Is it too late to apply?

[sam500]

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Hi guys,
I've finally got all my material sent.
My LOR were rush sent to AMCAS yesterday, and my MCAT scores were reported earlier this month.
I'm just waiting to click submit on the AMCAS form, but have been considering waiting till next year.
Many of the schools I'm applying to have the October 15th AMCAS submission deadline. I'll be submitting on the 14th. Realistically, are my chances blown?
I'm coming from a top university with all the usual stuff GPA 3.82, MCAT 35. I've also complete 2 scientific masters and had 6 years of lab experience.
Should I wait till next year to apply due to the late day?
Is the Oct 15th deadline just for the AMCAS submission, or is it for he schools to recieve everything from AMCAS?
Thanks for your advice fellows.
Sam

 

[spyderefs]

My advice is to wait, your chances are going to be much much better next cycle considering rolling admissions.

 

[Raigon]

Same - I'd apply next cycle unless you're graduating this year. If you've already graduated or you're not yet in your senior year, then I'd apply the next cycle.

For one thing, verification process takes 4~6 weeks on average, and during peak times (deadlines) they can take even longer. Plus, it looks like you'll be cutting the edge with quite a few amazing schools with October deadlines. If you submit it early, there are less applications for the admission commitee to go through, and they'll take it easy and read it thoroughly. With the deadline, they'll be swamped with thousands of applications, and they most likely won't even look at your personal statements or work/activities, and you only have your MCAT and GPA as an advantage, which, though is a major factor, is not everything.

Don't worry though, with a 35 and a 3.82, your acceptance rate is well over 80, possibly even 90%. (Unlike me, heheh, I'm in the 30~32 range. ==", STUPID VERBAL REASONING GRRRRR....).

But if you ARE graduating... SUBMIT IT!!! Elsewise, most schools will ask what you've done during the 1-year break between undergrad and med school. And it's rather annoying to explain. Because usually it's between two polar ends - the younger end with people who enter the next cycle directly after undergrad, and the experienced end who already have masters and worked for 10 years. You'll be stuck in between, and that's extremely disadvantageous.

Well, it's just from my own perspective and logic. Get more opinions, and you can make a compromise. But do it quick. The deadline's just around the corner. ^^

 

[dw2158]

But if you ARE graduating... SUBMIT IT!!! Elsewise, most schools will ask what you've done during the 1-year break between undergrad and med school. And it's rather annoying to explain. Because usually it's between two polar ends - the younger end with people who enter the next cycle directly after undergrad, and the experienced end who already have masters and worked for 10 years. You'll be stuck in between, and that's extremely disadvantageous.

this post was full of things of dubious truth value, but this paragraph takes the cake. being 1-2 years out of college absolutely DOES NOT put you at a disadvantage. i have no idea why you would think this. and, OP, it's so early in your senior year that you still have plenty of time to find something to do for next year that will be fun and meaningful. so, my advice is to wait 'til next year.

 

[flip26]

this post was full of things of dubious truth value, but this paragraph takes the cake. being 1-2 years out of college absolutely DOES NOT put you at a disadvantage. i have no idea why you would think this. and, OP, it's so early in your senior year that you still have plenty of time to find something to do for next year that will be fun and meaningful. so, my advice is to wait 'til next year.

Agreed.

The only peeps who should be applying this late would have 40/4.0 kinds of stats.

And even for them, I think they should wait. Apply early next cycle, and by this time (or in another day or so) next year, you too could be hearing the good news of acceptances...

If you are more average, or normal, in terms of competitiveness, applying this late will decimate your chances.

 

[sam500]

I am not a senior.
I am a graduate student with 2 masters who is working now. I am 28.
I'd really prefer to apply this year if I had a chance of getting in somewhere, but if my chances are severely hurt I won't.
That is what I'm asking.

Are my chances severely hurt?

And maybe even more importantly, will my chances be hurt next year if I apply now and don't get in?

 

[wanderer]

I am not a senior.
I am a graduate student with 2 masters who is working now. I am 28.
I'd really prefer to apply this year if I had a chance of getting in somewhere, but if my chances are severely hurt I won't.
That is what I'm asking.

Are my chances severely hurt?

And maybe even more importantly, will my chances be hurt next year if I apply now and don't get in?

I believe a lot of places that have posted deadlines of October 15, have "transcript deadlines" at the end of October meaning your primary has to be verified by then (I'm guessing it takes 3-4 weeks at this time so for these schools you will be ineligible). For other schools you will be extremely late (secondaries in by November 15 at the earliest) so you're probably better off applying next year.

 

[flip26]

Are my chances severely hurt?

And maybe even more importantly, will my chances be hurt next year if I apply now and don't get in?

Yes, and then not really.

Being a reapplicant is not really as much of a stigma as SDN would lead you to believe.

But the "pain in the arse factor" of applying twice, not to mention the cost, should be avoided. Trust me, you don't want to enter this fight with one arm tied behind your back...apply early next year.

