September completion few days after labor day

[sushiii888]

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Hi everyone,

My mcat is on august 1 and the results don't come back until sept 3, which is 2 days after labor day- I realized that sometimes it takes a few days for secondaries to be sent to you, so I might be complete around September 7 it looks like. I know this would be after labor day, and am wondering how much this might affect my chances? I am also aiming for some t20 schools too

 

[sushiii888]

(labor day is Sept 1 this year)

 

[LizzyM]

You'll be completing for slightly fewer interview slots than the thousands of applicants who arrived ahead of you but if your application is the cream of the crop, you should eventually rise to the top and get an interview. Just remember that you'll need to be patient and that the interview season lasts until December or sometime after the new year. You might be one of the last but that doesn't mean you are out of the race, particularly at some T20 schools that hold all offers until they have sorted everyone out post interview. Search for my name and "staircase" for a better idea of how this whole thing works.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

We also describe the staircase analogy here

From Waitlist to Offer: Inside an Admissions Committee | Student Doctor Network | SDN

When you are on a waitlist, it can feel like you'll never get an update. Learn how admissions committees determine how to fill their class.

www.studentdoctor.net

 

[sushiii888]

You'll be completing for slightly fewer interview slots than the thousands of applicants who arrived ahead of you but if your application is the cream of the crop, you should eventually rise to the top and get an interview. Just remember that you'll need to be patient and that the interview season lasts until December or sometime after the new year. You might be one of the last but that doesn't mean you are out of the race, particularly at some T20 schools that hold all offers until they have sorted everyone out post interview. Search for my name and "staircase" for a better idea of how this whole thing works.

Thank you so much! I really appreciate the info, I have been really stressed out about this. Would you say that finishing secondaries mid-september might be too late? Thank you so much for all the insight!

 

[sushiii888]

We also describe the staircase analogy here

From Waitlist to Offer: Inside an Admissions Committee | Student Doctor Network | SDN

When you are on a waitlist, it can feel like you'll never get an update. Learn how admissions committees determine how to fill their class.

www.studentdoctor.net

Thank you so much for the link!

 

[LizzyM]

If you are good enough to rise to the top of the staircase, it is not too late if you can be complete by mid-September. In most cases, schools are reading applications and making invitations for interview through November and at some schools through late December. (It pretty much runs the length of college football season from mid-late August through the early bowl games).

 

[sushiii888]

If you are good enough to rise to the top of the staircase, it is not too late if you can be complete by mid-September. In most cases, schools are reading applications and making invitations for interview through November and at some schools through late December. (It pretty much runs the length of college football season from mid-late August through the early bowl games).

Thank you so much for all your helpful advice! I tried so hard to submit everything early, but then life happened, I will work super hard to make sure the application I submit is of the best quality I can make it to be

 

[saltykiosk]

If you are good enough to rise to the top of the staircase, it is not too late if you can be complete by mid-September. In most cases, schools are reading applications and making invitations for interview through November and at some schools through late December. (It pretty much runs the length of college football season from mid-late August through the early bowl games).

I have fap, would you say it's worth it to apply to a lot of schools, submit my priority/mission fit schools in late august and just continue through september?
I have 520, but 3.4x gpa, so I have feeling I might have a rough cycle and should apply as many as i can

 

[GoSpursGo]

I have 520

I thought you are taking your MCAT on 8/1... so is this a projected score based on full length practice tests taken in real test conditions?

In any event, if you choose to apply you're definitely on the late side. You would be more competitive with an early application next year. But ultimately you have to weigh the cost of potentially applying twice if you apply this year against the certainty of delaying the start of med school a year later if you don't apply this year. You can't make that value judgement without a real score in hand, so just get yourself as ready as possible to submit ASAP after you get your score back.

 

[saltykiosk]

I thought you are taking your MCAT on 8/1... so is this a projected score based on full length practice tests taken in real test conditions?

In any event, if you choose to apply you're definitely on the late side. You would be more competitive with an early application next year. But ultimately you have to weigh the cost of potentially applying twice if you apply this year against the certainty of delaying the start of med school a year later if you don't apply this year. You can't make that value judgement without a real score in hand, so just get yourself as ready as possible to submit ASAP after you get your score back.

I have my MCAT already, I just finished my primary so I’m expecting to be able to pre write for around 15 schools that I have the best chance and submit in August. So then I was thinking to apply to like 40 schools and continue the rest in September, not preferable but better than not submitting I hope

I had a pretty “unique” story that has a strong connection to why medicine and also explains the low gpa I had at some point, so I decided it will be worth it to delay my application to improve my essays given that I rely on the holistic process

 

[Mr.Smile12]

saltykiosk's WAMC thread

Thread 'WAMC 520, 3.4x, CA'

Jul 9, 2025

MCAT 520 first try
3.4x S/C GPA, last 70 unit 3.9
clinical: 2.5k as phlebotomist, 1.5k as Clinical research coordinator,
research: 400 dry lab, 600 wet basic lab, no pubs
non-clinical Volunteering: over 500 hours, with homeless, elderly, and refuges.
Clinical volunteering: 800 hours, at a local clinic with underserved community, and as covid tech at local school during the pandemic
leadership: director of a non-profit focused on homelessness and getting people off the street
300 hours free mcat tutoring to low ses students

• saltykiosk
• Replies: 7
• Forum: What Are My Chances? WAMC Medical