Can I submit my AMCAS before I get my MCAT scores?

[guitarguy23]

Will AMCAS let me submit my primary application at the beginning of June if my MCAT scores won't be released until later?

I still want to get everything in as early as possible but my MCAT scores won't be available till around June 27th.

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[jla314]

Yes, I believe you can submit without scores. You'll need to put the day you took the test on the MCAT section of AMCAS and they will take care of the rest.

 

[GoodmanBrown]

As ^ said, yeah, you can submit AMCAS without your MCAT score. You just put the date you will take it. Then, when it's released, AMCAS loads it automatically, and your schools receive it.

 

[OhioDoc]

Will AMCAS let me submit my primary application at the beginning of June if my MCAT scores won't be released until later?

I still want to get everything in as early as possible but my MCAT scores won't be available till around June 27th.

You can and in fact, I would recommend you do so (it will save you a lot of time in the AMCAS verification process). If you're not confident in your MCAT score, you can apply to a single school when you initially submit and then, after you've received your MCAT scores add additional schools based on your performance. Adding these additional schools will not warrant reverification of your application.

 

[hopeful339]

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[OhioDoc]

Hi.

I'm new to this forum and would like some feedback/advice. I just graduated from UF with a bachelors in Nutritional sciences. My overall GPA is 3.82, sci is about 3.65. I took the MCAT once in September 2009 and did not score well. I'm planning to take it again on June 17th, 2010. I have not been studying throughout this last semester (due to intense course load and extra responsibilities in research and at home), I wanted to find out if I should apply early (as in before May ends/early June) with a 23O and let them know I'll be taking it again or should I wait to submit? Is there a difference in waiting for my score and then apply if I have a previous score?

I haven't looked at material in a long while and plan to study nonstop until the June test date. I'm contemplating moving the date to July (but is that too risky?) if I'm not prepared enough come June. Would I be too late if I do this?

My thought was to study and start the application tomorrow but should I submit it early? Since I had my first MCAT scored, I have to report it, right? Is it possible to submit the app without releasing that score and tell them I'm planning to take it in June? I know that they will see all scored MCATs but I wanted to clarify.

I know that my combo of GPA and MCAT is not great at all so any advice would help. 😕

Given your performance the first time you took the MCAT, you should definitely prioritize studying for the test over completing the application. If your apply a bit later but score well (30+) on your second MCAT, you'll get looked at. If you prioritize finishing the application over studying for the MCAT, and get a 23 again, even if you submitted your primary application in the first day of June, your chances would be pretty low. That being said, I wouldn't prioritize the application so low that you don't finish it until the end of August - that'll definitely reduce your odds.

I would initially submit the application before receiving your second MCAT score (especially if you put it on the back burner while you study for the MCAT), because it'll save you tons of time. Like I mentioned above, if you're not confident in your score, just put one school on the application initially. Depending on when exactly you submit for verification, it's possible that your MCAT will get scored before your application even gets verified - so schools would get both scores at the same time. Even if they don't get the second score right away, it won't matter as long as you tell them you retook it. And yes, AMCAS automatically loads any scores for existing MCATs

On the issue of postponing your MCAT - it's hard to say. If you think your score will improve significantly by delaying the test 1 month, then it's probably worth it.

 

[hopeful339]

Given your performance the first time you took the MCAT, you should definitely prioritize studying for the test over completing the application. If your apply a bit later but score well (30+) on your second MCAT, you'll get looked at. If you prioritize finishing the application over studying for the MCAT, and get a 23 again, even if you submitted your primary application in the first day of June, your chances would be pretty low. That being said, I wouldn't prioritize the application so low that you don't finish it until the end of August - that'll definitely reduce your odds.

I would initially submit the application before receiving your second MCAT score (especially if you put it on the back burner while you study for the MCAT), because it'll save you tons of time. Like I mentioned above, if you're not confident in your score, just put one school on the application initially. Depending on when exactly you submit for verification, it's possible that your MCAT will get scored before your application even gets verified - so schools would get both scores at the same time. Even if they don't get the second score right away, it won't matter as long as you tell them you retook it. And yes, AMCAS automatically loads any scores for existing MCATs

On the issue of postponing your MCAT - it's hard to say. If you think your score will improve significantly by delaying the test 1 month, then it's probably worth it.

Thank you, OhioDoc for your advice. I agree with what you're saying about making studying my number one priority. I am going to take your advice about applying to one school with my current score and say that I will be retaking the MCAT.

As for whether or not to push the test date back, since I haven't looked at material since September, my confidence and where I am currently after taking a diagnostic should be my deciding factors, not making sure I submit my apps at a certain time.

I know this may be in another thread, but what's your view as to "late" for taking the MCAT. Is July or August too late?

I'm definitely going to submit relatively early and would like to aim for June/July test date now that I've sort of thought about it and reconsidered things.

