Points to consider for applying early?

[uphillBattle]

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I'm currently trying to make sure that I have everything in place for applying early. I'm sure this list will help others as well.

What are the key things I should do and not do to make sure that I can submit my Amcas application as soon as it opens?

So far this is what I've compiled:

1. Order official transcripts for myself
2. On May 1st, download and send the transcript request forms to my schools and LoR forms to my letter service.

Questions:

1. Will it be possible to upload course descriptions at the same time I submit my Amcas application to avoid potential confusion about course classification?

2. How come Amcas opens up June 4th whereas certain schools that use amcas open up June 1st?

3. What type of mistakes can delay application verification?

4. When people talk about submitting early, do they refer to submitting Amcas early or having it verified at schools early?

5. For the submission process:
i. Submit Amcas June 1st - Is it possible for amcas to verify before submission if transcripts and LoRs are sent already?
ii. Data is sent to schools - Do schools only look at applications after they've been verified?

 

[byaaaaaaah23]

I'm currently trying to make sure that I have everything in place for applying early. I'm sure this list will help others as well.

What are the key things I should do and not do to make sure that I can submit my Amcas application as soon as it opens?

So far this is what I've compiled:

1. Order official transcripts for myself
2. On May 1st, download and send the transcript request forms to my schools and LoR forms to my letter service.

also make sure all of your letters are in by the date you want to submit, just to be safe

Questions:

1. Will it be possible to upload course descriptions at the same time I submit my Amcas application to avoid potential confusion about course classification?

pretty sure this is not possible-- you choose what subject each class was from a menu and if AMCAS agrees it stays the same and if not they change it for you.

2. How come Amcas opens up June 4th whereas certain schools that use amcas open up June 1st?

Not sure what this means, but it doesn't matter. Schools won't even get your info until the data transmission date (late June)

3. What type of mistakes can delay application verification?

discrepancies between the courses/grades you entered and the ones that show up on your transcript. for real, check this 5 times over the course of a few days.

4. When people talk about submitting early, do they refer to submitting Amcas early or having it verified at schools early?

submitting early = verified early. As long as you are verified before the data transmission day, you are early.

5. For the submission process:
i. Submit Amcas June 1st - Is it possible for amcas to verify before submission if transcripts and LoRs are sent already?

no of course not-- that would be ridiculous. I submitted my app at 10:30 am on the first day and was verified 2 days later. As long as you are verified before the end of June, you are still early

ii. Data is sent to schools - Do schools only look at applications after they've been verified?

technically yes, but some people have reported receiving secondaries before verification, indicating that the schools somehow got their info from AMCAS

see above underlined answers

 

[uphillBattle]

see above underlined answers

Appreciate the feedback. So my priorities right now should be:

1. getting in my transcripts + Lors into amcas asap before submission.
2. Quadruple check my grades. My biggest fear is that some of my courses (upper division economics courses steeped in stats and math) will fall under behavioral science.

Question:

1. In your experience, how much of a delay can I expect if I have to resubmit an academic request change. I'm assuming amcas will notify me of ALL the course classifications they disagree with at once so that I only need to submit 1 change request for all of them correct?

 

[Tots]

Moved to Pre-Allo.

 

[DAPI]

The one thing I would add is that LORs are not required by AMCAS for verification, so you can submit AMCAS on June 1st without LORs.

What you want is your LORs in by the time you submit your secondaires, so anytime in June is fine, as schools only mark you complete once they have everything (secondaries and LORs).

If you really want to be ontop of it, use interfolio to get your LORs early (aka before May 1st) and then send them to AMCAS via interfolio on May 1st.

 

[pre med 2014]

Great thread for people applying as early as possible

 

[tennisguitar]

Also just to let you know, if you have nothing preventing your AMCAS app from being verified (not sure what, if anything, would prevent verification), it will be verified VERY QUICKLY if you submit one of those first few days--like possibly the same day that you submit. I'm not sure if there is any statistical benefit to submitting this early and being verified that quickly (since secondaries often dont come until weeks later), but why bargain with something like this? The point is, the AMCAS has not changed in years, so there really isn't any reason to not to have things in order (essays, activities, personal statement, transcripts) prior to the submission deadline. Also, find out which schools don't have secondary essays (I think Medical College of Wisconsin, NYMC, Drexel?, and plenty others) and submit as soon as you get those. No reason for those secondary emails to sit in your mailbox for 2 weeks before you open them and realize you could have completed them in 4 minutes. Good luck!

