Aug MCAT.. Too late?

[sosomali]

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Hi guys,

Just had a question about applying for schools for the upcoming cycle.

I haven't taken physic 2 yet..
I'm writing the mcat in mid Aug

I wanted to apply June 1, but now i'm thinking whats the point after reading the main article on the SDN main page. I might as well submit everything all at once after I write my mcat.

Any feedback would be appreciated!

Thanks

 

[AdemTD]

Hi guys,

Just had a question about applying for schools for the upcoming cycle.

I haven't taken physic 2 yet..
I'm writing the mcat in mid Aug

I wanted to apply June 1, but now i'm thinking whats the point after reading the main article on the SDN main page. I might as well submit everything all at once after I write my mcat.

Any feedback would be appreciated!

Thanks

write the MCAT? But, you should definitely submit before the MCAT.

 

[hoopstaahh22]

Hi guys,

Just had a question about applying for schools for the upcoming cycle.

I haven't taken physic 2 yet..
I'm writing the mcat in mid Aug

I wanted to apply June 1, but now i'm thinking whats the point after reading the main article on the SDN main page. I might as well submit everything all at once after I write my mcat.

Any feedback would be appreciated!

Thanks

I am going to assume that you mean take the mcat not write the mcat. just some advice from someone who took the mid-aug mcat last year: submit all your transcripts early. it doesn't matter that they won't have your physics grade yet, because i believe you will have to submit your final official transcripts to the school you get into the summer before you start. as long as you finish all your pre-reqs before starting med school you are ok.

you will be at a disadvantage applying so late. you wont be able to submit your application until aacomas receives your mcat scores (mid sept). However, this does not mean you can't do anything...write your personal statement, fill out the application, submit your transcripts to be verified, secure your lor writers, etc during the summer. the sooner you do it the better chance you have of getting in.

also, after your mcat, look up the secondary questions for the schools you applied to (they post them here on sdn) and start answering those. and be realalistic about the schools you apply to...know where you will be competitive and where you probably won't have a shot bc you are applying so late.

i only applied to three schools this last application cycle and got interviews and accpetances at 2 (pre-interview hold for the 3rd school). i really think because i did what i mentioned above, it helped a lot. however, my interviews weren't until feb, so i really had to shine.

that was just my experience. good luck!

 

[beckhunter116]

I am going to assume that you mean take the mcat not write the mcat. just some advice from someone who took the mid-aug mcat last year: submit all your transcripts early. it doesn't matter that they won't have your physics grade yet, because i believe you will have to submit your final official transcripts to the school you get into the summer before you start. as long as you finish all your pre-reqs before starting med school you are ok.

you will be at a disadvantage applying so late. you wont be able to submit your application until aacomas receives your mcat scores (mid sept). However, this does not mean you can't do anything...write your personal statement, fill out the application, submit your transcripts to be verified, secure your lor writers, etc during the summer. the sooner you do it the better chance you have of getting in.

also, after your mcat, look up the secondary questions for the schools you applied to (they post them here on sdn) and start answering those. and be realalistic about the schools you apply to...know where you will be competitive and where you probably won't have a shot bc you are applying so late.

i only applied to three schools this last application cycle and got interviews and accpetances at 2 (pre-interview hold for the 3rd school). i really think because i did what i mentioned above, it helped a lot. however, my interviews weren't until feb, so i really had to shine.

that was just my experience. good luck!

Multiple people have said that you can submit and have your primary app verified BEFORE your MCAT score comes out.

 

[engineeredout]

Submitted primary: July

Took MCAT: August 22nd

Four DO interviews

Earlier is always better, but its not gonna kill you.

 

[JaggerPlate]

Submitted primary: July

Took MCAT: August 22nd

Four DO interviews

Earlier is always better, but its not gonna kill you.

So I have an MCAT score right now, starting AACOMAS now, but I'm planning on retaking the MCAT. How does this work?? Do I submit with the old score, but notify AACOMAS that I am retaking the MCAT?? Meaning that they will send out my old score to schools so I will receive secondaries/interviews or if I'm borderline will they evalute once the new scores come out, OR is it basically like I won't be submitting until Aug when the new scores come out??

