Early Decision Program

[j306c954]

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I am just wondering how much a difference it really makes regarding chances of being accepted (in-state) when applying early decision vs. regular decision.

I want to apply early decision, but I need to retake the MCAT and my program is designed for an August test date (and July 17 is the last accepted test date for EDP). My tutor strongly suggests not rushing the program. But on the other hand, I only need about an average score to get accepted as the rest of my application is very strong (not just my own opinion, but spoke with an admissions officer).

 

[HCHopeful]

Everyone on here will tell you the same thing: Don't apply early decision.

It's a bit more complicated than that, as you seem to know. Having said that, I would not advise you to apply early decision. Having taken the MCAT once and not scoring well enough (what I've gathered from the OP anyway), there is nothing that would indicate you will be able to score the school's average MCAT score (or the percentile equivalent of MCAT2015).

How much of a difference does early decision make regarding acceptance chances? To an applicant with a below average application, not much. To an applicant with an average or slightly above average application, a little bit. To an applicant with a great application, not much. That's just my opinion, though.

I would only encourage an applicant to do early decision in two scenarios:

1) The applicant is tied down geographically and cannot leave the area.

2) The applicant has an amazing application. I'm thinking a 3.9+ GPA and an MCAT that is at least 4 points above the school's average. Along with this, I'd expect at least 350+ hours of volunteer work (with 100+ at least being clinical), over a year of research (or 500+ hours or publication), 50+ hours of shadowing, hobbies that set one apart, holding leadership positions, and finally, being good in interviews.

Number 2 is a little exaggerated, if I'm being honest. I'm considering applying early decision to my in-state med school. My GPA is above their average and my MCAT is their average. I believe in my application otherwise, though.

I have asked this same question on here once before, and no one responded with a yes for early decision. People on here will, rightfully so, tell you to apply broadly and increase your chances.

My advice: If you had your school's average MCAT already, I'd say go for it. But... you don't. You have the hope that you will, which just isn't good enough. Apply broadly, retake the MCAT, hope for the best. If you're a good enough applicant, your in-state school will accept you anyway.

 

[j306c954]

Thank you so much. That was actually super helpful! But ya my GPA is 3.9, graduated with honors in my department as well as in the top 10% of my school, completed a thesis (so tons of research experience), have around 1000 hours put in as a volunteer crisis counselor at the NSPL, hospital volunteering, shadow experience, extracurriculars, strong letters of rec (one even from the head of the neuro imaging department of the school I'm trying to go to), etc...just the damn MCAT standing in my way!

I was hoping to take it July 17th and at least score average (I have a couple friend that got in with less other stuff on their app and only an average MCAT through EDP). But perhaps the best decision would be to wait I feel like I would be taking it so late though...but as log as I have my primary and secondary in super early it shouldn't matter, right?

 

[efle]

Thank you so much. That was actually super helpful! But ya my GPA is 3.9, graduated with honors in my department as well as in the top 10% of my school, completed a thesis (so tons of research experience), have around 1000 hours put in as a volunteer crisis counselor at the NSPL, hospital volunteering, shadow experience, extracurriculars, strong letters of rec (one even from the head of the neuro imaging department of the school I'm trying to go to), etc...just the damn MCAT standing in my way!

I was hoping to take it July 17th and at least score average (I have a couple friend that got in with less other stuff on their app and only an average MCAT through EDP). But perhaps the best decision would be to wait I feel like I would be taking it so late though...but as log as I have my primary and secondary in super early it shouldn't matter, right?

I will never understand how people can make top of their class and ace the prereqs and then do poorly on the MCAT. If you have the organization, drive and ability to get honors at a university why the hell is a five hour long shallow review of your prereqs a real barrier?? Not trying to criticize, just curious, I always thought the people with ~4.0 and 2x MCAT were like community college/online type classes that didn't give anything resembling a rigorous education, but at a university wtf?

 

[QiasTheKid]

I am just wondering how much a difference it really makes regarding chances of being accepted (in-state) when applying early decision vs. regular decision.