 

[DAPI]

Also just to let you know, if you have nothing preventing your AMCAS app from being verified (not sure what, if anything, would prevent verification), it will be verified VERY QUICKLY if you submit one of those first few days--like possibly the same day that you submit. I'm not sure if there is any statistical benefit to submitting this early and being verified that quickly (since secondaries often dont come until weeks later), but why bargain with something like this? The point is, the AMCAS has not changed in years, so there really isn't any reason to not to have things in order (essays, activities, personal statement, transcripts) prior to the submission deadline. Also, find out which schools don't have secondary essays (I think Medical College of Wisconsin, NYMC, Drexel?, and plenty others) and submit as soon as you get those. No reason for those secondary emails to sit in your mailbox for 2 weeks before you open them and realize you could have completed them in 4 minutes. Good luck!

Not to start an argument, but only if you submit in the first few hours are you going to be verified on the same day. This past year, some people that submitted on day 1 had to wait over a week to get verified. But I agree, if you submit within the first ~4 weeks, it's not going to make a difference long-term in terms of interview invites and acceptances, regardless of stats.

This is a two period average graph I made from the last three years from the SDN verification threads. If trends stay the same, this year is going to be insane.

 

[uphillBattle]

The one thing I would add is that LORs are not required by AMCAS for verification, so you can submit AMCAS on June 1st without LORs.

What you want is your LORs in by the time you submit your secondaires, so anytime in June is fine, as schools only mark you complete once they have everything (secondaries and LORs).

If you really want to be ontop of it, use interfolio to get your LORs early (aka before May 1st) and then send them to AMCAS via interfolio on May 1st.

Hm, since schools decide whom to interview after receiving applicants' secondaries, it seems like the best thing to do would be to have LoRs in as soon as possible right? Are you saying that schools only look at LoRs once I get past the initial screening? What about schools which send automatic secondaries? Would these schools consider LoRs at the secondary app phase?

An earlier poster mentioned that data wasn't transmitted to schools until late June. What does this mean? Does this give leeway for corrections to be made in the Amcas application i.e. academic change requests, misinformation before schools get the information or is this on a student by student basis? Does this mean that some students do have the option of having schools receive their data earlier than other students or is late June when all students' information goes out?

Also just to let you know, if you have nothing preventing your AMCAS app from being verified (not sure what, if anything, would prevent verification), it will be verified VERY QUICKLY if you submit one of those first few days--like possibly the same day that you submit. I'm not sure if there is any statistical benefit to submitting this early and being verified that quickly (since secondaries often dont come until weeks later), but why bargain with something like this? The point is, the AMCAS has not changed in years, so there really isn't any reason to not to have things in order (essays, activities, personal statement, transcripts) prior to the submission deadline. Also, find out which schools don't have secondary essays (I think Medical College of Wisconsin, NYMC, Drexel?, and plenty others) and submit as soon as you get those. No reason for those secondary emails to sit in your mailbox for 2 weeks before you open them and realize you could have completed them in 4 minutes. Good luck!

I see. An earlier poster mentioned that data transmission to schools takes place on June 1st? What does that mean, especially considering that MSAR shows some schools having a June 1st Amcas submission date?

 

[uphillBattle]

This graph is very concerning as well haha.

 

[DAPI]

1) Hm, since schools decide whom to interview after receiving applicants' secondaries, it seems like the best thing to do would be to have LoRs in as soon as possible right?
2) Are you saying that schools only look at LoRs once I get past the initial screening?
3) What about schools which send automatic secondaries? Would these schools consider LoRs at the secondary app phase?

4) An earlier poster mentioned that data wasn't transmitted to schools until late June. What does this mean?
5) Does this give leeway for corrections to be made in the Amcas application i.e. academic change requests, misinformation before schools get the information or is this on a student by student basis?
6) Does this mean that some students do have the option of having schools receive their data earlier than other students or is late June when all students' information goes out?

