Rolling Admissions Advantage?

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Hi guys,

I was wondering if anyone can provide insight into how late an applicant can submit their AMCAS, and still be considered "early" enough to enjoy the advantages of rolling admissions. I understand that AMCAS opened on June 1st, and since then I have been uneasy with each passing day. I am just about finished up with my PS and can likely submit everything by Monday. However, there has been some unforeseen delays with two of my LORs, which should be finished by end of next week. I currently have 3 LORs ready to go.

I heard that AMCAS processing takes time (up to two weeks?). So, I have a few questions: if I submit this weekend, would I still make it in time to qualify as an early applicant? Will there be a significant difference if I submit next weekend instead? And finally, is there a point in submitting now, and then supplementing the two remaining letters next week?

Any advice or insight would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[latrala2300]

Hi guys,

I was wondering if anyone can provide insight into how late an applicant can submit their AMCAS and still be considered "early" enough to enjoy the advantages of rolling admissions. I understand that AMCAS opened on June 1st, and since then I have been uneasy with each passing day. I am just about finished up with my PS and can likely submit everything by Monday. However, there has been some unforeseen delays with two of my LORs, which should be finished by end of next week. I currently have 3 LORs ready.

I heard that AMCAS processing takes time (up to two weeks?). So, I few a few questions: if I submit this weekend, would I still make it in time to qualify as an early applicant? Will there be a significance difference if I submit next weekend instead? And finally, is there a point in submitting now, and then supplementing the two remaining letters next week?

Any advice or insight would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

You don't need letters to be verified. Submitting Monday is very good. Look at the average verification times on last year's verification thread to see how much one week of a difference would make in mid-June.

**Don't submit an app early while compromising on quality.**

 

[Local Native]

You can submit your AMCAS before your letters are in. In fact, you won't need to send your letters to specific schools until your secondary is complete. That being said, submit your AMCAS as soon as possible to get verified if you've taken care of everything else.

 

[NickNaylor]

I would say that you should aim to have your application file COMPLETE - AMCAS verified, MCAT scores in, LORs in, and secondary complete - by August to be considered "early." Maybe even the end of July. Schools will start handing out interview invitations around then.

 

[medschool2016]

are interviews handed off by "tier"? What I mean is that if you get a early interview, you are considered more competitive and will be more likely to get in? Thanks!

 

[Onres]

are interviews handed off by "tier"? What I mean is that if you get a early interview, you are considered more competitive and will be more likely to get in? Thanks!

Well if you interview earlier at a rolling admissions school, then there are more spots open thus a greater chance you may get one. As it gets later in the season it becomes much more competitive because of fewer available spots.

 

[Pedsbro]

are interviews handed off by "tier"? What I mean is that if you get a early interview, you are considered more competitive and will be more likely to get in? Thanks!

That part is not necessarily true. If you apply early, you have a higher chance of getting an interview early (although a school can put you in their unofficial "hold" pile and interview you later after seeing what other apps look like). An early interview subsequently increases your chance of acceptance, because there are less people to compare you to. The adcom can't predict what kinds of applications they will receive later (stellar, or not so stellar), so they are more likely to take a chance on a decent application that comes in early. Bottom line: apply early, it can ONLY help.

 

[NickNaylor]

are interviews handed off by "tier"? What I mean is that if you get a early interview, you are considered more competitive and will be more likely to get in? Thanks!

Obviously it depends on how the school reviews files, but I would say that getting an early interview is a good sign no matter where you apply (including the non-rolling schools). And yes, I would guess that you're likely "more competitive" if you get an early invite. But again, it's very school-dependent.