Complete August/later and Cycle Competitiveness

[deleted1008763]

I was wondering how those who were complete in mid to late August or later are faring this cycle consider the primary application start date was postponed by one month. This would be the equivalent of being complete in July in any previous cycle. I think that unfortunately due to how many applications were submitted this cycle, that those who were complete at this point or later were hurt compared to those who were complete ASAP. Curious to hear what everyone thinks.

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[Rheopecty]

I think Goro is somewhat correct. Submitting with a strong app by Labor Day (aka 10/1 this cycle) and not super early only hurts at a small percentage of schools (Mich, Tulane, etc.). My submissions were mid-Sept right up to very early Oct. So far 4 II, not really expecting any more though,

 

[Lifeblood_20]

I completed half of my applications throughout August and the other half throughout September. Earliest one was submitted on 7/31 and the latest 9/30. I do feel my completion dates affected my chances at a few places but not too significantly in the big picture. Got 10 IIs of which 4 are from September completes.

 

[deleted1041819]

I got an interview to a school I was complete at in mid-September

 

[KnightDoc]

I was wondering how those who were complete in mid to late August or later are faring this cycle consider the primary application start date was postponed by one month. This would be the equivalent of being complete in July in any previous cycle. I think that unfortunately due to how many applications were submitted this cycle, that those who were complete at this point or later were hurt compared to those who were complete ASAP. Curious to hear what everyone thinks.

FWIW, the push back was two weeks, not one month. Not sure that matters too much, because, as you noted applications surged much more than expected, so the issue is really that rather than being complete in July or August, neither of which is late under any reasonable definition of the term. If you are not having any luck, it's far more likely due to the 20% increase in applications rather than being complete one month later than the earliest possible time to be complete.

Of course, anyone being complete after Labor Day is always at somewhat of a disadvantage that varies from school to school and applicant to applicant. Predictions that later would be on time this year turned out not to be so true due to the increase in applications, but this more a late September-October thing than mid-August.

 

[futuretrashwoman]

Compete Mid/Late August for MDs/DOs and have had 0 interviews, a few pre-II, and multiple Rs (as stated in my signature). I know a lot of people with much higher stats than mine that have a similar story and they were complete in July.

 

[gramnegative]

I submitted my secondaries by September and my final LOR didn't come in until the first week of October.