 

[beckhunter116]

So I have an MCAT score right now, starting AACOMAS now, but I'm planning on retaking the MCAT. How does this work?? Do I submit with the old score, but notify AACOMAS that I am retaking the MCAT?? Meaning that they will send out my old score to schools so I will receive secondaries/interviews or if I'm borderline will they evalute once the new scores come out, OR is it basically like I won't be submitting until Aug when the new scores come out??

You submit your old score and list the time you plan on taking the second MCAT. I believe that you can receive secondaries with your old score, because someone said that I may be able to get some secondaries without an MCAT. I'm scheduled for July 30.

 

[waitwhat]

I was afraid it may of been to late too when I applied last year. I took the MCAT late August of last year. I ended up voiding it and took it again on Sept 5th (I think). I submitted on the 20th and ended up with 2 interviews and 2 acceptances. It would be more beneficial to apply early, but it's not crucial, especially if you have higher stats.

 

[JaggerPlate]

You submit your old score and list the time you plan on taking the second MCAT. I believe that you can receive secondaries with your old score, because someone said that I may be able to get some secondaries without an MCAT. I'm scheduled for July 30.

Thanks.

 

[rkaz]

I've heard many international students use the term 'write' an exam - it means the same thing as 'take' for the rest of us Americans. (I've specifically heard this term used by people native to India, though I don't know if people in other cultures use it as well.)

 

[beckhunter116]

Thanks.

No problem. I aim to please 😉.

 

[sosomali]

I am going to assume that you mean take the mcat not write the mcat. just some advice from someone who took the mid-aug mcat last year: submit all your transcripts early. it doesn't matter that they won't have your physics grade yet, because i believe you will have to submit your final official transcripts to the school you get into the summer before you start. as long as you finish all your pre-reqs before starting med school you are ok.

you will be at a disadvantage applying so late. you wont be able to submit your application until aacomas receives your mcat scores (mid sept). However, this does not mean you can't do anything...write your personal statement, fill out the application, submit your transcripts to be verified, secure your lor writers, etc during the summer. the sooner you do it the better chance you have of getting in.

also, after your mcat, look up the secondary questions for the schools you applied to (they post them here on sdn) and start answering those. and be realalistic about the schools you apply to...know where you will be competitive and where you probably won't have a shot bc you are applying so late.

i only applied to three schools this last application cycle and got interviews and accpetances at 2 (pre-interview hold for the 3rd school). i really think because i did what i mentioned above, it helped a lot. however, my interviews weren't until feb, so i really had to shine.

that was just my experience. good luck!

Hey thanks all your tips, I will def. try to implement them when I apply!

 

[Semicolon]

I am going to assume that you mean take the mcat not write the mcat. just some advice from someone who took the mid-aug mcat last year: submit all your transcripts early. it doesn't matter that they won't have your physics grade yet, because i believe you will have to submit your final official transcripts to the school you get into the summer before you start. as long as you finish all your pre-reqs before starting med school you are ok.

you will be at a disadvantage applying so late. you wont be able to submit your application until aacomas receives your mcat scores (mid sept). However, this does not mean you can't do anything...write your personal statement, fill out the application, submit your transcripts to be verified, secure your lor writers, etc during the summer. the sooner you do it the better chance you have of getting in.

also, after your mcat, look up the secondary questions for the schools you applied to (they post them here on sdn) and start answering those. and be realalistic about the schools you apply to...know where you will be competitive and where you probably won't have a shot bc you are applying so late.

i only applied to three schools this last application cycle and got interviews and accpetances at 2 (pre-interview hold for the 3rd school). i really think because i did what i mentioned above, it helped a lot. however, my interviews weren't until feb, so i really had to shine.

that was just my experience. good luck!

I just wanted to point out that the bolded part is incorrect. You CAN submit your primary without MCAT scores; you just need to input a planned date. DO NOT WAIT UNTIL YOU GET YOUR MCAT SCORE!

