Secondaries without MCAT?

[capuchin]

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Does anyone know which schools send you the secondaries before receiving your MCAT score, only based on the fact that you meet the cut-off for cGPA?

 

[surfactant]

i dont know why people apply without an mcat.

i think what they do with these apps is stick them in a pile and wont bother to dig it out unless to absolute kill the MCAT

 

[Iliketoytles]

i dont know why people apply without an mcat.

i think what they do with these apps is stick them in a pile and wont bother to dig it out unless to absolute kill the MCAT

Ideally, you want to make sure you get your MCAT score in before you apply. This will expedite the application process for you and the adcoms looking at your file.

However, sometimes it's wise to send your application without an MCAT score, because it takes 4-6 weeks to process the darn thing. Once you receive your MCAT score (takes about a month), it only takes a couple days to electronically send your MCAT score. So if you're taking an MCAT in July, you might as well send in your application in June so everything will be processed and received around the same time.

 

[surfactant]

Ideally, you want to make sure you get your MCAT score in before you apply. This will expedite the application process for you and the adcoms looking at your file.

However, sometimes it's wise to send your application without an MCAT score, because it takes 4-6 weeks to process the darn thing. Once you receive your MCAT score (takes about a month), it only takes a couple days to electronically send your MCAT score. So if you're taking an MCAT in July, you might as well send in your application in June so everything will be processed and received around the same time.

true dat. but if you need it to get verified just select one school you dont care to go to and submit it. this will get your app verified and then you can add other schools once you get your mcat in.

 

[Iliketoytles]

true dat. but if you need it to get verified just select one school you dont care to go to and submit it. this will get your app verified and then you can add other schools once you get your mcat in.

Yeah that's what a lot of people do who don't know what schools to apply for. They usually put one school they are interested in, then think about the rest and add it later. 😎

 

[capuchin]

.

 

[FrkyBgStok]

I feel like I have read that you can't start verification without an MCAT and therefore can't become complete and therefore can't get your app sent to schools. You might be able to get verified but you still become complete so schools won't see your app.

 

[Iliketoytles]

I'm taking the MCAT in mid June with a not so great cGPA but enough to meet the cut off. I didn't want to be 'delayed' and everyone keeps saying that I should submit on 6/1.

I'm already taking a gap year and I really don't want to take another year off. I don't know if this is a bad plan, but after the MCAT I think I'll register for another one in late July in case the first one doesn't go well. If that's the case, should I still submit to only 1 'safety' school?

TBH, I don't really have a school that I don't care about considering that I could only apply to 7 or so that accepts internationals.

I guess if I know all the schools that would send out the secondaries without the MCAT, I could submit to those schools while stalling...Isn't it more costly to add schools separately after the initial application?

I might be wrong about this... but I don't think you can register for another MCAT date until you get your original score back. So if you take it mid-June, you won't get your score until mid-July... so the spots in late July may already be taken by then. Not sure though... check on it. In any case, don't go into the MCAT with the mentality that you'll just retake it.

I think you should still submit your primary application ASAP. Just add a school and send it off so the primary can at least be verified, and the transcript can be crosschecked with your application as well. When you get your score back in mid-July, you can submit electronically and schools should receive it the next week. That's when schools will start looking at your application.

 

[capuchin]

I feel like I have read that you can't start verification without an MCAT and therefore can't become complete and therefore can't get your app sent to schools. You might be able to get verified but you still become complete so schools won't see your app.

If that's the case, should I still just send out the primaries/transcripts around 6/1 considering that these takes the longest to verify, but add ALL the schools that I can apply? I mean, as long as my MCAT is 25+ I should at least receive the secondaries...no?

Timing wise, I guess I would be 'complete' by end of July...is this when schools start sending out the secondaries?

 

[capuchin]

I might be wrong about this... but I don't think you can register for another MCAT date until you get your original score back. So if you take it mid-June, you won't get your score until mid-July... so the spots in late July may already be taken by then. Not sure though... check on it. In any case, don't go into the MCAT with the mentality that you'll just retake it.

I think you should still submit your primary application ASAP. Just add a school and send it off so the primary can at least be verified, and the transcript can be crosschecked with your application as well. When you get your score back in mid-July, you can submit electronically and schools should receive it the next week. That's when schools will start looking at your application.

Yeah, I really don't think I could afford to take the MCAT a month after (not cost-wise). Do you mean A school or schoolS?

