For '16ers in general: I would say the best things you can be doing right now are (in order of importance):
1.) Study for the MCAT!!!!! (And don't slack off on your current classes)
2.) Start asking for letters of rec and create an Interfolio account. Trust us, it is totally worth it. Pay for three years or whatever just in case.
3.) Start figuring out what your "story" is. Why you want to be a physician, how what you have done thus far has led you to that point, and the multitude of ways you can talk about that. Your personal statement is not all you will be writing; the secondaries are just as important.
4.) Really start researching schools. Make lists. Apply SMART. Make sure that you apply to schools that are around your GPA (since you probably don't have your MCAT score yet). If you have a good idea of things you are interested in while in medical school (research, teaching, lots of clinical experience, a certain curriculum style) then figure out what schools have what you want so that in addition to applying smartly as far as your stats, you can apply smartly as far as your abilities and interests. Passion goes a long way.
Stuff to think about later (next year):
1.) Create an AMCAS account as soon as you can, even if you're not ready to apply. Then, have your transcripts sent in. I cannot tell you how many people on these boards complain every year that this is the single thing (other than LORS) holding up their verification. Just do it in May NO MATTER WHAT. Also fill out that part of the app; it is annoying and time consuming to list all of your classes but you have to do it. So just do it in May so it isn't hanging over your head later.
2.)Plan to pre-write a lot of your secondaries to help you save time and decrease your turn-around time.
3.) Have a backup plan (ways to improve your app; new volunteer opportunities, new job, etc). The worst feeling in the world is to have your app cycle not go well AND to know that you haven't done anything to change your application around December or January. Plus, doing something new just makes you a better human. Do it for yourself if nothing else.
Ok, first, about the backup plan....this one may be a matter of personal preference. I am a super-planning-control-freak-type-A-person. So I needed to know I was doing everything I could to minimize damage if things went wrong. Looking back, I think I would have been under WAY more stress if I hadn't started some cool new activities both to keep me busy AND to be sure that, if I applied again, I would VERY clearly be able to answer the question "How is your app different this year?". But that is just me. Plus, I had the luxury of not being in school. I do think that it is important to continue activities you've already been doing though, if you don't want to start something new.
The reason I say the stuff about a backup is because I feel like it can take FOREVER to get involved in something new. Even just for a volunteer position there can be interviews, orientation that only happens at certain times of the year, a wait list, etc. So I just give the "backup" suggestion to minimize possible future stress.
I can't comment on your chances ( the WAMC thread and people like
LizzyM and Catalystic are better at that) but if you think you have good chances and you apply smart and that is what works for you, then do it.
For the committee letter thing...I am not from a school with a committee, so someone else may need to answer that. One thing I will say though is that you should contact your committee. Some of them only meet at certain times and they shove off early for the summer. I have also seen that happen to people on SDN; they didn't get the committee thing going early enough and had to wait until September for their letter.
The application can be SUBMITTED on or around June 1st but it opens around May 1st so you can start filling it out and send transcripts in.
And yes, if you decide you want to apply as early as possible, your spring grades would not be on there. This is a judgement call. If your spring grades matter a lot, wait until they come in before you send your transcripts in. If not, go ahead and do it and plan to send updates to schools. Sending them some good grades is a good reason to contact them later if you've had a lot of silence from them.
Here is how Interfolio works.
1.) You set up an account. The account has NOTHING to do with AMCAS. You could potentially store letters here and use them for ANYTHING; a job, a volunteer position, to adopt a puppy, whatever.
2.) Once you set up an account and you have talked to a person you want a letter from, you will "Send a Letter Request" through Interfolio. This will send an email to that person saying that you want a letter. They will then upload the letter directly to interfolio. You need to waive your right to read the letters (just do it). Make sure when you ask for letters that you remind the letter writer that the letter needs to be on official letterhead when possible, and SIGNED. They need to upload a scanned copy! This is important for several schools; they will kick back your letter if it isn't done this way.
3.) Once you start an AMCAS account, you will have your AMCAS ID. Then, whenever you want, you can have Interfolio send letters directly to AMCAS. They are actually sent electronically so they get there in 24 hours most of the time. You can specify in Interfolio that both your AMCAS ID and the Letter ID (you have to "create" a letter in AMCAS so that AMCAS knows that the letter is coming) is stamped on the letter.
First, if you're on the quarter system, your "Spring" doesn't end until late June. So for some people their grades aren't available until July.
Also, at a lot of schools, even if the semester ends Mid may, official grades may not be out for a few more weeks. Plus, the transcript still has to get there which may take a few more weeks. This really really depends on the school. At a lot of schools, you can pre-order transcripts and have it held for Spring grades. But even then the policy may be that they don't guarantee that they will get sent out until 2-3 weeks after grades are finalized. It just depends. If you go to an awesome school that has finals on May 15th, grades posted May 16th, and, if you pre-ordered transcripts, will send them out May 17th....then you're golden.
I would also suggest "rushing" transcripts whenever possible. The peace of mind is worth the extra money.
Also, keep in mind; you can submit without transcripts. The problem is that you will not be
verified without them. The verification process is what takes time. If you submitted the first instant on June 1st, this year, you got verified on June 1st.
If you were like me and submitted in the evening of June 1st, it took about a week to get verified.
If you submitted June 3rd, it took 13 days or so; etc.
But you don't get verified until the transcripts are there.
It is not clear to me what your "place in line" is without transcripts. I can imagine one of two scenarios. Either you are in "line", and as soon as they get there, they will start verifying you. Or, you don't get put in line until your transcripts actually get there. I have a feeling it is the latter; I would check the "Official AMCAS Questions" Thread from this year if you really want to know. (I would suggest reading that thread over the next few months ANYWAY so that you know all there is to know and aren't asking questions in a panicked fashion last minute)
If you have more than one transcript to deal with (I had 8) starting to order them and get them in is especially important. If you only have 1....then maybe you can have a different approach.
Edit: One more thing to remember....your application isn't sent to schools until June 25th/26th. So getting verified on June 7th is NO different than getting verified on June 24th.
If you don't have MCAT scores yet, a good strategy is to create your AMCAS account, just add a single school that you are sure you want to apply to (either your state school or a school you have zero chance at, if you are that worried about your score) and then once your score comes in, immediately add the other schools. That way if things go horribly wrong, you haven't wasted your money applying to a dozen schools if you think you need to defer your app a year. And you won't be a reapplicant at those particular schools (though you would still be a reapplicant in general).