 

[hoopstaahh22]

I just wanted to point out that the bolded part is incorrect. You CAN submit your primary without MCAT scores; you just need to input a planned date. DO NOT WAIT UNTIL YOU GET YOUR MCAT SCORE!

true, but do you want to submit your primaries without knowing your score? if you end up doing poorly you may have wasted a lot of money depending on how many schools you applied to. if the op feels confident enough to submit application blindly then that's fine, it's just not something i felt comfortable doing (but that's just me)

 

[DO2Be2013]

I took my MCAT on August 15 and submitted my primary in October (most secondaries mailed in November). I got interviews and acceptances to all four schools to which I applied, and I don't have super amazing stats. Obviously the mantra of applying early is good advice but I waited until I was sure I'd have a solid app this cycle (was still finishing pre-reqs) since I was also open to waiting until next cycle. I decided to go ahead and applying late didn't hurt me at all, so I don't think it's an absolute killer.

 

[FlaMedic]

I took my MCAT on August 15 and submitted my primary in October (most secondaries mailed in November). I got interviews and acceptances to all four schools to which I applied, and I don't have super amazing stats. Obviously the mantra of applying early is good advice but I waited until I was sure I'd have a solid app this cycle (was still finishing pre-reqs) since I was also open to waiting until next cycle. I decided to go ahead and applying late didn't hurt me at all, so I don't think it's an absolute killer.

I did exactly the same and got into exactly 1 school. But to me, 1 was enough...

Jagger, where are you applying? Just curious cuz I've seen you post on here so much...

 

[rkaz]

I took my MCAT on August 15 and submitted my primary in October (most secondaries mailed in November). I got interviews and acceptances to all four schools to which I applied, and I don't have super amazing stats. Obviously the mantra of applying early is good advice but I waited until I was sure I'd have a solid app this cycle (was still finishing pre-reqs) since I was also open to waiting until next cycle. I decided to go ahead and applying late didn't hurt me at all, so I don't think it's an absolute killer.

I have mixed feelings about this. For me, PCOM was one of my top DO school choices (tied for #1). My stats were well above their matriculant averages, I have a whole hoard of long-standing health-related clinical and research ECs during my undergrad and graduate program, and I had very strong letters (one even written by a PCOM alumni who I shadowed). I submitted my secondary to them late October. Yet I never even heard back from PCOM. Since my file wasn't lacking in any way, the only thing I could think of was that I applied late. (I took the mid-September MCAT, and got my scores back mid-October). Also, many people who applied the same time as I did but who were from PA got interviews (and acceptances), but being out-of-state I didn't get an interview. I can only wonder if I would have increased my chances by submitting my secondary a month earlier, but I'll never know. But since I got accepted to my other school tied for #1, I'm fine now.

 

[Semicolon]

true, but do you want to submit your primaries without knowing your score? if you end up doing poorly you may have wasted a lot of money depending on how many schools you applied to. if the op feels confident enough to submit application blindly then that's fine, it's just not something i felt comfortable doing (but that's just me)

I didn't say that you should submit your primary without an MCAT, simply that you can do so. Your reasoning is just fine if an applicant wishes to follow it.

 

[scummie]

I'm now in the August MCAT boat now too. I think the general consensus (or part of it anyways) is to submit your application for verification in June/July and then send the scores when you take the MCAT. From what I've seen on the threads, submitting/August MCAT is not like a kiss from a dementor. You might get fewer interviews/invites, but it sure a heck of a lot better than taking the June MCAT, bombing it and not finding out until August.

 

[beckhunter116]

I'm now in the August MCAT boat now too. I think the general consensus (or part of it anyways) is to submit your application for verification in June/July and then send the scores when you take the MCAT. From what I've seen on the threads, submitting/August MCAT is not like a kiss from a dementor. You might get fewer interviews/invites, but it sure a heck of a lot better than taking the June MCAT, bombing it and not finding out until August.

Are you a fellow HP fan?

 

[scummie]

Are you a fellow HP fan?

Hell yeah! I read those books starting in fourth grade. My sister and I were both reading the 5th book for the first time and before I was done, she told me Sirius died. I was so teed off that I stopped reading Harry Potter. So I haven't picked up the books since then.

