applying with september mcat, is that late?

[seabreeze811]

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Hi Guys,

I was just wondering, is it considered late to take the september mcat and apply with those scores??? how much of a disadvantage would i be if i wait for those scores? granted that i have submitted everything....any thoughts would be appreciated!!! thanks!

 

[Kateb4]

Check the schools that you are looking to apply to. I thought that I saw somewhere that scores will be accepted up to the Aug test dates. Sept will be really late even if they do accept them, because you won't get results back until Oct or so.

 

[seabreeze811]

Hi everyone,

do you guys know when is the last mcat date we can take for this year's application cycle? do they accept the september date? if they do, do you think that is considered late for the app cycle, granted that everything has been submitted and verified and sent out? any thoughts would be appreciated thanks!

 

[spicedmanna]

Hi everyone,

do you guys know when is the last mcat date we can take for this year's application cycle? do they accept the september date? if they do, do you think that is considered late for the app cycle, granted that everything has been submitted and verified and sent out? any thoughts would be appreciated thanks!

When exactly is it "late" and how does it help to assess whether you are "late" or not? Basically, you should strive to become complete at the schools as soon as reasonably possible. My guess is, in your case, you aren't early, but you aren't real late either. Most medical schools operate on rolling admissions basis; it is essentially a "first come, first served" admissions system. The later you get complete at the school, the later your file will likely be reviewed for an interview; meanwhile, seats fill up on an ongoing basis. Therefore, it is toward your advantage to get complete as soon as reasonably possible.

If Sept is when you need to take the MCAT, then that's when you need to do it, assuming it is acceptable to the schools. If you can take it earlier without causing harm to your score, then I'd consider doing it. However, that said, I think it is highly probable that schools will accept your MCAT score. Before the computer test became mainstream, it used to be that the MCAT was offered only twice a year, once in April and the next in August. The August test released it's score in October. This being the case, I doubt you have to worry about whether medical schools will accept your score; most likely they will. If you have any lingering concerns, contact the schools and ask.

Again, get complete as soon as reasonably possible! If Sept is when you need to take the MCAT, then so be it. Check with schools if an Sept test is date is acceptible. If not, then take it earlier, if possible. Get complete elsewhere in the meanwhile so that when your scores come out, you'll be ready to be reviewed.

 

[spicedmanna]

Check the schools that you are looking to apply to. I thought that I saw somewhere that scores will be accepted up to the Aug test dates. Sept will be really late even if they do accept them, because you won't get results back until Oct or so.

Perhaps it's later than usual, but I don't think it's really late, assuming it's acceptable to the schools. I think a Sept test date is basically equivalent to an August test date before the MCAT was offered 22 times a year. You'd get your test score back in October, right? If you were complete otherwise, you'd probably be fine. Contact the schools if you aren't sure.

I'm somewhat confused as well; for the first time, the MCAT is now offered more than twice a year. The schools may be confused as well.

 

[MCATTT]

It's not late if you have competative stats.
I took paper-based August MCAT and the score come out on oct. I was totally fine.

 

[Kateb4]

The only reason that I am saying it is late is beacuse I was told that from schools last year when I was planning to apply after the Aug MCAT (paper). When the majority of applicants are rushing to be complete before the end of the summer, you may be putting yourself at a disadvantage if you do not have otherwise competetive stats, and you are not giving yourself an out if you don't perform as well on the MCAT as you would like.

Also, there are a couple of school websites that I remember seeing recently that say the last MCAT that they will accept is the Aug test. I don't know if this is updated for the CBT's or not, but I would definately call and check with the schools that I was interested in before waiting to find out.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that you can't take the Sep test and still get in (as long as shools accept it). Personally, I would prefer not to wait unitl the last moment, but again that's just my opinion.

 

[spicedmanna]

The only reason that I am saying it is late is beacuse I was told that from schools last year when I was planning to apply after the Aug MCAT (paper). When the majority of applicants are rushing to be complete before the end of the summer, you may be putting yourself at a disadvantage if you do not have otherwise competetive stats, and you are not giving yourself an out if you don't perform as well on the MCAT as you would like.

Also, there are a couple of school websites that I remember seeing recently that say the last MCAT that they will accept is the Aug test. I don't know if this is updated for the CBT's or not, but I would definately call and check with the schools that I was interested in before waiting to find out.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that you can't take the Sep test and still get in (as long as shools accept it). Personally, I would prefer not to wait unitl the last moment, but again that's just my opinion.

