being complete in august

[deleted357625]

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if your complete around early August is it alright to assume you could get an interview as early as September?

just curious how quick the turnarounds on average are when completing secondaries etc.

 

[emtthink]

if your complete around early August is it alright to assume you could get an interview as early as September?

just curious how quick the turnarounds on average are when completing secondaries etc.

Are you talking primary or secondaries? Primary, no not going to happen because to still have to turn in your secondaries. If your secondaries are complete, it is possible but not likely. I had almost all of my secondaries complete end of July, beginning of August, I had 2 interviews in Sept, my first one was a last minute thing. Then in October I had 7 interviews, and 1 in November. If everything is complete in August I would say you will be looking at late Sept, Oct, and Nov interviews........Which is still early in the cycle🙂

 

[Iliketoytles]

if your complete around early August is it alright to assume you could get an interview as early as September?

just curious how quick the turnarounds on average are when completing secondaries etc.

If secondaries are complete in August, then yes... it's very possible to interview in September.

If primary is complete in August... then you might be interviewing sometime early October.

 

[deleted357625]

Sorry about not clarifying. Yes, I most likely won't get my MCAT scores back until early august so that will make my primary complete, and I will try to finished secondaries as fast as possible if topics are posted on here which means I can pre-write them before I even the get the secondary.

Thanks for the responses

 

[OzelloPiRat]

I know many people who got secondaries even before their MCAT scores were posted. Just drop your completed primary June 1 and it will state when MCAT scores are due. This can be a crap shoot. I know of two people that did this, got secondaries, filled them all out, thus paying huge fees, only to find that they had scored poorly on the MCAT to the point of needing retakes. My MCAT score won't be posted until July 3 so I am feeling this dilemma also.

 

[dntke1518]

My secondaries were complete in August, first interview was at the end of september and then october and november. My primary was complete in June or July, I can't remember. But definetly don't worry about waiting to submit that primary until your MCAT scores are in, get as much done as you can, the schools know that you are waiting for your scores.

 

[deleted357625]

I know many people who got secondaries even before their MCAT scores were posted. Just drop your completed primary June 1 and it will state when MCAT scores are due. This can be a crap shoot. I know of two people that did this, got secondaries, filled them all out, thus paying huge fees, only to find that they had scored poorly on the MCAT to the point of needing retakes. My MCAT score won't be posted until July 3 so I am feeling this dilemma also.

I plan on applying to one school so I can be verified, and get secondary prompts about other schools before I even apply to them. I'm not going to apply to all schools until I see my MCAT.

 

[deleted357625]

My secondaries were complete in August, first interview was at the end of september and then october and november. My primary was complete in June or July, I can't remember. But definetly don't worry about waiting to submit that primary until your MCAT scores are in, get as much done as you can, the schools know that you are waiting for your scores.

Thank you for the response

 

[CopToEM]

I plan on applying to one school so I can be verified, and get secondary prompts about other schools before I even apply to them. I'm not going to apply to all schools until I see my MCAT.

This tells me you know what you're doing. You'll be fine and this is exactly the smartest way to go about it.

There's only three major things in the application process you have no control over:
- The time it takes to receive your MCAT scores
- The time it takes for AACOMAS to verify your application
- The time it takes for your letter writers to submit your LORs

Obviously, the first two, you can do nothing about. Your MCAT is going to take about 30-35 days to release in August based on this year's time frame. However, you can apply to a single school that's low on your list without them just to get verified. Further, get your letters of recommendation written during spring semester and have them tucked away in Interfolio for when the time is right.

It's also a great idea to go ahead and start compiling your ECs into the format you'll need for the application. You're going to need titles, total hours, avg hours per week, description and dates of start and completion. If you keep those in a spreadsheet you can just copy and paste them in when the app opens in May.

Lastly, start writing your personal statement as soon as you can. It's not something you want to write even in a couple of weeks. Rough draft it and walk away from it for a week or so. Come back to it, read it, and I guarantee you there will be major things you want to change. Go through that kind of cycle a few times. I read mine through in its entirety after a couple of months of not looking at it and was completely satisfied still... wouldn't have changed a thing. That's where you want to be.

👍

 

[deleted357625]

This tells me you know what you're doing. You'll be fine and this is exactly the smartest way to go about it.

