Do i need to apply to AMCAS before taking MCAT

[shahak49]

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Can I take MCAT in Sep'2010 first (For Fall'2011)?
And, based on score (if better), then apply to AMCAS (primary) and seconday applications?
Or just wait another year and take MCAT in January (for Fall'2012)?

 

[Catalystik]

If you get your score back in time to submit to AMCAS before the deadline, it takes about 5.5 weeks to complete verification at that point in the application season. Even if you get all your Secondaries submitted in December, by applying that late in the season when most interview spots have already been given out, you may significantly decrease your chances of an eventual acceptance, particularly if your application isn't fairly strong in most respects. If you take a September MCAT, give serious consideration to applying the following June instead. Or, as you suggested, gain additional study time and take it four months later in January.