How Late is Too Late?

[RadioCure]

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I've been trying to schedule my committee interview for the past month, but I can't schedule until at least three of my LoRs are in. Of course, I've been sitting on two this entire time and the last two profs won't get a move on despite a careful amount of nagging.😡 The receptionist at the pre-professional office told me the interviews are booked up to nearly the end of July already, so I may not even get in until early August.

I know this depends on the school, but about how long does it take to get the committee letter sent in after the interview? I go to PSU if anyone has experience there. How late is too late in the app cycle that it hurts my chances? At what point should I just wait until next year to apply? I have a 3.78 and expect 30-33 on the MCAT.

 

[longhorn09]

Anything before the dealine is not too late.

 

[runawayclock]

Anything before the dealine is not too late.

Most of the posts on SDN would indicate that this is NOT true. Early as possible is obviously best but you want your app in well before the deadline (learned it the hard way!). I'm pretty sure a lot/most of schools won't start reviewing your file until your application is complete. This is probably less of an issue with non-rolling schools, but they still give out interviews on a rolling basis.

 

[anna01106]

maybe, if you haven't already, you could note to your profs that their letters aren't just going to AMCAS, but they are needed for you to sit on your committee interview and without the composite letter, you would not be in a good position for med school apps. maybe they're unaware that you need three just to schedule your interview???

it seems like your school is quite busy with the committe interviews. i think that if one person is writing all the composite letters, you are going to be waiting a while for the letter to get to AMCAS. i didn't go to PSU, but i sat on my committee in early july and at my school only one person (my advisor) was writing composite letters. she submitted it to AMCAS in early september which made me a little late (a LOT late for SDN standards). i had submitted everything by july and figured that if i was waiting for my committee letter, i could take the mcat later too

in any case, best of luck, i hope you get that interview scheduled soon!!

 

[RadioCure]

I would say there is probably more than one person writing the letters, but you raise the point that I need to figure out how long after my interview I can expect my letter to be done. I wish I knew more graduating pre-meds from my school!