Non Expedited MCAT and UC's

[aristrutz523]

So turns out.... I played myself. I registered for thee 8/8/2020 MCAT to give myself an extra week.... not realizing that they're ONLY EXPEDITING MCAT SCORES THROUGH 8/1. So fml.
I was going to hold off on submitting my AMCAS to time it so that my MCAT and AMCAS are verified and delivered roughly around the same time. However, with my new discovery, my MCAT wont even be available until September 5th.
I'm applying to UC's (I'm a CA resident) and I won't get a secondary if they pre-screen me without the MCAT, that's for sure.

Should I
a) try to reschedule it for earlier even if the testing site is further away, losing a week of studying (a week that I will probably benefit from)?
b) say "F it", keep my date and submit AMCAS whenever I'm ready to and let J****s take the wheel
or c) Still time them out so that my app won't reach schools until September..... but I feel like option c is a surefire way to shoot myself in the leg.

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[Goro]

You'll be fine

 

[KnightDoc]

So turns out.... I played myself. I registered for thee 8/8/2020 MCAT to give myself an extra week.... not realizing that they're ONLY EXPEDITING MCAT SCORES THROUGH 8/1. So fml.
I was going to hold off on submitting my AMCAS to time it so that my MCAT and AMCAS are verified and delivered roughly around the same time. However, with my new discovery, my MCAT wont even be available until September 5th.
I'm applying to UC's (I'm a CA resident) and I won't get a secondary if they pre-screen me without the MCAT, that's for sure.

Should I
a) try to reschedule it for earlier even if the testing site is further away, losing a week of studying (a week that I will probably benefit from)?
b) say "F it", keep my date and submit AMCAS whenever I'm ready to and let J****s take the wheel
or c) Still time them out so that my app won't reach schools until September..... but I feel like option c is a surefire way to shoot myself in the leg.

Totally choose B -- you're good!!

Joint Statement from the Admissions Deans of California Medical Schools Regarding Academic Work and MCAT Tests that are Affected by the COVID-19 Outbreak



The purpose of this message is to address concerns from prospective applicants who are experiencing unprecedented educational upheaval during the COVID-19 pandemic. Applicants for the upcoming application cycle can count on our common commitment to the following principles:



Pass/Fail Grades – Our schools will accept pass/fail grades, without prejudice, for courses taken during the COVID-19 pandemic. It has always been our practice to consider grades in the context of numerous other aspects of the application, and an international crisis certainly provides a unique and compelling context. In making this statement, we are cognizant of the fact that some undergraduate schools are providing an option for students to take courses either for grades or on a Pass/Fail basis. We therefore want to be explicit that applicants should not feel pressured by us to choose the graded option. Students and their families are facing many challenges at the moment – maybe even life and death challenges. The pressure for grades need not be one of them.



MCAT Tests – We will accept applications from individuals who were unable to take the MCAT due to COVID-related test cancellations. For these candidates, we will base secondary application decisions on the information that is available to us at the time of the application. Assuming that MCAT testing resumes prior to October, we will require applicants to have taken the MCAT before we make admissions decisions for the Class of 2025. Accordingly, applicants should not delay applying simply because an MCAT score is not yet available.



Raquel Arias, MD John Balmes, MD

Associate Dean of Admissions Director, Joint Medical Program

Keck School of Medicine at USC UC Berkeley/UC San Francisco



Clarence Braddock III, MD, MPH Daphne Calmes, MD

Vice Dean for Education Associate Dean for Medical Education

David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA Charles R. Drew University of Medicine



Iris C. Gibbs, MD Kama Guluma, MD

Associate Dean of MD Admissions Associate Dean of Admissions

Stanford University School of Medicine and Student Affairs

UC San Diego School of Medicine

Mark Henderson, MD

Associate Dean for Admissions Megan Osborn, MD, MHPE

University of California Davis Associate Dean for Students

University of California Irvine

Sarah Roddy, MD

Associate Dean for Admissions Emma M. Simmons, MD, MPH

Loma Linda University School of Medicine Senior Associate Dean, Student Affairs

University of California Riverside

Lindia Willies-Jacobo, MD

Associate Dean for Admissions David Wofsy, MD

Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson Associate Dean for Admissions

School of Medicine University of California San Francisco

 

[Talldoctor96]

This a lot of neuroticism on here about turning things in the absolute first day. When in reality I have many friends who submitted their secondaries in September (and even october) and all had successful cycles. There is no denying that being early helps, but you are going to be just fine don’t worry about it.

 

[jhmmd]

This a lot of neuroticism on here about turning things in the absolute first day. When in reality I have many friends who submitted their secondaries in September (and even october) and all had successful cycles. There is no denying that being early helps, but you are going to be just fine don’t worry about it.

Applications are processed first come first serve. Apply late at your own risk.

 

[Talldoctor96]

Applications are processed first come first serve. Apply late at your own risk.

August isn’t late in any universe, especially in a year when everything is weird and delayed.

 

[jhmmd]

August isn’t late in any universe, especially in a year when everything is weird and delayed.

Hmmm ok

 

[931kra]

n=1 here, but I'll be matriculating at the school where I submitted my secondary in mid-September last year! There is hope, and even if sooner is better, September 5th isn't prohibitively late by any means!

 

[Talldoctor96]

n=1 here, but I'll be matriculating at the school where I submitted my secondary in mid-September last year! There is hope, and even if sooner is better, September 5th isn't prohibitively late by any means!

It’s undeniable that applying early is advantageous however, like you just said many many applicants apply sep-nov and get in.

 

[jhmmd]

You really want to
1. Apply the first day that the app opens--this is not "being neurotic;" it's crossing your Ts and dotting your Is
2. Get all of your seondaries in BY July
3. Not put off filing out secondaries so that you have the time to revise them and have people look over them
4. Have all of your transcripts in order and everything all ready by the time you apply, so that you're not panicking at the last minute.

P.S. AMCAS used to have a guest login so that you can prepare. Use at your own discretion