Applying to one school at first?

[farnell]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Couldn't find an answer to my question in any threads. Here's the deal.

I am applying this year but don't take my MCAT for a month. I anticipate doing well, but if I don't then I will likely have to just study again and take my chances next year. So, my question is: In order to save money on app costs, can I apply to just one school, have my app verified, and then add the rest of my 15 or so schools after I find out what what my MCAT is? Do a lot of people do this?

Thanks!

 

[blueshockey]

Yeah you can definitely do that. Just remember that you will be unable to edit anything (important) on your application. As far as I remember, you can only add more schools, add more letters, and assign the letters to schools. But I'll be taking the MCAT on June 21st, so I'll be doing the exact same thing.

 

[BABSstudent]

Couldn't find an answer to my question in any threads. Here's the deal.

I am applying this year but don't take my MCAT for a month. I anticipate doing well, but if I don't then I will likely have to just study again and take my chances next year. So, my question is: In order to save money on app costs, can I apply to just one school, have my app verified, and then add the rest of my 15 or so schools after I find out what what my MCAT is? Do a lot of people do this?

Thanks!

This is possible. However, once you hit submit, you cannot change anything on your application except your contact information and schools you want to apply to. You may be able to do more, but I don't know. It is very limited.

But definitely apply to at least one school and get your application verified. AMCAS is very slow at verifying the applications. They are still on opening day of submissions. I would hate to know how long it will take for submissions at later dates.

Some people do this. I may do it when my scores come back, in case I need to add more "safety schools"

 

[mmmcdowe]

Also, understand that if you do poorly on the MCAT, there is not going back. You will be a reapplicant if you choose to not add more schools or are force to reapply.

 

[xXIDaShizIXx]

Sounds like a bad idea to me. But its your choice.

 

[farnell]

Sounds like a bad idea to me. But its your choice.

Care to elaborate please?

 

[NewYorker9]

Care to elaborate please?

Also, understand that if you do poorly on the MCAT, there is not going back. You will be a reapplicant if you choose to not add more schools or are force to reapply.

I think that's what they meant, plus you'd be dropping some change on the AMCAS fee (but when you consider how much this all costs in the long run, really not that much). But if you submit and get your application verified and you score well then as soon as you get your score you can apply. You have to do the cost/benefit analysis for yourself and figure out the best course of action.

 

[brokeninnosense]

I think that's what they meant, plus you'd be dropping some change on the AMCAS fee (but when you consider how much this all costs in the long run, really not that much). But if you submit and get your application verified and you score well then as soon as you get your score you can apply. You have to do the cost/benefit analysis for yourself and figure out the best course of action.

How much extra is it to add schools after your application is already sent?

 

[Fed]

... I thought the point was you'd only be a reapplicant at the one school you applied to initially? 😕

 

[TheShaker]

... I thought the point was you'd only be a reapplicant at the one school you applied to initially? 😕

Nope, once you submit and don't get in on that cycle then AMCAS will mark you as a reapplicant which is information that all schools get to see, regardless of whether you applied to them before or not.

 

[farnell]

Im starting to understand the concern, but why is it bad to be labeled a reapplicant? Shouldnt reapplicants have the same chances as first-timers?

 

[Napoletana1007]

I think that it's a great idea! I took my MCAT in August last year and wish I would have done the same thing instead of having waited for my grade to post. Make sure you put in your expected MCAT date and good luck!

 

[theseeker4]

Im starting to understand the concern, but why is it bad to be labeled a reapplicant? Shouldnt reapplicants have the same chances as first-timers?

It is only a problem if you do nothing to improve your application between cycles. If your application hasn't improved since your previous cycle, you aren't demonstrating any real drive or desire to actually get in and become a doctor. Lots of people are successful their second, third, or even later attempt. The ones who apply cycle after cycle and never get in, doing everything they can to improve each time, probably have so many red flags they never should have applied in the first place.

 

[mmmcdowe]

Im starting to understand the concern, but why is it bad to be labeled a reapplicant? Shouldnt reapplicants have the same chances as first-timers?

Remember they have relatively limited information about you, and when deciding on whether to interview you they definitely factor in the fact that no one accepted you last year. The number of schools that you applied to will not be known by them, they will just be concerned that people may have seen something about you that caused them to pass over you. If there have been clear improvements (i.e. better MCAT), then they might be willing to check you out.