Latest Date to Take MCAT

[jel34]

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Hi everyone,

I'm a junior undergrad, and kinda late to the MD/PhD boat... I really think I want to apply to MSTP programs next year, but I really haven't started studying much for the MCAT yet. I was wondering when would be the latest I should take the MCAT and still apply on the early side for MSTP programs. I'm thinking I'll be ready by mid-May (I'll have a couple of weeks after finals to finalize my studying), which means I'd get my score back by mid-June. Is this early enough to be able to send in my MCAT score and apply early to programs?

Thanks!

 

[red doctober]

Hi everyone,

I'm a junior undergrad, and kinda late to the MD/PhD boat... I really think I want to apply to MSTP programs next year, but I really haven't started studying much for the MCAT yet. I was wondering when would be the latest I should take the MCAT and still apply on the early side for MSTP programs. I'm thinking I'll be ready by mid-May (I'll have a couple of weeks after finals to finalize my studying), which means I'd get my score back by mid-June. Is this early enough to be able to send in my MCAT score and apply early to programs?

Thanks!

Do be honest, many MD/PhD programs start the beef of their application cycle later than that of their MD counterparts--some programs just started interviewing... 😱 yeah I know. A May MCAT/June AMCAS verification would be plenty early. Heck, I'd say it wouldn't hurt you a whole lot taking it in July.

 

[jel34]

Thanks for your input! I noticed on WashU's MSTP site, they have a nice little graph showing how the number of available interview slots dwindles down once the application completion date gets into August (http://mstp.wustl.edu/admissions/Pages/Statistics.aspx). Just trying to make sure I get the best chances possible (assuming I'm prepared for when I take the MCAT 🙂 )

 

[red doctober]

Thanks for your input! I noticed on WashU's MSTP site, they have a nice little graph showing how the number of available interview slots dwindles down once the application completion date gets into August (http://mstp.wustl.edu/admissions/Pages/Statistics.aspx). Just trying to make sure I get the best chances possible (assuming I'm prepared for when I take the MCAT 🙂 )

Right, just be sure to take the MCAT only when you are absolutely ready. Don't risk a lower score just to take it earlier.

 

[Neuronix]

Thanks for your input! I noticed on WashU's MSTP site, they have a nice little graph showing how the number of available interview slots dwindles down once the application completion date gets into August (http://mstp.wustl.edu/admissions/Pages/Statistics.aspx). Just trying to make sure I get the best chances possible (assuming I'm prepared for when I take the MCAT 🙂 )

1) They know every year what the applicants will be like. The pool does not change dramatically from year to year. They're not going to accept someone who is sub-par early.

2) That's just one program with rolling admissions that does interview fairly early.

It does benefit you to get your application in early. But the advice from me has been and always will be: it benefits you much more to take the MCAT when you have a month or several months to study full time or several hours a day part time. Just five points on the MCAT can make or break your application. The difference between a 29 on the MCAT in June and a 34 on the MCAT in August is the difference between you not getting into an MD/PhD program and getting into an MD/PhD program. Not to mention those course grades from your spring classes are also extremely important. Every year I see people's applications ruined by rushing into the MCAT and getting a low score. I rarely see someone who waited too long, other than just out of ignorance, laziness, or late decision making.

That means, get your finals over with and don't rush into the MCAT. If you take the MCAT in July, have your scores back in August, and apply ASAP with everything complete in August, you will not be at a significant disadvantage. The op in the thread is asking about taking the MCAT in May. This just reflects high, overboard levels of SDN anxiety. OP: Having your application complete in June is quite early. You won't even have the majority of your secondaries in hand until August.

 

[Maebea]

Neuronix is starting to show his age😉 Here is comparative data for applications submitted to our program for the 2003 vs the 2013 entering classes:

Percentage of final application count submitted
Date 2003// 2013

Beg Sept %age 22%// 46%
MidSept %age 31%// 57%
Beg Oct %age 40%// 67%
Mid Oct %age 50%// 72%
Beg Nov %age 60%// 85%
Mid Nov %age 71%// 91%
Beg Dec %age 87%// 98%
Mid Dec %age 99%// 100%

While this is data for a single program, I know that other programs have experienced the same trend towards earlier application. As a result, many programs have shifted their itnerview dates earlier in the calendar. We used to interview November through March; now we interview October through January.

Applying late does not doom your application, but it does place it at a disadvantage. That being said, I agree 100% with Neuronix's advice that you do not rush the MCAT. You can start the AMCAS in June, and many programs will let you submit a secondary without the MCAT score. They will put your application on the self until the MCAT is reported.