 

[beckhunter116]

Hell yeah! I read those books starting in fourth grade. My sister and I were both reading the 5th book for the first time and before I was done, she told me Sirius died. I was so teed off that I stopped reading Harry Potter. So I haven't picked up the books since then.

OMG..you should finish the series.

 

[ODorDO]

I just wanted to point out that the bolded part is incorrect. You CAN submit your primary without MCAT scores; you just need to input a planned date. DO NOT WAIT UNTIL YOU GET YOUR MCAT SCORE!

and i wonder how far can you get without that mcat score? i mean do schools even go over ur app without ur mcat???

 

[CupcakeMD]

I wanted to apply June 1, but now i'm thinking whats the point after reading the main article on the SDN main page. I might as well submit everything all at once after I write my mcat.
s

Listen to that voice. You will thank it later.

 

[wait4me]

Take this scenario:

I submit my MCAT score and application early while studying to retake the MCAT again.

Some schools send me secondaries but other schools that have MCAT cutoffs (ex: Touro) reject my application bc my first MCAT score is not up to par.

I resubmit my NEW and IMPROVED MCAT to all the schools.

Now the question is: Does Touro and the schools that rejected my application initially REEVALUATE my application automatically or would I have to contact them to ask them to do so.

 

[Semicolon]

and i wonder how far cant you get without that mcat score? i mean do schools even go over ur app without ur mcat???

The point is that it takes 6 weeks to verify your application before it gets sent out to schools. By submitting before the MCAT score, you save yourself those 6 weeks.

Take this scenario:

I submit my MCAT score and application early while studying to retake the MCAT again.

Some schools send me secondaries but other schools that have MCAT cutoffs (ex: Touro) reject my application bc my first MCAT score is not up to par.

I resubmit my NEW and IMPROVED MCAT to all the schools.

Now the question is: Does Touro and the schools that rejected my application initially REEVALUATE my application automatically or would I have to contact them to ask them to do so.

If you're retaking the MCAT, you submit your current score and state on the application that you are retaking it. That way any schools that don't like your current score will put you on hold until they see your new score; they won't outright reject you (unless it's for another reason, of course).

 

[JaggerPlate]

The point is that it takes 6 weeks to verify your application before it gets sent out to schools. By submitting before the MCAT score, you save yourself those 6 weeks.



If you're retaking the MCAT, you submit your current score and state on the application that you are retaking it. That way any schools that don't like your current score will put you on hold until they see your new score; they won't outright reject you (unless it's for another reason, of course).

Did you already apply or are you applying now??? Very wise, I see a lot of chocolate bear in you my son ...

 

[engineeredout]

Take this scenario:

I submit my MCAT score and application early while studying to retake the MCAT again.

Some schools send me secondaries but other schools that have MCAT cutoffs (ex: Touro) reject my application bc my first MCAT score is not up to par.

I resubmit my NEW and IMPROVED MCAT to all the schools.

Now the question is: Does Touro and the schools that rejected my application initially REEVALUATE my application automatically or would I have to contact them to ask them to do so.

Yeah like semicolon said, they will place you on hold until your MCAT is recieved.


Important note to anyone who takes the mcat after submitting accomas: Make sure that you check with EACH AND EVERY SCHOOL that they recieved your MCAT score when it does come out. For some reason, PCOM never got my MCAT score sent to them (although the 17 other schools I applied to did). When I called them to make sure my app was complete they told me they didn't have it. Took five seconds for them to download it but my app was completed over a month later than everywhere else. Now I don't know if that made a difference in my application or not (I still haven't heard from them 👎) but still, make sure you call every school to check that they've got it.


For that matter call them about each and every part of your app, but especially the MCAT score.

 

[JaggerPlate]

Yeah like semicolon said, they will place you on hold until your MCAT is recieved.


