How much of a Buffer does Applying early give you?

[newenglandlobster508]

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Pretty much the title of the thread? How much of a Buffer does Applying early give you?

I am planning on submitting my application tonight. Applying to all DO programs.
Someone mentioned new schools opening in Texas, Arkansas, and 1 other location.

Cant find Texas on AACOMAS application, anyone else have this issue

anyway back to the original question, stats are 3.3 cgpa, 3.0 science, 26 mcat. Working on about 3 new science courses expecting A's by June.

 

[Scrubs101]

Someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that Texas has their own separate application for MD/DO/DDS/? In their state. And I believe(not sure, but you can probably find it on here) that they all usually have a heavy instate bias

And regarding the buffer from what I've read, you won't technically be advantaged against superior candidates applying in August/sept/oct. But you atleast won't be at a disadvantage. That's at least how I understand it. People with superior stats can get offers much later in the cycle.

EDIT: Sorry if that doesn't make much sense, what I'm trying to say is applying earlier could get you an interview earlier/acceptance slot earlier so you don't face the whole competition of applicants. But if you get put on hold/don't hear a response for a bit you end up being compared against a lot more people. But you don't get +1 to your app for sending it in June 1st.


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[mathnerd88]

Someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that Texas has their own separate application for MD/DO/DDS/? In their state. And I believe(not sure, but you can probably find it on here) that they all usually have a heavy instate bias

And regarding the buffer from what I've read, you won't technically be advantaged against superior candidates applying in August/sept/oct. But you atleast won't be at a disadvantage. That's at least how I understand it. People with superior stats can get offers much later in the cycle.

EDIT: Sorry if that doesn't make much sense, what I'm trying to say is applying earlier could get you an interview earlier/acceptance slot earlier so you don't face the whole competition of applicants. But if you get put on hold/don't hear a response for a bit you end up being compared against a lot more people. But you don't get +1 to your app for sending it in June 1st.


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Completely agree. You won't be at a disadvantage by applying early, but it won't make up for poor stats.

 

[DetectiveAlonzo]

Applying earlier helps A LOT. Your app gets processed much faster and schools can see your app much sooner which can be evaluated and you may end up getting your first interview within July if all else falls into place.

All of the students who get rejected from MDs start applying around September-December to DO, claiming that they "understand the philosophy and just want to be a doctor". They have solid stats too... but most of them are lacking a DO lor which is why schools know what they are dealing with when it comes to that time of the app cycle.

Not saying this is the case for EVERYBODY who applies MD... but many of them are not willing to apply right away...whether it be to the issue of the initials... or maybe they want to spend another year doing post-bacc or fixing their app... or if they REALLY REALLY want those MD initials are would rather head straight to the Caribbean (which is a really really realllllllyyyyy terrible option) .... or whatever the case may be.

But yeah.. it's best to beat the rush and apply early. It will help A LOT. The pool of high GPA and high MCAT scores isn't at it's peak yet.

 

[Dr Tony T. Chopper]

Pretty much the title of the thread? How much of a Buffer does Applying early give you?

I am planning on submitting my application tonight. Applying to all DO programs.
Someone mentioned new schools opening in Texas, Arkansas, and 1 other location.

Cant find Texas on AACOMAS application, anyone else have this issue

anyway back to the original question, stats are 3.3 cgpa, 3.0 science, 26 mcat. Working on about 3 new science courses expecting A's by June.

Apply only when your application is ready to the best of your abilities. Don't rush it just because you need to throw it out asap.

 

[mathnerd88]

Applying earlier helps A LOT. Your app gets processed much faster and schools can see your app much sooner which can be evaluated and you may end up getting your first interview within July if all else falls into place.

All of the students who get rejected from MDs start applying around September-December to DO, claiming that they "understand the philosophy and just want to be a doctor". They have solid stats too... but most of them are lacking a DO lor which is why schools know what they are dealing with when it comes to that time of the app cycle.

Not saying this is the case for EVERYBODY who applies MD... but many of them are not willing to apply right away...whether it be to the issue of the initials... or maybe they want to spend another year doing post-bacc or fixing their app... or if they REALLY REALLY want those MD initials are would rather head straight to the Caribbean (which is a really really realllllllyyyyy terrible option) .... or whatever the case may be.

But yeah.. it's best to beat the rush and apply early. It will help A LOT. The pool of high GPA and high MCAT scores isn't at it's peak yet.

Only apply early if you have the stats that are good enough (or near good enough.) Applying early with poor stats won't help you.

 

[popopopop]

Texas uses TMSDAS and heavily favors in-state applicants by state laws, something like 90% in-state or so. TCOM in Texas is the only DO school for now.

 

[Espressso]

I thought the earliest you can submit AACOMAS is the first week of June?

 

[DrMikeP]

Some schools tighten cutoff scores in August/Sept as they use early applicants to see what this year looks like for scores. Every year it seems like scores go up. My university does this as they get 10000 plus applicant now, with the majority coming in Aug/Sept. It's impossible to manual sort through all of those. If you have an avg to low avg application it definitely helps to apply early and broadly but it won't erase a low gpa/mcat or other problem.

 

[jwilliams1993]

I suggest applying as early as your application and wallet will allow. No, you probably won't get in before all the 518 3.9 people, but you'll be beating out all the people with your scores and below to the finish line.

 

[mathnerd88]

I thought the earliest you can submit AACOMAS is the first week of June?

You can submit AACOMAS as soon as it is opened. Data won't be transmitted to medical schools until last week of June.

 

[newenglandlobster508]

You can submit AACOMAS as soon as it is opened. Data won't be transmitted to medical schools until last week of June.

Nevertheless will apply by tomorrow, Im applying to all 30 schools to it took a while for section 4.

I spent a semester at SGU before deciding to pursue a DO path in September and didnt submit my app last year till Oct 2nd.

 

[DetectiveAlonzo]

Nevertheless will apply by tomorrow, Im applying to all 30 schools to it took a while for section 4.

I spent a semester at SGU before deciding to pursue a DO path in September and didnt submit my app last year till Oct 2nd.

You went to the Carib first???? Damn man... how was that and what made you wanna switch back to DO if you don't mind me asking? Why not pursue the DO route in the first place? You can PM if you'd like man. I have some genuine questions and would love your feedback. Thanks!

 

[KDoc2020]

Apply only when your application is ready to the best of your abilities. Don't rush it just because you need to throw it out asap.

Agree totally on the point about readiness of an app. I had a really cool patient volunteer opportunity and loved my supervisor but I only started in March of last year right before my app cycle. I put off clicking send on my primary till later in the summer to get an amazing LOR which I wanted since the experience meant a lot to me and I wrote about it in my PS. Granted my stats were really good so I had a lot of confidence about my chances but still, you never just want to slap together an App to put it out there. That's a good way to earn a forced extra year off of school.


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[Goro]

100% agree. Your file will go low into the pile, until those new grades come in, which will move you higher in the pile.

Completely agree. You won't be at a disadvantage by applying early, but it won't make up for poor stats.