Clarification on how AMCAS works

[Saifa]

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I have formally begun my MCAT preparation after scoring a 500 on the NS "diagnostic" exam. I feel I'm at a place where I can be prepared for an early June exam. My plan is to gauge my ability to take the test leading up to it and postpone if need be.

I would really like to apply this year, but pushing back a June MCAT would make that unfeasible. The question: once I enter the AMCAS system in May, am I committed to applying somewhere for that cycle, or can I withdraw without submitting any primaries?

 

[IJumpYouJumpJack]

You can fill out AMCAS in May, but as long as you don't pay the fee and submit after June 1st it doesn't count as applying

 

[tarheelpenner]

I have formally begun my MCAT preparation after scoring a 500 on the NS "diagnostic" exam. I feel I'm at a place where I can be prepared for an early June exam. My plan is to gauge my ability to take the test leading up to it and postpone if need be.

I would really like to apply this year, but pushing back a June MCAT would make that unfeasible. The question: once I enter the AMCAS system in May, am I committed to applying somewhere for that cycle, or can I withdraw without submitting any primaries?

Also, I found the "review book" MCAT practice exams to be a truly terrible predictor of my score. And I mean anywhere from 10-18 points lower than what I wound up scoring (I took one the week before my exam, and I scored 10 points higher on the actual exam like 2 days later). Idk what NS means, but I found the AMCAS practice exam to be a much better predictor, and definitely worth the $35. Mine was pretty much spot-on. So maybe consider taking that one before you consider pushing your MCAT back.

 

[Saifa]

Also, I found the "review book" MCAT practice exams to be a truly terrible predictor of my score. And I mean anywhere from 10-18 points lower than what I wound up scoring (I took one the week before my exam, and I scored 10 points higher on the actual exam like 2 days later). Idk what NS means, but I found the AMCAS practice exam to be a much better predictor, and definitely worth the $35. Mine was pretty much spot-on. So maybe consider taking that one before you consider pushing your MCAT back.

NS is "Next Step" which I heard from the MCAT board has the most accurate representation of passage-based questions. I'll be taking advantage of the AAMC exams but I don't want to use them up, esp. this early in my preparation.

 

[Saifa]

While taking the MCAT in June and trying to work around that date makes the application cycle less optimal, you can submit to a single "reach" school so to get your application verified and ready for immediate transmission to other schools as soon as you add them (which you can do the moment you get your MCAT).

However, this method impacts you directly. If you are taking the MCAT in June, you should be focusing all your energy on that. Spending time to speculatively complete the AMCAS application, instead of working towards the highest score on the MCAT is not the optimal strategy. You wont get in because your application was early; you will get in if you have a solid or even superior MCAT score

So if I do nothing in AMCAS, assuming I've done my pre-writing, would it be possible to be complete around early August if I open my application after getting a score?

 

[prehealthadvisor55]

If there's a chance you're going to apply this cycle, start the app in May. Until you press submit & pay, it doesn't go anywhere & no one sees it. I start a new app every year to help students see exactly how it's going to work. Starting the app doesn't commit you to anything, & it'll save you a lot of headache later.