Latest (Safe) Date for MCAT 2016

[WhittyPsyche]

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So I made the decision on my exam date a while ago and I've recently realized I've never really received unbiased, knowledgable feedback on whether or not it was a good idea.

As of now, I plan to take the June 2nd test, (score release July 6th). I'm a senior, and applying this upcoming cycle.

I will be starting some content review over the winter break (1month) and then studying through the spring semester.

Important things to consider:

-During the spring semester I have one more prereq- Biochem.
-Last day of finals ~May 10th so just under 4 weeks for dedicated study outside of school.
-Random 3 weeks dedicated study from March-April while on break
-Will start app as soon as AMCAS opens and submit on first day without scores.


I feel like this score release date is already on the late end, but don't know how to weigh taking an even later test date for the increased dedicated study time. For example the June 18th (score July 19th) so I get over 5 weeks dedicated, or even later, perhaps too late, July 8th (score August 9th) but that would be a solid 2 months. I realize how what is too late can get a bit subjective based on the app, so any additional details needed for the best decision please ask away!

 

[Ad2b]

Well. June 2nd is LATE but it's not bad. If you submit your app on June 1 without the MCAT, it is possible and probable that AAMC will just have gotten through verifying your transcripts by the time your MCAT score is available. Many schools will not consider you complete for 2ndaries until you have the MCAT score.

That said, if you submit before having the MCAT (which means July which is sort of late), then you run the risk of submitting without an MCAT and if you retake the MCAT and don't get your app in ... you're considered a reapp for the next cycle at every school you listed on your initial AMCAS application.

Scenario 1:

Submit AMCAS application June 1
Take MCAT on June 2
AMCAS validates transcripts to July 5
Schools you listed on app are sent an incomplete file (missing MCAT)
MCAT score release is July 6
You are happy with MCAT score
Schools receive your MCAT score
You wait for secondary response
School consider you complete in their system mid-to-end August (this is not that bad)
* At this point you are competing against all those who were fully ready to go June 1 with an MCAT score. BUT, from reading on here and listening to others out "there" in real world, a June MCAT is not terrible nor is a completed file of July 29 bad... it's just when you push it into August or September. THAT SAID, I do know of 2 people who submitted during the 2014 cycle in late AUGUST and were both accepted and matriculated this past August... however, they are NOT the norm. *

Scenario 2:

Submit AMCAS application June 1
Take MCAT on June 2
AMCAS validates transcripts to July 5
Schools you listed on app are sent an incomplete file (missing MCAT)
MCAT score release is July 6
You are bummed with MCAT score
Schools receive your MCAT score
You withdraw application for this cycle
You are considered a reapp for every school listed in "Submit AMCAS application..."

However, if you take your MCAT earlier, you can retake before August and still submit this year (not advised by me - but I am a nobody!!)

FWIW, I was originally going to take mine last June but had my app ready to go and submitted. Unfortunately... I withdrew my app for this past cycle (not because of MCAT which I have yet to take).

Last, your study plan is lousy. That's blunt and honest. A few weeks here and there is not good. It's not about content it's about how to take the dang thing 🙂

 

[WhittyPsyche]

Thanks for the input! Timeline does look close even with the earliest date. I do not intend to retake. I'm a good standardized test taker and very organized so I think I can rely on myself for putting my best foot forward with the test in any scenario.

However, did not say a few weeks here and there is when I'll be studying. I have a 4 month study schedule, a hybrid of some of the best ones I've seen here, but I am starting content review over winter break before the slated study schedule for good measure. I was clarifying what time periods would be solely MCAT studying, the rest of the semester will be studying MCAT as well as being in school full time. So obvious it's not straight 8hour days until after finals, but all some chances for that throughout the semester. Hope that's clearer now.

I spoke to someone at my university SOM diversity office and mentioned that stats of how probability of acceptance goes down the later the submission, and he seemed to think that my chances won't go down significantly as the avg given my high gpa and background. But of course that's his opinion. If anyone could speak to this, greatly appreciated.

 

[Dr. Trenb]

I would advise not to submit the application until your score is released (by pause, I mean complete the entire application and wait), or take the exam first then submit the application next day. Two reasons:
1. To make sure you scored well, you don't want a low score in your application.
2. Avoid wasting your money. If you do not do well for whatever reason and you drop the application, you cannot get a refund.

As for "I feel like this score release date is already on the late end," your application will take a month for processing so it shouldn't effect it much

 

[WhittyPsyche]

I would advise not to submit the application until your score is released (by pause, I mean complete the entire application and wait), or take the exam first then submit the application next day. Two reasons:
1. To make sure you scored well, you don't want a low score in your application.
2. Avoid wasting your money. If you do not do well for whatever reason and you drop the application, you cannot get a refund.

As for "I feel like this score release date is already on the late end," your application will take a month for processing so it shouldn't effect it much

Thank you for the response. Since I would be submitting for June 1st, I was hoping the practice tests in the weeks leading up to it would be predictive enough to know whether I would even be in the position to submit. I do agree that taking the exam first and then submitting is better. One day difference no big deal. I did not consider waiting for the score, July 6th is not bad by any means. Perhaps this is better.

You do agree however that the June 2nd date is probably the best case scenario even though it's less time fully dedicated to studying after the semester is over?

