Hey guys, I have a question about the timing of submitting/having a complete app. I plan to apply this summer. I am scheduled to retake the MCAT on May 2 (scored PS-9, V-10, BS-10 last time). I absolutely know that I can do better on the MCAT if I study very well for it (I didn't study well the first time). Recently, work has been really crazy and so has school, so I'm falling behind on my study plan. I'm really tempted to reschedule a later test date to ensure I get all of the appropriate studying in, but I'm concerned about the timing of my applicaiton. My application will be complete since I am already graduated and have taken the MCAT, so I should be able to submit as early as possible. However, what if I score much better on the MCAT, but that score isn't released until July?? Will medical schools have already considered my first MCAT, and that's it? Any advice here? Thanks!!
Question About Timing of Complete App
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A better score definitely trumps being complete a few weeks earlier. I waited until July to submit my AMCAS and had no problems!
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I violently agree with AdmiralChz. If you aren't scoring 34+ on your practice tests, DO NOT TAKE. 29 is a competitive score. It isn't a high score, but you can get in with a 29. A 30 isn't magically going to make you a better candidate, especially because statistically the noise is so high, that they should be considered a non improvement. You would ideally want a 32+ to show "Hey I improved'. Even scoring a 34+ consistently isn't a guarantee of improvement. Many people are +/- 2 pts from their rolling 3 test average.
Be ready. be confident. and hope to be lucky 🙂
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As above, don't take it unless you're really ready and scoring consistently on your practice tests. A 29 won't kill you, especially if the rest of your app is solid.
When you fill out your AMCAS, you'll be able to say when you'll be taking the MCAT again, so schools will know you have another score coming. They may wait to evaluate your app until they have it, or they may *re-evaluate* once they have it... but I don't know exactly.
Yes, I was surprised about AdmiralChz's comment... It seems like most people on here are all about submitting early. I'm confused though about how your information is presented to medical schools. I assume they can see that more MCAT scores are coming, but will they look at me again once they arrive?
Chuck's Right Foot, according to a friend who is in med school and was involved w/ admin stuff, even a 1 pt improvement on the MCAT can bump an applicant up 100 spots... I have a 3.6 cum and 3.5 science GPA, so I feel like I really need a better MCAT score. I'm getting my MPH in Epi right now, and my gpa is 3.97, plus I have 7 publications (some journals, some conferences), so I do have other redeeming extras. But it just seems like the frickin MCAT is a deal breaker or maker regaurdless of many other parts of the app... *sigh*
Chuck's Right Foot, according to a friend who is in med school and was involved w/ admin stuff, even a 1 pt improvement on the MCAT can bump an applicant up 100 spots... I have a 3.6 cum and 3.5 science GPA, so I feel like I really need a better MCAT score. I'm getting my MPH in Epi right now, and my gpa is 3.97, plus I have 7 publications (some journals, some conferences), so I do have other redeeming extras. But it just seems like the frickin MCAT is a deal breaker or maker regaurdless of many other parts of the app... *sigh*
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treeper,
That may well be true. and is maybe more true during the first test score.... or if the Ad Com takes the highest and does not average. obviously take the info from someone in the know! In either case, improve by more than 1 point and it'll be even better!
best of luck to you.
That may well be true. and is maybe more true during the first test score.... or if the Ad Com takes the highest and does not average. obviously take the info from someone in the know! In either case, improve by more than 1 point and it'll be even better!
best of luck to you.
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From what I understand, it seems that schools won't review your application until your scores come in. If your confident, you can submit AMCAS early and just wait for your MCAT score. In any case, try to do your best.
You seem to have done everything right so far, I'm sure you'll be successful. If you want to be competitive at some of the higher tiered schools, you'll probably need a better MCAT... but that is the last piece of the puzzle for you (other than the applications themseleves, don't take them lightly!!!!!). Good luck!
You seem to have done everything right so far, I'm sure you'll be successful. If you want to be competitive at some of the higher tiered schools, you'll probably need a better MCAT... but that is the last piece of the puzzle for you (other than the applications themseleves, don't take them lightly!!!!!). Good luck!
