MCAT timing

[Jorje286]

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Hi everyone,

I'm planning to apply MD/PhD for the next cycle, and I haven't taken the MCAT yet. I will take it either in May or in June. My question is this: can I still submit the primary application if my MCAT scores aren't out yet, and would it make a significant difference if I apply in July (supposedly when the scores come out if I take it in June) rather than in May?

Sorry if something similar has been asked before.

 

[OncDoc19]

Hi everyone,

I'm planning to apply MD/PhD for the next cycle, and I haven't taken the MCAT yet. I will take it either in May or in June. My question is this: can I still submit the primary application if my MCAT scores aren't out yet, and would it make a significant difference if I apply in July (supposedly when the scores come out if I take it in June) rather than in May?

Sorry if something similar has been asked before.

You can submit your AMCAS before MCATs are out. If you take the MCAT at the beginning of June I don't think it will make a difference as secondaries don't usually start piling up till mid-July/early-August. I would advise against a late June MCAT though if you want to be complete early.

 

[meowkat444]

I took the MCAT in mid-June, was verified Aug 1, and it has hurt me NONE. I was in the first interview group at many schools.

 

[Jorje286]

OK thanks guys. meowkat, what do you mean by "verified"? Does it take that long for the scores to come?

I'm leaning towards taking it in June. Delaying my application slightly could also help me because I would've done 2 additional months of research and might have a paper in submission at that time.

 

[meowkat444]

Here's how AMCAS works: you submit your application which lists all of your classes and grades, at which point your application is submitted. You have your school send transcripts, and then AMCAS checks your application against your transcripts. This can take a long time (a month) in heavy application times, and after they finish this your AMCAS is verified. This all happens regardless of your MCAT; however, your application is not totally complete to a school for consideration until the MCAT comes out and your AMCAS is verified. Some schools may choose to send secondaries before verification or MCAT release, but many do not.

Hope that helps!

 

[Jorje286]

Hi again,

My schedule is getting extremely hectic and now I'm planning to adjourn my MCATs into the first week of July. Would that seriously affect my chances?

As far as I understand, the MCAT scores don't need to be out for AMCAS to verify your application. So what I'm planning to do is to submit my application end of June (before I do the MCAT), do the MCATs early July, which would mean that my AMCAS application would be all done, MCAT scores included, during the first week of August. Am I right in what I'm assuming and would that have any considerable effects on my chances?

 

[Jorje286]

Bump.

Anyone willing to help? Would having the primary application done by early August severely hinder my chances?

 

[bagofnuts]

I met lots of people on my interview trail that submitted their applications pretty much in September and October (me included), and it didn't hurt them one bit (we were still able to interview at top schools). Late submission of AMCAS doesn't necessarily hinder your chances for many MD/PhD programs, but it doesn't mean you should leave it to the last minute either! Answering your question, I don't think it matters whether you take it in June or July. You should take it when you feel you are best ready, for the score will matter more than when you submit it.

 

[MedRower]

Just to suggest another solution, have you considered taking a gap year (say, doing some post-bacc research)?

Edit: oops! Sorry, I just assumed you were in school. Anyway, let me rephrase that: have you considered pushing back your application by a year?

 

[Jorje286]

I met lots of people on my interview trail that submitted their applications pretty much in September and October (me included), and it didn't hurt them one bit (we were still able to interview at top schools). Late submission of AMCAS doesn't necessarily hinder your chances for many MD/PhD programs, but it doesn't mean you should leave it to the last minute either! Answering your question, I don't think it matters whether you take it in June or July. You should take it when you feel you are best ready, for the score will matter more than when you submit it.

Thanks for the response. I'm just worried cause it seems "apply early" is regularly repeated. But I think I can manage to submit my secondaries during August and early September so it shouldn't be a big deal. I'm confident I will get at least 12s if I take it in June, but if I delay it a bit I will have a much bigger shot at the 13s and the 14s. And considering I'm already disadvantaged (international applicant, not a very well known undergrad university), getting great MCATs will be extra-important.

Just to suggest another solution, have you considered taking a gap year (say, doing some post-bacc research)?

Edit: oops! Sorry, I just assumed you were in school. Anyway, let me rephrase that: have you considered pushing back your application by a year?

I'm still in school but I'm graduating in May. During the application season I will be doing research. So I don't think I can afford to delay my application one more year.