Does MCAT date matter when it's this late?

[deleted244469]

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I'm looking at either taking the MCAT in September or October (applying Osteopathic this cycle). Assuming that my primaries are all completed, does it really matter? It's getting into crunch time I know, but I really don't have a choice (have to finish some science classes in the early summer). Any opinions? Thanks!

 

[AlteredScale]

I'm looking at either taking the MCAT in September or October (applying Osteopathic this cycle). Assuming that my primaries are all completed, does it really matter? It's getting into crunch time I know, but I really don't have a choice (have to finish some science classes in the early summer). Any opinions? Thanks!

I'm confused.

If you mean "this cycle" then you are talking about matriculating this year in July/August. Do you mean next cycle (applying 2015 to matriculate 2016)?

If you actually mean this cycle (entering class of 2016) then you are very very late and most primary application deadlines have passed. If you mean next cycle (entering class of 2017) then taking the MCAT in Sept/Oct isn't ideal since you want to have the MCAT score with you application in Jun but it is what it is.

Just send in your primaries to schools in June, your application will be incomplete since you don't have an MCAT score and then send you score in Oct/Nov. You'll get interviews if everything else about your application is in order.

 

[deleted244469]

Sorry, that's what I meant. Application for the 2015 cycle (this upcoming summer). So, as long as I get my primaries completed, taking it in September vs. October doesn't really matter? My GPA is strong as well. I just think that the extra month studying for the MCAT (2 months vs 3 months), would be beneficial.

 

[TopTomato]

Sorry, that's what I meant. Application for the 2015 cycle (this upcoming summer). So, as long as I get my primaries completed, taking it in September vs. October doesn't really matter? My GPA is strong as well. I just think that the extra month studying for the MCAT (2 months vs 3 months), would be beneficial.

It does matter. Your application wont get looked at until you have an MCAT score on file. If you took it in September or October you wouldn't get your results back until Oct/Nov, and by then people are already accepted. So at the earliest your application gets reviewed would be a couple of months into the class filling up.

 

[AlteredScale]

Sorry, that's what I meant. Application for the 2015 cycle (this upcoming summer). So, as long as I get my primaries completed, taking it in September vs. October doesn't really matter? My GPA is strong as well. I just think that the extra month studying for the MCAT (2 months vs 3 months), would be beneficial.

That's a hard situation to be. How prepared do you feel for the MCAT? What are you practice test scores?

 

[Goro]

Nope, still plenty of time by that point.

I'm looking at either taking the MCAT in September or October (applying Osteopathic this cycle). Assuming that my primaries are all completed, does it really matter? It's getting into crunch time I know, but I really don't have a choice (have to finish some science classes in the early summer). Any opinions? Thanks!

 

[songl4a]

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[Goro]

DO season starts 6/1. IIs get sent out starting in late August (my school starts interviewing in Sept), and interviews run into April, even May. However, by Mar/Apr, classes are pretty much filled and seats start getting rationed.

When does the DO cycle start and end? When do schools generally send out interviews and acceptances? This seems like its a few months behind MD cycle.

 

[deleted244469]

Nope, still plenty of time by that point.

Thanks Goro. So, you think taking that extra month to study and taking it in October is the right move?

 

[DloopF2]

I would try to take it even earlier than October if you can. Look for a July or August date.

 

[Goro]

Yup!

Thanks Goro. So, you think taking that extra month to study and taking it in October is the right move?

 

[IslandStyle808]

I'm looking at either taking the MCAT in September or October (applying Osteopathic this cycle). Assuming that my primaries are all completed, does it really matter? It's getting into crunch time I know, but I really don't have a choice (have to finish some science classes in the early summer). Any opinions? Thanks!

It does matter if your stats are below average (or even slightly) in both categories. You can still get into a school, but you will be sweating bullets, due to holds and late interview invites.

Your will be okay if your GPA and MCAT are above the mean if you receive your scores in September and October. However, if both are below average that would be a bad time to apply.