1) Yes, get LORs in ASAP, but they are not needed when you submit AMCAS, you can add them later. Just have them in by the time you submit your secondaries.
2) Not really sure what you're asking. You need them in to be considered for an interview, not for a secondary application.
3) LORs are considered after you submit your secondary regardless if the secondary is automatic or pre-screen. Pre-screenings are for GPA/MCAT (there may be a few outlier schools I'm unaware of though)
4) Last year, no schools got any data until June 29th. This means if you were verified before June 29th, everyone was on the same playing field.
5) If you correct stuff by June 29th, yes, if later than that, no... Why are you so concerned about misinformation? Just enter it correctly.
6) Late June is when the first batch of info goes out, but if you get verified after that, data will go out later. So submitting earlier is better.

I see. An earlier poster mentioned that data transmission to schools takes place on June 1st? What does that mean, especially considering that MSAR shows some schools having a June 1st Amcas submission date?

Data does not go out till late June. The MSAR is saying the first day to submit anything is June 1.

 

[uphillBattle]

4) Last year, no schools got any data until June 29th. This means if you were verified before June 29th, everyone was on the same playing field.
5) If you correct stuff by June 29th, yes, if later than that, no... Why are you so concerned about misinformation? Just enter it correctly.
6) Late June is when the first batch of info goes out, but if you get verified after that, data will go out later. So submitting earlier is better.
Data does not go out till late June. The MSAR is saying the first day to submit anything is June 1.

Got it. Main concern is about corrections because of possible course classification changes that I may have to submit if amcas doesn't agree with me that economics courses based in math/stats fall under the math category.

So mainly get verified asap (including any corrections, etc), have the LoRs in before secondaries and I should be good to go.

Awesome. Thanks so much for this information.

 

[byaaaaaaah23]

Got it. Main concern is about corrections because of possible course classification changes that I may have to submit if amcas doesn't agree with me that economics courses based in math/stats fall under the math category.

They will probably fall under economics if they are listed on your transcript as being in economics-- that's how I would list them but if you want to take a chance that it'll be rejected, then you can list them as math.

What are the names of the courses, maybe we can give some input.

 

[uphillBattle]

They will probably fall under economics if they are listed on your transcript as being in economics-- that's how I would list them but if you want to take a chance that it'll be rejected, then you can list them as math.

What are the names of the courses, maybe we can give some input.

Econometrics - Introduction to problems of observation, estimation, and hypothesis testing in economics. This course covers the linear regression model and its application to empirical problems in economics.

Financial Economics - Analysis of financial assets and institutions. The course emphasizes modern asset valuation theory and the role of financial intermediaries, and their regulation, in the financial system.

Both are statistics based. Anyone I can possibly contact for information about this stuff (amcas, etc.)?

 

[byaaaaaaah23]

Econometrics - Introduction to problems of observation, estimation, and hypothesis testing in economics. This course covers the linear regression model and its application to empirical problems in economics.

Financial Economics - Analysis of financial assets and institutions. The course emphasizes modern asset valuation theory and the role of financial intermediaries, and their regulation, in the financial system.

Both are statistics based. Anyone I can possibly contact for information about this stuff (amcas, etc.)?

https://www.aamc.org/students/download/181694/data/

Financial Economics is probably under Business (Finance) or BESS (Economics). Econometrics you might be able to pass off as applied math? Maybe someone else who took Econometrics will chime in and say what they listed it as.

 

[DAPI]

Econometrics - Introduction to problems of observation, estimation, and hypothesis testing in economics. This course covers the linear regression model and its application to empirical problems in economics.

Financial Economics - Analysis of financial assets and institutions. The course emphasizes modern asset valuation theory and the role of financial intermediaries, and their regulation, in the financial system.

Both are statistics based. Anyone I can possibly contact for information about this stuff (amcas, etc.)?

I say save yourself the trouble and list them as Econ. No need to go through a whole dispute with AMCAS. It's not like 2 classes are really going to change your sGPA all that much.

AMCAS does have a phone number (202-828-0600) and they are normally really helpful, but I don't know if they answer the phone during off season.

 

[uphillBattle]

https://www.aamc.org/students/download/181694/data/

Financial Economics is probably under Business (Finance) or BESS (Economics). Econometrics you might be able to pass off as applied math? Maybe someone else who took Econometrics will chime in and say what they listed it as.

