I need advice on timing of application

[fastfingers]

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I'm hoping for some advice in terms of application timing.

I heard that it takes time to verify the application and this delays the process. With that in mind, how should I time when to submit an application and how should I do that?

I'm taking the MCAT on June 16th.

So far, I've filled out the beginning part of the application (all the background and inputted class). I haven't entered Extracurricular or written a personal statement though. Assuming I can finish the writing part of the essay and EC, should I submit my application to one school at least ASAP to start the verification process? Afterwards, can I just finetune my personal statement while I wait for it to verify? I don't mind wasting a tad bit of money on applying to a school I might not have too much interest in so I can make my application process faster.

I heard that applying early is very important. How should I go about this so I can apply as early as possible? I'm hoping to not work on my application until after June 16th so I can focus on the MCAT.

Any advice? Is there anything else on the app that takes a lot of time like transcript request or anything? I've really haven't done anything on the app except fill out background info and input in classes.

Advice would be great.

 

[mauberley]

I'm hoping for some advice in terms of application timing.

I heard that it takes time to verify the application and this delays the process. With that in mind, how should I time when to submit an application and how should I do that?

I'm taking the MCAT on June 16th.

So far, I've filled out the beginning part of the application (all the background and inputted class). I haven't entered Extracurricular or written a personal statement though. Assuming I can finish the writing part of the essay and EC, should I submit my application to one school at least ASAP to start the verification process? Afterwards, can I just finetune my personal statement while I wait for it to verify? I don't mind wasting a tad bit of money on applying to a school I might not have too much interest in so I can make my application process faster.

I heard that applying early is very important. How should I go about this so I can apply as early as possible? I'm hoping to not work on my application until after June 16th so I can focus on the MCAT.

Any advice? Is there anything else on the app that takes a lot of time like transcript request or anything? I've really haven't done anything on the app except fill out background info and input in classes.

Advice would be great.

You can't pipeline completion of your app. The ECs, coursework, and PS sections have to be completed before you submit. Before you get in line for verification, you have to have submitted AND AMCAS has to have received all supporting transcripts.

That having been said, entering coursework is pretty brainless. Get a copy of your transcript(s) and punch them in. Entering your biographical information is also trivial. Enter your institutions attended into AMCAS, get the transcript request forms, and get that to your school(s) ASAP. Entering in your ECs is less trivial, and your personal statement takes the most amount of time.

Note that you CANNOT submit until all of those are done.

 

[fastfingers]

well, what i'm trying to say is, can i go through the PS and EC with a less than perfect job (say it's completed, but it's not "perfect") and submit to only 1 school. and then while its in line for verification, I continue to work on PS so by the time it's verified, I can change my PS and finetune my EC to submit to other schools? or is it the case where once I submit my application, nothing can be changed.

also, from what i understand, the 2 things that take time is, requesting for transcript from school (from what i know, all i have to do is print those forms, mail to the schools and they will do the rest? do schools usualy require payment tho?), and the 2nd is waiting for mcat verification?

 

[macsta]

Your MCAT is in five days! JUST STUDY. Medical schools will not even review your application until after your scores have been released (~one month after your test day). Spending extra time studying over the next couple of days outweighs the benefits of sending your app. in today. Like mauberley said, during your MCAT study breaks try to make a dent in your app. by filling in some stuff.

 

[linusp]

well, what i'm trying to say is, can i go through the PS and EC with a less than perfect job (say it's completed, but it's not "perfect") and submit to only 1 school. and then while its in line for verification, I continue to work on PS so by the time it's verified, I can change my PS and finetune my EC to submit to other schools? or is it the case where once I submit my application, nothing can be changed.

also, from what i understand, the 2 things that take time is, requesting for transcript from school (from what i know, all i have to do is print those forms, mail to the schools and they will do the rest? do schools usualy require payment tho?), and the 2nd is waiting for mcat verification?

What I've bolded is correct. You can change some things (ie LOR entrys and some basic info), but your EC and PS cannot be modified after you've certified and hit submit.

