Is July 8 MCAT too late?

[Fidgety]

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I've heard lots of differing opinions on whether taking an MCAT in early July would be too late. Here is my situation. I am currently on a waitlist to a school and finishing up finals for my last semester at school. As soon as I graduate I will begin studying. However, the first time I took the MCAT, I tried to rush taking the old MCAT, only gave myself about two solid weeks of studying and didn't do as well as I hoped. My application cycle ended with 1 interview --> 1 waitlist. I do not want to make the same mistake this time, however I find myself stuck between a rock and a hard place; take the time to do well on the MCAT, and apply late, or take less time for the MCAT and apply early.

I already know the correct answer is to take my time on the MCAT and apply a little later but I want to make sure that July 8 isn't too late. I was originally planning on June 18, but I still feel that this would be rushing things a little. If I submitted my primary application on day 1, only applied to one school, and then waited until I got my MCAT score on August 9 to apply to the rest of the schools, would that be okay? I would really like to hear some opinions from adcoms on this, as they are the ones in the process. Would taking it June 18 give me a big advantage over taking it July 8? Do you recommend not even applying this cycle if I am waiting to take the MCAT until this time? Any advice is appreciated, I've been doing a lot of research into this and thought it would be beneficial to just ask myself as well.

 

[candbgirl]

Is your old MCAT expiring? Is that why you are retaking? Do you feel with a much higher MCAT you will be a better candidate? Do you feel that the MCAT is why you have had a very disappointing cycle? If you aren't adverse to sitting out the next cycle maybe you should. That would give you a chance to study very well and even take it in September. That way if you are pulled from the wait list you won't put yourself through the retake. But make sure it really is the MCAT that is the problem.


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[Fidgety]

Is your old MCAT expiring? Is that why you are retaking? Do you feel with a much higher MCAT you will be a better candidate? Do you feel that the MCAT is why you have had a very disappointing cycle? If you aren't adverse to sitting out the next cycle maybe you should. That would give you a chance to study very well and even take it in September. That way if you are pulled from the wait list you won't put yourself through the retake. But make sure it really is the MCAT that is the problem.


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Not expiring, but it is the old MCAT and it is a 28 so it's not very impressive to say the least. I do believe my MCAT score was the number one limiting factor of my application, clinical experience being the other that I have taken measures to improve. I was scoring near 32-33 after just a few weeks of studying so I feel that I have the potential to do much better. I honestly got hit with a PS section that was my weakness in every way and it killed me. You make a very good point of taking it later and avoiding studying if I get in off the waitlist. It's a tough decision because I turn 26 this year and waiting until next year to apply would mean I wouldn't start medical school until I was 28.. not ideal.

 

[candbgirl]

Many of the ADCOMS on here talk about the ages of their students. Don't let age limit you. If you take another Gap year you can perfect your application. Make it the best you can make it. Learn from this past cycle and next time really shine. But I do agree a 28 is low for MD schools so you probably should retake that MCAT!


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[AnnaSunH]

I took the MCAT in August and was still able to have a successful application cycle...I think July would be fine.


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[Cotterpin]

I took the MCAT in July, did really well on it, and am not having a successful application cycle. I suppose there's still time to get off all these wait lists, but my biggest regret is that I did have my applications complete as soon as humanly possible. I had to sit around watching other people raking in acceptances while I was still waiting months for interview invites. I'm completely convinced that I would have gotten more II's and maybe an acceptance instead of all wait lists if I had applied early. If I had to do it all over again, I don't regret waiting until I knew I was totally ready to crush the MCAT, but I would have waited another year to apply.

 

[Fidgety]

I took the MCAT in July, did really well on it, and am not having a successful application cycle. I suppose there's still time to get off all these wait lists, but my biggest regret is that I did have my applications complete as soon as humanly possible. I had to sit around watching other people raking in acceptances while I was still waiting months for interview invites. I'm completely convinced that I would have gotten more II's and maybe an acceptance instead of all wait lists if I had applied early. If I had to do it all over again, I don't regret waiting until I knew I was totally ready to crush the MCAT, but I would have waited another year to apply.

Did you submit your application for verification early June? Or did you wait to submit until you got your scores?

 

[Cotterpin]

Did you submit your application for verification early June? Or did you wait to submit until you got your scores?

