Send application now (Oct 2/3) ?

[andaz]

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Hey all I just joined here a moment ago. Just a quick question: I am just finally about done with my personal statement to complete my primary AMCAS application. I realize it is late in the process and my friends have repeatedly told me so with glaring eyes and the like.

I just want to know what my chances are of getting in this late in the process... I realize it is a bit broad of a question, if it helps, I am in my last year at IU with a GPA of 3.68 cumulative (for some reason I have difficulty accessing my science GPA). My MCAT score: 31 total (14 Phys, 8 Verbal, 9 Bio). Obviously I'm not necessarily asking for exact percentages and the like, just your guys' general opinion.

In terms of extra-curriculars:
-Part of student government here for a year
-2 one-week volunteer trips to TX and one to New Orleans
-30 hours volunteering at a clinic providing for low-income individuals
-About 60 or so hours of shadowing experience

I appreciate any advice given in advance!

 

[235788]

lol crazy distribution, sure go ahead. I wouldn't apply broadly, but rather to schools you'll confident your competitive for and may cut you slack (in-state). No sense in dropping 4k and reapplying next year and dropping another 4k.

 

[ppfizenm]

Hey all I just joined here a moment ago. Just a quick question: I am just finally about done with my personal statement to complete my primary AMCAS application. I realize it is late in the process and my friends have repeatedly told me so with glaring eyes and the like.

I just want to know what my chances are of getting in this late in the process... I realize it is a bit broad of a question, if it helps, I am in my last year at IU with a GPA of 3.68 cumulative (for some reason I have difficulty accessing my science GPA). My MCAT score: 31 total (14 Phys, 8 Verbal, 9 Bio). Obviously I'm not necessarily asking for exact percentages and the like, just your guys' general opinion.

I appreciate any advice given in advance.

You might have some luck but it is late in the cycle at this point and it will take even longer to get verified. Have you sent you're transcripts yet and gotten your LORs? On oct 15 people will already be knowing if they got accepted or not at schools they've interviewed at.

 

[ppappui]

My honest opinion is that you don't apply this year. Your stats are average, or slightly above average, yet the MCAT score is skewed (low BS). Your ECs are not spectacular, so I don't know how you will distinguish yourself from others this late in the cycle. It's not bad, but not great enough this late in the cycle. You might get some interviews but that might be in February/March and it will be for waitlist spots.
So the smart choice here will be to just forget about this cycle and work on your ECs for the upcoming year, apply early next year (get the secondaries done by July/August) and you'll be in much better shape. If you can improve the BS and VR in MCAT, it'll improve your chances even more 🙂

 

[andaz]

My honest opinion is that you don't apply this year. Your stats are average, or slightly above average, yet the MCAT score is skewed (low BS). Your ECs are not spectacular, so I don't know how you will distinguish yourself from others this late in the cycle. It's not bad, but not great enough this late in the cycle. You might get some interviews but that might be in February/March and it will be for waitlist spots.
So the smart choice here will be to just forget about this cycle and work on your ECs for the upcoming year, apply early next year (get the secondaries done by July/August) and you'll be in much better shape. If you can improve the BS and VR in MCAT, it'll improve your chances even more 🙂

I appreciate the honesty and I agree with all of that myself. Thanks for the thoughts!

 

[CodeBlu]

My honest opinion is that you don't apply this year. Your stats are average, or slightly above average, yet the MCAT score is skewed (low BS). Your ECs are not spectacular, so I don't know how you will distinguish yourself from others this late in the cycle. It's not bad, but not great enough this late in the cycle. You might get some interviews but that might be in February/March and it will be for waitlist spots.
So the smart choice here will be to just forget about this cycle and work on your ECs for the upcoming year, apply early next year (get the secondaries done by July/August) and you'll be in much better shape. If you can improve the BS and VR in MCAT, it'll improve your chances even more 🙂

This.

Also, you clearly know what's up in the physical sciences (so jealous!) hahaha. Definitely re-take the MCAT. Even if your physics goes down a few. Get all your sections to a 10, and with your GPA you'll be golden.

Apply early next year. No rush! Good luck!!!

 

[andaz]

You might have some luck but it is late in the cycle at this point and it will take even longer to get verified. Have you sent you're transcripts yet and gotten your LORs? On oct 15 people will already be knowing if they got accepted or not at schools they've interviewed at.