You can, however, add more schools.

 

[mauberley]

well, what i'm trying to say is, can i go through the PS and EC with a less than perfect job (say it's completed, but it's not "perfect") and submit to only 1 school. and then while its in line for verification, I continue to work on PS so by the time it's verified, I can change my PS and finetune my EC to submit to other schools? or is it the case where once I submit my application, nothing can be changed.

also, from what i understand, the 2 things that take time is, requesting for transcript from school (from what i know, all i have to do is print those forms, mail to the schools and they will do the rest? do schools usualy require payment tho?), and the 2nd is waiting for mcat verification?

The bolded. I understood what you were trying to say the first time.

As far as what takes time, the transcript request can be done before you've submitted your application. I don't think schools charge current students for transcripts (if you've graduated, it's some trivial amount like $5 or something). After submission, if your transcripts have already arrived, then it takes time for your coursework to be verified.

Your MCAT score doesn't hold up the primary app, though it does hold up the secondary. The time taken for the MCAT score to be available is a known quantity, however (one month from test date).

 

[sector9]

well, what i'm trying to say is, can i go through the PS and EC with a less than perfect job (say it's completed, but it's not "perfect") and submit to only 1 school. and then while its in line for verification, I continue to work on PS so by the time it's verified, I can change my PS and finetune my EC to submit to other schools? or is it the case where once I submit my application, nothing can be changed.

also, from what i understand, the 2 things that take time is, requesting for transcript from school (from what i know, all i have to do is print those forms, mail to the schools and they will do the rest? do schools usualy require payment tho?), and the 2nd is waiting for mcat verification?

Did you read the instruction manual or FAQ? This is a terrible idea. You can't fine-tune anything after submission because you SUBMITTED.

Here's the list of things you can change
https://www.aamc.org/students/applying/amcas/faqs/147906/aftersub_shared_2.2.html

You should request your transcripts now. Schools require payment usually. There is absolutely nothing to do as far as verifying your MCAT once you get your score back. Since you're taking it June 16, you won't get your score for a month though. That delay has nothing to do with your application but rather your MCAT scoring

 

[fastfingers]

alright, thanks for all the advice.

One question, if lets say I have a paper published later in the summer. How can I convey that in my EC since my submitted is already finalized? Would my secondary apps ask me if anything has changed?

 

[sector9]

alright, thanks for all the advice.

One question, if lets say I have a paper published later in the summer. How can I convey that in my EC since my submitted is already finalized? Would my secondary apps ask me if anything has changed?

You can list it if the paper was accepted (not accepted pending revision). For publication date, you would list the accepted date, then state in the citation that it is "in press"

If it's not accepted, then you can only list it in your "research" entry.

Some secondaries will provide you with a field to provide information like this

 

[NickNaylor]

alright, thanks for all the advice.

One question, if lets say I have a paper published later in the summer. How can I convey that in my EC since my submitted is already finalized? Would my secondary apps ask me if anything has changed?

You'll more than likely have to discuss it in interviews or send an update letter.

 

[fastfingers]

hmm, do the schools not look at my application until the MCAT score is in?

So basically I can submit my application early, lets say June 20th, but until my MCAT scores are in (July 16th), schools won't look at my application anyways?

How long does it take to verify my application?

What i'm trying to figure out is what is the latest time I should finish my PS and everything and have it submitted so that I could apply as early as possible (with my MCAT test date being June 16th).

 

[NickNaylor]

I don't know of any schools that will review your application before your file is complete (including MCAT scores).

The time to get verified depends on when you submit, but it'll get much longer as the summer progresses. Even if you submit now you'll probably have to wait a couple of weeks at least; once you get into July it'll probably be several weeks. It's best so submit it as soon as possible.

 

[fastfingers]

oh wow. so the time to verify might actually take a long time than the time for my MCAT score to come out. From what you're saying, I should probably try to submit by like June 20th so that it would get verified by the time my MCAT score comes out July 16th.