Optimal time to get in applications??

[crazy eyes]

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[ruptured globe]

I sent my application in early September right before the deadline b/c of LOR needs. I don't think there is much of an advantage to getting it in early, especially if you have the opportunity to get a strong letter from a big-wig who probably has some influential friends at a number of programs. The one benefit from getting your application in by early August is with programs that have an October interview date--those dates can sometimes be filled if your application is received a little later (a problem I ran into with Wisconsin).
With regard to getting an LOR from your PD vs. a big-wig, if you feel you can get a strong letter from the big-wig I would go in that direction b/c this LOR will stand out at many programs when they make interview decisions.

 

[Jaded Soul]

Can anyone post more about this subject? I'm thinking of planning a medicine rotation that will end on August 13, 2004 and I'd really like to get a letter out of it. Assuming the attending could take up to a few weeks to write it, will it be too late?

 

[gotrumpet]

I'm in 3rd year medical school and haven't written USMLE yet.

Will it be too late to write it in August?

Please advise, thanks.

 

[JR]

I can pretty much put everyones concerns to rest. There is no point at all to sending the application until beggining/middle of August. I probably set the record and had my application in by June 18 (!!!!). When I called SFMatch, I was told that the very 1st batch of applications is distributed after August 20th. So my application just sat there for 2 months.

Hope this helps,

 

[blackwell]

This board has been really great for the hopefuls like me. =)

I have been hearing about the importance of AOA. Now I don't have a chance at junior AOA but possibly senior AOA (maybe). Those results don't come out until September at my school. Do you send in what you have in August? Is there a way of sending AOA status later? I guess I am wondering if AOA will make a
difference in granting interviews vs. getting them in early( not knowing about AOA status) so that the early interviews don't get filled up. Thanks!

 

[Redhawk]

I don't know if I would delay sending in your application just because you are waiting for AOA acceptance. You can send it in to CAS as a supplemental document later (they have stickers that they'll send you for that). I was in the same boat. I sent my AOA letter into CAS asap when I got it (early October) and I took a copy to each of my interviews to make sure they had it. When exactly will you get senior AOA, early september is a lot different than late september? If you knew you would get it the first week of September it might be worth it, but not any later, in my humble opinion.