Few Questions About Upcoming 2012 Application Cycle

[minusthebear924]

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When is the best time to start my application for the 2012 application cycle? Additionally, by when, in terms of giving myself the best chance for acceptance, should I take and submit my MCAT?

I'm new to the process, so I really do appreciate any words of wisdom/advice from people who are either going through the process or those who have already gone through it.

Cheers,

 

[avion321]

The best time to start your application is the first day it opens (probably around May 1st 2011, and being able to submit it around June 1st). As for the MCAT, you will need to have your scores sent in to AACOMAS. If you want your application ready to go by June 1st, give them a couple weeks to process it once your scores are sent. So to get your scores by mid May, you are probably looking at taking them in mid April if possible. If you do not want to or cannot take them that early, than I would take them at your earliest preference. The earlier you can get you application in the better.

Best of luck

 

[GraceEuphoria]

When is the best time to start my application for the 2012 application cycle? Additionally, by when, in terms of giving myself the best chance for acceptance, should I take and submit my MCAT?

I'm new to the process, so I really do appreciate any words of wisdom/advice from people who are either going through the process or those who have already gone through it.

Cheers,

I took my MCAT in early May and I applied that next summer. If you are concerned about your performance on the exam and have enough time to prepare before then, I would recommend the January MCAT. You get it over with at the beginning of a semester (if you are in school and that's relevant) and then if you end up wanting to retake it, you have to time to prepare more and take it in May. I wouldn't recommend retaking in August if you don't have to, but you definitely can without ruining your chances. I haven't taken it since 2008- are they offering more tests now that give you some more flexibility?

The best time to start your application is the first day it opens (probably around May 1st 2011, and being able to submit it around June 1st). As for the MCAT, you will need to have your scores sent in to AACOMAS. If you want your application ready to go by June 1st, give them a couple weeks to process it once your scores are sent. So to get your scores by mid May, you are probably looking at taking them in mid April if possible. If you do not want to or cannot take them that early, than I would take them at your earliest preference. The earlier you can get you application in the better.

Best of luck

I definitely agree with getting your application in as early as possible- there is a reason there's an advantage. I guess I would just add to this that you obviously don't want to sacrifice any quality of your application by rushing yourself. Some students get so rushed to submit that they skimp on the quality of their personal statement, which honestly REALLY plays a big role in scoring DO interviews in my opinion. I think I had my primary submitted by late July and was complete with secondaries by the end of the August, but it might have even been on into Sept. You want to hurry, but remember, an extra week shouldn't kill your chances. Good luck!