There's only three major things in the application process you have no control over:
- The time it takes to receive your MCAT scores
- The time it takes for AACOMAS to verify your application
- The time it takes for your letter writers to submit your LORs

Obviously, the first two, you can do nothing about. Your MCAT is going to take about 30-35 days to release in August based on this year's time frame. However, you can apply to a single school that's low on your list without them just to get verified. Further, get your letters of recommendation written during spring semester and have them tucked away in Interfolio for when the time is right.

It's also a great idea to go ahead and start compiling your ECs into the format you'll need for the application. You're going to need titles, total hours, avg hours per week, description and dates of start and completion. If you keep those in a spreadsheet you can just copy and paste them in when the app opens in May.

Lastly, start writing your personal statement as soon as you can. It's not something you want to write even in a couple of weeks. Rough draft it and walk away from it for a week or so. Come back to it, read it, and I guarantee you there will be major things you want to change. Go through that kind of cycle a few times. I read mine through in its entirety after a couple of months of not looking at it and was completely satisfied still... wouldn't have changed a thing. That's where you want to be.

👍

I have a question regarding the LOR's. Do you send them only for secondary applications? That's the only thing I'm unclear about regarding this app cycle. I hear people say make sure you get them early so you can verify it with amcas/aacomas, and then some say you send it only with secondaries. If you can clear this up for me I would appreciate it, and thanks for the response.

-I plan on working on my PS this winter break.
-I'll most likely get my LORs during spring. Is it logical to get 2 science, 1 non-science and a physician letter? Because some schools require 2 science and physician or 2 science, 1 non-science, and physician etc. I'll most likely get 4 good ones I'm assuming.

Other than all that, thanks!

 

[DrWily]

This tells me you know what you're doing. You'll be fine and this is exactly the smartest way to go about it.

There's only three major things in the application process you have no control over:
- The time it takes to receive your MCAT scores
- The time it takes for AACOMAS to verify your application
- The time it takes for your letter writers to submit your LORs

Obviously, the first two, you can do nothing about. Your MCAT is going to take about 30-35 days to release in August based on this year's time frame. However, you can apply to a single school that's low on your list without them just to get verified. Further, get your letters of recommendation written during spring semester and have them tucked away in Interfolio for when the time is right.

It's also a great idea to go ahead and start compiling your ECs into the format you'll need for the application. You're going to need titles, total hours, avg hours per week, description and dates of start and completion. If you keep those in a spreadsheet you can just copy and paste them in when the app opens in May.

Lastly, start writing your personal statement as soon as you can. It's not something you want to write even in a couple of weeks. Rough draft it and walk away from it for a week or so. Come back to it, read it, and I guarantee you there will be major things you want to change. Go through that kind of cycle a few times. I read mine through in its entirety after a couple of months of not looking at it and was completely satisfied still... wouldn't have changed a thing. That's where you want to be.

👍

Brownie points on the PS comments. Mine took many months. I think I had over 8 revision on it. At first, I had no idea what I was writing, and it sounded sloppy (of course, it sounded awesome at the time). I had many proofreaders helping me from my girl, to my coworkers, to random people on SDN, to my mentors. Every single person had input and it ultimately shaped my PS into what it is today. When I reread the first draft (I kept them all), I laugh. Hard.

 

[CopToEM]

I have a question regarding the LOR's. Do you send them only for secondary applications? That's the only thing I'm unclear about regarding this app cycle. I hear people say make sure you get them early so you can verify it with amcas/aacomas, and then some say you send it only with secondaries. If you can clear this up for me I would appreciate it, and thanks for the response.

-I plan on working on my PS this winter break.
-I'll most likely get my LORs during spring. Is it logical to get 2 science, 1 non-science and a physician letter? Because some schools require 2 science and physician or 2 science, 1 non-science, and physician etc. I'll most likely get 4 good ones I'm assuming.

Other than all that, thanks!

It depends on the school. DCOM had my letters and my secondary before my primary was even verified. I submitted my primary and put my secondary in the mail on the same day. They don't care when you send them. Other schools want you to wait to send the letters when you get the invite to complete the secondary. It's just a case by case basis.

The bottom line is, though, AACOMAS does not ask for your letters of recommendation. It's not like AMCAS in that regard. You manage your letters separate from your primary.

I went with two science, DO, and MD. None of the schools I was applying to required a non-science letter so I didn't bother with it. I had considered getting an additional letter from the practitioners overseeing the free health clinic I volunteer at but in the end I decided against it because I didn't think it would carry much weight.

