Late Committee Letter bad? Push MCAT?

[Status Sciaticus]

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So my pre-health committee letter packet will be sent out between July 1- July 31 and I had some questions on what to do to boost my chances at interview invites.

1) Should I send the individual LORs that are included in the committee packet ahead of the composite committee letter?

2) Since the committee letter wont be sent till the end of july, can i postpone my MCAT date to sometime in May/June (and have it come out in early July) to get extra practice?

3) The TMDSAS opens up on May 1, 2013 instead of the regular June AMCAS date. Does that put me at more of a disadvantage if I am really interested in going in state?

 

[deleted472157]

(1) My committee letter was sent around July 20 and I think it worked out okay for AMCAS. I was still finishing up some secondary applications then so it probably didn't make much of a difference. I have no idea how it would work for TMDSAS.

(2) I took the MCAT mid-May and that was convenient for me because I knew my scores before submitting my AMCAS application. Then again, I had plenty of friends who took it in June and they're doing alright. One thing to remember is that, no matter when you take your MCAT, if you don't submit your app until July, you won't be verified (and thus complete) until August. If you do decide on a June test (and you're set on applying this cycle), I'd suggest submitting your AMCAS app before you know your scores, then add schools later depending on what you get. The AMCAS verification process is the rate-determining step, so to speak.

Sorry I don't know how the Texas thing works, but I hope this is at least helpful for your OOS applications. I don't think a July letter will significantly hurt your application chances. Good luck!

 

[SOMBound13]

I don't think that's late. Many schools don't send them out until that time or later. Mine went out in Sept! Ugh!

 

[Status Sciaticus]

(1) My committee letter was sent around July 20 and I think it worked out okay for AMCAS. I was still finishing up some secondary applications then so it probably didn't make much of a difference. I have no idea how it would work for TMDSAS.

(2) I took the MCAT mid-May and that was convenient for me because I knew my scores before submitting my AMCAS application. Then again, I had plenty of friends who took it in June and they're doing alright. One thing to remember is that, no matter when you take your MCAT, if you don't submit your app until July, you won't be verified (and thus complete) until August. If you do decide on a June test (and you're set on applying this cycle), I'd suggest submitting your AMCAS app before you know your scores, then add schools later depending on what you get. The AMCAS verification process is the rate-determining step, so to speak.

Sorry I don't know how the Texas thing works, but I hope this is at least helpful for your OOS applications. I don't think a July letter will significantly hurt your application chances. Good luck!

so does it matter when i take my mcat as long as its before the app is sent to the schools?

 

[YankeeLion16]

so does it matter when i take my mcat as long as its before the app is sent to the schools?

You should still take the MCAT in May so that you receive your score in mid-June. After taking the MCAT, you should fill out your application and apply to 1 school that is a safety so that your application gets processed. Once you receive your score in June, you will have time for a retake in July (or not if you do well enough) and by that time secondaries will be pouring in. If all goes well on the MCAT, you application will be set and complete everywhere once your committee letter goes out. If not, then the MCAT retake will be the last piece of your application before completion. Either way, do everything early and not around the timeline of the committee letter.