Probably contact amcas for this. Btw, am I correct in stating that amcas doesn't count P/NP units in its c/s gpa calculations and instead lists them later as the total # of units?

I say save yourself the trouble and list them as Econ. No need to go through a whole dispute with AMCAS. It's not like 2 classes are really going to change your sGPA all that much.

AMCAS does have a phone number (202-828-0600) and they are normally really helpful, but I don't know if they answer the phone during off season.

Hm. Unfortunately these were part of 5 to 6 semesters of an upward trend. Ok, I'll have to reach out to amcas and see if they can shed some light on this.

 

[sinombre]

Probably contact amcas for this. Btw, am I correct in stating that amcas doesn't count P/NP units in its c/s gpa calculations and instead lists them later as the total # of units?

Yep. P/NP credits can't be included in GPA.

 

[d12]

Econometrics - Introduction to problems of observation, estimation, and hypothesis testing in economics. This course covers the linear regression model and its application to empirical problems in economics.

Financial Economics - Analysis of financial assets and institutions. The course emphasizes modern asset valuation theory and the role of financial intermediaries, and their regulation, in the financial system.

Both are statistics based. Anyone I can possibly contact for information about this stuff (amcas, etc.)?

Financial Economics will most likely be listed under Business/Finance, as most of my classes like that were as well. The exception was Quantitative Equity Portfolio Management, but that was very very very math heavy.

I was able to list Econometrics as math, as ours was heavily based in linear algebra. Applied Regression Analysis, on the other hand, was under the umbrella of economics.

A lot of it will depend on how your undergrad classifies courses. If a lot of people from your undergrad have already applied to med school and have taken those courses, AMCAS will most likely just go with what had been listed in the past.

 

[uphillBattle]

Yep. P/NP credits can't be included in GPA.

So there is a possibility that the amcas gpa may be higher or lower than your regular gpa.

Financial Economics will most likely be listed under Business/Finance, as most of my classes like that were as well. The exception was Quantitative Equity Portfolio Management, but that was very very very math heavy.

I was able to list Econometrics as math, as ours was heavily based in linear algebra. Applied Regression Analysis, on the other hand, was under the umbrella of economics.

A lot of it will depend on how your undergrad classifies courses. If a lot of people from your undergrad have already applied to med school and have taken those courses, AMCAS will most likely just go with what had been listed in the past.

Econometrics at my school was heavily statistics based more than linear algebra based. Idk if a lot of people from my school with an econ background have applied to med school tbh.

Contacted amcas to see what these courses fall under. They may not respond until May 1st or even until the application has been submitted so we'll see.

 

[sinombre]

So there is a possibility that the amcas gpa may be higher or lower than your regular gpa.

Well it might differ slightly, but not because of P/NP classes. These classes can't factor in to your GPA by definition, unless you automatically assume a pass is equivalent to a certain grade (maybe some schools do this, but frankly that would be ridiculous).

 

[uphillBattle]

Well it might differ slightly, but not because of P/NP classes. These classes can't factor in to your GPA by definition, unless you automatically assume a pass is equivalent to a certain grade (maybe some schools do this, but frankly that would be ridiculous).

Of course, you're right.

 

[uphillBattle]

I just realized that courses which I thought would fit under English and Math no longer fit:

- Comparative Literature: Study of the ethnic diversity of American literature. Topics will vary from semester to semester, but may include such themes as Cultures of the City, Gender, Race, Ethnicity in U.S. Literature, Race and Identity. Students should consult the department's course bulletin well before the beginning of the semester for details.

In Amcas this falls under FLAN.

- Engineering courses: Fall under Engineering NOT Math.

This is pretty concerning. Guess I can't apply this year after all then.

Any advice?

 

[byaaaaaaah23]

Have you taken calculus or statistics (courses with those titles, not ones you are trying to classify as such)? Otherwise you might be out of luck as far as math goes. Most schools require 2 semesters of calculus/statistics, which you probably took since you appear to be an engineering major.

The comparative lit class might still work for schools but you would have to contact them directly/look on their websites to see what they want.

 

[uphillBattle]

Have you taken calculus or statistics (courses with those titles, not ones you are trying to classify as such)? Otherwise you might be out of luck as far as math goes. Most schools require 2 semesters of calculus/statistics, which you probably took since you appear to be an engineering major.