 

[Neuronix]

Thanks for the data Maebea. You are showing 46% complete by beginning of September. That is when I'm telling people in this thread that they should be complete by. So they'd be right in the middle of the pack, which is not considered "late" by the definition of the word. Are are you arguing that a complete application at the end of August would put someone at a disadvantage? When do the stacks of applications even get a first round of reviews at your program? Would you consider an early application to have a significant "advantage"? How about crunching your numbers to see what the average invited GPA and MCAT score is by the month the application is completed.

I tell people to be complete for certain by the end of September. Past that is "late" and you're risking serious disadvantage at some programs. I stand by that statement based on your data. If you're in with the first 2/3 of applicants, I'd hardly consider that late. I doubt there would be much disadvantage for most applicants. Would you disagree?

 

[Maebea]

Thanks for the data Maebea. You are showing 46% complete by beginning of September. That is when I'm telling people in this thread that they should be complete by. So they'd be right in the middle of the pack, which is not considered "late" by the definition of the word. Are are you arguing that a complete application at the end of August would put someone at a disadvantage? When do the stacks of applications even get a first round of reviews at your program? Would you consider an early application to have a significant "advantage"? How about crunching your numbers to see what the average invited GPA and MCAT score is by the month the application is completed.

I tell people to submit by the end of September. Past that is "late" and you're risking serious disadvantage at some programs. I stand by that statement based on your data. If you're in with the first 2/3 of applicants, I'd hardly consider that late. I doubt there would be much disadvantage for most applicants. Would you disagree?

I would say your advice to apply by the end of September is sound. I always encourage a September 1 application target. The data for our program (2011-13) sugests that an earlier submission date might be better. Here the interview rate of applicants based on the month they submitted their secondary application:

July 30%
August 19%
September 20%
October 12%
November 9%

This would suggest that we are both correct in our advice: there are two inflection points-August 1 and October 1.

The MCATs and GPAs are not significantly different between those that apply in November and any other month. It is difficult to quantify the quality of the research experience, but there is a perception on our part that the quality decreases as the season progresses. Whether this is real or imagined is difficult to say.

A "walks on water" applicant will not be denied an interview just because they applied later in the cycle, but the other 95% of applicants will be disadvantaged to varying degrees as a function of the degree of lateness and the overall quality of their application. Applicants do not need to be crazy about this (I have heard stories of the old days when individuals would take the train to Washington to stand in line at AAMC to be among the first to turn in their AMCAS). September 30 is fine, October 1, not so much.

 

[miz]

I would say your advice to apply by the end of September is sound. I always encourage a September 1 application target.

I agree with Maebea. Most people find the application process takes longer than they had planned and submit secondaries a week or two later than expected, so it's better not to leave it down to the wire.

 

[OCDOCDOCD]

So if I'm to understand this thread right, unlike MD admissions where SDN acts like you're screwed if you wait later than mid-June to submit your primary, in MD/PhD you're fine even if you submit as late as September?

In that case, would it be worth delaying an application from early June to late summer to wait for an additional first author publication to go from "submitted" to "in press"?

 

[Neuronix]

So if I'm to understand this thread right, unlike MD admissions where SDN acts like you're screwed if you wait later than mid-June to submit your primary, in MD/PhD you're fine even if you submit as late as September?

SDN overestimates the importance of early applications for MD students too. Difference between June and July is zero. But on SDN it's such crazy group think neurosis that it's taboo to say so.

In that case, would it be worth delaying an application from early June to late summer to wait for an additional first author publication to go from "submitted" to "in press"?

No because this always takes longer than you'd expect, does not make or break an application, and can always be updated later.

 

[Juggs Gotcha]

Thanks for the informative thread - I was wondering this exact same thing. Would this be a reasonable timeline? I am international if that matters here.

June 20: Take MCAT, submit primary around this time without score.
July 23: MCAT Score Release.
Early-Mid August: Have all secondaries submitted and aim for app completion by August 30.

How long does it take to get secondaries, and how long does it usually take to do them? I will be able to work on them full time and will write them in advance if necessary. Is there a list of schools that accept secondaries without an MCAT score?

 

[Fencer]

As an international applicant, you need to be aware of the difficulties on getting in as MD/PhD applicant and then review the AAMC summary of MD/PhD policies:
https://www.aamc.org/students/download/62760/data/faqtable.pdf