I want to apply early decision, but I need to retake the MCAT and my program is designed for an August test date (and July 17 is the last accepted test date for EDP). My tutor strongly suggests not rushing the program. But on the other hand, I only need about an average score to get accepted as the rest of my application is very strong (not just my own opinion, but spoke with an admissions officer).

I was thinking applying ED to my State school that accepts about a good 40% of applicants, and was told by adcoms, well, you'd find out on Oct 1st, which is like 2 weeks before everyone that applies regular decision, so do that haha.

I don't know why they have EDP's.

 

[efle]

I was thinking applying ED to my State school that accepts about a good 40% of applicants, and was told by adcoms, well, you'd find out on Oct 1st, which is like 2 weeks before everyone that applies regular decision, so do that haha.

I don't know why they have EDP's.

The ED's are very self-selecting applicants though. It's not like college where going ED is a way to boost acceptance chances by promising them you'd help protect their yield. It's intended only for people who HAVE to go there for some reason, and it really ****s up the app cycle if you don't get accepted there by suddenly making you an incredibly late applicant to all other schools.

 

[DokterMom]

I will never understand how people can make top of their class and ace the prereqs and then do poorly on the MCAT. If you have the organization, drive and ability to get honors at a university why the hell is a five hour long shallow review of your prereqs a real barrier?? Not trying to criticize, just curious, I always thought the people with ~4.0 and 2x MCAT were like community college/online type classes that didn't give anything resembling a rigorous education, but at a university wtf?

With all due respect, some very intelligent people are just not good standardized test takers. In the two cases I'm most familiar with, the students over-analyzed the questions and missed subtle verbal cues in the way the questions were worded. There is also some test-anxiety for one, and ADHD for the other. On the other hand, some people are just naturally good at choosing the correct multiple-choice answer on standardized tests by being able to put together the smallest verbal clues to easily eliminate answers where the 'verb tense' or tone of the answer seems inappropriate -- even where one knows nothing of the subject matter. (Fortunately for me, I'm one of those.)

 

[DokterMom]

I'd suggest you only apply ED if your application is so strong that their response is almost certainly "Yeah - We've got to lock down this guy before someone else offers him a scholarship." Otherwise, you put yourself at a huge disadvantage for 'Plan B'.

You said 'retake the MCAT' so presumably, you've taken it before and didn't do well. So your target school's AdCom is unlikely to have that "Lock this guy down!" reaction based on the information they currently have. After they get your new MCAT, things might change, of course --

But consider the impact of a 'merely average' MCAT on top of the 'not good enough' MCAT you already have. One good score on top of a not-so-good score is not the end of the world. But an 'Only Average' score on top of a not-so-good score is much less competitive. And a third MCAT, even if it's terrific, says "This guy doesn't really have it all together or it wouldn't have taken three tries to get a good score."

See how your practice scores evolve, but above all, don't take the MCAT until you're consistently scoring in a range you're happy with.

 

[efle]

@DokterMom hes already taken it twice, getting horrible followed by poor scores, according to another if his threads.

Aren't all the things you named (ADHD, test anxiety, struggling with standard test format) a barrier to a ~4.0 in university especially prereqs? thats why its surprising, because only this test on familiar.topics causes problems, not because some people are bad at tests.

 

[DokterMom]

@DokterMom hes already taken it twice, getting horrible followed by poor scores, according to another if his threads.

Aren't all the things you named (ADHD, test anxiety, struggling with standard test format) a barrier to a ~4.0 in university especially prereqs? thats why its surprising, because only this test on familiar.topics causes problems, not because some people are bad at tests.

Ouch! For a third try, definitely give yourself every advantage you can, OP --

And for the ADHD and test anxiety being a barrier to 4.0 -- Well possibly, but one that must have been easier to overcome.

 

[j306c954]

I will never understand how people can make top of their class and ace the prereqs and then do poorly on the MCAT. If you have the organization, drive and ability to get honors at a university why the hell is a five hour long shallow review of your prereqs a real barrier?? Not trying to criticize, just curious, I always thought the people with ~4.0 and 2x MCAT were like community college/online type classes that didn't give anything resembling a rigorous education, but at a university wtf?