I submitted my application for verification in mid-June but I only put one school on there so it could be verified while I waited for my MCAT score (which I didn't get until mid-August). When I got my score, I had a much better idea of which schools to aim for. So then I added all the schools to my AMCAS, got secondary requests back immediately, and had all of my applications complete by early to mid-September. Meanwhile, everybody else was already accepted to med school.

 

[Fidgety]

I submitted my application for verification in mid-June but I only put one school on there so it could be verified while I waited for my MCAT score (which I didn't get until mid-August). When I got my score, I had a much better idea of which schools to aim for. So then I added all the schools to my AMCAS, got secondary requests back immediately, and had all of my applications complete by early to mid-September. Meanwhile, everybody else was already accepted to med school.

See this is where I get confused, everyone says that this course of action is okay, but then I hear examples of people such as yourself where it doesn't seem to work out as it should.

 

[Cotterpin]

See this is where I get confused, everyone says that this course of action is okay, but then I hear examples of people such as yourself where it doesn't seem to work out as it should.

Yeah. I would say this course of action is "okay" but you're not giving yourself your best shot. And if you want to be a doctor, you really owe it to yourself to give it your absolute best shot. You see what I'm saying?

 

[aalamruad]

I took the MCAT in July, did really well on it, and am not having a successful application cycle. I suppose there's still time to get off all these wait lists, but my biggest regret is that I did have my applications complete as soon as humanly possible. I had to sit around watching other people raking in acceptances while I was still waiting months for interview invites. I'm completely convinced that I would have gotten more II's and maybe an acceptance instead of all wait lists if I had applied early. If I had to do it all over again, I don't regret waiting until I knew I was totally ready to crush the MCAT, but I would have waited another year to apply.

Hate to point this out (kind of), but your unsuccessful application cycle is largely irrelevant to the discussion of when it's appropriate to take the MCAT. Situations like these are ones in which it's actually logical to have a strong confirmation bias, as odd as that seems. As long as a decent amount of people are very successful applicants with late MCAT dates, then we can conclude that the late date didn't hold them back in any way that is significant. On the other hand, we certainly cannot conclude that late test-takers who were unsuccessful were rejected due to the late test date.

I'm of course not advocating for taking the MCAT any later than necessary, but I just wanted to point out that this is a situation where negative evidence (late MCAT + rejection) is largely irrelevant and positive evidence (late MCAT + acceptance) is all that really matters. Most people get rejected from med school, and it's pretty convenient to blame those rejections on a test date if you happened to take the test late (not taking a jab at you, just making a general point. for all I know the rest of your app was incredible and maybe your date did in fact hold you back. who knows)

 

[Ad2b]

@Cotterpin - I don't think it's YOU (well, it is) or the timing of your MCAT... I think your stats are not as great as those who applied to the same schools... plus, your schools were pretty limited. I bet if you applied more broadly this year, you're in.

Crossing my fingers you get off waitlist!!

@ the OP

I am taking the MCAT on 7/8. Actually, I'm not "taking the MCAT", I am going to make that "@#$WT" mine! 🙂

Given my age, stats, and everything else: if there were ANY chance I'd be screwing myself, I would not wait. In fact last year, I was going to take 9/12 (and did not; hence, this year).

I know of someone who took her MCAT on August 17th or something, applied to 5 schools, is 35+ and got in to all of her selected schools.

 

[Fidgety]

@LizzyM @Goro @gyngyn thoughts?

 

[gyngyn]

@LizzyM @Goro @gyngyn thoughts?

If you have reason to believe that you will get a score much better than the 28, July 8 is not too late. If you are rushing it and likely to get a 505-508, it's both too early (to take the MCAT) and too late (to apply).

 

[Gurby]

A friend of mine took the MCAT in July and got II's from HMS and Stanford. That person is also a ridiculous human being on paper and in person, so your mileage may vary. I would posit that the weaker your application is, the more submitting late hurts you. If you're the 0.oo1% of applicants, schools are going to fight over you either way. If you're in the middle of the pack (or applying to a lot of reach schools), being early could potentially make a big difference for you.

 

[Cotterpin]

@Cotterpin - I don't think it's YOU (well, it is) or the timing of your MCAT... I think your stats are not as great as those who applied to the same schools... plus, your schools were pretty limited. I bet if you applied more broadly this year, you're in.

I can't afford to apply more broadly. I don't even know if I can afford to apply again at all. Plus I have the unfortunate circumstance of living in a part of the country where most of the schools are either reaches or notoriously low-yield. I used the Wedge Dawg system and this is what I got.

