CONFUSING - When to submit

[Rivercityfan]

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I want to have my applications in early (will file both TMDSAS and AMCAS).

I am taking microbiology this summer, but grades for that course will not become available until July 8th. I want my summer grades to be considered in the calculated GPA that AMCAS and TMDSAS will send to my schools because the extra 4 hours of "A" would raise my sGPA. My cGPA is a 3.85, and my sGPA is a 3.58 - the rule that says you have to include the original grade of a repeated course in addition to the new/higher grade brought me down from 3.71sGPA to 3.58 🙁 but the extra 4 hrs from summer would give me a 3.61s.

Is it possible to update the AMCAS and TMDSAS with summer grades after applications and transcripts (through Spring 2010) have already been received? (I want to submit apps in June). I am wanting to know, however, if I should wait until my Summer I grades are in to submit the apps and my transcript. Or, would it be best to submit everything (through Spring 2010 at least) in early June as planned and try to update once Summer comes out. Does anyone know how long it takes AMCAS and TMDSAS to verify grades once transcripts are received? I don't want to have submitted everything too late, and I'm worried that if I wait until Summer grades come out on July 8th, it will take an extra 10 days for AMCAS and TMDSAS to receive my transcript, then more time for verification before the apps actually make it to my schools for review. Interviews in TX start in August so time is of the essence.

What should I do?

I ask because if I am not going to be able to update grades on these app services, or if by July 8 my app will have already been considered and disregarded because of the 3.58sGPA, then I definitely want to wait until summer grades become available to send in my transcripts and submit my app. But if I can update after submission, I want to submit my apps and transcripts in early June, because I would hate to have less of a chance due to late submission.

So I guess what is worse? early submission with 3.58sGPA or a late submission with a 3.61sGPA?

Any and all info is greatly appreciated! (Especially with regard to how long AMCAS & TMDSAS takes to verify grades, send apps to med schools, etc.)

Thanks!
Sara

 

[OhioDoc]

I want to have my applications in early (will file both TMDSAS and AMCAS).

I am taking microbiology this summer, but grades for that course will not become available until July 8th. I want my summer grades to be considered in the calculated GPA that AMCAS and TMDSAS will send to my schools because the extra 4 hours of "A" would raise my sGPA. My cGPA is a 3.85, and my sGPA is a 3.58 - the rule that says you have to include the original grade of a repeated course in addition to the new/higher grade brought me down from 3.71sGPA to 3.58 🙁 but the extra 4 hrs from summer would give me a 3.61s.

Is it possible to update the AMCAS and TMDSAS with summer grades after applications and transcripts (through Spring 2010) have already been received? (I want to submit apps in June). I am wanting to know, however, if I should wait until my Summer I grades are in to submit the apps and my transcript. Or, would it be best to submit everything (through Spring 2010 at least) in early June as planned and try to update once Summer comes out. Does anyone know how long it takes AMCAS and TMDSAS to verify grades once transcripts are received? I don't want to have submitted everything too late, and I'm worried that if I wait until Summer grades come out on July 8th, it will take an extra 10 days for AMCAS and TMDSAS to receive my transcript, then more time for verification before the apps actually make it to my schools for review. Interviews in TX start in August so time is of the essence.

What should I do?

I ask because if I am not going to be able to update grades on these app services, or if by July 8 my app will have already been considered and disregarded because of the 3.58sGPA, then I definitely want to wait until summer grades become available to send in my transcripts and submit my app. But if I can update after submission, I want to submit my apps and transcripts in early June, because I would hate to have less of a chance due to late submission.


So I guess what is worse? early submission with 3.58sGPA or a late submission with a 3.61sGPA?

Any and all info is greatly appreciated! (Especially with regard to how long AMCAS & TMDSAS takes to verify grades, send apps to med schools, etc.)

Thanks!
Sara

First off, I know nothing about TMDSAS, so I can't answer any questions regarding that application service. I can however, provide you with some insight into the AMCAS process.

1. Once you submit your transcripts to AMCAS and they start the verification process, you can not submit another set of transcripts later and have them re-verify.