...sorry, but have you taken the MCAT? GPA and MCAT score discrepancies are extremely common. It's not like any test you have taken in college, it is a whole different ball game. Standardized testing and college coursework are different. Also, it is now 6 hours of testing time. Seems to me as if you have not attempted the MCAT yet. I was overconfident because of how well I have always done academically. Needless to say, I was humbled fast.

 

[j306c954]

With all due respect, some very intelligent people are just not good standardized test takers. In the two cases I'm most familiar with, the students over-analyzed the questions and missed subtle verbal cues in the way the questions were worded. There is also some test-anxiety for one, and ADHD for the other. On the other hand, some people are just naturally good at choosing the correct multiple-choice answer on standardized tests by being able to put together the smallest verbal clues to easily eliminate answers where the 'verb tense' or tone of the answer seems inappropriate -- even where one knows nothing of the subject matter. (Fortunately for me, I'm one of those.)

Well said 🙂

 

[j306c954]

I certainly have to strongly concur with the above. For ED to be really a viable option, I look for three things.

1) A solid to outstanding candidate in all areas
2) strong family/geographic ties to area or strong proof of motivation for that particular school
3) strong reason for the school to want you

What I mean by #2 is, for example, you have worked in a rural health setting and/or from a rural area ad want to go into rural medicine.
Matching that to #3, the school has a strong department or program in rural health.

And you really put yourself at a competitive disadvantage if you apply to ED and dont get in

Thanks! I had the wrong impression before that applying early decision for medical school was analogous to applying early decision for undergrad (increases your chances of acceptance). I am going to submit my primary application as soon as I can (and secondary), and postpone the MCAT in order to give me adequate time to complete the program I am in and hopefully ensure a better score.

 

[efle]

...sorry, but have you taken the MCAT? GPA and MCAT score discrepancies are extremely common. It's not like any test you have taken in college, it is a whole different ball game. Standardized testing and college coursework are different. Also, it is now 6 hours of testing time. Seems to me as if you have not attempted the MCAT yet. I was overconfident because of how well I have always done academically. Needless to say, I was humbled fast.

I have, 40+. Did your prereqs not cover almost identical material and also involve stressful tough exams?

 

[HCHopeful]

My classes at my college covered all of the material needed for the MCAT, but the exams were no more than rote memorization. I believe this didn't help my MCAT score at all and received a 27 on my first attempt. I then took 17 practice tests before my 2nd attempt and scored a 31. While it's not amazing, it goes to show that familiarity with a test style and how you handle pressure is huge.

Some colleges stress test taking and give exams that require more than rote memorization. I believe those people to be at an advantage on the MCAT.

 

[efle]

the exams were no more than rote memorization

What! How would you even write a physics or chemistry exam that was pure rote memorization? Bio I've seen get pretty mem-heavy but for the others you've got to apply and manipulate equations for almost every type of problem

 

[trino]

What! How would you even write a physics or chemistry exam that was pure rote memorization? Bio I've seen get pretty mem-heavy but for the others you've got to apply and manipulate equations for almost every type of problem

It's pretty easy. Just get a professor who doesn't have any interest in writing hard tests

 

[HCHopeful]

What! How would you even write a physics or chemistry exam that was pure rote memorization? Bio I've seen get pretty mem-heavy but for the others you've got to apply and manipulate equations for almost every type of problem

Well, the Physics I guess wasn't "rote memorization," but they were story problems that weren't hard if you knew the material. I suppose chemistry was much the same. But Organic and Bio have definitely all been rote memorization. And manipulating equations, to me, seems simply like memorizing how to do something and then just applying it.

 

[j306c954]

What! How would you even write a physics or chemistry exam that was pure rote memorization? Bio I've seen get pretty mem-heavy but for the others you've got to apply and manipulate equations for almost every type of problem

On pretty much all those exams (for me, at least) there was more than a minute to complete each question, and for me timing is the biggest issue on the MCAT. For example, for math, I liked to write out all steps neatly and cleanly to ensure I got the correct answer. But the MCAT doesn't allow time for that.