Important note to anyone who takes the mcat after submitting accomas: Make sure that you check with EACH AND EVERY SCHOOL that they recieved your MCAT score when it does come out. For some reason, PCOM never got my MCAT score sent to them (although the 17 other schools I applied to did). When I called them to make sure my app was complete they told me they didn't have it. Took five seconds for them to download it but my app was completed over a month later than everywhere else. Now I don't know if that made a difference in my application or not (I still haven't heard from them 👎) but still, make sure you call every school to check that they've got it.


For that matter call them about each and every part of your app, but especially the MCAT score.

Would they ever offer you an interview if your old MCAT score was good enough but you still marked that you were retaking. IE my old MCAT score is above almost all averages for DO schools (I'm not trying to put anything down or say that above average = only factor etc) and I'm wondering if they saw 'gpa, mcat, ecs' all solid ... but, they marked new mcat coming so no interview' ??

 

[engineeredout]

Would they ever offer you an interview if your old MCAT score was good enough but you still marked that you were retaking. IE my old MCAT score is above almost all averages for DO schools (I'm not trying to put anything down or say that above average = only factor etc) and I'm wondering if they saw 'gpa, mcat, ecs' all solid ... but, they marked new mcat coming so no interview' ??

Thats probably school specific. Some might check out your app anyway, but others will probably go "ok future MCAT grades -> HOLD"

 

[Semicolon]

Did you already apply or are you applying now??? Very wise, I see a lot of chocolate bear in you my son ...

I applied last year; I'm starting this August. 😀 Wow...CB...that is the highest honor. 😎

Would they ever offer you an interview if your old MCAT score was good enough but you still marked that you were retaking. IE my old MCAT score is above almost all averages for DO schools (I'm not trying to put anything down or say that above average = only factor etc) and I'm wondering if they saw 'gpa, mcat, ecs' all solid ... but, they marked new mcat coming so no interview' ??

I think that if they liked your current score, they would still offer you an interview. It seems unlikely that they would automatically put an application on hold simply due to a planned MCAT when the application is already up to standards.

 

[kypreos]

would it be ok to get verified while only applying to one school, then wait for your new mcat to see which ones to apply to and then as soon ass they get back tack on those schools, that way your already verified and then BOOM you apply to a few others immediately? or does it not work like that? I have heard of people doing this with MD so they get verified but not bother applying to schools like vanderbilt etc if they have like a 33 instead of a 37 etc.

 

[Semicolon]

would it be ok to get verified while only applying to one school, then wait for your new mcat to see which ones to apply to and then as soon ass they get back tack on those schools, that way your already verified and then BOOM you apply to a few others immediately? or does it not work like that? I have heard of people doing this with MD so they get verified but not bother applying to schools like vanderbilt etc if they have like a 33 instead of a 37 etc.

You can do that, but it will cost you more to add schools after verification than if you added them beforehand.

 

[kypreos]

really? for amcas it is not suppose to(I have heard)? maybe aacomas is different? I am just waiting for my GPA increase so that I can apply to certain schools without worrying about the 3.0 gpa cutoff. I am in the process of retaking classes. I have also heard that schools do not look favorably with applicants under a 3.0 despite the cutoff, which is why i want to get verified but not apply to more then 1 school. I am on the cusp of a 3.0(I have a 2.9) and will be retaking classes that will significantly increase my aacomas gpa considering the previous grades are averaged into the 2.9) I will be getting my mcat scores back in august as well So I was contemplating getting verfied so that I can have everything ready then send aacomas updated transcripts and I have notified them I will be retaking the Mcat. would this be a bad idea? should I just wait until I have everything together then wait the 6 weeks to get verified? Im woried about the top tier do schools such as PCOM NYCOM LECOM UMDNJ SOM. etc. I know that applying late hurts your chances and I would like to have everything verified that way when I have MCAT scores and GPA updated, I can send everything out asap. Any input is greatly appreciated.