Yes I got my LOR's by now, but I have not sent my transcript. Are the transcripts sent through AMCAS?

 

[SBR249]

Are the transcripts sent through AMCAS?

For verification of your coursework they are. Some schools will ask for an official copy to be sent directly to them if they invite you for an interview or if they accept you.

 

[Morsetlis]

I recommend you get more clinical time, more volunteering, perhaps take a few easy GPA-padding classes (stats, biochem, intro to psychology?) and reapply next year.

October is late.

 

[FSUseminoleEM1]

Hey all I just joined here a moment ago. Just a quick question: I am just finally about done with my personal statement to complete my primary AMCAS application. I realize it is late in the process and my friends have repeatedly told me so with glaring eyes and the like.

I just want to know what my chances are of getting in this late in the process... I realize it is a bit broad of a question, if it helps, I am in my last year at IU with a GPA of 3.68 cumulative (for some reason I have difficulty accessing my science GPA). My MCAT score: 31 total (14 Phys, 8 Verbal, 9 Bio). Obviously I'm not necessarily asking for exact percentages and the like, just your guys' general opinion.

In terms of extra-curriculars:
-Part of student government here for a year
-2 one-week volunteer trips to TX and one to New Orleans
-30 hours volunteering at a clinic providing for low-income individuals
-About 60 or so hours of shadowing experience

I appreciate any advice given in advance!

A school/state list would be slightly helpful here. Depending on what schools you want to attend, you may still have a shot (may)...Other than that, you seem to be competitive enough in my opinion, but I know SDN hyperinflates the standards of EC's, exposure, etc & some will disagree. I can tell you I had very modest (at best) volunteering, but a super demanding job at a place of high recognition. So, every applicant is different in what he/she needs to appeal to AdComs.

lol crazy distribution, sure go ahead. I wouldn't apply broadly, but rather to schools you'll confident your competitive for and may cut you slack (in-state). No sense in dropping 4k and reapplying next year and dropping another 4k.

Just curious, people really spend that much on applying?? I feel like if you're spending that much (unless you're traveling everywhere), you're doing it wrong; there's just gotta be a better way...(no offense Bl4ackout). Then again, I had no interest in going out of state so I had $0 in travel...

Yes I got my LOR's by now, but I have not sent my transcript. Are the transcripts sent through AMCAS?

This is what makes your application almost too much on the late side of the fence. I suggest waiting until May/June 2012 to apply.

 

[Catalystik]

In terms of extra-curriculars:
-Part of student government here for a year
-2 one-week volunteer trips to TX and one to New Orleans
-30 hours volunteering at a clinic providing for low-income individuals
-About 60 or so hours of shadowing experience

With stand-out ECs, you might have a chance even now, but your clinical experience is on the sparse side, you could use some regular, weekly nonmedical community service (ideally that helps the poor). If you could manage to get in some teaching or research, that would be nice to see, too. With 9 more months to beef things up, you could do it right and apply only once.

 

[235788]

A school/state list would be slightly helpful here. Depending on what schools you want to attend, you may still have a shot (may)...Other than that, you seem to be competitive enough in my opinion, but I know SDN hyperinflates the standards of EC's, exposure, etc & some will disagree. I can tell you I had very modest (at best) volunteering, but a super demanding job at a place of high recognition. So, every applicant is different in what he/she needs to appeal to AdComs.



Just curious, people really spend that much on applying?? I feel like if you're spending that much (unless you're traveling everywhere), you're doing it wrong; there's just gotta be a better way...(no offense Bl4ackout). Then again, I had no interest in going out of state so I had $0 in travel...



This is what makes your application almost too much on the late side of the fence. I suggest waiting until May/June 2012 to apply.

Well i'm in Ohio so i'm in the same boat and don't really need to go out of state as many others (cali residents). Its a super expensive process if you only have 1-2 instate schools.

 

[AvidAvatar]

I echo everyone in this thread. I was in this situation, applied, and got wait listed. Wait a year, save your money, improve your application, save your self esteem and get in lots of places next year.

Good luck!😀

 

[gmcguitar4]

Definitely wait until next year. You will have more options.

 

[Myuu]

Don't do it!🙁

Apply next year and use the time to strengthen your app.

 

[darkhope]

A little bit confused...since it takes about a month for amcas to still verify, it means alot of applicants are still submitting primary apps right now...

 

[Myuu]

A little bit confused...since it takes about a month for amcas to still verify, it means alot of applicants are still submitting primary apps right now...