 

[Latuza]

I'm pretty sure the AMCAS deadline means you have to submit the application by then. and according to MSAR, most schools' AMCAS deadlines are in Nov, so I don't know why you think Oct is too late to file AMCAS.

LORs are only due by the secondary application deadline, which is later than AMCAS deadline. So you won't be late.

If you can spare several hundred bucks, then apply. An applicant with 2 masters and your academic credentials is very competitive.

But only apply to your dream schools. Do not apply to some safety school and attend there and wonder for the rest of your life if you would've gotten to your dream school had you waited a year. So apply to your dream school this year and see if you can get in.

 

[Latuza]

.

 

[t3705]

If the deadline is tomorrow and you apply before the deadline, why are you too late?

You look like a strong candidate to me. And you won't know if you're too late unless you apply...so apply.

 

[mcattitude]

Definitely wait.

 

[imer]

...

 

[Tutmos]

I'm curious about this as well. What data can the people posting in this thread point to that supports their contention that somehow only elite candidates are accepted when applying later in a cycle but still within the deadline? Is there an AMCAS table somewhere that lists date of application vs. accepted stats?

I know this is the standard line spread across SDN but what's the basis for it other than the assumption fewer spots being available so they somehow reserve the last spots just in case they get special applicants? Isn't that why they have a waiting list?

Wouldn't the stellar applicants typically be ahead of the game and applying early already on average?

I can see a slightly reduced chance but I'd like to see some data before assuming there's some dramatic ramp up in acceptance requirements and telling people don't bother and wait another year.

 

[crazymedgirl]

I agree with the above poster. Data, anyone? I would really love some additional POVs on this topic.

 

[Bacchus]

Its going to make for a rough application cycle if you apply now. You have great statistics... why didn't you apply earlier? Are you applying on a whim?

 

[chrisnote]

I'd like to piggyback on this thread..

I have a 3.6//32 and my transcripts are already verified, will be submitted my application tomorrow to AMCAS. I saw that Sam with much better number is being advised to wait til next year, am I completely screwed this year?

I graduated last year and spent this year working in the ER scribing for the physicians, I also have strong ECs from college (various leadership and volunteer). That said I'm not applying to the top tier of schools and I'm really applying this year due to pressure from the parents. So I guess this is a two parter - 1) Can I get in this application cycle? and 2) If my chances this year are close to 0%, how bad is the stigma against re-appliers? Next cycle my app would be in on the first day.

thanks for the advice

Chris

 

[Tutmos]

It seems there might not be any data supporting the "common knowledge" that applying later in the cycle is only for people with extremely high stats. I can see the possible logic to the concept that you're competing for a smaller number of openings but at the same time you're also likely competing against a lower quality of applicant. I'm betting the people that have the highest stats also, on average, are doing little else besides trying to get into medical school and probably had everything ready to go and submitted very early in the cycle. Additionally the best candidates are likely already out of the mix and accepted late in the cycle.

I have no data supporting my claim either and am, of course, trying to rationalize everything to myself as a late applicant.

 

[Food]

Talk to the schools you are interested in. Some schools, like the University of Florida will not care when you apply. There are other schools that also make it pretty clear that it doesn't matter when you apply.

 

[Latuza]

I'd like to piggyback on this thread..

I have a 3.6//32 and my transcripts are already verified, will be submitted my application tomorrow to AMCAS. I saw that Sam with much better number is being advised to wait til next year, am I completely screwed this year?

I graduated last year and spent this year working in the ER scribing for the physicians, I also have strong ECs from college (various leadership and volunteer). That said I'm not applying to the top tier of schools and I'm really applying this year due to pressure from the parents. So I guess this is a two parter - 1) Can I get in this application cycle? and 2) If my chances this year are close to 0%, how bad is the stigma against re-appliers? Next cycle my app would be in on the first day.

thanks for the advice

Chris

I don't think there's quantified data, but it's just most schools said they're rolling admissions, and on their admissions websites it clearly says it's in your best interest to apply early, and strongly advised to so. I'm sure they try to save a few spots for the elite candidates.

I think for Chris you don't have stellar stats, but still decent, and your experience may carry you through. I don't think your chances are almost 0%, but some things you might consider:
1) You will get less interviews than had you apply early, and thus less choices of schools to attend. Harder to get into your dream school.
2) Financial aid are usu given out on a first come, first serve basis. Schools usu have very limited scholarships to give out. If you think you're competitive for scholarships, and don't want just all loans, it might make much more financial sense to apply next year.
3) You never know when you try. If you don't want to settle, apply only to dream schools this year and see if you get in. If not, apply again next year broadly. I really don't think there's a stigma against one-time reapplicant since that seems pretty common, so it's all right as long as your credentials improve. Besides, next year you probably won't apply again to the same schools, so for the new schools you apply to you're still first-time applicant.

Some schools don't have rolling admissions. I read Michigan state has semi-rolling admissions.

btw, is scribing for physicians a rich and exciting work?