Planning on taking the MCAT and submitting app very early

[phattestlewt]

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I'm planning on taking the MCAT on May 31st. And submitting my application first or second week of June.
By the time my scores come out, it'll have been late June.

When ADCOMS look through the application, do they stop looking if they don't see an MCAT score? What I mean to ask is, is there any point to submitting my application early, if my MCAT score is released late june/early July? Do they not consider my application until my MCAT score comes in??

Would pre-poning my MCAT date to say end of April, which would have my scores come in by early June help?

 

[Mr Roboto]

You'll get secondaries at places, but probably no ii's until the MCAT score is back.

I'd say pre-pone the test if possible.

 

[preMedDonut]

Correct me if I am wrong, but doesn't the application year really start near the end of June? I know AMCAS opens up early June, but I thought that it doesn't really matter until late June anyways.

To OP: I am right there with you on May 31st ( just moved date from 17th to 31st since I'm so entrenched this semester and not progressing like I wanted to), I personally don't see it becoming a huge worry.

 

[knv2u]

I think June/early July is fine for application submission/verification.

 

[phattestlewt]

Correct me if I am wrong, but doesn't the application year really start near the end of June? I know AMCAS opens up early June, but I thought that it doesn't really matter until late June anyways.

To OP: I am right there with you on May 31st ( just moved date from 17th to 31st since I'm so entrenched this semester and not progressing like I wanted to), I personally don't see it becoming a huge worry.

Where did you hear this? Apps open up early June I thought and can be submitted as soon as you can finish the app after that?

 

[dancingmate]

Secondaries become available starting late June. If you take the May 31st MCAT, but still send in your AMCAS during the 1st/2nd week of June, you should be fine. Your app will be verified by the time your scores come back, and then you should receive secondaries shortly after (early-mid July). I think you would benefit from those few extra weeks of studying, especially if you are in school right now. Good luck!

 

[terp720]

Where did you hear this? Apps open up early June I thought and can be submitted as soon as you can finish the app after that?

According to the AMCAS website, the 2015 application opens May 1st. Don't wait until June 1st to begin filling it out. The first day you can submit is June 3rd. However, I believe AMCAS doesn't release anything to schools until the end of June when secondaries can come out, so your MCAT scores would probably be back by this time or shortly after.

Also, since you won't know what your MCAT score is, you can always select very few schools initially, then add schools once you know your score.

 

[Catalystik]

I believe AMCAS doesn't release anything to schools until the end of June . . .

This is correct.

Also, since you won't know what your MCAT score is, you can always select very few schools initially, then add schools once you know your score.

A good strategy, as the schools you'd select might be very different if you got a 29 vs a 39.

 

[moop]

Bit risky to submit with no clue of an MCAT, unless you've always been a good test taker without any anxiety problems or things like that. I would also wait the 3 weeks; it won't make a difference.

 

[phattestlewt]

Bit risky to submit with no clue of an MCAT, unless you've always been a good test taker without any anxiety problems or things like that. I would also wait the 3 weeks; it won't make a difference.

Are you suggesting that I submit my app only once I find out my score, (if i take may 30th, i would find out late june/early july) so send then?

Or send in ASAP, and wait for MCAT score to come in?

 

[moop]

Are you suggesting that I submit my app only once I find out my score, (if i take may 30th, i would find out late june/early july) so send then?

Or send in ASAP, and wait for MCAT score to come in?

Former. Latter is a bit risky to have reasonable school choices.

 

[GIRLmeetsMED]

Are you suggesting that I submit my app only once I find out my score, (if i take may 30th, i would find out late june/early july) so send then?

Or send in ASAP, and wait for MCAT score to come in?

Just echoing some comments for your clarification.. You can select just one school and submit your primary app in early June and then depending on how you do on the MCAT you can add schools accordingly. That way your primary app is verified by the time you have your score and you're not wasting money selecting schools you may not want to apply to anymore based on your score.

 

[DokterMom]

Are you suggesting that I submit my app only once I find out my score, (if i take may 30th, i would find out late june/early july) so send then?

Or send in ASAP, and wait for MCAT score to come in?

If you're like many people, you'll probably apply to your state school(s) whether your MCAT is 29 or 39. Apply there 'blind'.

But hold off on your 'reaches' so if your score is disappointing, you can choose to retake and apply for the first time with a higher score. (Applying as a re-applicant diminishes your chances somewhat.)

And hold off on your 'safeties' in case your score is really high. If your score is too high, aiming too low is a waste of money.

 

[phattestlewt]

Just echoing some comments for your clarification.. You can select just one school and submit your primary app in early June and then depending on how you do on the MCAT you can add schools accordingly. That way your primary app is verified by the time you have your score and you're not wasting money selecting schools you may not want to apply to anymore based on your score.

Woah woah, so you're saying that I only apply to one school at first, but add on more schools accordingly based off my MCAT result?

Is it going to be important which one school i pick first?

I never knew that. Thanks .

 

[deleted526486]

Woah woah, so you're saying that I only apply to one school at first, but add on more schools accordingly based off my MCAT result?

Is it going to be important which one school i pick first?

I never knew that. Thanks .

It's not super important which school you choose first, but it's probably strategic to pick one you'd apply to regardless of your MCAT score (probably your state schools). Schools never find out if you added them first or last.

 

[moop]

Woah woah, so you're saying that I only apply to one school at first, but add on more schools accordingly based off my MCAT result?

Is it going to be important which one school i pick first?

I never knew that. Thanks .

omg dude you are making this WAY more complicated than it is..

It is risky (i.e., illogical) and borderline reckless to submit apps for >10 schools without knowing your MCAT score. So you don't want to do that. But you don't want your primary verified late only because of your MCAT, so you want to submit that early. In order to do that, you need to at least pick one school. You can add on schools that fit based on your MCAT after you get the score, and your primary will have already been verified. As others said, if you'll be applying to your state school regardless of the MCAT, you should put that in first. i.e., don't submit Harvard first if you don't plan on applying if the MCAT is below a certain place.

Basically – submit the primary with your state school. Have a list of potential schools prepared on hand when your MCAT comes out. Pick and match the additional schools you choose by range (low, mid, upper).