2. If you submit your application in the very first days of June, AMCAS could verify it in as little as a week. If you wait until the middle of July (taking into account the delay for receiving transcripts), it'll probably take the full 4-6 weeks. You can get a better idea of how long it takes to verify by searching the forum for an "Official Verification Thread" where many individuals post the date they submitted their application/the date they were verified.

3. This being said, coupled with the fact that you'll only get a .03 bump in your sGPA (which really is not that significant), makes me think you should submit it in early june. If you wait until your summer I grades come out, it's likely that you won't be verified until the middle of August (see comments above). If you're not verified until then, you will not be able to start submitting secondary applications and "completing your file" at various institutions until early-mid september. Since many medical schools start interviewing in early-mid september, they start reviewing files for interview invites in late July-early August. Often, your best chance to get an interview at a school is in those first stages because they have not received verified applications from many applicants yet.

4. Honestly, a 3.58 sci GPA isn't going to kill you. Furthermore, a 3.61 is really not that much different than a 3.58. There's tons of schools where that's still competitive (check the Medical School Admissions Requirements by the AAMC for GPA ranges). If you get an A in your microbiology course and want the schools to which you apply to know about it, just send in an update to your application, consisting of your transcripts and maybe a short letter, after you submit all your other application materials.

5. I would worry more about addressing the poor grade you previously had in one of your science classes. This is something you'll probably want to talk about either in your personal statement (but don't make excuses) or an appropriate secondary application essay.

Hope this helps

 

[LizzyM]

There is something psychological about 3.59 vs. 3.61...which is why stuff is always priced x.x9... it looks like less than it is.... if you believe in that sort of thing over the logic that there is a minicule difference of 0.03 (<1%) difference between the two, then apply later.

Given the electronic means at our disposal now that the application process is "on line" we can let the cream rise to the top and sort through applications more efficiently than in the past when the stack of files would reach to the ceiling if they were allowed to pile up that way. You'll rise more quickly at 3.6 than at 3.59.

Do not spend a minue or any precious space talking about bad grades. Those are zits. We see them, we know that they are there. Many people have zits. The point of your application is to show off the facets of your application that sparkle, that are so impressive that we forget about the zit and decide to ask you out for an interview anyway.

 

[mdbound1987]

First off, I know nothing about TMDSAS, so I can't answer any questions regarding that application service. I can however, provide you with some insight into the AMCAS process.

1. Once you submit your transcripts to AMCAS and they start the verification process, you can not submit another set of transcripts later and have them re-verify.

2. If you submit your application in the very first days of June, AMCAS could verify it in as little as a week. If you wait until the middle of July (taking into account the delay for receiving transcripts), it'll probably take the full 4-6 weeks. You can get a better idea of how long it takes to verify by searching the forum for an "Official Verification Thread" where many individuals post the date they submitted their application/the date they were verified.

3. This being said, coupled with the fact that you'll only get a .03 bump in your sGPA (which really is not that significant), makes me think you should submit it in early june. If you wait until your summer I grades come out, it's likely that you won't be verified until the middle of August (see comments above). If you're not verified until then, you will not be able to start submitting secondary applications and "completing your file" at various institutions until early-mid september. Since many medical schools start interviewing in early-mid september, they start reviewing files for interview invites in late July-early August. Often, your best chance to get an interview at a school is in those first stages because they have not received verified applications from many applicants yet.

4. Honestly, a 3.58 sci GPA isn't going to kill you. Furthermore, a 3.61 is really not that much different than a 3.58. There's tons of schools where that's still competitive (check the Medical School Admissions Requirements by the AAMC for GPA ranges). If you get an A in your microbiology course and want the schools to which you apply to know about it, just send in an update to your application, consisting of your transcripts and maybe a short letter, after you submit all your other application materials.

5. I would worry more about addressing the poor grade you previously had in one of your science classes. This is something you'll probably want to talk about either in your personal statement (but don't make excuses) or an appropriate secondary application essay.

Hope this helps

I definitely agree. Apply early June because you will get better results from a 3.58 in June than a 3.61 in august.