My point is: applying late in the cycle can only possibly hurt OP's application. Maybe it will, maybe it won't. Maybe it will be perfectly fine. But my experiences have taught me the it's best make sure you're giving yourself every possible advantage the first time around.

 

[summergirl]

It really depends on the rest of your application. If your application is stellar, then a July MCAT is fine. However, if your application is already very borderline, like 3.6-ish GPA with average ECs, a July MCAT is very late and could potentially cause you to lose out on getting accepted during your cycle. For example, I am an extremely borderline applicant and had I not submitted very early (complete by late July at most schools), I am sure I would not have gotten a single interview.

 

[Ad2b]

@Cotterpin - do not give up... you'll find a way, though I'm hoping you get off a waitlist !!

 

[Fidgety]

It really depends on the rest of your application. If your application is stellar, then a July MCAT is fine. However, if your application is already very borderline, like 3.6-ish GPA with average ECs, a July MCAT is very late and could potentially cause you to lose out on getting accepted during your cycle. For example, I am an extremely borderline applicant and had I not submitted very early (complete by late July at most schools), I am sure I would not have gotten a single interview.

But from what some people have told me, as long as your primary is in the first day it opens, adding schools later (even up to mid-august) won't set your application behind any. Any truth to that? I've been told that most adcoms don't start meeting to go over applicants until early-mid august, and if my score was in Aug 9, wouldn't that be perfect timing?

 

[summergirl]

But from what some people have told me, as long as your primary is in the first day it opens, adding schools later (even up to mid-august) won't set your application behind any. Any truth to that? I've been told that most adcoms don't start meeting to go over applicants until early-mid august, and if my score was in Aug 9, wouldn't that be perfect timing?

You are forgetting that adcoms must go through the applications one by one, in the order they are received. This is the case for most schools anyway, but some people have noted irregularities where someone submitted later got reviewed earlier. However, in most cases, if hypothetically you complete all of your applications by Aug 9th, you are "getting in line" to be reviewed, only after those who completed before you have been reviewed, which may not happen until say October. When they say adcoms just start meeting in Aug to review applications, they are reviewing the earliest applicants, who would have completed in early July.

 

[candbgirl]

But from what some people have told me, as long as your primary is in the first day it opens, adding schools later (even up to mid-august) won't set your application behind any. Any truth to that? I've been told that most adcoms don't start meeting to go over applicants until early-mid august, and if my score was in Aug 9, wouldn't that be perfect timing?

Yes this is true but your application won't be ready for review until all components are in and it is marked complete. So if your app isn't marked complete until after August 9 and ready for review you will be in quite a queue for review. By that point some invites will have even been extended .


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[Fidgety]

Ok, I was under the impression that if you submitted early that your spot in line for review stayed the same until you got your new MCAT score. I guess I was wrong, and that obviously makes this a very difficult decision...

 

[gyngyn]

Ok, I was under the impression that if you submitted early that your spot in line for review stayed the same until you got your new MCAT score. I guess I was wrong, and that obviously makes this a very difficult decision...

No. You will be reviewed when your application is complete.

 

[gyngyn]

So which is more important: an early score or a better score. Applying early with a weak MCAT is more problematic than applying later with a much better score.

ftfy

 

[Cotterpin]

So which is more important: an early score or a better score. Applying early with a weak MCAT is more problematic than applying later with a better score.

Or take a later MCAT, get a much better score, and then wait for the following cycle to apply on day 1? (While also spending the year doing things to make your EC's better.)

 

[Fidgety]

Or take a later MCAT, get a much better score, and then wait for the following cycle to apply on day 1? (While also spending the year doing things to make your EC's better.)

That honestly seems like the most sound decision, however, I don't know if I could put off starting medical school until I was 28.

 

[Ad2b]

July 8 is not too late. July 8 with an Aug primary app, probably a little late.

Apply on 6/3 to get your primary verified while you study for the MCAT.

Take test on 7/8, start completing secondaries of schools that you applied to (they should start popping up about that time or you could use this years' and pre-populate).

Submit secondaries (you can do this for any school that DOES NOT pre-screen and opens a portal for 2ndaries pre-MCAT score; I got one last year from only school I app'd)

Wait for score release.

After score release, instantly and by 1/2 hour, start checking your email 24/7 for an interview invite.