Thank you again for your help.

 

[JJMrK]

Please try searching before posting new threads.

Yes, you can submit before your MCAT scores are in, but many schools won't review your application until they see your score.

 

[OhioDoc]

Thank you, OhioDoc for your advice. I agree with what you're saying about making studying my number one priority. I am going to take your advice about applying to one school with my current score and say that I will be retaking the MCAT.

As for whether or not to push the test date back, since I haven't looked at material since September, my confidence and where I am currently after taking a diagnostic should be my deciding factors, not making sure I submit my apps at a certain time.

I know this may be in another thread, but what's your view as to "late" for taking the MCAT. Is July or August too late?

I'm definitely going to submit relatively early and would like to aim for June/July test date now that I've sort of thought about it and reconsidered things.

Thank you again for your help.

Though this is certainly a very subjective matter, I think July-early August is OK. mid-late August is kind of late in the game considering the school won't receive your score (and thus won't review your file) for at least 4 weeks (assuming by that point you have met all the other requirements for a complete application - LORs/secondary app/primary app)

 

[Heplayer92]

Please try searching before posting new threads.

Yes, you can submit before your MCAT scores are in, but many schools won't review your application until they see your score.

So does that basically negate the benefits of "applying early"? I understand that some people just apply to 1 school so their AMCAS gets verified quicker...but that would be irrelevant is schools are waiting for a 2nd MCAT score right?

For instance, I scored a 30 (11/8/11) and I probably will not get screened out by most schools that I apply to. I'm scheduled to re-take June 21st, and am submitting my AMCAS June 3rd. Will that not really matter then if my 2nd MCAT scores will not come out until later July?

Thanks!

 

[BeMD13]

You can and in fact, I would recommend you do so (it will save you a lot of time in the AMCAS verification process). If you're not confident in your MCAT score, you can apply to a single school when you initially submit and then, after you've received your MCAT scores add additional schools based on your performance. Adding these additional schools will not warrant reverification of your application.

Do you know if it is possible to have AMCAS verify an application without designating any schools? I am in a similar situation and if I apply to one single school wouldn't that technically make me considered as reapplying to all schools next year? I don't want that status to decrease my chances either.

 

[LizzyM]

So does that basically negate the benefits of "applying early"? I understand that some people just apply to 1 school so their AMCAS gets verified quicker...but that would be irrelevant is schools are waiting for a 2nd MCAT score right?

For instance, I scored a 30 (11/8/11) and I probably will not get screened out by most schools that I apply to. I'm scheduled to re-take June 21st, and am submitting my AMCAS June 3rd. Will that not really matter then if my 2nd MCAT scores will not come out until later July?

Thanks!

Being verified can take many weeks. Being in the queue for verification while waiting for MCAT scores can save you eight weeks down the road. Far better to be verified and have your MCAT scores by July 23 than to have your scores on July 23 and then wait until Sept 23 to be verified.

 

[Heplayer92]

Being verified can take many weeks. Being in the queue for verification while waiting for MCAT scores can save you eight weeks down the road. Far better to be verified and have your MCAT scores by July 23 than to have your scores on July 23 and then wait until Sept 23 to be verified.

Thanks LizzyM! Also, if you already have a score that generally gets you past screening...you should receive secondaries before the 2nd MCAT score right? It's not like every school is going to wait until after your 2nd MCAT score to send secondaries right? Sorry I know this is a nitty-gritty question and varies by school, but I just thought I'd ask for your insight! Thank you

 

[LizzyM]

Thanks LizzyM! Also, if you already have a score that generally gets you past screening...you should receive secondaries before the 2nd MCAT score right? It's not like every school is going to wait until after your 2nd MCAT score to send secondaries right? Sorry I know this is a nitty-gritty question and varies by school, but I just thought I'd ask for your insight! Thank you

I would think so but I really have no experience in this matter.

 

[delfin098]

Thanks LizzyM!

I know it has been a while since you posted on this thread, but perhaps you (or someone else) might be able to help me.
I'm a recently graduated senior from HYP, 3.51 sGPA, 3.7 cGPA, well-rounded extracurriculars/letters, MCAT scheduled in June. I am not feeling confident about my MCAT and think I could raise the score a (significant) bit if I pushed to July. However, I do think I could get a decent score in June (just not as good as in July).

I really don't want to shoot myself in the foot by pushing to July, but would it be worth it if I could get a better score? With scores coming out August 18th, I wouldn't be complete at schools until late August. How late is that in the cycle? Would being that late with a subpar sGPA (3.5) really hurt my chances (aka would it just be better to just bite the bullet and take the June MCAT?) If I could have it my way, I would take it in July (it would really help me on a number of fronts) -- but I also want to do everything I can to get an acceptance this cycle. If taking the July MCAT will preclude that, then I will just suck it up and take it in June. Any opinion would be greatly appreciated.