Is it too late?

Started by ssj4vinh
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ssj4vinh

ssj4vinh

Full Member
10+ Year Member
Is it too late to apply this cycle? 3.1/34 currently in an SMP
I have all my letters including a DO letter
My primary is actually filled out, but I decided not to apply until after I finished my SMP, but I'm having second thoughts.

Would it be worth it to apply to 3-4 schools with some hopes of starting school this fall?
 
It seems like most of the schools I've applied to are all the way full or nearly all the way full now. By the time aacomas verifies your application, you submit your secondaries, etc, it's probably going to be late February. At that point I would suspect that most schools have offered nearly all their ii, if not the class. At this point it seems silly to waste the money. Your mcat is great for do programs, but your gpa is well below average for many. It would be a much better plan to start pre-writing the secondaries and submit everything on June 1. You'll probably get a few iis next cycle if you submit early
 
There have been instances in the past where one has applied in January and have received an acceptance the same year. However, these situations are anecdotal and should not be interpreted as the norm. You not only want to have the best chance of getting into a school, but also are satisfied with your choice. So it would be better to apply early next cycle and make sure your list is broad (since you have a high MCAT, low GPA combo).
 
ssj4vinh said:
Is it too late to apply this cycle? 3.1/34 currently in an SMP
I have all my letters including a DO letter
My primary is actually filled out, but I decided not to apply until after I finished my SMP, but I'm having second thoughts.

Would it be worth it to apply to 3-4 schools with some hopes of starting school this fall?
Click to expand...
Yes. I would apply to the Touro's and AZCOM, at least. Also perhaps Marian, SOMA, LMU. You should definitely still get in somewhere.

But if you are doing well in the SMP you might want to consider applying MD and DO early next cycle.
 
I wouldn't.

If you can afford to do so, you can go through the expense and heartache of applying this cycle, and consider any interviews you receive to be a gift from Heaven sent to spare you a year of waiting. If you have the money to burn, go for it.

But sitting on similar stats, I judged that my chances were too low last January, and I shelved my app until the new cycle started. It would have been fantastic to get going sooner, but in retrospect I am glad that I waited until everything was truly in line. I ran into issues getting my applications approved, due to transcript issues that I couldn't have anticipated, and even though I submitted in the first day or two of the new cycle, it was almost September before my primary went out to schools. Once that happened, everything moved quickly for me, and I was accepted in mid-October.

If I'd applied in January, I'd have run into the same problems and wouldn't have been able to get them resolved as quickly. It might have sped things up for me in the new cycle, but then again, it might not have. But if I had it to do over, I would not have done otherwise.

No one can really tell you what you should do. Only you know your situation and how you feel about it. We can say what we did, or think that we would do in your shoes. Good luck, whatever your choice.
 
With your MCAT, I would definitely apply to some schools, just be smart where you apply. I would apply to schools with high MCAT averages (Touros, CCOM) because, while their classes may be nearing full, many of those students are MD caliber applicants, just waiting to hear back from their MD schools or possibly in-state DO schools. A lot of students will end up backing out in the coming months (I think most movement off of the waitlist comes in Feb and March, at least that's what the school I'm waitlisted at told me) so I would work on sending in your application ASAP. The "safer" option is definitely to just apply next cycle though.

Another thing to consider, I wouldn't just take any acceptance and run with it. You have great stats, especially if you're doing well in your SMP. Don't settle on a school you don't really want to go to because you want to start med school in 6 months. Waiting a year will not be the end of the world.
 
Why would you want to apply now and have to settle for less desirable schools(expensive tuition, poor location etc), when you can apply first thing the next cycle and have a all around better chance of having your pick of schools?
 
I'll also add that while you very well may get in this cycle, you're likely applying for wait list positions by the time your primaries get processed, your secondaries get processed, and you get an interview invitation. That adds a lot of stress and uncertainty to life-- you might get in shortly after an interview, you might find out you're moving across the country when you're already a day late for orientation, and you might not get in at all. In your shoes, I'd rather submit June 1 for next cycle and shoot for an early acceptance.
 
ssj4vinh said:
Is it too late to apply this cycle? 3.1/34 currently in an SMP
I have all my letters including a DO letter
My primary is actually filled out, but I decided not to apply until after I finished my SMP, but I'm having second thoughts.

Would it be worth it to apply to 3-4 schools with some hopes of starting school this fall?
Click to expand...

Bro, your best bet is waiting until next cycle. If money is no object and you don't care where you go, sure throw in an app, but be prepared to interview for waitlist spots.
 
KerriLynnDesigns said:
Does anyone know if your transcripts have to be received with your primary application or can they come in after you submit?
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They need to come with your primary. I remember that old transcripts can be reused if you haven't taken class the year prior to applying. However, I cannot comment on this personal, because I always have sent my most recent transcripts.
 
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