Find a bag, breathe. 🙂

 

[Fidgety]

Haha, even in this thread there are very differing opinions.

 

[Ad2b]

Yeah. Typically, the high gunners of SDN say anything after June 1 is too late. Based on friends of mine who took the MCAT far later, who app'd (primary) much later, listened to all the "OMG YOU'RE NOT IN ON 6/3" and app'd "late" anyway... well,

They're all MS1 and MS2's now. Only app'd once. Of course, they also had stellar apps. At the end of the day, the app cycle is a crap shoot. We have to do the best we can with what we have to offer and pray the med schools give us a chance to interview.

If a July 8 MCAT = probably better score, then that is > than early with ?? MCAT. Because the former won't get you auto-rejected but the latter just might.

 

[Fidgety]

Yeah. Typically, the high gunners of SDN say anything after June 1 is too late. Based on friends of mine who took the MCAT far later, who app'd (primary) much later, listened to all the "OMG YOU'RE NOT IN ON 6/3" and app'd "late" anyway... well,

They're all MS1 and MS2's now. Only app'd once. Of course, they also had stellar apps. At the end of the day, the app cycle is a crap shoot. We have to do the best we can with what we have to offer and pray the med schools give us a chance to interview.

If a July 8 MCAT = probably better score, then that is > than early with ?? MCAT. Because the former won't get you auto-rejected but the latter just might.

Good point. Do you think there would be a significant advantage taking the June 18 MCAT over the July 8?

 

[MilaKunisDoe]

I submitted my application for verification in mid-June but I only put one school on there so it could be verified while I waited for my MCAT score (which I didn't get until mid-August). When I got my score, I had a much better idea of which schools to aim for. So then I added all the schools to my AMCAS, got secondary requests back immediately, and had all of my applications complete by early to mid-September. Meanwhile, everybody else was already accepted to med school.

Out of curiosity, did you pre-write the secondaries for the schools you applied to? The reason I'm asking is because I'm also taking a July 8 mcat and am planning to pre-write secondaries while I'm waiting for my score. That way, I'll be complete at schools by mid-August.

 

[Ad2b]

did you pre-write the secondaries for the schools you applied to.

I am pre-writing mine. The students that I mention in my post above, pre-wrote theirs. Taking MCAT: 7/8.

Why? Because I have class and I work full time, there is not enough time for me to make sure *I* am as comfortable as I can be for the exam. As EVERYONE has been saying:

Early MCAT with poor score <<<<<<< LATER MCAT with better score ... it's really that simple.

As an aside, it is LIKELY you will get the secondaries BEFORE the MCAT score is provided. Many schools DO NOT PRESCREEN the primary and auto-send the secondary (it's the $$$ in their pockets). Last year, I applied to one school to get the AMCAS verification done. The secondary was in my open box at that one school for 2 months (!!!) before I was scheduled to sit for the MCAT.

 

[Cotterpin]

Out of curiosity, did you pre-write the secondaries for the schools you applied to? The reason I'm asking is because I'm also taking a July 8 mcat and am planning to pre-write secondaries while I'm waiting for my score. That way, I'll be complete at schools by mid-August.

No, I didn't. I also had the added problem of only being able to pay for the secondaries in batches as I made more money at work.

 

[Sloppy Toppy]

No, I didn't. I also had the added problem of only being able to pay for the secondaries in batches as I made more money at work.

Quick questions sorry about this. How long typically did it take for you to get your secondaries after adding the schools to your amcas app. Also after submitting the secondaries typically how long did it take for schools to mark you fully complete?

Thanks

 

[catie_jane]

I took the July 17th/18th exam and although I was fortunate enough to receive multiple acceptances this cycle, if I had to do it all over again I would have just waited a year longer so that I was able to submit everything on the first day. I am not sure how my application cycle would have changed if I was complete at an earlier date (maybe more II's, accepted earlier on, etc). However, as you can see below, my committee letter was uploaded about 1x month after I had finished my secondaries, which was why my app was complete so late. If you can take the July MCAT and have everything submitted by the time your scores are released, you would be complete by mid-August at the latest (which really isn't "late").

However, since you are a reapplicant I would suggest waiting until next year. This option would give you more time to study for the MCAT (if you wanted to take it in August instead, allow you to build your EC's, allow you to submit on the first day, and give you plenty of time to craft a school list that will give you the best chance at success.