I agree. Check with schools, if there's any question. It's a bit of a confusing time because this is the first time that the MCAT is being offered more than twice a year. It makes sense to be cautious.

I'm also of the opinion that it is better to do things as expediently as possible. Most schools operate on a rolling-admissions basis. Also, you don't want to place yourself in a bind because you waited until the last minute.

Good luck.

 

[seabreeze811]

HI Guys,

thanks so much for your feedback. i actually have already submitted my aacomas and transcripts in june. i'm just waiting for it to be veriified at this point. i'm scheduled to take it in august...but i feel that perhaps if i could postpone it to september I would want to so that I feel better prepared. but looks like sept is not a great idea...so im gonna try my BEST to take it by august. thanks again and good luck everyone!

 

[mterp45]

Hi Guys,

I was just wondering, is it considered late to take the september mcat and apply with those scores??? how much of a disadvantage would i be if i wait for those scores? granted that i have submitted everything....any thoughts would be appreciated!!! thanks!

hec yeah

 

[misspiti]

I applied at the end of November and got into 2 of the 4 schools I applied to. I don't know that I recommend waiting that long tho since I got waitlisted at both the schools I got into which wasn't fun while waiting.

Have you taken the MCAT before? if so maybe you can send in your app with that score and update them with the score from SeptembeR?

 

[GreenShirt]

Last year's primary app deadlines ranged from Oct. 15 to April 30th (http://aacom.org/colleges/deadlines.asp). As long as you have your primay submitted, transcripts, MCAT and all before those deadlines then there's no reason your app shouldn't be considered. Those website postings likely have not been updated since the transition to CBT, but you can always e-mail those schools to double check.

As for the benefits or early vs. late application, you can imagine that there are more seats open in August than their are in December, whether this benefits you can vary. Personally, I finished my primary app in Mid-October last year and still recieved plenty of interview invites. I'm sure plenty of people experienced the same, so a late app doesn't automatically mean rejection.

 

[The Kahuna]

I have a question regarding the September MCAT:

I am about to submit my AACOMAS application, but I'm wondering if I should indicate that I'm taking the September MCAT or not. If I do say I am, then schools might not consider me until the scores get in. If I don't say I'm taking it, then the schools can start considering me right away with my 25 MCAT, and hopefully I can foreward the new scores once I receive them. Is that the way to go, or should I just indicate I will be taking the test again. Thanks for any advice👍

 

[misspiti]

I have a question regarding the September MCAT:

I am about to submit my AACOMAS application, but I'm wondering if I should indicate that I'm taking the September MCAT or not. If I do say I am, then schools might not consider me until the scores get in. If I don't say I'm taking it, then the schools can start considering me right away with my 25 MCAT, and hopefully I can foreward the new scores once I receive them. Is that the way to go, or should I just indicate I will be taking the test again. Thanks for any advice👍

Are you reapplying? If so, do you have any improvements to your application since the last time you applied?
If yes, then I say go ahead and apply without indicating that you're taking the September MCAT.

Maybe you can make an anonymous call to ACOMAS and a few schools of choice and ask if you are required to tell them you'll be taking the MCAT again (since you're not sure if you will or not...)

 

[The Kahuna]

Are you reapplying? If so, do you have any improvements to your application since the last time you applied?
If yes, then I say go ahead and apply without indicating that you're taking the September MCAT.

Maybe you can make an anonymous call to ACOMAS and a few schools of choice and ask if you are required to tell them you'll be taking the MCAT again (since you're not sure if you will or not...)

I applied really late for this cycle, my secondaries were out in February. So I only applied to three schools and got interviews at all three. I'm hoping that since I am applying a lot earlier this time around that I will be able to get in somewhere before the rolling admissions start killing me, and If I get on waitlists I can always update them with the new score I get on the September MCAT.

If I don't acknowledge that I'm taking the September MCAT on AACOMAS, will schools accept my updated scores if I forward it to them?

 

[Halligan]

I applied really late for this cycle, my secondaries were out in February. So I only applied to three schools and got interviews at all three. I'm hoping that since I am applying a lot earlier this time around that I will be able to get in somewhere before the rolling admissions start killing me, and If I get on waitlists I can always update them with the new score I get on the September MCAT.

