Late Application Advice Needed

[DaredevilDO]

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I am considering taking my MCAT sometime between late July to late August. Is it wise to send my application on June 1 with one DO school listed to get my app verified and then later add schools after I receive my MCAT score (which will be sometime between late August and late Sept depending on my test date)? Feel free to include any and all thoughts, advice, and suggestions.

 

[DrBumblebee]

I am considering taking my MCAT sometime between late July to late August. Is it wise to send my application on June 1 with one DO school listed to get my app verified and then later add schools after I receive my MCAT score (which will be sometime between late August and late Sept depending on my test date)? Feel free to include any and all thoughts, advice, and suggestions.

Ignore the rush in your blood to apply before getting ready, it was a common feeling for everyone in your shoes once. Gather all of your app materials as well as your MCAT score, and then go apply. The trick of the game is: just learn to be patient. It's gonna be a long waiting game.

 

[GUH]

I've heard some folks say it's best to submit early then add your MCAT score once you get it.

However, judging from my own experience, I agree with DrBumbleBee. I think waiting until my MCAT score came in was a good idea because my GPA was nowhere near as solid as my MCAT. I suspect that if I had not waited, my application might have seen the circular file at more schools. (took MCAT late July, submitted primary September 1st, 2 DO acceptances so far)

Try to take the MCAT in July rather than August though if it's really between those two. It'll give you more of the summer to chill and also you'll get your scores back earlier meaning the schools can decide on your complete application earlier.

 

[MedPR]

I am considering taking my MCAT sometime between late July to late August. Is it wise to send my application on June 1 with one DO school listed to get my app verified and then later add schools after I receive my MCAT score (which will be sometime between late August and late Sept depending on my test date)? Feel free to include any and all thoughts, advice, and suggestions.

Depends on your stats. Higher = can apply later.

However, if you have everything ready in June there is no reason not to apply in June. People have had success late, but that's not the norm.

Sent from my SGH-T999 using SDN Mobile

 

[RegisBioMedMS]

It is fine to apply without having your MCAT score in hand, especially if your practice test scores are good. The advantages of applying early are worth the small risk you take that it won't be as good as you expect.

Unless... your MCAT is a retake, don't apply without having your new score in hand or they will use the old score for your application.

 

[LovesBikes]

If you think your MCAT's going to be good, then do it. If you have the money, do it. I wish I had applied earlier without my MCAT scores, it would have given me much earlier complete dates.

 

[ACOM2017]

If you think your MCAT's going to be good, then do it. If you have the money, do it. I wish I had applied earlier without my MCAT scores, it would have given me much earlier complete dates.

Agreed! Apply June 1st. Once you get your MCAT score, update your application and notify all of the schools that you applied to that you have received your scores. Admissions departments are small, having an open line of communication can be beneficial.

 

[Drvolfan]

If you're applying to DO schools, most have a later application deadline than MD schools. I didn't apply until late October, interviewed in early January, and now I'm finishing up my first year. They won't even look at your application without an MCAT score posted anyway. I'd wait

 

[CopToEM]

A common tactic is to apply to only one school on June 1st just to get your app verified. Most people choose a school far down on their list. It's uncommon but not unheard of to get interview pre-MCAT as well.

 

[Canoedad]

A common tactic is to apply to only one school on June 1st just to get your app verified. Most people choose a school far down on their list. It's uncommon but not unheard of to get interview pre-MCAT as well.

^ This!

The problem is...many schools will blow right through apps that are not complete. And when you do add your MCAT or other information the schools have so many other apps they do not have time or resources to look over your app again. So you get lost in the pile and it takes persistence to get noticed. I know...it happened to me. VCOM messed up calculating my GPA and I had to convince them they where wrong and using my old application, WVSOM did not re-review my app once my AACOMAS updated. I had to call, pester, and write a long winded letter to get considered. CUSOM put me on hold and only until I called to withdraw did they take a second look.

Be patient

 

[DaredevilDO]

What if I have a 3.59 cumGPA, 3.39 sciGPA (probably a little lower b/c i considered 2 calc and 1 stats class in this calculation), and a horribly low mcat score? I spent my entire junior year on bio research and spent my entire senior year doing public health research, however, no publications in either year. i also have over 1000 hrs + of community service in non-health settings. i have worked in a doctors office and shadowed multiple doctors including a DO, but didn't ask for recommendation yet. considering spending another year doing clinical work, while i apply.

still a good idea to apply june 1 to one D.O. school with my low mcat score to get my app verified?
then add more D.O. schools after taking the mcat again in late august?
is it way too late to take the mcat at the end of august aka receive my new score in late sept?

 

[hallowmann]

What if I have a 3.59 cumGPA, 3.39 sciGPA (probably a little lower b/c i considered 2 calc and 1 stats class in this calculation), and a horribly low mcat score? I spent my entire junior year on bio research and spent my entire senior year doing public health research, however, no publications in either year. i also have over 1000 hrs + of community service in non-health settings. i have worked in a doctors office and shadowed multiple doctors including a DO, but didn't ask for recommendation yet. considering spending another year doing clinical work, while i apply.

still a good idea to apply june 1 to one D.O. school with my low mcat score to get my app verified?
then add more D.O. schools after taking the mcat again in late august?
is it way too late to take the mcat at the end of august aka receive my new score in late sept?

1) Make sure you get the DO letter.

2) Definitely submit to at least 1 college on June 1st with your low score, just so there is no verification delay.

How low of an MCAT are we talking? <23? If so, then only send to one school. Most schools will wait for the new MCAT if you indicate that you are planning to take it in the future. That being said, I know at least a few flat out reject you if you are below their screen cutoffs when they get your primary. So if you </=23 I would apply to only one school at first, and then the second your new score comes in, submit to all of your other schools.

Also, as far as it being late, if you get 26 or above on the MCAT, Sept will not be too late for the primary, especially if you are already verified. To give you an idea, I submitted my app months after that and I got interviews, but most were for waitlist spots. If you can submit the primary in Sept, and secondaries as soon as possible and be complete by the beginning of October, you should be OK, given that your GPAs are average and if your MCAT is average (i.e. 25-26). Of course its better to apply early, but in your situation there's no point in waiting for the next cycle and you need the new MCAT, so you don't really have a choice. If you can take the MCAT in July it will be better for you though, but its more important that you are prepared for it than anything else.