Is it bad to submit primary without an MCAT?

[ILOVEMED123]

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Also, are there schools that will send you a secondary without the MCAT score?

 

[2Pints]

Not in my experience. When do you plan on taking your MCAT?

 

[ILOVEMED123]

h

 

[2Pints]

I wouldn't apply this cycle. I submitted my primary application in June and then took my test Aug 15th. I prepped as many secondaries as I could before my score was released so I could submit ASAP but there were a few schools I didn't hear back from for interviews and my MCAT was above their average. The rest of my application was solid, so while I ended up getting in somewhere thank goodness, my chances were hurt by applying so late.

 

[ILOVEMED123]

So it is considered applying late even though u submitted your primary in June?
And your saying u heard back from schools for secondaries, (after you updated them w an MCAT score) but then you never got an interview? U think its for sure because u took ur MCAT later?

 

[2Pints]

I think for most schools you automatically get secondaries unless your score/GPA is below what they will even consider. And yes, I'm pretty positive it was because I took my MCAT later. Some of the places I didn't get interviews to were a few schools where they accepted people with lower scores. My PS was killer and I have 1000s of clinical hours, plus a significant amount of research and volunteering. Even though I got into the state school I really wanted, if I could do everything over again, I would not have worked so much while studying and would have taken the MCAT before or at the very beginning of the application cycle. I signed up for August based off bad advice from an MCAT tutor and found SDN only after the fact. The tutor told me by submitting my primary in June it would act as a 'placeholder' of some sort but that might have just been BS. From what I can tell your application simply isn't complete until schools get that score. And think about it, schools will have already reviewed a ton of applications (with secondaries) before you even take your MCAT. Actually, people will already start receiving interview invites and even interviewing by then.

 

[ILOVEMED123]

k

 

[2Pints]

It sounds like you already made up your mind...so I'm not really sure why you posted.

 

[mcatjelly]

Taking your MCAT in September is EXTREMELY late in the cycle. Your application won't be complete and thus looked at until October, and by that time people are already interviewing. Yes, of course there's still a chance you'll be admitted, but it's a very, very small chance--and what if your MCAT score isn't what you want it to be? Then you'll likely be a reapplicant for next cycle which puts you at a slight disadvantage.

Do what you want, but this isn't a smart decision.

 

[candbgirl]

Not only are they interviewing in October but schools are issuing acceptances too. OP has obviously made up his mind so I'm not even sure why the thread was started. But understand and accept by doing this you just might be a reapplicant and nobody wants to be that when it can be avoided.

 

[Goro]

Your app will not get looked at unless it's complete.

It's a good idea to apply to one "throwaway school" to at least get the verification process out of the way.

Also, are there schools that will send you a secondary without the MCAT score?

 

[italiancowgirl]

I applied that late and got accepted to my 1st choice, but everyone and every app is different. Evaluate your scores, the schools and your plans for the next few years. If you have to try now you run the risk of not getting a shot at some of the top programs because (as @Goro said) your app will not be looked at until it is complete (w/ MCAT).

 

[NeuResurgens]

Don't apply this cycle if you're not taking the MCAT till September. Unless you get a ridiculous score, your chances will probably be slim. You can submit primaries without an MCAT score, but this is usually done if you get your scores back by July or maybe August. If you take the MCAT in September you probably won't get scores until October, by which time it is extremely late in the cycle.

 

[ILOVEMED123]

Am I considered a re-applicant to every school if I only choose one school and do not get in to that one school?

 

[mcatjelly]

Am I considered a re-applicant to every school if I only choose one school and do not get in to that one school?

Nope.

 

[ILOVEMED123]

I'm not sure I understand how it works.
So a re-applicant is only something that is specific to each school?

 

[mcatjelly]

I'm not sure I understand how it works.
So a re-applicant is only something that is specific to each school?

Correct. You will be considered an applicant (and thus reapplicant) to every school you send a primary to.

 

[GypsyHummus]

Your app will not get looked at unless it's complete.

It's a good idea to apply to one "throwaway school" to at least get the verification process out of the way.

When is still considered "Early" for getting complete at a school?

 

[Goro]

June/July by my book. Your mileage may vary.

When is still considered "Early" for getting complete at a school?

 

[GypsyHummus]

June/July by my book. Your mileage may vary.

On that same note, when would "Late" be, November/December?

I ask because I am taking the new mcat June but don't think I'll be ready, so Im pushing to July. That would put me at August by getting complete at places. Would that still be considered at least "On Time"?

 

[candbgirl]

August should be fine. Have your secondaries all pre-written and you'll be able to have a very quick turn around once you get the secondaries from the schools. OP on the other hand won't be complete until sometime in October(2 months after you). Good luck!
Smart not to take the MCAT until you feel ready.