Aug. 5 MCAT too late for application this cycle?

[nc90]

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Just looking for some advice in this crazy world of applying to med school.

My plan was to take the July 6th MCAT as well as submit my primary app within the next couple weeks. Yet, I went to sign up, and no testing locations were left besides Kentucky and Albany (so essentially NOWHERE near me).

The earliest I can find a seat for is August 5th, but I'm wondering what this will do for my primary application and how hindered my chances are going to be. My cumulative GPA at the moment is around a 3.52, and I haven't taken the MCAT yet, though I have been studying.

I guess essentially what I'm asking is, if I take the MCAT in August, does it still make sense to submit my primary apps for this cycle (fall 2012 matriculation), or should I just wait it out and apply next year for 2013 matriculation?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[music2doc]

Just looking for some advice in this crazy world of applying to med school.

My plan was to take the July 6th MCAT as well as submit my primary app within the next couple weeks. Yet, I went to sign up, and no testing locations were left besides Kentucky and Albany (so essentially NOWHERE near me).

The earliest I can find a seat for is August 5th, but I'm wondering what this will do for my primary application and how hindered my chances are going to be. My cumulative GPA at the moment is around a 3.52, and I haven't taken the MCAT yet, though I have been studying.

I guess essentially what I'm asking is, if I take the MCAT in August, does it still make sense to submit my primary apps for this cycle (fall 2012 matriculation), or should I just wait it out and apply next year for 2013 matriculation?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

A lot depends on how you do. This would put you a bit late in the game but if you are a very strong applicant from a "good" state (3.8+ GPA, 32+ MCAT w/ great ECs) you might still do well. It's impossible to say. How you do on the MCAT definitely matters since it places you in an impossible place for retakes. Our admissions director says that a late July or August MCAT is certainly not preferable but can be done if there is no other choice. I recall her saying that if you're taking it in September (for the first time) to basically not bother (although she probably put it in a softer, more diplomatic way).

 

[Windbreaker]

Yes and No. Yes, you will be behind a lot of applicants. But what you can do is submit your AMCAS anyway noting that you have taken the test on that date (not sure if you can just put the future date, but I think you can. I honestly dont know on that one) but regardless you can submit after you have taken it but before you have your score back. Unless the school screens primaries, which the vast majority do not, then you will still be sent a secondary. Complete that immediately, and have your LORs in to your schools. When your score comes back in September, as long as everything else in your file is complete, you will be fine.

 

[Ride Big Sky]

It will put you at a bit of a disadvantage being later in the cycle, but assuming everything else is up to snuff you should still be able to land an acceptance to a solid school.

 

[FuturePharm21]

interviews aren't until September-November majority so you should be fine if you do well on MCAT meaning above a 30 and then if you submit the secondary ASAP when your score comes, you have a good chance...

you are at a disadvantage slightly because your automatically not going to get the first batch of interviews in September, but good luck and stay positive!!!

 

[music2doc]

Where this probably matters most is if you're a marginally-admissible candidate. If you're weak or very strong, it won't matter b/c you would've been considered (or not) in the same way. It's the marginal candidates that may get bumped to an interview if they would've gotten in early -- esp. if you are applying to your state school (which you absolutely should).

 

[NickNaylor]

Where this probably matters most is if you're a marginally-admissible candidate. If you're weak or very strong, it won't matter b/c you would've been considered (or not) in the same way. It's the marginal candidates that may get bumped to an interview if they would've gotten in early -- esp. if you are applying to your state school (which you absolutely should).

I think this is a good way of putting it. If you're a strong applicant, it may put you at only a marginal disadvantage. It's if you're one of those middle-of-the-road applicants where applying this late will hurt. Go ahead and apply, but I'd recommend getting a backup plan together just in case.

 

[nc90]

Thanks for the advice. 🙂

I guess the other thing I'm wondering is if it makes more sense to apply next June without this huge rush, and plan to take a year off to do research or in a post-bac program in hopes of strengthening my application? Would it be harder to explain why I took a year off or to just go for it now?

Thanks again!

 

[NickNaylor]

Thanks for the advice. 🙂

I guess the other thing I'm wondering is if it makes more sense to apply next June without this huge rush, and plan to take a year off to do research or in a post-bac program in hopes of strengthening my application? Would it be harder to explain why I took a year off or to just go for it now?

Thanks again!