 

[Semicolon]

really? for amcas it is not suppose to(I have heard)? maybe aacomas is different? I am just waiting for my GPA increase so that I can apply to certain schools without worrying about the 3.0 gpa cutoff. I am in the process of retaking classes. I have also heard that schools do not look favorably with applicants under a 3.0 despite the cutoff, which is why i want to get verified but not apply to more then 1 school. I am on the cusp of a 3.0(I have a 2.9) and will be retaking classes that will significantly increase my aacomas gpa considering the previous grades are averaged into the 2.9) I will be getting my mcat scores back in august as well So I was contemplating getting verfied so that I can have everything ready then send aacomas updated transcripts and I have notified them I will be retaking the Mcat. would this be a bad idea? should I just wait until I have everything together then wait the 6 weeks to get verified? Im woried about the top tier do schools such as PCOM NYCOM LECOM UMDNJ SOM. etc. I know that applying late hurts your chances and I would like to have everything verified that way when I have MCAT scores and GPA updated, I can send everything out asap. Any input is greatly appreciated.

No, it wouldn't be a bad idea; in fact it's recommended. 😀

You should submit now, indicating your planned retake, then update them with new transcripts as you said.

 

[kypreos]

thanks, thats the plan, I will get verified asap and apply to only 1 school. Then when I get my MCAT and new transcripts sent I will apply to the rest.

 

[MarieMarie]

edit: whoops, ignore

 

[nevinleiby]

Hey all...

I know exactly how you feel right now...I had a 3.96 gpa/3.86 non-sci headed into the summer, geared up to take the MCAT for the first time on August 15th. I wanted to apply broadly since I knew that my app was going to be "Too late" as the OP asked. I wanted to apply both allo and osteo schools, hoping that I would get one. I also heard how much time secondaries took, so I didn't want to do the whole secondary + juggle mcat studying + keep sanity, hoping to submit my primary 2 weeks before taking the MCATs...that would let me start and submit secondaries the day my MCAT was done.

I was pulling decent practice MCAT scores ...I did all of the AAMC tests and all but 1 of the Kaplan tests. (Kap avg = 30, aamc avg = 28, aamc #7-10 28). But it was pretty stressful. I had a pretty good mcat day, but I just couldn't wake up enough for the 8am test (I'm not a 6am morning riser to review my mcat cards + eat, etc )

Long and the short of it: I pulled a 26P (9p/7Pv/10b) and got my scores after I had already had my primaries (and some secondaries) already submitted. I was happy, but when you take the MCAT, unless you get a 45, you still aren't happy =). I ended up doing very well (7 acceptances, 6 were osteo, mdapp 11682) for all of the places were I was applying. But as the OP said, there are quite a few reasons why I wished that I had waited.

The crux of it is that YES, you will very likely get admitted somewhere. HOWEVER, it is very possible that you may not get into your top program. Or that you may visit your top program only to discover: (a) it's no longer your top choice anymore because you didn't realize what was important to you (b) you're interviewing for the waitlist because you submitted so late in the cycle (c) you may get admitted, but it may be very very late in the cycle...financial aid/excellent affordable housing may be harder to get (d) if you get waitlisted/declined you are out alot of money and your chances of building a very competitive application for the following cycle is very difficult...for one, it's highly recommended that you re-write your PS from scratch 🙁

So, as I posted in the SDN article's comments, consider getting your scores, then applying for the following cycle. Yes, you can do it otherwise, but may get in somewhere only to discover that you can't re-do the process if it's not your top choice school. Once you get your first acceptance, it is NOT recommended that you attempt to re-apply the following year hoping to get in a better school.

My $0.0000002

(Topic discussed in length in the ppt that I gave at our school, posted in the FAQ)

 

[nevinleiby]

(Topic discussed in length in the ppt that I gave at our school, posted in the FAQ)

Snip:

Why is applying early extremely important?

• Every program becomes increasingly selective in their acceptances as their class fills up. Applying early allows you a better chance to gain acceptance before the bar raises.
• Your MCAT score should be almost 1 point above their average for every month of delay.

