Is it too late to apply this year?

[waterbuffalo]

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Guys, it seems like most of you SDNers have applied already, but is it too late to apply now (AMCAS - primary)?

Also, what do you all think the trend is for this year's applicants?

In my opinion, ti seems like the number of applicants have slowly increased each year, and it's getting tougher to get into medical school these days because the competition has gotten worse each year.

 

[Phoenix.]

Guys, it seems like most of you SDNers have applied already, but is it too late to apply now (AMCAS - primary)?

Also, what do you all think the trend is for this year's applicants?

In my opinion, ti seems like the number of applicants have slowly increased each year, and it's getting tougher to get into medical school these days because the competition has gotten worse each year.

It's absolutely positively not too late.

 

[Abilene85]

Get your primary in tomorrow and turn around secondaries ASAP. Doing that you will probably be middle of the pack. I turned secondaries in about 4 weeks before each school's deadline and was definitely a late applicant. My primary was submitted mid-August and 2nds mid Sept-early Nov.

 

[Husky85]

I applied at this time last year and I came out ok...BUTTTTTTT...

I would definately suggest waiting until next year and being at the beginning of the cycle. It'll give you the opportunity to put together a cool job, some more research and clinical experience, and do a better job on your primary and secondary essays. I'd start looking now at internship programs.

When I applied at this time last year, I was right at the back of the pack. Some people did apply later than me but they weren't even considered. I had a much more difficult time with the application process. Every school I interviewed at said "because you all applied so late, everyone interviewing today is competing for waitlist spots." Don't let this be you and just wait a year. You'll give yourself a much better chance applying next June after lining up a cool internship for the year off. 😎

 

[eddie13231]

The important thing is being COMPLETE at the schools. Yes if you turned your primary in a month ago but haven't turned in secondaries you won't be in the pile to sort through.

You need to have LOR's, primary, and secondaries at the schools in order to be in the pile to sort though.

 

[CTtarheel]

I applied at this time last year and I came out ok...BUTTTTTTT...

I would definately suggest waiting until next year and being at the beginning of the cycle. It'll give you the opportunity to put together a cool job, some more research and clinical experience, and do a better job on your primary and secondary essays. I'd start looking now at internship programs.

LIAR . . . you didn't apply until September.

If you hand in your AMCAS this week you'll be right in the middle of the pack. But if you're not ready to go and haven't started yet you won't be. You definitely want to have your AMCAS submitted before August.

 

[waterbuffalo]

Thanks for all of your wonderful insights. Husky85, is it true that you applied in September?? I wouldnt want to be misinformed..

 

[Law2Doc]

Guys, it seems like most of you SDNers have applied already, but is it too late to apply now (AMCAS - primary)?

Also, what do you all think the trend is for this year's applicants?

In my opinion, ti seems like the number of applicants have slowly increased each year, and it's getting tougher to get into medical school these days because the competition has gotten worse each year.

Agree with what the previous posters have said. But would caution that if you haven't started to ask for LORs it might be too late because the turn around on those tends to be excruciatingly slow.

 

[TheRealMD]

LORs are the slowest part of the application process. If you haven't asked up to now, I'm sorry to say that it's unlikely to happen this year. There are people who asked for LORs in April and STILL haven't gotten them done. 🙁

 

[inaminute]

it's way way too late. my gosh, we are about to frickin matriculate!

 

[NewKidin2block]

I am taking the MCAT August 16th, so I won't be completed until at least Sept 16th.

where in the pack would I be?

The important thing is being COMPLETE at the schools. Yes if you turned your primary in a month ago but haven't turned in secondaries you won't be in the pile to sort through.

You need to have LOR's, primary, and secondaries at the schools in order to be in the pile to sort though.

 

[mikkey]

Hey
If everything is in my that date and all they are waiting for is your MCAT, I think you should be fine, but you aren't in advance either. And if you haven't asked for letters, you should definitely go for it now, and stress that you need them fast. Right now, it is taking 2 to 3 weeks for verification by amcas, so you should submit soon
Good Luck!

 

[waterbuffalo]

I am about to turn in my AMCAS!!!!! Anyone else in the same boat with me???

 

[Aynsl156]

it's way way too late. my gosh, we are about to frickin matriculate!

ILU, if you're joking. If not, I still love you.

 

[hp540]

I am about to turn in my AMCAS!!!!! Anyone else in the same boat with me???

