Aug 23 or Sept 1 MCAT + Applying This Cycle

[altitude]

Will taking the MCAT on Aug 23 (score release Sept 25) or Sept 1 (score release Oct 1) significantly decrease your chances of applying this cycle and getting admitted? Or are these test dates fine as long as the your AMCAS is sent in and verified by the time these scores are released (i.e. verified by Sept 25 or Oct 1)?

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[Nymphicus]

Earlier is better but 6 or so days is nothing to sweat over.

 

[MedPR]

Both are bad. 6 days won't matter.

 

[Dan1804]

They're late, but it's do-able. I took mine August 23 last year.

 

[octupus]

both are late, but if you score within your target, it's worth applying this cycle.

 

[WorldChanger36]

Wait to apply

 

[mmmcdowe]

I would wait to apply. First of all, if you didn't do well then you are stuck being a reapplicant next year since you will probably want to have your primary submitted by then. Second of all, even if you do reasonably well, you are very late in the process. By the time you finish your secondaries, etc it is going to be late September or early October at the earliest. This is a significant disadvantage, in my opinion.

 

[MicroSteph]

On a related note, if I take my MCAT on July 14th, should I submit the application blind or wait until I get the scores back to submit it? Does it make a difference? The MCAT score will be required before the application is verified anyway?

 

[altitude]

Earlier is better but 6 or so days is nothing to sweat over.

Both are bad. 6 days won't matter.

The question isn't which of those two dates I should choose, but rather if these dates are "too late" for applying this cycle and having a reasonable chance at admission.

 

[Fivo]

The question isn't which of those two dates I should choose, but rather if these dates are "too late" for applying this cycle and having a reasonable chance at admission.

There were many people last year that got verified in September or October and had success. If you get a decent score, you will have a reasonable chance at admission. You know your app better than anyone. Look at last year's verification thread, check the last few posts and check their post history. You'll see a people with quite a few acceptances. Of course it's always best to apply as early as you can, don't list to anyone tell you that you won't have a chance this year. Take it, see what you get, and roll with it. You never know, someone might as this same question next year and you can come back with your story (good or bad 🙂)

 

[altitude]

There were many people last year that got verified in September or October and had success. If you get a decent score, you will have a reasonable chance at admission. You know your app better than anyone. Look at last year's verification thread, check the last few posts and check their post history. You'll see a people with quite a few acceptances. Of course it's always best to apply as early as you can, don't list to anyone tell you that you won't have a chance this year. Take it, see what you get, and roll with it. You never know, someone might as this same question next year and you can come back with your story (good or bad 🙂)

Thank you for the suggestion and for the encouraging post!

It's pretty discouraging seeing the number the people telling me to wait until next cycle when the MCAT isn't the only thing that matters (although it may be the most important).

I am right now registered for an earlier MCAT date but feel that I will have greater success (+3-4) points if I taken it on Aug 23 or Sept 1 (with Sept 1 obviously being my preference as it allows for more time).

 

[NickNaylor]

Thank you for the suggestion and for the encouraging post!

It's pretty discouraging seeing the number the people telling me to wait until next cycle when the MCAT isn't the only thing that matters (although it may be the most important).

I am right now registered for an earlier MCAT date but feel that I will have greater success (+3-4) points if I taken it on Aug 23 or Sept 1 (with Sept 1 obviously being my preference as it allows for more time).

I don't mean to steal your thunder, but you have to understand that decisions will be about to go out before your application is even complete. Many schools will have been interviewing for two months at that point. By no means do I think you're screwed, but being complete in late September or early October will be especially harmful to your app if you're an average applicant. Interview invites going out in October will likely be for November and December dates, which isn't going to leave with you many more opportunities to get invited for most schools.

If you have the money, then apply - who knows, maybe you'll be successful. I agree that waiting to apply STRICTLY because of this is a bit over the top. Don't let a few positive stories distort reality, though. The deck is stacked against you if you're an average applicant and applying that late.

 

[altitude]

I don't mean to steal your thunder, but you have to understand that decisions will be about to go out before your application is even complete. Many schools will have been interviewing for two months at that point. By no means do I think you're screwed, but being complete in late September or early October will be especially harmful to your app if you're an average applicant. Interview invites going out in October will likely be for November and December dates, which isn't going to leave with you many more opportunities to get invited for most schools.

If you have the money, then apply - who knows, maybe you'll be successful. I agree that waiting to apply STRICTLY because of this is a bit over the top. Don't let a few positive stories distort reality, though. The deck is stacked against you if you're an average applicant and applying that late.

Thanks you for the honest opinion. If I have my application complete (AMCAS verified+MCAT scores) by early-mid September (e.g. before Sept 15), would this make a difference in your opinion (compared to being complete by late Sept early Oct)?

Or would having my application complete about 15 days earlier (e.g. Sept 10 vs Sept 25) not make any difference at that point?

 

[Charles Darwin]

I'd go for it if I were you. While your application will be notably late, you still have a decent chance assuming you apply broadly.