Knowing all of that, I knew I was a very competitive applicant so I applied later than what I originally intended. I was a non-traditional applicant with a fairly strict timeline, but I was fairly certain that I would be accepted….I was lucky, but I wish I knew…


Other reasons not often mentioned:

• It’s probable that you gain acceptance somewhere, but it may not be your ideal program. As an applicant, you only have a ballpark understanding of what is most important in your personal choice in a medical school. You really won’t know what is most important to you until you interview at 3+ schools and learn more.
• You may realize your top program is no longer your first choice. It is doubtful, but you may able to apply still and gain acceptance elsewhere. I met people on interviews who advanced a last choice school to their first choice. And vice-versa.
• Once you are accepted somewhere, you can not start the cycle over again unless you seriously wish to put your opportunity to become a physician in jeopardy. The program has no reason to accept you a second time. Deferrals may limit your ability to reapply to any other programs.
• You may be interviewing at your first choice program’s waitlist and have very little recourse…for my first choice program, I was very excited that I had an interview invite…for the rest of the night I couldn’t fall asleep when I realized that it wasn’t until the end of January.
• The pre-medical committee for our school didn’t write my LOR until every LOR was received. Even though I met with them in April before I applied, my letter and files were not complete until October. Other committees meet very early or very late in the season. Ask and plan accordingly.
• Applying early translates to more acceptances, more options and better choices (programs, housing, research opportunities, etc). In some urban areas (eg, Philadelphia), housing options radically dropped as more people enrolled in the entering class.
• Applying to medical school is costly and time-consuming. You have to miss class and/or work for interviews and your grades suffer, albeit very little. It is hard to build a more competitive application for the following cycle unless you get outright rejections at all schools.
• Once you are accepted, you have more time to transition into medical school. More time to evaluate housing, plan, and prepare for all of the steps that follow. There are always more things to do that are better done before medical school starts.
• Applying to medical school for the first time with an outstanding GPA is a good idea. But applying for the first time (pending MCAT scores) with the expectation that you will perform very well on the MCATs the first time is stressful.
• Applying in May or June pending MCAT scores not only delays your application, but it also sets you up:
  
  A) If you do very well, at best your application is a few months late.
  
  B) If your MCATs are so-so (eg, poor test day), you’ll probably get in somewhere but perhaps it’s not at a school that you may otherwise be very competitive. You will have to choose between dropping your application/acceptances with the risk of improving your MCAT score or continuing with an acceptance at different school. It’s a difficult and costly choice either way.
  
  C) If you do poorly, you have the potential to get in, based on the range and number of schools that you applied to, but you could have wasted a significant amount of money and time.
• The earlier you are accepted, the more time you have to enjoy the joys of being accepted to medical school. Enjoy your freedom, free time, and complete lack of responsibility – arguable, your last chance for many years…

Therefore, focus on your target MCAT score, receive your results, then apply to medical school the first day that the application cycle begins. If you need to, take the time to diversity your experiences in medicine by shadowing (eg, shadow different specialties that you are considering...you don't get much time/flexibility/freedom to do that when you are rotating!!!), working and researching more before you apply. You may be successful otherwise, but it can be far more challenging, stressful, and occassionally, very dissappointing.

 

[nevinleiby]

Yeah like semicolon said, they will place you on hold until your MCAT is recieved.


Important note to anyone who takes the mcat after submitting accomas: Make sure that you check with EACH AND EVERY SCHOOL that they recieved your MCAT score when it does come out. For some reason, PCOM never got my MCAT score sent to them (although the 17 other schools I applied to did). When I called them to make sure my app was complete they told me they didn't have it. Took five seconds for them to download it but my app was completed over a month later than everywhere else. Now I don't know if that made a difference in my application or not (I still haven't heard from them 👎) but still, make sure you call every school to check that they've got it.


For that matter call them about each and every part of your app, but especially the MCAT score.

true, but do you want to submit your primaries without knowing your score? if you end up doing poorly you may have wasted a lot of money depending on how many schools you applied to. if the op feels confident enough to submit application blindly then that's fine, it's just not something i felt comfortable doing (but that's just me)

In the 2009 CIB, some schools don't accept September MCATs, either...COMP. Check it out in the 2010 CIB for any changes. Many schools were very leary of January MCATs, too...so you may not be apply to re-test if you don't score well....

I had summarized them for the 2009 cycle in the FAQ, summarized in this table.