Originally posted by NeeMaBeeMa
Hypothetically speaking, will a student who took the April MCAT and sent their AMCAS prior to taking the August MCAT's (who plans to improve drastically) suffer in the admission process because the adcoms will reject the person based upon their April scores? Or, does the AMCAS magically know that you are also taking the August MCAT's and will delay your application despite the fact you have already taken the April test? What are the logistics of this.
This question has been answered in other threads...but basically, when you fill out your AMCAS, you can check a box telling schools you intend to take the August MCAT. Usually, the schools will still send you a secondary without delay. Some schools will ask whether you wish to "delay consideration until August scores". Whether you get asked during your secondary app varies from school to school, but they should know from your AMCAS app already that you plan to take the August one. Obviously, it won't hurt to contact the admissions office to clarify if your situation changed.
Although the disadvantage of taking the August test still holds...I"m not aware of schools which would withhold granting secondaries b/c you're waiting for your August scores, schools will refrain from interviewing you if you don't have your august scroes yet. I'm not an august MCATer so I have no personal experience...but thought i'd throw in a response...
As for the question about whether they look "more favorably" at an april test, I don't think so. It's mostly just that if you apply the same year when you took your august MCAT, your app may risk being delayed, also, it'd be difficult to work during that summer, some if your ECs are already weak, this may be a problem. Pinkertinkle must've been really good if he/she can work full time during the summer of her MCAT...
and finally, and perhaps most important, apply early regardless of your MCAT status. I repeat, APPLY ASAP once you can submit your app! Like I said, it doesn't matter if you don't have your August scores in yet...