Is Applying Late in the Cycle a Big Disadvantage (even for non-rolling schools)?

[NNukibw77]

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I've heard a lot about this from different sources. People tell me that it shouldn't matter if you are a strong enough applicant. But my question remains. Aren't there tons of strong applicants? So ADCOMs may have already invited to interview their quota of me-type applicants?

Lets just assume I am a "perfect" applicant, although a white male (disclaimer: this is for the question's purposes, so lets not turn this thread into a flaming battle about their being no perfect applicant blah blah).

So again, does applying late (secondary's submitted after September) hurt a strong applicant?

 

[TaylorMDhopeful]

I've heard a lot about this from different sources. People tell me that it shouldn't matter if you are a strong enough applicant. But my question remains. Aren't there tons of strong applicants? So ADCOMs may have already invited to interview their quota of me-type applicants?

Lets just assume I am a "perfect" applicant, although a white male (disclaimer: this is for the question's purposes, so lets not turn this thread into a flaming battle about their being no perfect applicant blah blah).

So again, does applying late (secondary's submitted after September) hurt a strong applicant?

It does matter even if you are strong applicant. There are, like you said, tons of strong applicants. For certain schools, the interview slots are minimal (less than 1000). While getting your secondary in after September may not take you out of the running for interview slots because most schools grant interviews into the new year, it would be best to have everything in as early as possible. For rolling it probably hurts much more than non-rolling if you send it in late. For non-rolling (a lot of the prestigious institutions) getting an interview may be harder later in the cycle as they usually have a set # they give out and only interview until a certain date. September secondaries submissions probably wouldn't disqualify you but you don't want to be that person who submitted late and missed an opportunity for an interview (early or late) at your top institutions.

 

[NNukibw77]

September secondaries submissions probably wouldn't disqualify you but you don't want to be that person who submitted late and missed an opportunity for an interview (early or late) at your top institutions.

I fear you are exactly right. Late MCAT, what was I to do. eh

 

[TheMightySmiter]

Uh, from your MDApps it looks like you have two acceptances already, OP...don't know why you're worrying! 🙂

 

[bravofleet4]

I suppose the question is why you decide to wait till September to submit? It depends on what it was for like to get in a publication or get more clinical hours in. It's a benefits VS costs scenario. I always assumed that not needing to apply early because you're a strong candidate just meant not in June but still somewhere between July and early September.

 

[NNukibw77]

I suppose the question is why you decide to wait till September to submit? It depends on what it was for like to get in a publication or get more clinical hours in. It's a benefits VS costs scenario. I always assumed that not needing to apply early because you're a strong candidate just meant not in June but still somewhere between July and early September.

I couldn't take my MCAT until end of August.

 

[halekulani]

I've heard a lot about this from different sources. People tell me that it shouldn't matter if you are a strong enough applicant.

write their names down into a list
remind yourself to never take advice from them ever again.

 

[NNukibw77]

write their names down into a list
remind yourself to never take advice from them ever again.

makes me think so highly of my pre-med committee.

 

[teenmachinery1]

makes me think so highly of my pre-med committee.

 

[halekulani]

ya, exactly.
i dont think highly of pre-med committees anyways

 

[LizzyM]

Your advisors will hold you up as someone who was successfully admitted to both an Ivy and a state university after taking the MCAT in August and submitting applications in early fall. On the other hand, had you taken the MCAT in April and done as well and submitted your application in June, you might have had a few more interviews and a few more accepatances. Measured by the outcome, you did fine. What could have been, we don't know.