 

[1289]

Thanks you for the honest opinion. If I have my application complete (AMCAS verified+MCAT scores) by early-mid September (e.g. before Sept 15), would this make a difference in your opinion (compared to being complete by late Sept early Oct)?

Or would having my application complete about 15 days earlier (e.g. Sept 10 vs Sept 25) not make any difference at that point?

do you have a good state school? I know for my own, which receives about 500 in state applicants, I was told that a later submission is not as big of a problem since you're competing with fewer people..

 

[NickNaylor]

Thanks you for the honest opinion. If I have my application complete (AMCAS verified+MCAT scores) by early-mid September (e.g. before Sept 15), would this make a difference in your opinion (compared to being complete by late Sept early Oct)?

Or would having my application complete about 15 days earlier (e.g. Sept 10 vs Sept 25) not make any difference at that point?

I don't think 15 days will make all that big of a difference. Get it in as early as you can, but if you think you need extra time for whatever purpose then do what you need to do.

(sent from my phone - please forgive typos)

 

[von Matterhorn]

This is my major pet peeve of SDN - certain theories that are incorrect are perpetuated until they're believed to be factual. 2/3s of the people taking this poll are saying to wait a year? Give me a break. I took the MCAT last year on Aug 13 (I believe) along with two other friends. They both applied that year and both got accepted. Both were average applicants (<30 MCAT, <~3.3 GPA and ~3.7 GPA, the traditional ECs).

I'm not saying they are the rule or anything, but people need to quit acting like a late application is a deathblow. I'm sure it puts you at a slight disadvantage, but nothing worth wasting an entire year over. I didn't apply last year because I listened to SDN. For all I know, I could be starting med school in 2 months had I taken the chance like my friends did. Never again will I blindly trust what I read on this site without talking with actual students who know what they're talking about.

 

[HoltMD]

It is quite apparent that the August 23rd MCAT is considered late by SDN members. However, why is it that no one outside of SDN shares this same sentiment? I was talking to one of my coworkers from our state med school about this; since she gets several calls per week about this question. Her explanation was that if taking the test in August was detrimental to applicants, AAMC wouldn't have offered a test date this late in the summer. According to her, most med schools don't start looking at applications until September.

 

[kpcrew]

This is my major pet peeve of SDN - certain theories that are incorrect are perpetuated until they're believed to be factual. 2/3s of the people taking this poll are saying to wait a year? Give me a break. I took the MCAT last year on Aug 13 (I believe) along with two other friends. They both applied that year and both got accepted. Both were average applicants (<30 MCAT, <~3.3 GPA and ~3.7 GPA, the traditional ECs).

I'm not saying they are the rule or anything, but people need to quit acting like a late application is a deathblow. I'm sure it puts you at a slight disadvantage, but nothing worth wasting an entire year over. I didn't apply last year because I listened to SDN. For all I know, I could be starting med school in 2 months had I taken the chance like my friends did. Never again will I blindly trust what I read on this site without talking with actual students who know what they're talking about.

I will be following your application season closely.

 

[NickNaylor]

It is quite apparent that the August 23rd MCAT is considered late by SDN members. However, why is it that no one outside of SDN shares this same sentiment? I was talking to one of my coworkers from our state med school about this; since she gets several calls per week about this question. Her explanation was that if taking the test in August was detrimental to applicants, AAMC wouldn't have offered a test date this late in the summer. According to her, most med schools don't start looking at applications until September.

What? So how do most schools begin interviewing in August then? They just pick people at random without looking at their applications?

Your friend doesn't know what she's talking about.

 

[Shmemifly]

.

 

[mirimonster]

This is my major pet peeve of SDN - certain theories that are incorrect are perpetuated until they're believed to be factual. 2/3s of the people taking this poll are saying to wait a year? Give me a break. I took the MCAT last year on Aug 13 (I believe) along with two other friends. They both applied that year and both got accepted. Both were average applicants (<30 MCAT, <~3.3 GPA and ~3.7 GPA, the traditional ECs).

I'm not saying they are the rule or anything, but people need to quit acting like a late application is a deathblow. I'm sure it puts you at a slight disadvantage, but nothing worth wasting an entire year over. I didn't apply last year because I listened to SDN. For all I know, I could be starting med school in 2 months had I taken the chance like my friends did. Never again will I blindly trust what I read on this site without talking with actual students who know what they're talking about.

It was a deathblow for me.

 

[mirimonster]

It is quite apparent that the August 23rd MCAT is considered late by SDN members. However, why is it that no one outside of SDN shares this same sentiment? I was talking to one of my coworkers from our state med school about this; since she gets several calls per week about this question. Her explanation was that if taking the test in August was detrimental to applicants, AAMC wouldn't have offered a test date this late in the summer. According to her, most med schools don't start looking at applications until September.

Yeah, and they start at the top of the pile. If you're not complete until October, they're not looking at you until January.

