At what point are you placed in line to be reviewed?

[dbeast]

---

Members don't see this ad.

This might be all speculation, but what date is it that adcoms look at as far as who submitted their application first? Is it AMCAS submission date? Verification date? Date that LOR packets are received and application is technically complete? Date that secondaries are received? So many options!!

 

[OhioDoc]

This might be all speculation, but what date is it that adcoms look at as far as who submitted their application first? Is it AMCAS submission date? Verification date? Date that LOR packets are received and application is technically complete? Date that secondaries are received? So many options!!

Typically it is the date at which your file is deemed complete. Though the definition of a complete file can vary from school to school, it typically includes a verified primary application, complete secondary application, application fee, and all required letters of recommendation. Some schools send you an e-mail notifying you that your application is complete and will be reviewed, but most will not. For most schools, there is also a short delay between when you actually have all of this information submitted and when you are "marked complete" (the notable exception to this is Penn State where it can takes months to be marked as complete by the admissions office).

 

[LizzyM]

It won't matter. The "complete" applications arrive at a rate of more than 100 per day at some schools and they are read at a rate of about 60 per day so you can see that there starts to be a backlog from day one. There was a time when things were filed and treated FIFO (first in first out) but today everything is electronic and it is very easy to put files in number order by MCAT and /or GPA or other characterisitcs and "cherry pick". Not good news for some of you but that's the way it is.

 

[dbeast]

Ok, so my next question is if my school sends out a letter packet and it's the last thing I'm waiting on, and my advising office says it'll take about two weeks, is there any reason to submit my secondaries right now? Obviously it's good to work on them, but I also might as well save them for revisions if there's no chance the med school will count them as fully submitted for two weeks. Am I understanding this right? Thanks!

 

[LebLlama]

do they look at your app if your MCAT score hasn't arrived yet?

 

[werd]

do they look at your app if your MCAT score hasn't arrived yet?

usually not.

and i would send your secondaries once you have them finished rather than hold on to them. sometimes there is a problem with them processing/organizing your file and if there's a snag it gives you time to fix it without delaying your application. for me, 2 out of 11 schools temporarily or permanently lost material i sent them.