The comparative lit class might still work for schools but you would have to contact them directly/look on their websites to see what they want.

I have except I took all the core BCPM courses when I was a freshman/sophomore when I wasn't really serious about my classes. I made a new thread for this trying to get some general feedback but basically my sGPA goes from a 3.37 - 3.4 to a 3.267 if I don't count any of my engineering courses.

This complicates matters a lot. I may have to look into just taking classes for the next year now that this is the case. My courses are heavily based in physics and maths and are all upper div but feels odd that amcas would remove them from bcpm.

 

[byaaaaaaah23]

I have except I took all the core BCPM courses when I was a freshman/sophomore when I wasn't really serious about my classes. I made a new thread for this trying to get some general feedback but basically my sGPA goes from a 3.37 - 3.4 to a 3.267 if I don't count any of my engineering courses.

This complicates matters a lot. I may have to look into just taking classes for the next year now that this is the case. My courses are heavily based in physics and maths and are all upper div but feels odd that amcas would remove them from bcpm.

What is your overall GPA?

Again, you can list your courses however you want, but you run the risk of having AMCAS disagree and delaying verification. If your overall GPA is also low (~3.3-3.4) you might want to look into a post-bacc to ensure that you have the proper prereqs and try to raise your GPA. Not sure how it would look if you retook the bio, chem, etc prereqs in a post-bacc or SMP but it's something to consider.

Note that AMCAS does not replace grades, so the lower grades will still be there, but I think the retakes will just get averaged in like normal classes.

 

[uphillBattle]

What is your overall GPA?

Again, you can list your courses however you want, but you run the risk of having AMCAS disagree and delaying verification. If your overall GPA is also low (~3.3-3.4) you might want to look into a post-bacc to ensure that you have the proper prereqs and try to raise your GPA. Not sure how it would look if you retook the bio, chem, etc prereqs in a post-bacc or SMP but it's something to consider.

Note that AMCAS does not replace grades, so the lower grades will still be there, but I think the retakes will just get averaged in like normal classes.

True, and there is no guarantee that they'd even end up agreeing with me. My overall gpa is a 3.4 with a strong upward trend (stats: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=998149) and my post-bacc gpa is a 4.0 atm. basically overall gpa includes the post-bacc.

I think I should call amcas first, inquire about the engineering courses and then call certain schools and ask about the comparative literature requirement.

 

[235009]

engineering courses don't count as bcpm ...you might actually get away with classifying some of them as such but it's equally likely that they'll be changed to the engineering category by AMCAS. also don't expect to have a lengthy negotiation with AMCAS over this...if you classify an engineering class as bcpm and they disagree and reclassify it as engineering you're SOL and shouldn't waste time trying to argue as you'd just be shooting yourself in the foot at that point.

AMCAS course classifications shouldn't make-or-break your application and the fact that you think they will is very concerning. what is you MCAT score? your GPA is borderline no matter how you classify things because your cGPA won't change.

 

[uphillBattle]

engineering courses don't count as bcpm ...you might actually get away with classifying some of them as such but it's equally likely that they'll be changed to the engineering category by AMCAS. also don't expect to have a lengthy negotiation with AMCAS over this...if you classify an engineering class as bcpm and they disagree and reclassify it as engineering you're SOL and shouldn't waste time trying to argue as you'd just be shooting yourself in the foot at that point.

AMCAS course classifications shouldn't make-or-break your application and the fact that you think they will is very concerning. what is you MCAT score? your GPA is borderline no matter how you classify things because your cGPA won't change.

MCAT is 34S (13PS 11VR 10BS). I was under the presumption that my sGPA would include engineering coursework so I was a bit more confident but looking at the rule book I don't see that happening.

Agree with you about not arguing with AMCAS. Would it hurt to go ahead and list engineering courses as BCPM, submit the AMCAS app, see what amcas reclassifies the courses as, apply, cross my fingers and see which schools send me secondaries/interview?

Or would this be detrimental for future efforts?

 

[grizdad]

How about a computer class titled "Computational Biology"? Would that be considered a science class or not?

 

[235009]

MCAT is 34S (13PS 11VR 10BS). I was under the presumption that my sGPA would include engineering coursework so I was a bit more confident but looking at the rule book I don't see that happening.