The reason I wanted an MD letter is because some schools don't require a DO letter (DCOM for example) and I knew this particular letter was likely to be very good. I know the physician very well. Ultimately, I did submit both my MD and DO letter.

If you wanted to be on the safe side: two science, one non-science, MD, and DO should cover both apps. Make sure you don't have a committee process at your university as this will change things drastically. Check your medical schools of interest for any mention of a Dean's Letter which would require you to get a letter from the Dean of Students at your University.

 

[CopToEM]

Brownie points on the PS comments. Mine took many months. I think I had over 8 revision on it. At first, I had no idea what I was writing, and it sounded sloppy (of course, it sounded awesome at the time). I had many proofreaders helping me from my girl, to my coworkers, to random people on SDN, to my mentors. Every single person had input and it ultimately shaped my PS into what it is today. When I reread the first draft (I kept them all), I laugh. Hard.

It's crazy how quickly other people at my university put their PS together - some of them from rough draft to final form in a matter of a couple days. I also put as many eyes on mine as possible - I even gave it to people that I literally do not know. My main feedback came from an English professor that I trust dearly and I'm forever indebted to him for his guidance and advice.

I reread my secondaries the other day and laughed hysterically at how silly some of the things I said were. I should have taken more time on them but I guess it didn't matter in the end.

 

[Iliketoytles]

It's crazy how quickly other people at my university put their PS together - some of them from rough draft to final form in a matter of a couple days.

I actually did this with mine... I'm a pretty organized person though so I made sure I had a theme and knew what I was going to discuss ahead of time in my head. I also felt pretty passionate about what I was discussing so the words just poured on the word document. I re-read it recently and I wouldn't change a word.

But don't follow my example... I post pictures of pokemon.

 

[deleted357625]

It depends on the school. DCOM had my letters and my secondary before my primary was even verified. I submitted my primary and put my secondary in the mail on the same day. They don't care when you send them. Other schools want you to wait to send the letters when you get the invite to complete the secondary. It's just a case by case basis.

The bottom line is, though, AACOMAS does not ask for your letters of recommendation. It's not like AMCAS in that regard. You manage your letters separate from your primary.

I went with two science, DO, and MD. None of the schools I was applying to required a non-science letter so I didn't bother with it. I had considered getting an additional letter from the practitioners overseeing the free health clinic I volunteer at but in the end I decided against it because I didn't think it would carry much weight.

The reason I wanted an MD letter is because some schools don't require a DO letter (DCOM for example) and I knew this particular letter was likely to be very good. I know the physician very well. Ultimately, I did submit both my MD and DO letter.

If you wanted to be on the safe side: two science, one non-science, MD, and DO should cover both apps. Make sure you don't have a committee process at your university as this will change things drastically. Check your medical schools of interest for any mention of a Dean's Letter which would require you to get a letter from the Dean of Students at your University.

That definitely cleared things up for me, and yes my school does have a committee letter, but since I'm taking my MCAT in early July my committee won't write me a letter. They want everything done and sent in before they write one, and plus they won't even be available in July when regarding mock interviews etc which they need to do all that before they even consider writing one for me. I already contacted them regarding this issue. I understand this is a problem unless you have a really good reason, but the only option I have is just apply with individual letters. I'm not sure how bad it hurts, and i do know people who were fine without one, but I know it might not work out for everyone, no one knows.

 

[Dr SunDai]

That definitely cleared things up for me, and yes my school does have a committee letter, but since I'm taking my MCAT in early July my committee won't write me a letter. They want everything done and sent in before they write one, and plus they won't even be available in July when regarding mock interviews etc which they need to do all that before they even consider writing one for me. I already contacted them regarding this issue. I understand this is a problem unless you have a really good reason, but the only option I have is just apply with individual letters. I'm not sure how bad it hurts, and i do know people who were fine without one, but I know it might not work out for everyone, no one knows.

In regards to the committee letter, contact each school that you are applying to and inquire what the process is if you are unable to obtain a letter from the committee. There are some schools that WILL NOT accept your application w/o it and there are others that will provide an alternative solution. Having that committee letter CAN make a world of difference....just make sure you do the research to make sure you are aware of what your options are. Best of Luck!

 

[CopToEM]

In regards to the committee letter, contact each school that you are applying to and inquire what the process is if you are unable to obtain a letter from the committee.

This. Just call each school to be sure - this could turn into a headache for you so you want to head it off early.

 

[deleted357625]

Alright thank you guys, will do so.
👍