We didn't say they were going to be successful. Submitting AMCAS now would be an alarmingly expensive mistake. Trust me. I've done it.

 

[eHombre]

lol crazy distribution, sure go ahead. I wouldn't apply broadly, but rather to schools you'll confident your competitive for and may cut you slack (in-state). No sense in dropping 4k and reapplying next year and dropping another 4k.

You know, people, he/she has already jumped through a lot of the hoops (MCAT, PS, LORs). Maybe school selection isn't as important to the OP (but get those transcripts submitted ASAP).

I say that if you really want to try for it this cycle, only apply to 3-4 schools max, so you don't waste too much money. One reach school, maybe, but mostly safeties and definitely in-state if that's an option.

In the meantime, study for an MCAT retake to improve your non-PS scores and go all-in with some kind of meaningful clinical volunteering experience. If you don't get in anywhere, you can reapply on June 1st next year to a much broader range of schools.

 

[flakpilot]

I'm no expert but I would say that you should note that many schools have application deadlines for their secondaries as early as November and submitting your AMCAS app this late in the cycle would probably take you over a month to get verified..so if you do decide to submit make sure which schools you would be applying to and that you could reasonably meet their deadlines.

 

[eHombre]

By this point, with fewer apps in the queue, verification tends to take less than a month, generally (see thread below).

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showpost.php?p=10243782&postcount=492

Regardless, the deadlines are only for the AMCAS submission and transcript/secondary/LOR receipt. You can complete and submit a secondary for most schools even while your AMCAS is under review. I'm pretty sure AMCAS verifies everything submitted by Oct 15 before Nov 1. Now as for your chances at landing an interview under these conditions... it can be done, but your app had really have to stand out.

 

[MegMurry]

You know, people, he/she has already jumped through a lot of the hoops (MCAT, PS, LORs). Maybe school selection isn't as important to the OP (but get those transcripts submitted ASAP).

I say that if you really want to try for it this cycle, only apply to 3-4 schools max, so you don't waste too much money. One reach school, maybe, but mostly safeties and definitely in-state if that's an option.

In the meantime, study for an MCAT retake to improve your non-PS scores and go all-in with some kind of meaningful clinical volunteering experience. If you don't get in anywhere, you can reapply on June 1st next year to a much broader range of schools.

This. OP, I did the same thing. In fact, a few years ago I was stupid enough to apply October 15th, which is really the last day you possibly can for a lot of schools. I even had to get a transcript extension request. And I submitted my two secondaries on the day of the deadline. Basically, I did everything that you can possibly do wrong in the process. Unusual circumstances involving pressure from advisors to apply even though I clearly wasn't ready. Obviously, I did not know about SDN because I am sure a lot of people on here would have yanked me away from that cliff (except for the select troll who probably would have given me a push, haha)

Treat it like EDP and just apply to a few schools you know you absolutely would attend, but are also a somewhat appropriate fit for stat-wise. I will say I didn't get a single interview (who's really surprised?), but when I asked for feedback, the FIRST thing they said was, "well, I see here that you turned in the secondary on the last day...next time, make sure you get it in earlier". And really, that was their only real source of improvement.

This year, I submitted 6/2 and got ~40 secondaries out by the end of July. Yes, my app changed a bit, but not significantly, and I now have an interview in hand from one of the schools that previously rejected me. Call it luck, blessing, whatever you want...but I do think that timing is a huge thing you should not dismiss.

(sorry for the tl;dr.)

 

[Victory4Zim]

You might have some luck but it is late in the cycle at this point and it will take even longer to get verified. Have you sent you're transcripts yet and gotten your LORs? On oct 15 people will already be knowing if they got accepted or not at schools they've interviewed at.

Well I wish you the best Andaz As you stated in your first post, you already know it's pretty late in the cycle. The majority of people getting interviews now (in the fall) are those who submitted their secondaries sometime during the summer. Meaning they most likely submitted their primaries way back when, and got their transcripts in even sooner. If you submit now, you'll probably get interviews in the winter/spring season (Feb/March) and by then chances of getting wait-listed are kinda high. This isn't my opinion either -- during my interview this past weekend at MCW the people in charge gave a presentation/discussion about that. Nonetheless there are those few miracle stories, but at this point it may not be wise to solely depend on miracles. Ultimately it is up to you so, again, best wishes! good luck this year (or next year)! 🙂