Agree with you about not arguing with AMCAS. Would it hurt to go ahead and list engineering courses as BCPM, submit the AMCAS app, see what amcas reclassifies the courses as, apply, cross my fingers and see which schools send me secondaries/interview?

Or would this be detrimental for future efforts?

thats a very solid MCAT score, congrats

first of all i always recommend putting your best foot forward. don't apply just to test the waters. if you identify a weakness in your app that you know you can improve on then do that and hold off on applying. in your case though improving your sGPA might be tough.

as for the classifications....i dont think you should classify ALL the engineering courses as bcpm. it'll be obvious you're trying to pull a fast one or simply didn't read the instructions or didn't realize there was an engineering category. in this case AMCAS may just reclassify everything to engineering. instead i think you should pick classes that sound the most like bcpm and classify those as bcpm while classifying the rest of the engineering classes as engineering. you're more likely to get away with it this way.

 

[1cor1311]

I will also be submitting first day possible hopefully. Have my PS complete, work / activities, letters of rec all in interfolio ready, and course classification complete. I after i complete the app during the first week of may i hope to begin working on secondaries while i await june submission date. (secondaries to my top choices that have been consistent over the years.)

I have 2 quick questions about LOR's and transcripts.

Say i complete the AMCAS within the first few days of may, and send my LOR's and transcripts then. How will i know they have been received correctly by AAMC?

Secondly does AAMC begin verifying my transcripts in may? to my knowledge they don't verify transcripts until i submit in june correct?
Its a bit confusing how this process of "received and verified" works.

Thanks

 

[byaaaaaaah23]

How about a computer class titled "Computational Biology"? Would that be considered a science class or not?

Yes if listed in biology dept, no if listed in comp sci/eng

 

[uphillBattle]

thats a very solid MCAT score, congrats

first of all i always recommend putting your best foot forward. don't apply just to test the waters. if you identify a weakness in your app that you know you can improve on then do that and hold off on applying. in your case though improving your sGPA might be tough.

as for the classifications....i dont think you should classify ALL the engineering courses as bcpm. it'll be obvious you're trying to pull a fast one or simply didn't read the instructions or didn't realize there was an engineering category. in this case AMCAS may just reclassify everything to engineering. instead i think you should pick classes that sound the most like bcpm and classify those as bcpm while classifying the rest of the engineering classes as engineering. you're more likely to get away with it this way.

Sorry I should have clarified. I would definitely be selective about what sort of engineering courses get classified as bcpm.

In what way would it hurt me if I did what I posted? I was considering starting courses as soon as I submit my amcas to cover the possibility that I don't get a single interview for this cycle. If this were my plan, I know I would have wasted time applying this cycle but at least will give me confirmation that that is indeed what is wrong with my app and I would hopefully have taken 4 to 5 more courses by the time I applied next cycle.

By the time I get into medical school, I'll be able to cover the entire cost so finances aren't a problem. The prestige of the school also doesn't factor in really for me and I'm not overly concerned about waiting another year to attend because I had already considered that option earlier this year.

That being said, I agree with you about putting your best foot forward. Pretty stumped tbh.

 

[235009]

Sorry I should have clarified. I would definitely be selective about what sort of engineering courses get classified as bcpm.

In what way would it hurt me if I did what I posted? I was considering starting courses as soon as I submit my amcas to cover the possibility that I don't get a single interview for this cycle. If this were my plan, I know I would have wasted time applying this cycle but at least will give me confirmation that that is indeed what is wrong with my app and I would hopefully have taken 4 to 5 more courses by the time I applied next cycle.

By the time I get into medical school, I'll be able to cover the entire cost so finances aren't a problem. The prestige of the school also doesn't factor in really for me and I'm not overly concerned about waiting another year to attend because I had already considered that option earlier this year.

That being said, I agree with you about putting your best foot forward. Pretty stumped tbh.

there are some who say that being a reapplicant is a disadvantage. i dont have much of an opinion on the matter but i can see why being a reappllicant can be detrimental. it's a tough judgement call you're going to have to make

 

[byaaaaaaah23]

there are some who say that being a reapplicant is a disadvantage. i dont have much of an opinion on the matter but i can see why being a reappllicant can be detrimental. it's a tough judgement call you're going to have to make

It is a disadvantage because it says that schools did not want you the first time around.

