By when do you need to take the MCAT the year you are applying?

[DeadCactus]

Is late Summer too late? Is late Summer less than ideal for that matter?

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[future_dr_house]

Is late Summer too late? Is late Summer less than ideal for that matter?

not too late, but not definitely not ideal. use the search function next time pls.

 

[TexPre-Med]

TX has been increasing in difficulty for applicants (especially this past year!) so applying early is increasingly important. If you apply late, you better have good numbers and then some.

According to dean's at Tech, our numbers are over 3.7 and 30 avg. this past year. Getting high for state schools if you ask me. Just glad I'm already in!

Good luck and apply as early as possible. I've seen people get in applying late, even with slightly less than avg. numbers, but they all have rediculous EC's! So anything is possible. Still, I'm sure you would prefer better odds than possible.

 

[DeadCactus]

My problem is that I will be taking O-Chem the summer before my senior year, which prevents me, in a sense, from taking the MCAT earlier...

 

[Anastasis]

I took the MCAT without having finished Orgo II. It's not ideal but it can be done. Could you move Orgo I up so that you'd be done with Orgo II in June/July-ish? That would be a good plan if possible.

 

[DeadCactus]

Summer is the earliest I can take Orgo. I decided on Medicine a bit late so I'll be starting the entire Bio/Chem sequence next Fall (Junior year)...

 

[future_dr_house]

Summer is the earliest I can take Orgo. I decided on Medicine a bit late so I'll be starting the entire Bio/Chem sequence next Fall (Junior year)...

May I ask how your ECs are coming along. If you haven't done extraordinary ECs I might suggest putting off application for a year.

 

[Anastasis]

May I ask how your ECs are coming along. If you haven't done extraordinary ECs I might suggest putting off application for a year.

Just what I was thinking. There's no harm in waiting a year; I'll be 25 when I start in the fall. Take your time and do it right. The extra year will give you time to find some great clinical experiences and that will really help your application in the long run.

 

[DeadCactus]

May I ask how your ECs are coming along. If you haven't done extraordinary ECs I might suggest putting off application for a year.

Just got my EMT-B. Going to do about 160 hours of volunteering in that capacity this Summer. Going to start volunteering during the school year, hopefully after Spring Break.

SCUBA Diving, working toward my Instructor Certification. Should start teaching classes in the Fall.

In my second semester of working as a tutor.

In my second semester of involvement with a student research group.

Study Abroad this summer (does that fall under EC?)

Play guitar and Judo, but not enough going on there to feel it's worth listing just yet. Hopefully by the time I start filling out applications though.

So I guess I have average EC's. I've given delaying it a year some thought and will continue to do so. Right now I plan to just assume that I will be applying as soon as possible simply because it is easier to adjust my plans for a delay than for a speed up...

 

[future_dr_house]

Just got my EMT-B. Going to do about 160 hours of volunteering in that capacity this Summer. Going to start volunteering during the school year, hopefully after Spring Break.

SCUBA Diving, working toward my Instructor Certification. Should start teaching classes in the Fall.

In my second semester of working as a tutor.

In my second semester of involvement with a student research group.

Study Abroad this summer (does that fall under EC?)

Play guitar and Judo, but not enough going on there to feel it's worth listing just yet. Hopefully by the time I start filling out applications though.

So I guess I have average EC's. I've given delaying it a year some thought and will continue to do so. Right now I plan to just assume that I will be applying as soon as possible simply because it is easier to adjust my plans for a delay than for a speed up...

They aren't real average. And the EMT-b should really serve you well. Consider volunteering at a free clinic at the same time or a couple more clinical ECs. I made the mistake of thinking that ECs meant many things beyond clinicals, and while you should do what you love, really display to them that medicine is what you want to do and demonstrate that through more clinical ECs.

btw, I think the scuba diving thing is really cool. I want to get mine..maybe when I get more time.

 

[DeadCactus]

They aren't real average. And the EMT-b should really serve you well. Consider volunteering at a free clinic at the same time or a couple more clinical ECs. I made the mistake of thinking that ECs meant many things beyond clinicals, and while you should do what you love, really display to them that medicine is what you want to do and demonstrate that through more clinical ECs.

btw, I think the scuba diving thing is really cool. I want to get mine..maybe when I get more time.

Crud, so I am below average on ECs?

 

[trevagandalf]

take it in june the latest for TMDSAS and july the latest for AMCAS. I took my MCAT in August this last year (simply because I didn't feel ready for the April one also because I didn't finish O Chem). BIGGEST MISTAKE IN MY LIFE!!! So if you want to get in next cycle take it earlier! You can always try to study O chem by yourself and take practice tests to see where you are, if you're not happy then take a year off.. otherwise, just go for it...

 

[future_dr_house]

Crud, so I am below average on ECs?

Not exactly what I meant. EMT-b is above average in my opinion (most premeds just shadow and volunteer) but you probably want to do a little more than just EMT-b and 160 hours to give depth to your app. I definitely don't know everything about this stuff, I hope someone else will give their 1/50 of a dollar.

 

[future_dr_house]

take it in june the latest for TMDSAS and july the latest for AMCAS. I took my MCAT in August this last year (simply because I didn't feel ready for the April one also because I didn't finish O Chem). BIGGEST MISTAKE IN MY LIFE!!! So if you want to get in next cycle take it earlier! You can always try to study O chem by yourself and take practice tests to see where you are, if you're not happy then take a year off.. otherwise, just go for it...

I agree completely. Ochem : Bio ratio is something like 25 : 75 or at least that's what we tell our students 😀

 

[DeadCactus]

How damaging is it to an application to take the MCAT before you are ready and have to retake it later after finishing the pre-med coursework?

 

[TexPre-Med]

Just got my EMT-B. Going to do about 160 hours of volunteering in that capacity this Summer. Going to start volunteering during the school year, hopefully after Spring Break.

SCUBA Diving, working toward my Instructor Certification. Should start teaching classes in the Fall.

In my second semester of working as a tutor.

In my second semester of involvement with a student research group.

Study Abroad this summer (does that fall under EC?)

Play guitar and Judo, but not enough going on there to feel it's worth listing just yet. Hopefully by the time I start filling out applications though.

So I guess I have average EC's. I've given delaying it a year some thought and will continue to do so. Right now I plan to just assume that I will be applying as soon as possible simply because it is easier to adjust my plans for a delay than for a speed up...

First of all, you are lacking clinical experience. The first question you will be asked at an interview is: Why medicine and not EMT? You already have your EMT certification. You'll want to back up your answer with personal experience as proof. Anyone can say they know what being a doctor is all about, but it is different than many think. Shadow!

Did you publish anything in a research group? Any findings?

You also might want to get some more leadership experience.

Not trying to be harsh, but instead steer you in the right direction. I'd say your EC's are slightly below avg. for applicants right now.

A friend I know with "Good" EC's had:
1. Leadership positions in 3 huge organizations on campus
2. Over 100 volunteer hours
3. Over 100 clinic hours with multiple physicians
4. Received one of the Top Leadership awards at university
5. Medical Mission Trip experience to 2 foreign countries
6. Mortar Board
7. Pilot's license (claimed it would be helpful for Doctor's Without Borders
8. Teaching Assistant
9. Student Mentor

This was all accomplished by the age of 21 when he applied.

Disclaimer: I would wait to take the MCAT until you are good and ready. Some schools will average multiple MCAT's. Also, they set a max. # of times you can take it.