How much of a benefit is applying early?

[mitch8017]

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Generally speaking, what is considered an early application (before about what date) and what would be late (after about what date). Additionally, how much of a benefit or hindrance is placed on applying at different stages? I know people who didn't finish applying until the end of October and were able to get into medical school, but a lot of people say it is very advantageous to get the ball rolling right when things open in June. Is there a real significant benefit over taking an extra month to prep for the MCAT, getting some more ECs in, or general application "enhancers" like that?

 

[Oso]

Is there a real significant benefit over taking an extra month to prep for the MCAT, getting some more ECs in, or general application "enhancers" like that?

No. Apply early. Rolling admissions, yo.

Generally speaking, what is considered an early application (before about what date) and what would be late (after about what date).

Apply soon after applications open (unless you're really not ready for MCAT).

Additionally, how much of a benefit or hindrance is placed on applying at different stages?

I never understand subjective questions like this that try to quantify stuff. My answer is going to be "7".

 

[Kingsmen2018]

Of high importance

 

[Gobears9]

I can only speak from my own experience, but I believe it made a huge difference to have my application in early. I am ORM, with a LizzyM of ~71.

During the 2016-2017 cycle I submitted my primary application 7/2/16, but took my MCAT on 8/25/16 so I believe my application was delayed significantly due to the late MCAT. I applied to 20+ schools and didn't get a single interview invite.

This cycle (2017-2018) I had virtually the same application and applied to almost the same exact 20+ schools but submitted my primary on 6/1/17. I've gotten 6 II, 4 A, and 1 WL.

I would do everything in my power to submit as close to June 1 as possible if I were you. I don't regret taking my MCAT so late the first cycle because I needed that extra time to study and I did well because of it. If you are in a similar situation as I was and your application will be significantly enhanced by delaying then it may be worth it, but if you have everything you need to apply then submit that sucker ASAP!

 

[MareNostrummm]

Massive advantage to applying day 1.

 

[Cyphix]

It's important. Apply as early as possible.

 

[Dr. Stalker]

It depends on your stats. Yes, in general, being complete/done early is far better than later. BUT, do not assume simply because you applied day 1 with a lackluster application, a medical school will interview you solely because you are early. I'm speaking from my own past experiences here. I was complete June 1, done with secondaries by mid july/early august my first application cycle. I had a very poor MCAT score, but I thought since I was "early" I'll get reviewed and interviewed early. Medical schools have an overflow of top-tier applicants and will gladly not interview someone complete on July 15 and wait for a far more competitive application to come along later on. Medical schools categorize applications and review them on their own schedule. If a student with a 499 MCAT, 2.1 GPA applies early, they will mark him/her complete, 100%. They'll then categorize it into wherever they see fit and review it at that according time. This is why sometimes users on SDN will say "I was complete in July but got an interview invite in March." The time line discrepancy is real.

Now, if you have top numbers and a strong application, apply ASAP. You'll be among the cream of the crop to be selected for an interview early, and if you sit and wait on it, you're selling yourself short. A friend of mine with a 514 MCAT, 3.7+ GPA, and well-rounded application is now in the Caribbean because she applied far too late and all the schools were done. Don't be like her!

 

[DubbiDoctor]

I think the fact that I wasn't complete at most school until mid-September partially explains why I got fewer interviews than my stats (LM = 72) would have predicted. When you apply early, schools have plenty of interviews to give out to the relatively few applicants that they are considering. When you apply late, schools have fewer interviews that they can give out and far more applicants that they are considering. Unless you stand out, you can be a strong-on-paper applicant who gets ignored by ADCOMs.

 

[Dr. Meliodas]

IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT!!

Applying to medical school is a numbers game. There are so many qualified applicants and only so few spots. From what I have heard many schools are slightly less stringent at the beginning of the cycle when sending interviews because they have so many spots. Towards the end each interview spot becomes more precious and they are more critical of those that apply later.

Just think about it if you submit your application in September. Your app will most likely not even be seen at least for a months sometimes two months and by that time it is November and many schools have filled over half of their spots. So you will be competing with still very qualified applicants for the remaining few spots.

 

[mitch8017]

Thank you everyone for your replies. I will certainly do everything I can to be an early applicant, but I am looking at not getting a score back until mid June. Can I send in my app right away for verification purposes (maybe just add one throw away school) and then wait until I get my score to push the whole thing through? And after about when would you consider someone "late" to the point it is a harm to their chances? July? August?

 

[Dr. Meliodas]

Thank you everyone for your replies. I will certainly do everything I can to be an early applicant, but I am looking at not getting a score back until mid June. Can I send in my app right away for verification purposes (maybe just add one throw away school) and then wait until I get my score to push the whole thing through? And after about when would you consider someone "late" to the point it is a harm to their chances? July? August?

YES!

You can submit your AMCAS without having your MCAT score that way your app if verified. Schools start sending out secondaries once your app is verified. As long as you MCAT comes in by the time you submit your secondary your app will be considered complete and ready for review.

 

[LavarBall]

Thank you everyone for your replies. I will certainly do everything I can to be an early applicant, but I am looking at not getting a score back until mid June. Can I send in my app right away for verification purposes (maybe just add one throw away school) and then wait until I get my score to push the whole thing through? And after about when would you consider someone "late" to the point it is a harm to their chances? July? August?