If I don't acknowledge that I'm taking the September MCAT on AACOMAS, will schools accept my updated scores if I forward it to them?

I'm a little lost - I am going to be re-taking the MCAT in Sep. How do I tell AACOMAS that I am going to be re-taking the MCAT as I already submitted. I also have a few secondaries come in, and do I wait to send those after my second MCAT is scored (I assume I do)?

 

[gasapple]

It's my understanding that if you have a previous MCAT score on file your application will be considered even if you are planning on re-taking the MCAT at a future date. The AACOMAS application explicitly asks whether or not you plan on retaking the MCAT (and when) due to the fact that the adcoms would like to know if you are constantly striving to improve or become more competitive as a candidate. Some adcoms do "hold" files waiting for MCAT scores but generally those are the candidates that have no MCAT and therefore no leg on which to stand. Cheers.

 

[The Kahuna]

It's my understanding that if you have a previous MCAT score on file your application will be considered even if you are planning on re-taking the MCAT at a future date. The AACOMAS application explicitly asks whether or not you plan on retaking the MCAT (and when) due to the fact that the adcoms would like to know if you are constantly striving to improve or become more competitive as a candidate. Some adcoms do "hold" files waiting for MCAT scores but generally those are the candidates that have no MCAT and therefore no leg on which to stand. Cheers.

Ah, thanks for the information. I'll go ahead and confirm that I'm taking the September MCAT on AACOMAS then👍

 

[Mr_Doc]

Hey guys, i was debating whether to take the august 20th or September 7th mcat. If i were to take the September 7 that means my score would come back around October 7th. Assuming i had my primary AACOMAS primary send in and verified , would i need to re-verify it again thus making me wait another 4-6weeks after my new mcat scores are released? Or does the aamc sent my scores directly to the score i request them to when they are released allowing me to bypass the 4-6 week verification process? And how long does it take for the new scores to reach the schools?

thank you.

 

[GreenShirt]

You might want to look at the discussion about the pros and cons of the Septmenber MCAT currently being discussed in this thread:

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=420870

 

[mshheaddoc]

merging new thread on this topic.


And side note: For the "August" is last MCAT accepted score, call the score. Last year, many schools put this up because students thought they could "update" their applications with the January MCAT. The precendent was set that many schools will now not accept MCAT's from January for application cycles. I think that is why many schools stated this. Now that its last offering in Sept, I think that will now be the "last time you can take" for an application cycle. I'm sure some schools will make an exception or allow but check with schools.

Sept MCAT is NOT late if you've already submitted everything else.

How many of you are submitting without MCAT?

 

[Halligan]

I'm just confused: I took the MCAT on the 31st of May. However, because my scores were really not as consistent as I wanted them to be with my practice tests, I am going to take it again in Sep (well, at least I think I am). How do I let the schools and/or AACOMAS know that I'm going to be doing that, and to hold off on evaluating?

I submitted my primary app back in June, and I have already received two secondaries. Should I hold off on turning those secondaries in until Oct 7 (if i were to take the sep 7 mcat)?

 

[rgm05031]

merging new thread on this topic.


And side note: For the "August" is last MCAT accepted score, call the score. Last year, many schools put this up because students thought they could "update" their applications with the January MCAT. The precendent was set that many schools will now not accept MCAT's from January for application cycles. I think that is why many schools stated this. Now that its last offering in Sept, I think that will now be the "last time you can take" for an application cycle. I'm sure some schools will make an exception or allow but check with schools.

Sept MCAT is NOT late if you've already submitted everything else.

How many of you are submitting without MCAT?

I am submitting without the MCAT. Taking it in September and hoping I will be alright. Unfortunately, with summer classes (Physics) September is the best time for me to take it.

 

[seabreeze811]

I'm just confused: I took the MCAT on the 31st of May. However, because my scores were really not as consistent as I wanted them to be with my practice tests, I am going to take it again in Sep (well, at least I think I am). How do I let the schools and/or AACOMAS know that I'm going to be doing that, and to hold off on evaluating?

I submitted my primary app back in June, and I have already received two secondaries. Should I hold off on turning those secondaries in until Oct 7 (if i were to take the sep 7 mcat)?

You need to email all the schools to let them know that you plan on taking the september mcat. and let them know to wait on your mcat scores when u send them a new mcat score report...good luck!!!