Timeline of my cycle:
July 1st - Submitted AMCAS with one "throwaway school" (Albany)
August 5th? - AMCAS verified
August 18th - MCAT score received
August 19th - added all of my schools to AMCAS
August 20th - FLOOD OF SECONDARIES
September 14th - Committee Letter uploaded *
September 14th-23rd - Complete at all schools

 

[catie_jane]

Most schools project their application work flow for complete applications by end of September. While early is always good, the myth of "be early or die" is way, way overblown. More important is to have a solid application than being the first application. In many schools, applications are not reviewed in chronological order

I agree completely. However, there were a few schools that I applied to that verify apps/send out secondaries in chronological order and for those schools I was verified/received the secondary after the new year and by the time I had been reviewed by the committee the majority of II's had been sent out. In those instances I wish I had been complete earlier and not competing for so little spots

 

[Fidgety]

Most schools project their application work flow for complete applications by end of September. While early is always good, the myth of "be early or die" is way, way overblown. More important is to have a solid application than being the first application. In many schools, applications are not reviewed in chronological order

You seem really confident on your experience with this situation. Do you have prior experience to think this way?

 

[terra330]

You seem really confident on your experience with this situation. Do you have prior experience to think this way?

He is/was an adcom member

 

[dougy]

currently in a gap year after 2015 undergrad grad 3.5 cGPA, 3.6 sGPA
well regarded, but not well known, private LAC
submitted amcas in mid-June
re-took MCAT 9/3 (scored 512, after a 23 and 27)
added 9 schools in October
filled out all secondaries within 48 hours
4 ii, 2 acceptances (1 private, 1 OOS public), 2 WL (1 IS public, 1 OOS public)

If i knew last June, everything I have read on this site since, I likely would have skipped this cycle. But I am pretty happy with my choices and have pretty good scholarship offers!! Really glad not to work at current job another year.

 

[MilaKunisDoe]

currently in a gap year after 2014 undergrad grad 3.5 cGPA, 3.6 sGPA
well regarded, but not well known, private LAC
submitted amcas in mid-June
re-took MCAT 9/3 (scored 512, after a 23 and 27)
added 9 schools in October
filled out all secondaries within 48 hours
4 ii, 2 acceptances (1 private, 1 OOS public), 2 WL (1 IS public, 1 OOS public)

If i knew last June, everything I have read on this site since, I likely would have skipped this cycle. But I am pretty happy with my choices and have pretty good scholarship offers!! Really glad not to work at current job another year.

When did you start receiving interview invites and when were you notified of acceptance?

 

[dougy]

When did you start receiving interview invites and when were you notified of acceptance?

first invite in early Nov, for early Dec (oos public) WL
second and third ii in december for Jan interviews WL and acceptance
fourth ii in feb for march (oos public), acceptance

 

[Fidgety]

Thanks for all the advice everyone! Ended up getting accepted off a waitlist today!

 

[MilaKunisDoe]

Thanks for all the advice everyone! Ended up getting accepted off a waitlist today!

Sick!

 

[Dave Chester]

Just update them with the new score. You'll be fine. I've never heard of any school rejecting applicants as early as August.

 

[bluepeach9]

I agree completely. However, there were a few schools that I applied to that verify apps/send out secondaries in chronological order and for those schools I was verified/received the secondary after the new year and by the time I had been reviewed by the committee the majority of II's had been sent out. In those instances I wish I had been complete earlier and not competing for so little spots

Do you remember what these schools were? Did you end up getting any interviews or acceptances from these schools?

 

[catie_jane]

Do you remember what these schools were? Did you end up getting any interviews or acceptances from these schools?

Off the top of my head I remember VCU and UVM being super late in processing my application

 

[bluepeach9]

Off the top of my head I remember VCU and UVM being super late in processing my application

Oh no 🙁 VCU is my state school and top choice. Unfortunately, I am also taking a late July MCAT and expect to be complete late August. Hope this won't kill my chances here forever!

 

[catie_jane]

Oh no 🙁 VCU is my state school and top choice. Unfortunately, I am also taking a late July MCAT and expect to be complete late August. Hope this won't kill my chances here forever!

If you want to read a horror story I would head over to the 2015-2016 VCU specific thread... (still have nightmares about this school). Hopefully as an IS applicant you will have a better outcome/VCU learned from their mistakes last cycle!