I think being complete in September is the point of harming your chances. July and early August is just fine. You’d have to submit primary in June and prewrite secondaries whole you wait for verification. Ideally you want to take your MCAT (but not necessarily have the score) before you submit your primary so you can completely focus on writing excellent secondaries

 

[Rooster Booster]

Thank you everyone for your replies. I will certainly do everything I can to be an early applicant, but I am looking at not getting a score back until mid June. Can I send in my app right away for verification purposes (maybe just add one throw away school) and then wait until I get my score to push the whole thing through? And after about when would you consider someone "late" to the point it is a harm to their chances? July? August?

Note that AMCAS usually crashes on day 1 - you have been warned!!! But definitely get your application in that first batch/wave 🙂

 

[SangriaSalsa]

Anything that gives you an advantage is worth doing, including applying early

 

[boogiecousins94]

I was 100% complete everywhere between July 20 and August 15. My GPA/MCAT is whack at a 3.3 (huge upward trend) and 515.

I got one II in November and the other 2 I got in FEBRUARY.

Apply early- I would not risk waiting a month or two to apply if you dont have a specific reason to wait. Why wouldn't you want to maximize your chances?

 

[PhilzCoffeeAddict]

I believe I would have gotten 1-3 more interviews and my other interviews much earlier. Listen to everyone's emphasis on APPLYING AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE! I submitted primaries June 25th. I should have put it in June 1st.

 

[Dr. Meliodas]

You can submit your AMCAS without having your MCAT score that way your app if verified. Schools start sending out secondaries once your app is verified. As long as you MCAT comes in by the time you submit your secondary your app will be considered complete and ready for review.

And this strategy is flawed:
1) you need a solid MCAT score in order to gain acceptance, therefore near 100% of time, energy and focus should be on MCAT prep
2) you need a highly polished and well written AMCAS in order to gain acceptance, therefore 100% of time, energy and focus on AMCAS
3) Trying to complete the AMCAS while also prepping for the MCAT splits your focus with overlapping priorities and where applicants fall down in this regard.

Fair points. So in your opinion what is the latest possible day one could take the MCAT and still have enough time to properly prepare the AMCAS?

 

[Coltuna]

It is immensely important ASSUMING YOU ARE NOT RUSHING ANY PART OF YOUR APPLICATION. That includes just throwing together a personal statement, rushing MCAT studying/testing, not checking over your application for formatting/spelling/grammar.

 

[Dr. Meliodas]

see my previous post. You dont view things from the latest possible but what is the earliest optimal. And that would be completed with MCAT by early May. And applicants say they dont have time to do that, I ask who is holding a gun to your head demanding that you apply this cycle? the majority of successful applicants took a gap year

"Latest possible" and "earliest optimal" in the way you used it seem to be the same thing (at least to me). The true "earliest optimal" in my opinion is to have the MCAT done with the year before applying so you don't have to worry about it at all the year you are applying and you can solely focus on AMCAS and pre-writing secondaries.

I completely agree many premeds are in a rush to get everything in so they can start medical school right after graduation instead of when their app is at its strongest. Many (not all) dread the idea of actually having to get a job and pay their own bills.

 

[Dr. Meliodas]

No, its not, its the attitude that premeds (and undergraduates ) think about this process.
"When is the latest date that I can get this in?" is different than "What is the timeline that optimizes my chances?"
In other words, dont think in term of when this when is it due but rather when is it best

I see what you mean. Thanks for clarifying.

 

[mariposas905]

I can only speak from my own experience, but I believe it made a huge difference to have my application in early. I am ORM, with a LizzyM of ~71.

During the 2016-2017 cycle I submitted my primary application 7/2/16, but took my MCAT on 8/25/16 so I believe my application was delayed significantly due to the late MCAT. I applied to 20+ schools and didn't get a single interview invite.

This cycle (2017-2018) I had virtually the same application and applied to almost the same exact 20+ schools but submitted my primary on 6/1/17. I've gotten 6 II, 3 A, and 2 WL.

I would do everything in my power to submit as close to June 1 as possible if I were you. I don't regret taking my MCAT so late the first cycle because I needed that extra time to study and I did well because of it. If you are in a similar situation as I was and your application will be significantly enhanced by delaying then it may be worth it, but if you have everything you need to apply then submit that sucker ASAP!

When were you complete at schools during the 2016-17 cycle? Did you prewrite secondaries?

 

[Gobears9]

When were you complete at schools during the 2016-17 cycle? Did you prewrite secondaries?

I was complete 7/29/2016 and I did not prewrite my secondaries

 

[mariposas905]

I was complete 7/29/2016 and I did not prewrite my secondaries

Wait, I'm confused. How were you complete at schools in July if your MCAT was in August? I meant the school complete date lol not AMCAS...when were you complete at individual schools - MCAT, LORs, secondary, etc all in?

 

[Gobears9]

Wait, I'm confused. How were you complete at schools in July if your MCAT was in August? I meant the school complete date lol not AMCAS...when were you complete at individual schools - MCAT, LORs, secondary, etc all in?

I completed all of my secondaries within two of receiving the invitations, and all of my secondaries were submitted before I took my MCAT in August. What is not clear to me is when individual schools decided to review my application but I suspect it was at the earliest late September, when my MCAT scores were released.