Additionally, if you only get into one of your safety schools/a school you hate and really wish you could go somewhere else, you can't just withdraw that acceptance and reapply. All schools will view this as a huge negative. This is why people are advised to wait a year until they can give the app their best shot instead of having to settle for a school they don't want to go to.

 

[uphillBattle]

What is your overall GPA?

Again, you can list your courses however you want, but you run the risk of having AMCAS disagree and delaying verification. If your overall GPA is also low (~3.3-3.4) you might want to look into a post-bacc to ensure that you have the proper prereqs and try to raise your GPA. Not sure how it would look if you retook the bio, chem, etc prereqs in a post-bacc or SMP but it's something to consider.

Note that AMCAS does not replace grades, so the lower grades will still be there, but I think the retakes will just get averaged in like normal classes.

Earlier in the thread, i remembered either yourself or someone stating that as long as I'm verified before the data goes to schools around end of June, I should be fine.

Considering that I'm shooting for submitting amcas the day it opens and having my LoRs all come in by secondary time, will classifying courses as they make sense to me be fine?

How long would the entire process of: Amcas sends it back the first time, I dispute and re-submit it, amcas disagrees with my submission and sends the app back, I re-submit the application accepting their changes, take?

 

[byaaaaaaah23]

Earlier in the thread, i remembered either yourself or someone stating that as long as I'm verified before the data goes to schools around end of June, I should be fine.

Considering that I'm shooting for submitting amcas the day it opens and having my LoRs all come in by secondary time, will classifying courses as they make sense to me be fine?

How long would the entire process of: Amcas sends it back the first time, I dispute and re-submit it, amcas disagrees with my submission and sends the app back, I re-submit the application accepting their changes, take?

I have no experience with this, as I didn't have any disputed courses when I applied last summer. Anything I said would be pure speculation-- hopefully someone who had a problem can chime in with a real number. I want to say that you could still be verified by the end of June even with a dispute, but I'm just not sure.

You have to gauge how comfortable you are with taking that risk of delaying verification and how much you think the decrease in your GPA will hurt you. Considering that your cGPA is not that high (3.4), I personally don't think the drop in sGPA will really matter, so I would just classify them according to the published guidelines. You might run a few scenarios and see how much you could raise your GPA over the next year by taking whatever subjects you're worried about counting. Then if you applied next year you'd have a higher GPA and wouldn't have to worry about delaying verification. A gap year is not the end of the world and it's nice to have some money saved up before starting school if you get a job.

 

[235009]

i also didn't have any classification conflicts when i applied but from what i understand if AMCAS were to change the classification of something you can just agree with their change without delaying verification so there's really no disadvantage to classifying them according to your interpretation. once you start disputing and arguing with AMCAS is when you'll start shooting yourself in the foot and delaying verification.

 

[MTHFR]

Just got my score for my MCAT. It was a 26. Needless to say, I was shell-shocked when I saw my score. I'm embarrassed and confused. I went 29, 31, 29, 31, 33, 33 on my practice AAMCs. I really wanted to get my application in on the 1st, but since that won't be happening anymore, I just signed up for another MCAT in a month (roughly) in order to get as close to June 1st as possible.

Question, though... would I be better off delaying until a June/July test date and really focus on consistently getting 35+ or should I give it hell and try to get my application in soonest by taking the May 18th MCAT, assuming I get above a 32 (my GPA is a 3.45, mind you, but my ECs are outstanding)? I.e., how much of a difference is getting your application in in mid-June versus mid-July?

Any and all responses are greatly appreciated!

 

[byaaaaaaah23]

Just got my score for my MCAT. It was a 26. Needless to say, I was shell-shocked when I saw my score. I'm embarrassed and confused. I went 29, 31, 29, 31, 33, 33 on my practice AAMCs. I really wanted to get my application in on the 1st, but since that won't be happening anymore, I just signed up for another MCAT in a month (roughly) in order to get as close to June 1st as possible.

Question, though... would I be better off delaying until a June/July test date and really focus on consistently getting 35+ or should I give it hell and try to get my application in soonest by taking the May 18th MCAT, assuming I get above a 32 (my GPA is a 3.45, mind you, but my ECs are outstanding)? I.e., how much of a difference is getting your application in in mid-June versus mid-July?