 

[Iliketoytles]

Yeah, I really don't think I could afford to take the MCAT a month after (not cost-wise). Do you mean A school or schoolS?

"a" school... as in a single school. Unless you already know what schools you're interested in, then send it to all. If not, just add any school you feel you might be interested in, then send it off so it starts getting processed.

 

[capuchin]

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[capuchin]

Thanks guys.

 

[Marge]

"a" school... as in a single school. Unless you already know what schools you're interested in, then send it to all. If not, just add any school you feel you might be interested in, then send it off so it starts getting processed.

How would this change with a 5/31 MCAT?

Also I'm new and I don't even know what a primary is, is that the "stock" AMCAS application? And then if schools like you they send you a secondary?

 

[Iliketoytles]

How would this change with a 5/31 MCAT?

Also I'm new and I don't even know what a primary is, is that the "stock" AMCAS application? And then if schools like you they send you a secondary?

Eep... 🙄

For D.O. schools, you use the AACOMAS application... not the AMCAS. Yes, the primary application is the stock AACOMAS application you fill out online and submit. It's also referred to as the "primary application", or just "primary", because it's the first (or primary) step in the application process... which is then followed by the "secondary application" or just "secondary" which is the.... second part... of the application. Generally, you receive secondaries after the schools receive your primary AACOMAS and feel you meet all the GPA/MCAT cutoffs.

My advice wouldn't change much for a 5/31 MCAT. If you take a 5/31 MCAT, then you should receive your scores towards the end of June. So after your MCAT, work on your AACOMAS and try to submit it by early June. Once submitted, it'll be verified (verification involves AACOMAS making sure the coursework you put on your application, and the ones listed on your transcript, match up properly... as well as other things). Your primary (AACOMAS) will probably be verified around the beginning of July.

When you receive your MCAT score around the end of June, whether your primary is verified or not... send your score. You do this electronically on the AAMC website... it takes like 2 seconds. AACOMAS will receive your MCAT score a couple days after, and will add it to your application. They pretty much do all the work... you just have to give them everything they need.

Hope this clears things up. 😉

 

[COMedic2Doc]

I gotta apply to all schools that would at least consider me and not straight up reject me because of low CGPA and no MCAT...

This will not happen for the most part. I am honestly in the same boat as you are, but am fortunate enough to have a strong pre-medical advisory committee and have already started talking to schools as well. Your application will be completed through AACOMAS or AMCAS, it will be verified, and schools will see that it is there. However, they will put you in the "to be completed pile" not the rejected pile and still make a file for you provided everything is matching up so far.

If you're in contact with a particular school, they may even accept your letters early as well. I highly recommend taking a baseline, practice MCAT (means no studying and straight out cold) to help you base where you are going to end up at. Perhaps one of the mods who is involved with ADCOMs will see this thread but you can do a search and verify this as well. Good luck.

 

[capuchin]

This will not happen for the most part. I am honestly in the same boat as you are, but am fortunate enough to have a strong pre-medical advisory committee and have already started talking to schools as well. Your application will be completed through AACOMAS or AMCAS, it will be verified, and schools will see that it is there. However, they will put you in the "to be completed pile" not the rejected pile and still make a file for you provided everything is matching up so far.

If you're in contact with a particular school, they may even accept your letters early as well. I highly recommend taking a baseline, practice MCAT (means no studying and straight out cold) to help you base where you are going to end up at. Perhaps one of the mods who is involved with ADCOMs will see this thread but you can do a search and verify this as well. Good luck.

Thanks. That's good to know. I don't even have a pre-medical advisory committee at my school-- lucky you!

You're suggesting that I should contact my favourite schools but what should I talk to them about? Ask them if I could send in the letters before receiving my MCAT score?

 

[COMedic2Doc]

Thanks. That's good to know. I don't even have a pre-medical advisory committee at my school-- lucky you!

You're suggesting that I should contact my favourite schools but what should I talk to them about? Ask them if I could send in the letters before receiving my MCAT score?

I wouldn't get too specific at this point. Ask what their general policies are in regards to receiving your primary with a pending MCAT score. Most schools are willing to put you in the to be considered pile, you may receive a rejection email (automatically generated) but you are not truly rejected. Does that make sense? Don't ask about sending letters at this point that comes with secondaries in most cases.