Applying late - should I send primary or wait for better MCAT score?

[GomerPyle]

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Yes, I am applying late to MD schools. My MCAT is low, but my new score will come out in a few weeks that will probably be much higher and put me back into the race. It is already late in the game, but should I wait for the better MCAT before I send my primary to schools, or should I send my primary right now to schools?? I dont want them to be blinded by this low MCAT score, but I also don't want to be late....should I send now or wait a few more weeks till the better score comes? If anything, I was hoping to send the primary to the lower tier schools (the less competitive MD schools), but I dont know.

 

[Jepstein30]

Yes, I am applying late to MD schools. My MCAT is low, but my new score will come out in a few weeks that will probably be much higher and put me back into the race. It is already late in the game, but should I wait for the better MCAT before I send my primary to schools, or should I send my primary right now to schools?? I dont want them to be blinded by this low MCAT score, but I also don't want to be late....should I send now or wait a few more weeks till the better score comes? If anything, I was hoping to send the primary to the lower tier schools (the less competitive MD schools), but I dont know.

SUBMIT YOUR PRIMARY

schools won't review your application until they receive your new scores... you won't be verified until October at this point and the more you wait, the worse it gets.

This is the time where everyone says not to apply with low stats and just wait until next June.

 

[GomerPyle]

SUBMIT YOUR PRIMARY

schools won't review your application until they receive your new scores... you won't be verified until October at this point and the more you wait, the worse it gets.

This is the time where everyone says not to apply with low stats and just wait until next June.

I have already applied to my state school and received a secondary from them as well...??

 

[Jepstein30]

I have already applied to my state school and received a secondary from them as well...??

So you are verified already.

Definitely just go ahead and add schools/do secondaries.

They'll all wait until your 2nd score gets back..

 

[GomerPyle]

So you are verified already.

Definitely just go ahead and add schools/do secondaries.

They'll all wait until your 2nd score gets back..

Yes, I am verified.

How come my state school didn't wait for my second score then? Does this mean other schools will reject my primary if they see my first low score?

Just confused on how this process works since I am waiting for the new score to come in...😕

 

[Fivo]

OP if you do apply to the other schools, make sure you update the date of your 2nd MCAT (even though it has already passed). A poster in the USC thread tried to be sneaky about it and surprise the schools with a new mcat. Unfortunately, since the school wasn't aware he was taking a 2nd mcat, they rejected him outright lol. Tread carefully man and good luck!

 

[GomerPyle]

OP if you do apply to the other schools, make sure you update the date of your 2nd MCAT (even though it has already passed). A poster in the USC thread tried to be sneaky about it and surprise the schools with a new mcat. Unfortunately, since the school wasn't aware he was taking a 2nd mcat, they rejected him outright lol. Tread carefully man and good luck!

Yes, I have that selected on my aamc. Thanks.

 

[Fivo]

Yes, I have that selected on my aamc. Thanks.

Wait, did your state school reject your or send you a seconary? (or both?)

 

[GomerPyle]

Wait, did your state school reject your or send you a seconary? (or both?)

They sent me a secondary today. I have an MCAT score from May 24th, and a new score that should come in later...I have selected on my AMCAS I have another test score coming in..

 

[Fivo]

They sent me a secondary today. I have an MCAT score from May 24th, and a new score that should come in later...I have selected on my AMCAS I have another test score coming in..

Ahh in that case they either don't screen or if they are very pro-instate, they thought your first was good enough? In any event, it would probably be a good idea to apply to the schools that don't screen (you can check the MSAR) just to get the secondary sent to you. That way, you'll be done with them by time your mcat score comes back, and you can submit both on the same day.

 

[GomerPyle]

Ahh in that case they either don't screen or if they are very pro-instate, they thought your first was good enough? In any event, it would probably be a good idea to apply to the schools that don't screen (you can check the MSAR) just to get the secondary sent to you. That way, you'll be done with them by time your mcat score comes back, and you can submit both on the same day.

So apply to schools that dont screen my primary application? Then send secondary when I receive new MCAT score?

 

[TxResident]

So apply to schools that dont screen my primary application? Then send secondary when I receive new MCAT score?

Apply to the schools you want to go to, your AMCAS should note that you are planning to take another MCAT.

 

[Fivo]

So apply to schools that dont screen my primary application? Then send secondary when I receive new MCAT score?

I would say so to be on the super safe side (if there is such a thing). But if you want, go ahead and apply to all the schools, including the ones that screen, and just hope they don't overlook the fact that you're taking a 2nd mcat.

edit:

Here is the poster's quote about getting rejected from USC pre-2nd mcat score.

This is the e-mail they sent me when I said that I retook the MCAT on August 16:
Please be assured that your entire application was reviewed and given careful consideration for admissions. Once an application is submitted and complete, we do not place applications on hold for additional scores. All decisions are final. Again, we thank you for applying to the school.

But do you know if other schools have this same rule? Some schools told me that they wont even give out secondaries until they get my other score, so I just assumed all of the schools would at least wait to see it.. but now I'm really scared because I've already submitted so many secondaries and my MCAT won't be released until sept 18. Isn't it kind of late if I wait until after Sept 18 (since lots of schools accept people on a rolling basis?)

I think you'll be fine if you hold off on submitting your secondaries until your 2nd score is released. Either way, good luck!

 

[Jepstein30]

They sent you a secondary but that doesn't mean anything at all. I received ALL my secondaries before my MCAT scores were released.

Submit the secondary.. the moment your scores are released, your app will be considered complete.

If you don't want to add more schools because you are waiting on your scores then prewrite various secondaries and you'll be ready to go shortly after your scores are released.

 

[GomerPyle]

Thanks guys, I really appreciate it!