I didn't really understand your question, but you should do SOMETHING once you graduate. You'll almost certainly be asked about what you've been doing at interviews, and "just hangin out" probably wouldn't be a good answer.

 

[nc90]

I didn't really understand your question, but you should do SOMETHING once you graduate. You'll almost certainly be asked about what you've been doing at interviews, and "just hangin out" probably wouldn't be a good answer.

haha. just hanging out is clearly not an option. I guess I'm just worried whether or not I truly am a strong enough candidate to stick with applying this cycle, or whether it would be better to wait and apply during the next cycle while doing a post-bac program or working for a year.

I've done quite a few EC's throughout college so far, though not too much has been research or volunteering compared to working to pay my way through school while maintaining my grades.

If I do go for it this year, is late-July too late to get my primary in?

 

[Stewabeet]

I've always been told that med schools love people who take time off after college to do something else productive. Plus the extra year translates to more maturity, more life experience, more knowledgeable regarding what you want in life... Taking a year off is a good thing if you'd like to!

 

[Ladoctora44]

No, it's not too late if you believe that you can improve your score. Last year I took the May 22 MCAT and retook on AUG 13. I got my scores back in September and submitted most of my secondaries after that. I did submit one or two secondaries before I received my second set of scores. Out of 11 schools applied to, I received 7 interview invites (I attended 5) and was accepted at 4 of those 5 schools. (wait-listed at the one)

So, it's not too late, but realize it might put you at a slight disadvantage for certain schools and you have to be diligent at sending in your secondaries the minute you receive them. (I got lazy on a couple...)

 

[anbuitachi]

i have a couple of friends who finished their application in december and still landed in good schools. it puts you at a disadvantage but it doesn't mean you can't get in. id say go for it if its a big change in score.

 

[FuturePharm21]

The application is due November for most schools, so anyone who submits after October is going to have a BIG disadvantage unless you have a 4.0 and above 33+ MCAT....

Just try your best, that's what I'm going to do:/

 

[penndoc]

An August MCAT won't hurt you, in my opinion. Just submit AMCAS as soon as possible and list August 5th as your expected test date. I took an August MCAT with average stats and got 5 acceptances. Applying early definitely helps, but it's not everything.

 

[MrLahey]

It's cutting it close...You will be fine...your not "Hurting yourself"...But your not givnig yourself the advantage you would have of applying early....

Most SDNer's would never dream of applying later than june.....thats not the majority...so if you submitt as soon as possible and study as hard as you can so that you make sure the MCAT scores dont need to be retaken your app will be sent to schools on or around september 5 so that right on the edge of what I would call late....and apps after sept are definitely late.

 

[common man]

i'm taking mine on july 28 but i'm going to wait to get the score back before submitting the amcas. so i'll submit august 30 and have it verified by late september.

 

[nc90]

Thanks everyone. I'm signed up for August 5th, relieved and definitely glad I'm not taking it in the next two weeks. The extra time will be much appreciated once it comes to pass I'm sure 🙂

 

[penndoc]

i'm taking mine on july 28 but i'm going to wait to get the score back before submitting the amcas. so i'll submit august 30 and have it verified by late september.

That's a serious mistake, IMO. As AzDesertDoc said, having AMCAS received by schools in mid to late September is late and will put you at a serious disadvantage. Plus, the later you submit, the larger the application piles at the AAMC grow, meaning a longer verification period. Secondaries take time to complete, too! Honestly, you should apply soon so your AMCAS can get verified. There's no reason to wait for the MCAT. If you're serious about this cycle, you have to commit now.

 

[dancerdoc89]

That's a serious mistake, IMO. As AzDesertDoc said, having AMCAS received by schools in mid to late September is late and will put you at a serious disadvantage. Plus, the later you submit, the larger the application piles at the AAMC grow, meaning a longer verification period. Secondaries take time to complete, too! Honestly, you should apply soon so your AMCAS can get verified. There's no reason to wait for the MCAT. If you're serious about this cycle, you have to commit now.

I agree...or do this: Submit AMCAS as soon as possible, with one school selected that might be a safety or whatever...while that gets verified, focus on your MCAT studies and spend your time off from MCAT studies researching schools that might work for you if your MCAT score is high or low. Once you get your scores back, your AMCAS should be verified, and you can slap on the schools that match your credentials best, get your secondaries, and not have to wait for anything!

Good luck!!