planning to take MCAT on August 22, 2012 and apply for the 2013 cycle?

[angel1206]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hi,
I am a junior in college and planning to take MCAT on August 22, 2012. I did not want to take MCAT without finishing up my prerequisite classes ; I will be done with my organic chem 2 and physics 2 by the spring 2012. I am planning to study for MCAT for the next 3 months and take it at the end of the August. I wanted to know if this is too late to take MCAT in order to apply for the 2013 cycle? Any suggestions will be really appreciated.

 

[mynamae101]

If you think you are going to get good score then I think it's worth the shot. Remember that the application cycle opens in June and those applying at that time would know what their MCAT score are. But you would be applying blindly without knowing your score. Also, you would have less time to fill up your application and the secondaries. The whole point is, is it doable? It is. But I won't recommend it.

 

[johnisles2011]

Personally, I suspect that's a little late. As suggested above, if you knock it out of the park, then maybe it'll be okay, but if you take it at the end of August, it won't be coming back to you till the end of September. That's really really really late for you to have a completed file at most schools. I think that would put you at a serious disadvantage.

I understand why you want three months to study for it, but the fact is that it can be done in one or two. Why not go for a mid July date? Besides, you'll be very fresh on the orgo and phys material you'll need, so you can spend comparatively less time there.

 

[xXIDaShizIXx]

I'd just study hard and get a great score. Then just wait until the next cycle, so then you will have a leg up on everyone else. In the meantime there are always ECs or whatever to beef up your application! 😀

 

[varsityblue]

I wouldn't recommend it unless you have VERY compelling reasons to sit the exam that late in the game.

 

[CopaceticOne]

As someone who took the August MCAT for my first time applying (notice how I said first time): taking it for the first time that late in the application season is a bad idea. You really should be taking it in the spring/summer. I learned the hard way because by taking it that late you won't be getting scores back until almost October. For most schools they won't even look at your application until it is complete (that means having MCAT scores). Think of all of the applicants they have already looked by that time. You will putting yourself at a BIG disadvantage.

In the end it is your decision, but there is nothing wrong with waiting a year to apply in the following cycle.

 

[joy14]

Terrible idea

move it up to june and youll be ok...also send in ur application as soon as AMCAS opens up (around the first week it opens)

 

[pdxjazz]

I think you are wise to finish up your prereqs in the spring and then spend those three months prepping for the MCAT. Sure you could shorten that to one or two months, but it's better to be fully prepared so you only have to take it once and maximize your score. You also won't jeopardize your grades by trying to fit in study time for the MCAT while finishing up some important science classes that will count towards your BCPM GPA. The MCAT is stressful enough, no need to compound it by rushing into it.

I would not apply that summer however. Wait until the following application cycle and submit on June 1st. Your application will be stronger with the additional volunteering/research/whatever you did during your senior year, and you won't have to worry about keeping your grades up (especially an upward trend) during the senior year while flying around the country for interviews. An very early submission will maximize your chances for receiving multiple interviews, and (hopefully) multiple acceptances. This will also give you much more time to research schools and practice for interviews. And finally (with a late MCAT date) you won't have to worry about rushing through secondary applications trying to get them in as fast as you can.

Appy once, apply smart.