Just submitted today. Now I'm nto sure what to do with my free time since it's going to take them forever to verify 🙂

 

[kevster2001]

no way, especially if you can turn those secondaries around quickly

 

[PseudomonasPAO1]

Just submitted today. Now I'm nto sure what to do with my free time since it's going to take them forever to verify 🙂

Well, thank god for the "2008 secondaries" thread. Use that and get a headstart on the secondaries. I'm going to start with my in-state schools and then the OOS schools I'm most competitive at. Between that and playing the match game on Interfolio, it should be a fun couple months 🙂

 

[154465]

I'm pretty damn frustrated with this whole process. The FAP application won't even be processed for another 2 weeks and I can't apply until it is. When I hit the submit button its gonna take FOREVER. How long did it take for you guys after you submitted?

 

[waterbuffalo]

doesn't it take around 6 weeks for AMCAS to process your application?

 

[mvenus929]

doesn't it take around 6 weeks for AMCAS to process your application?

There's a verification thread going around that tells you how long it has taken people. It only took me like 3 days, but I submitted at the end of June.

 

[waterbuffalo]

Thanks a lot mvenus. It doesn't look like it's going to be a terribly long wait! I know that it takes longer and longer, though. This really gives me hope!😍

 

[inaminute]

ILU, if you're joking. If not, I still love you.

I need a HUUUUUUUGE diamond. Just so you know. 😀

 

[MDee]

Are you still considered an "early" applicant if you have all your secondaries turned in by the second week of August??? Thanks!

 

[waterbuffalo]

I would think that secondaries in by August is considered "middle of the pack."

 

[mvenus929]

I would think that secondaries in by August is considered "middle of the pack."

Maybe... many schools still haven't given out secondaries, and we're 3 weeks into July.

 

[infinitejest]

Maybe... many schools still haven't given out secondaries, and we're 3 weeks into July.

This is true. Many schools are still waiting to give out secondaries, so the OP isn't too far behind, unless AMCAS suddenly has a huge backlog of apps to deal with.

Also, I think your preferred application date depends on your stats. If you're a marginal candidate (like I am), it's best to turn things in early. If you have great grades and a stellar MCAT, then I think you can buy some leeway, unless you're gunning for the top of the pile. Obviously early is better no matter what, but I think it really comes into play if your app has some deficiencies.

 

[TheRealMD]

This is true. Many schools are still waiting to give out secondaries, so the OP isn't too far behind, unless AMCAS suddenly has a huge backlog of apps to deal with.

Also, I think your preferred application date depends on your stats. If you're a marginal candidate (like I am), it's best to turn things in early. If you have great grades and a stellar MCAT, then I think you can buy some leeway, unless you're gunning for the top of the pile. Obviously early is better no matter what, but I think it really comes into play if your app has some deficiencies.

The large backup is maybe 2 weeks away. When that hits, verification is gonna take 4-6 weeks. =/

 

[hp540]

I think it's not too late at all. Most people on SDN seem to be pretty neurotic so it's not a good crowd to go by 🙂

 

[waterbuffalo]

It's good to hear that HP540!!! I am hoping that you are right👍

 

[speedyE]

I think it's not too late at all. Most people on SDN seem to be pretty neurotic so it's not a good crowd to go by 🙂

Indeed. I was curious, so I went back through my old emails and found my "Processed AMCAS Notification" email from last year. The date? October 3rd. (Yikes!) Take that for what it is worth. I wasn't on SDN much then and thank goodness.

 

[waterbuffalo]

Just applied!!!! Already ready for review

 

[waterbuffalo]

When exactly is the big crunch when there are thousands of applications that flood AMCAS?????

 

[Tribeca]

Indeed. I was curious, so I went back through my old emails and found my "Processed AMCAS Notification" email from last year. The date? October 3rd. (Yikes!) Take that for what it is worth. I wasn't on SDN much then and thank goodness.

Can I ask when you submitted your app?

 

[mvenus929]

When exactly is the big crunch when there are thousands of applications that flood AMCAS?????

Things are a little different this year in years past, with the new MCAT scheduling and all. We're the experimental group, but I assume a lot of people will start applying when they start up school again.

 

[HristosKaran]

Things are a little different this year in years past, with the new MCAT scheduling and all. We're the experimental group, but I assume a lot of people will start applying when they start up school again.

Agreed, something about summer just makes everyone lazy.

 

[RokChalkJayhawk]

If you can complete by late september/early october go for it.

Otherwise wait. Took me 6 months to get a letter of Rec last year from a doctor I shadowed. Nice doctor, but almost sank my application. I almost had to find another person to write a letter.