Holy hell... You and are I in nearly identical situations. I have nearly the exact same concerns and questions as well. Thanks for having the balls to start this thread haha

Haha no problem!

 

[Dr. Trenb]

Thank you for the response. Since I would be submitting for June 1st, I was hoping the practice tests in the weeks leading up to it would be predictive enough to know whether I would even be in the position to submit. I do agree that taking the exam first and then submitting is better. One day difference no big deal. I did not consider waiting for the score, July 6th is not bad by any means. Perhaps this is better.

You do agree however that the June 2nd date is probably the best case scenario even though it's less time fully dedicated to studying after the semester is over?

Yes, I think you should be fine if your practice tests show good and consistent performance

 

[WhittyPsyche]

I am kind of in a tough situation as well because of playing baseball. I have transferred twice now due to baseball (you can't go D1 to D1 without sitting out) and I did not want to do that so I started at a upper level private D1 school, then to junior college for a year and now at a big state school. I am already behind a year because of how much a nightmare it has been to get my transcripts approved and to get credit for all of my transfer credits. I found out I could have 5 minors (random ones like history or spnaish) with all of my credits sitting there unused. But this spring semester, I will be in Orgo 2, Chem Analysis, Biochem and Physics 2 so it's going to suck. On top of that, I am also planning on taking the MCAT on June 2nd. If you don't mind, what is your exact plan for MCAT studying and review? I am going to hammer content review and knock that all out over Christmas break and then do my best to stay fresh with it via tutoring and Anki. Then once finals are over at the end of April, drill passages and FL's until the test date. I'll of course be doing CARS passages multiple times per week and doing passages during the weeks when I don't have as much going on. What do you think?

All you hear is people saying that its too long to review or it can't be done, but I have no choice. I got injured and am no longer playing ball so here I am at an out of state school paying a load for tuition. I have to finish this semester and no way do I want to take 2 gap years. It's not going to be easy, but I have no other choice and its what I am committed to doing.

Wow that is a lot in one semester.

For the MCAT, I originally made a schedule based off of SN2ed's outline while incorporating the new materials, I've since rehashed it after seeing some good designs in the stickies for the new MCAT. I'm still working out the fine details but it resembles mcatjelly's schedule. I'm using Exam Krackers, Kaplan 7 and TPR for content review, and NS, EK, Kaplam, TPR, AAMC and whatever else I find later for FLs. As I said above I'm starting content review during winter break then start the schedule 4 months out. I have biochem, and a 20 crew semester during the spring, and have a lot of research commitments, and children so it def won't be easy, but you will have a full plate as well. I similarly transferred and was screwed with credits, so I've had to take 20 reds a semester for the last two years.

How many hours a day do you think could be dedicated fully to MCAT, I think I could pull off 5-6 during the schedule some days better than others of course and hopefully weekends fully devoted. Have you considered how many hours you could feasibly commit to a schedule?

 

[WhittyPsyche]

Yes, I think you should be fine if your practice tests show good and consistent performance

Thank you so much, no room for error is the way I'm looking at it, so will try my best to be as prepared as I can.

 

[futuredrHT]

I took my MCAT on June 20th this year, had my AMCAS done by the first week of August, and had secondaries completed by mid-September. Obviously it was not ideal but I was accepted to all 3 schools I applied to (wanted to stay IS). Timeliness is important but don't let the dates stress you out so much that your MCAT/applications suffer. Good luck!!

 

[WhittyPsyche]

I took my MCAT on June 20th this year, had my AMCAS done by the first week of August, and had secondaries completed by mid-September. Obviously it was not ideal but I was accepted to all 3 schools I applied to (wanted to stay IS). Timeliness is important but don't let the dates stress you out so much that your MCAT/applications suffer. Good luck!!

Thank you! Congrats on the acceptances. When did you get IIs and when did you attend them?

 

[futuredrHT]

Thank you! Congrats on the acceptances. When did you get IIs and when did you attend them?

Thank you! I received my II for the secondary I finished 9/1 on 9/18 and interviewed 10/30. The other two secondaries I finished by 9/14, received my IIs around mid-October, and interviewed the second and third weeks of November!

 

[Hospitalized]

You can submit to a "throwaway" school on June 1, take the MCAT whenever and you will only send an "incomplete" application to that one school. Once you get the MCAT score, decide if you want to apply or back out. You will only be considered a reapplication at the "throwaway" school for next year.

 

[WhittyPsyche]

You can submit to a "throwaway" school on June 1, take the MCAT whenever and you will only send an "incomplete" application to that one school. Once you get the MCAT score, decide if you want to apply or back out. You will only be considered a reapplication at the "throwaway" school for next year.

In this scenario I get verified one time at the beginning and so when the other schools are added it's a quicker process correct?

 

[Hospitalized]

In this scenario I get verified one time at the beginning and so when the other schools are added it's a quicker process correct?

Yep. It's the ideal way if you are taking the MCAT after June 1st.

 

[theonlytycrane]

You can submit to a "throwaway" school on June 1, take the MCAT whenever and you will only send an "incomplete" application to that one school. Once you get the MCAT score, decide if you want to apply or back out. You will only be considered a reapplication at the "throwaway" school for next year.

Likely also going with this plan with the 6/18 test date 🙂