Any and all responses are greatly appreciated!

As long as your application is verified before you retake, you're fine with a June test date. As long as you are complete by late July/early August (with primary, MCAT score, LOR and secondary in), you should be in good shape. In order to have your MCAT score in by late July/early August, the latest you should test is late June/early July (takes a month to release scores). So on Day 1 when AMCAS opens, submit your primary to one school that you don't seriously care about just to get it verified. When you receive your MCAT score you can then go back in and add the other schools you want to apply for. If you aren't worried about your score determining which schools you want to apply to, then just go ahead and submit the primary to all of them on Day 1.

The thing you want to avoid is submitting your primary after you get your MCAT score back in late July, because then it will take foreverrrrr to get verified, so BE SURE to submit the primary to at least 1 school (pick a random place that you don't actually intend to fill out the secondary for) on Day 1 (which will be in early June).

Hope this makes sense, good luck!

 

[uphillBattle]

So just to get this clear, schools send secondaries based off of the primary AMCAS app which contains transcript info but not necessarily MCAT or LoR. However, you DO want these in by the time you submit secondaries.

Is this correct?

Have there been instances where schools will consider LoR and MCAT before deciding whether or not to send in a secondary?

 

[MTHFR]

As long as your application is verified before you retake, you're fine with a June test date. As long as you are complete by late July/early August (with primary, MCAT score, LOR and secondary in), you should be in good shape. In order to have your MCAT score in by late July/early August, the latest you should test is late June/early July (takes a month to release scores). So on Day 1 when AMCAS opens, submit your primary to one school that you don't seriously care about just to get it verified. When you receive your MCAT score you can then go back in and add the other schools you want to apply for. If you aren't worried about your score determining which schools you want to apply to, then just go ahead and submit the primary to all of them on Day 1.

The thing you want to avoid is submitting your primary after you get your MCAT score back in late July, because then it will take foreverrrrr to get verified, so BE SURE to submit the primary to at least 1 school (pick a random place that you don't actually intend to fill out the secondary for) on Day 1 (which will be in early June).

Hope this makes sense, good luck!

I've never heard of that. Thanks so much for the very informative reply! So, am I correct in saying that simply getting your primary application verified, even if it's by a school you don't care about, is the rate-limiting step with the whole process; that verification is really the only reason why it's beneficial to get your app in June 1st?

 

[uphillBattle]

does submitting immediately when amcas opens vs. submitting ~10 hrs later make a big difference in terms of time for verification?

might have that happen because of scheduling

 

[Ismet]

does submitting immediately when amcas opens vs. submitting ~10 hrs later make a big difference in terms of time for verification?

might have that happen because of scheduling

Oh my goodness, people. Just submit it when you're ready. You will be verified well before AMCAS is released to schools.

 

[uphillBattle]

Oh my goodness, people. Just submit it when you're ready. You will be verified well before AMCAS is released to schools.

Haha I heard its risky. But I guess if its still on the first day it shouldn't matter right?

 

[Doctor Strange]

does submitting immediately when amcas opens vs. submitting ~10 hrs later make a big difference in terms of time for verification?

might have that happen because of scheduling

 

[Ismet]

Haha I heard its risky. But I guess if its still on the first day it shouldn't matter right?

How would a 10 hour difference be risky? If anything you'll miss the server overload that's going to happen at 9:30am. Even if you're not verified until July 4th or whatever, you are still extremely early and it doesn't matter

 

[uphillBattle]

hahahaha. im not really freaking out or anything but was just a question i had

How would a 10 hour difference be risky? If anything you'll miss the server overload that's going to happen at 9:30am. Even if you're not verified until July 4th or whatever, you are still extremely early and it doesn't matter

well data is sent to schools jan 28th so if I were verified july 4th I'd miss the first boat. and considering my stats applying early is the best bet for me.

 

[Ismet]

hahahaha. im not really freaking out or anything but was just a question i had



well data is sent to schools jan 28th so if I were verified july 4th I'd miss the first boat. and considering my stats applying early is the best bet for me.

June 28. And no, by being 6 days late you are missing zero boats. I promise. I am very well aware of early vs late and being complete in July is as early as can be.