 

[gasapple]

Another thing you might do in order to save time is just e-mail AACOMAS and let them know of your plans. They will go in and revise your application and re-transmit to the schools digitally. IMO, that's a little easier and more "official". Of course, if only a few schools, it might not be a bad idea to call them - but most prefer e-mail. As said, I'd leverage AACOMAS. 👍 Cheers.

You need to email all the schools to let them know that you plan on taking the september mcat. and let them know to wait on your mcat scores when u send them a new mcat score report...good luck!!!

 

[Kappy1]

I am not sure any of us who went through the process last year can answer the question. This year is the first time a September MCAT is given. I would contact the schools you are interested in and find out from the admissions office. They can tell you forsure.

 

[neural84]

I'm taking the test for the first time this upcoming Saturday.

On test day, do we list the schools to whom we want our scores sent to? I'm not entirely sure with what goes on in regard to sending scores. In all honesty, I'd be more comfortable just taking the test without having the list of receiving schools be pre-determined.

Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks 🙂

 

[EEL08]

I'm taking the test for the first time this upcoming Saturday.

On test day, do we list the schools to whom we want our scores sent to? I'm not entirely sure with what goes on in regard to sending scores. In all honesty, I'd be more comfortable just taking the test without having the list of receiving schools be pre-determined.

Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks 🙂

Actually when you go to take the test there is no way to designate who you want the scores sent to. It's not until you actually get your scores that you can do that.

 

[mshheaddoc]

I'm taking the test for the first time this upcoming Saturday.

On test day, do we list the schools to whom we want our scores sent to? I'm not entirely sure with what goes on in regard to sending scores. In all honesty, I'd be more comfortable just taking the test without having the list of receiving schools be pre-determined.

Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks 🙂

Your scores get sent to aacomas, aacomas will send them out. You can designate some schools at a later date when your score is released although if my memory serves me, not all schools are on the "list" and should receive via aacomas. That is how I was told it works, not sure though but makes sense to me.

 

[EEL08]

Your scores get sent to aacomas, aacomas will send them out. You can designate some schools at a later date when your score is released although if my memory serves me, not all schools are on the "list" and should receive via aacomas. That is how I was told it works, not sure though but makes sense to me.

Yes but your scores don't automatically get sent to AACOMAS. You have to request that they be sent.

 

[mshheaddoc]

Yes but your scores don't automatically get sent to AACOMAS. You have to request that they be sent.

Yep.

 

[EEL08]

Okay now I'm confused. I have the whole problem with the AAMC because they have my SSN listed as 999-99-9999. So obviously it doesn't match my real SSN so AACOMAS won't upload my scores until they match. I plan on faxing my scores to my top choice schools until everything gets worked and AACOMAS can upload them. I was thinking they send out a paper copy of the scores, but do they? If not do I just print and fax my scores from online?

 

[anon y mous]

is Sept too late to submit retaken scores? I was shocked when i checked that August is full.😱 It wasn't full yesterday.🙁

 

[fabu1ous]

is Sept too late to submit retaken scores? I was shocked when i checked that August is full.😱 It wasn't full yesterday.🙁

Oh no! Keep trying, maybe be willing to take a drive a little further than your closest test center.

As to your question as stated above, I think the concensus is no. Just check with/update your schools individually.

 

[Gold 5]

is Sept too late to submit retaken scores? I was shocked when i checked that August is full.😱 It wasn't full yesterday.🙁

No but make sure that you are scoring on your practice test's the score range that is required to get into school X. Better to take the test a little bit latter or apply next year then get a 18.

 

[anon y mous]

No but make sure that you are scoring on your practice test's the score range that is required to get into school X. Better to take the test a little bit latter or apply next year then get a 18.

So what will happen, will they verify me but put my application aside until i get my August test scores????

 

[Gold 5]

Well this is a retake from a sucky score, so i need to do well. I've already submitted my AACOMAS and want to submit AMCAS. So what will happen, will they verify me but put my application aside until i get my Sept test scores????

Let them know that you are retaking it & make sure to study for it. Take a Kaplan / Princeton class if necessary. Then go and let the MCAT know who it's Daddy is 😛

 

[anon y mous]

Let them know that you are retaking it & make sure to study for it. Take a Kaplan / Princeton class if necessary. Then go and let the MCAT know who it's Daddy is 😛

I don't have enough time for a class; I already checked, but I'm committed to do it on my own.