Applying Late

[FENDERGUITARMAN]

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I am taking my MCAT exam August 20th. If I apply well before I take my mcat like July for the 08 class will I still have a good shot of getting in? Does anybody have a story similar to mine who got in with a late MCAT? All the schools told me to apply but they might just want my money.

 

[Kappy1]

I am taking my MCAT exam August 20th. If I apply well before I take my mcat like July for the 08 class will I still have a good shot of getting in? Does anybody have a story similar to mine who got in with a late MCAT? All the schools told me to apply but they might just want my money.

I had plenty of interviews with an August MCAT and I applied late October. I was also accepted. Though what I did worked, I would not suggest it. I believe you should be fine. Most schools don't start interviews until early October. Make sure AACOMAS has all your paper work (transcripts, PS, EC's Honors and Awards, etc...) in. The MCAT score is needed for your primary to be processed. Once AAMC releases your scores you will need to release them to AACOMAS. That should take a day or two. Get your application in as early as possible. Better study for the MCAT and do well on it rather than spending time on the application. If you have time to do both then do both. I hope you get accepted to the school of your choice. Good Luck!!!

 

[Dr JPH]

Most schools don't start interviews until early October.

Thats true, but the interviews start being scheduled as soon as applications come in. October interviews were scheduled months prior. Not many late applicants move to the front of the line, no matter how good their application is.

Applying early is always a good idea. You dont want to be in a January interview, when 80% of the acceptances have already been mailed just because you applied late.

This is why the early MCAT dates are generally recommended.

 

[GreenShirt]

I took August MCAT, applied in November, secondaries February, got a very good response from the adcoms......so it's not the end of the world to apply late, but if your stats are weak, better early than late.

 

[ana]

I am taking my MCAT exam August 20th. If I apply well before I take my mcat like July for the 08 class will I still have a good shot of getting in? Does anybody have a story similar to mine who got in with a late MCAT? All the schools told me to apply but they might just want my money.

August MCATs are do-able. However, make sure you send in everything else ahead of time. For instance, it isn't necessary in many instances to have a 2ndary application already on file before having LORs sent, and the latter are often the rate limiting step because you are depending on a 3rd party. Just call the school and make sure it's ok.

Obviously, you will be at a disadvantage over similarly qualified applicants who are getting their stuff in earlier.

 

[Lamont]

now i will preface this with the fact that I am one of the luckier people alive. I took my MCAT in august, got it back in october. applied first week of november, got an acceptance (turned down quite a few interviews too after my acceptance which is a strangley good feeling). My numbers suck, my PS is great, my resume is very strong, I have a family member in medicine (which is huge), and apparently I interview well enough to stay off cut lists despite my numbers. not gonna say its a shoe-in that you are going to get accepted, but dont lose hope. go ahead and apply now. add your MCAT as soon as you get it and submit. good luck man, I wish you all of the best!

 

[nlax30]

If all your other stats make you pretty competitive then go ahead and start the process as early as possible (send in LORs, transcripts, etc...) so that all that's left is AACOMAS waiting on the MCAT score. You could also do some research on the schools you are applying to and see what sort of essays they require for the secondary apps so you can get a head start on those.

Due to other life circumstances I did everything wrong this time around..... AACOMAS was finalized in March, and had a mid April interview....THANKFULLY everything worked out in the end but I could've done without the added stress.