Need Advice on Appication Process! HELP!

[PsychNstein]

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I am from a very rural area in CA, and took most of my pre-req's at a Junior College. I do not have access to a pre-med advisor so I desperately need some guidance.
The decision to take the classes at the junior college level was weighed with the fact I could keep my job at the local hospital as a Medical Social Worker. I felt the clinical experience and relationships with the MD/DO's outweighed where I completed the coursework. I am taking a year at CSU East Bay in their Pre-Health Program for OChem that is not offered at the junior college along with a full load of classes that Med Schools like (BioChem, Genetics, etc..) to counter-balance my Junior College pre-req's. I did this on advice from UC Irvine Med School.

I am getting ready to apply this year, and desperately need some advice on how to proceed. I am getting my LOR's in place, taking the MCAT in Sept after a summer MCAT prep course, and transcripts will be ready to submit at the completion of this semester on April 27th. I will still have OChem outstanding. I would really appreciate some assistance in looking over my personal statement, finding out if taking the MCAT so late will hurt me, and general tips on how to look my best in the app process. Any advice will be much appreciated!

 

[cliffhuxtableDO]

I wouldn't be worried about your credits from the junior college, especially if you did well in them. Taking the MCAT in September is definitely not going to help you, since your scores won't be released until sometime in October. It may not break you, but it's not going to help you. Is there anyway you can study for the MCAT on your own starting now and take a July MCAT?

 

[Dr Oops]

If you take your MCAT in sept you wont be able to send it out until october. Schools prob wont start looking at your application till they receive it and then from there that could take additional time. Try to get your MCAT done sooner, but its prob better to put it off and get a good score then to rush it and do badly.

 

[SLC]

I did my MCAT in Sept, and applied in Oct. Everything worked out for me, but my school (that I was accepted to) didn't really start interviewing heavily until Feb.

If you can make it happen to take an earlier test, you'll be in much better shape. If you can't, your chances will be slimmer, but it won't be the end of the world.

 

[PsychNstein]

I would like too but really need the extra study time in OChem. The prep course should help with that, as well as a refresher for Bio (which I took 12 yrs ago). I will find out when the module is for OChem in my prep course and change my test date if at all possible. Thanks!

 

[rocketman0314]

The MCAT is an extremely important part of your overall application, and carries a lot of weight in the application process. If you rush to take the test prior to being ready, you are taking a risk.

Being complete in October and applying this cycle is definitely doable. The more competitive an applicant you are, the better your chances. Most schools admit students on a rolling basis, so the sooner you apply, the better your chances. However most schools offer interviews until March/April.

Also, applying late vs. not applying at all has the only drawback of cost, IMO. If you apply late, and get in, Awesome. If you apply late, and don't get in, you can reapply the next year early w/ a (hopefully) stronger application.

This is what I would do. Figure out what's best for you. Good Luck!