Edit: Also, a lot of students taking the test in August/September are doing it to get it out of the way a year ahead of time and have no intention of applying in the same cycle, so the AAMC argument is pretty much null.

 

[K M R]

What? So how do most schools begin interviewing in August then? They just pick people at random without looking at their applications?

Your friend doesn't know what she's talking about.

Yeah, and they start at the top of the pile. If you're not complete until October, they're not looking at you until January.

Edit: Also, a lot of students taking the test in August/September are doing it to get it out of the way a year ahead of time and have no intention of applying in the same cycle, so the AAMC argument is pretty much null.

+1. An August 2012 MCAT is ideal ... for applying in Summer 2013.

 

[chiapet874]

Basically my understanding (according to Catalyst) is that as long as your file is 100% complete before the end of August/early September, you will be "normal".

However, how the time frame shifts this application cycle is unknown. Particularly since it seems that primary verification are very delayed this cycle.

 

[Ironhorse3]

I also have a slightly different question regarding this same topic,

What if you already have an MCAT score that was good enough to get you 3+ interviews..

For example if you are reapplying to school X and you interviewed at school X last year. This year you already have your AMCAS submitted, but mark on it that you are planning to take an August MCAT. I was under the impression that the school would send you the secondary and you could submit it, but that they would not consider you for an interview until the MCAT score came in. This would make your application all compete sometime mid-early Sept.

But more generally, would already having an MCAT score change peoples opinions?

 

[alerk323]

It is quite apparent that the August 23rd MCAT is considered late by SDN members. However, why is it that no one outside of SDN shares this same sentiment? I was talking to one of my coworkers from our state med school about this; since she gets several calls per week about this question. Her explanation was that if taking the test in August was detrimental to applicants, AAMC wouldn't have offered a test date this late in the summer. According to her, most med schools don't start looking at applications until September.

I heard from an admissions person that at the very beginning of the admissions cycle they're offering interviews to 1 out of about 8 applicants. By the middle/end, they're offering interviews to 1 out of 200.... you tell me which cohort you'd rather be in

 

[Fivo]

I heard from an admissions person that at the very beginning of the admissions cycle they're offering interviews to 1 out of about 8 applicants. By the middle/end, they're offering interviews to 1 out of 200.... you tell me which cohort you'd rather be in

I heard from an admissions person that at the very beginning of the admissions cycle they're rejecting applicants with lower than a 30 mcat. By the middle/end, they're rejecting applicants with lower than a 37...you tell me which cohort you'd rather be in.

 

[alerk323]

Basically my understanding (according to Catalyst) is that as long as your file is 100% complete before the end of August/early September, you will be "normal".

However, how the time frame shifts this application cycle is unknown. Particularly since it seems that primary verification are very delayed this cycle.

Being "100%" complete isn't the same as submitting your primary, not even the same as submitting your secondary... There could be a 2 and a half month difference between when you submit your primary and when you're complete and even up to a month between submitting a secondary and being complete. So yea, being 100% complete at the end of august could mean submitting your primary, at the latest, the beginning of July, which Holdmd and some people say is just "neurotic sdn advice".

 

[alerk323]

I heard from an admissions person that at the very beginning of the admissions cycle they're rejecting applicants with lower than a 30 mcat. By the middle/end, they're rejecting applicants with lower than a 37...you tell me which cohort you'd rather be in.

I want to be in the cohort who are being accepted with a 37+

alas...

 

[chiapet874]

Being "100%" complete isn't the same as submitting your primary, not even the same as submitting your secondary... There could be a 2 and a half month difference between when you submit your primary and when you're complete and even up to a month between submitting a secondary and being complete. So yea, being 100% complete at the end of august could mean submitting your primary, at the latest, the beginning of July, which Holdmd and some people say is just "neurotic sdn advice".

Holt was saying that taking the MCAT in late august was not a big deal- which would indicate a completed application by late September.

 

[alerk323]

Holt was saying that taking the MCAT in late august was not a big deal- which would indicate a completed application by late September.

Assuming they get verified before and get all the secondaries done quickly, then yea late september at the earliest, which still isn't great, as it is when all the 33-34's aren't doing quite as well as they thought.

 

[BurghStudent]

If you're verified, primaries are sent and secondaries are completed a month in advance, but your MCAT scores come in the end of August, is that considered late? (Sorry, I didn't want to make another thread)

 

[chiapet874]

Assuming they get verified before and get all the secondaries done quickly, then yea late september at the earliest, which still isn't great, as it is when all the 33-34's aren't doing quite as well as they thought.

I think we are agreeing here. Late September is not good at all. All I was saying was that a MCAT taken in late August would lead to a late September file completion, which would be bad. However, a completed file in late August would be "alright".

 

[chiapet874]

If you're verified, primaries are sent and secondaries are completed a month in advance, but your MCAT scores come in the end of August, is that considered late? (Sorry, I didn't want to make another thread)

My impression is that it would be straddling between normal-late. Most medical schools really begin looking at completed applications starting late July-early August.

That's the information I've been gleaning from these forums, at least.