, ug sci gpa <2.5 and these rn't going change since i was a science major. 5 of my postbacc classes were accidentally calculated as "grad" and i didn't correct this to the adcom (even now i haven't) and i got an interview invite in march which i just had in may; i had to postpone my original april interview date. so keep up the hope, u can do it.

but my grad gpa (in a sci) was 3.62 (i have a masters) and my postbacc gpa was 4.0 (though its really 3.9 with those classes they put into my "grad"...which made my ug gpa lower than it really is and my postbacc and grad gpas slightly higher) and my mcat was >30. i took the aug 2005 mcat b/c i must've misbubbled the 1st time i took it (mcat 28) and my score went up significantly but they still waited til after oct 14 when my aug score came out.

i would 1) retake the mcat and do better and 2) call up western to get their 2 cents but i would think that applying earlier is better and updating them with the new grade. i don't think 1 class will really raise the gpa that much though. u can even send them an update LOI where u put in the recalculated gpa if it makes u feel better but i know 4 a fact from the 3 interviews i had this year (i applied to 3 DO schools and got 2 interviews and i also had 1 MD interview) that whenever i sent in new transcripts, they DID look at them, not sure if they recalculated the gpa but they did mention and were impressed that i had done well in my recent classes so they do take note of updated coursework. don't b so set on the numbers they c that u apply 2 late just 2 present a "better" 1st impression (UNLESS western tells u 2 do so, i do know that their deadlines r later than other schools and that spots were still open in may when i interviewed). and def mention 2 western that they r ur TOP choice.

i would concentrate on the mcat and not take another class at the same time. u only wanna take the mcat once more, right? and get a kicka$$ score...it'll really kill ur chances if u get a "bad" mcat score and splitting ur focus with mcat studying and class simultaneously just 2 raise ur gpa a fraction of a decimal is not really a good idea. esp since u said u were a non-science major and might need the extra study time 4 the mcat.

 

[clement]

i don't think western has a 3.0 cutoff. my '06 aacomas gpa sci gpa was <2.8, ug sci gpa <2.5 and these rn't going change since i was a science major. 5 of my postbacc classes were accidentally calculated as "grad" and i didn't correct this to the adcom (even now i haven't) and i got an interview invite in march which i just had in may; i had to postpone my original april interview date. so keep up the hope, u can do it.

but my grad gpa (in a sci) was 3.62 (i have a masters) and my postbacc gpa was 4.0 (though its really 3.9 with those classes they put into my "grad"...which made my ug gpa lower than it really is and my postbacc and grad gpas slightly higher) and my mcat was >30. i took the aug 2005 mcat b/c i must've misbubbled the 1st time i took it (mcat 28) and my score went up significantly but they still waited til after oct 14 when my aug score came out.

i would 1) retake the mcat and do better and 2) call up western to get their 2 cents but i would think that applying earlier is better and updating them with the new grade. i don't think 1 class will really raise the gpa that much though. u can even send them an update LOI where u put in the recalculated gpa if it makes u feel better but i know 4 a fact from the 3 interviews i had this year (i applied to 3 DO schools and got 2 interviews and i also had 1 MD interview) that whenever i sent in new transcripts, they DID look at them, not sure if they recalculated the gpa but they did mention and were impressed that i had done well in my recent classes so they do take note of updated coursework. don't b so set on the numbers they c that u apply 2 late just 2 present a "better" 1st impression (UNLESS western tells u 2 do so, i do know that their deadlines r later than other schools and that spots were still open in may when i interviewed). and def mention 2 western that they r ur TOP choice.

i would concentrate on the mcat and not take another class at the same time. u only wanna take the mcat once more, right? and get a kicka$$ score...it'll really kill ur chances if u get a "bad" mcat score and splitting ur focus with mcat studying and class simultaneously just 2 raise ur gpa a fraction of a decimal is not really a good idea. esp since u said u were a non-science major and might need the extra study time 4 the mcat.

Thanks SO much! I wish you all the best. Now I have some hope that they may actually consider my post-bac GPA...The thing is, over the phone, the admissions counselors (2 of them) could not give me a solid answer as to whether they would put any weight on my post-bac of 3.1 as opposed to my overall SCI of 2.93 (again, i KNOW it's a very small difference, but it breaks 3.0)...My overall overall is a 3.5...I kept stressing on the phone that I'm a non-sci major so my post-bac counts for more than a few crummy chem classes I took as a history major...but I just kept getting the impression they only care about the overall sci gpa regardless...although, they kept giving me the generic "they look at everything" from year to year answer.

 

[the alchemist]

Thanks SO much! I wish you all the best. Now I have some hope that they may actually consider my post-bac GPA...The thing is, over the phone, the admissions counselors (2 of them) could not give me a solid answer as to whether they would put any weight on my post-bac of 3.1 as opposed to my overall SCI of 2.93 (again, i KNOW it's a very small difference, but it breaks 3.0)...My overall overall is a 3.5...I kept stressing on the phone that I'm a non-sci major so my post-bac counts for more than a few crummy chem classes I took as a history major...but I just kept getting the impression they only care about the overall sci gpa regardless...although, they kept giving me the generic "they look at everything" from year to year answer.

well, i guess its hard 4 the adcom counselors 2 give u any concrete answers b/c they just can't. if ppl in our situations didn't get an interview and they told us our numbers were good enough 4 an interview, then they'd have alot of angry premeds on their hands. maybe talking 2 susan hanson (director of admissions) might b more productive than the counselors about what u can do in the short term 2 improve ur app 2 western (ur top choice) - but like i said, no one can give u a "solid" answer, not even her. u gotta just have hope (now that u know that they won't just throw ur app in the trashcan 4 being <3.0 and barely at that) and do other things 2 improve ur ap (and like i said i don't think taking that 1 class is going 2 change things much)

like maybe beef up ur clinical experiences. i had about 300 hrs of shadowing both DO and MD docs (got recs from the 2 main ones) and off and on over the years, 550 hrs of volunteering in different hospital settings - though i'm not sure how much they were aware of this since i just calculated these numbers now after the interview but the activities were listed on my CV (not on my aacomas, which was a mistake - if i have to reapply, i'm putting them in there with the hours). i also had some clinical research exposure and tons of basic science research since i was a sci major in both ug/grad. i should have 3 pubs by end of may but that wasn't a factor in the interview invite. i did have 1 publication submission in b4 my may interview but i got that in april after the invite in march. i have kept in contact with them (gloria, the secretary is AWESOME) and updated them as good things came up. good luck 2 u but like i said, when u contact ms hanson tell her that western is ur TOP choice and u would like some constructive advice on what u can do 2 improve ur app 2 western.

 

[shminger]

What's the point in waiting to apply?

Apply early.

I agree.

 

[aflo]

I think if you apply fairly early you show them you are interested. Most will see you are retaking the MCATs and have class work you will take over the next year. You will better your chances of getting an interview and maybe a spot early on. If you wait too late you will be competing for possible wait list spots then, they will give the spots to people with better stats. I would also consider doing some work in the medical field or some kind of stand out activity(i.e. research, volunteer, etc.) that would boost your application. You may not want to be the first application in but I would not apply any later then mid-July. I had my AACOM app in by the end of July and had some of the first interview dates. Plus if you get them out of the way you can concentrate on MCATs and you need a stronger performance to show them you want this.

Good luck to you. If your heart and effort are in this you can do it!