Should I take the CASPER

[Engrailed]

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I honestly wasnt even aware of this before this summer. It seems like its being used by some state schools and still optional at a few others.

What is the general consensus on this?
Is it better to take it? I just feel overwhelmed aftee taking the MCAT a couple of months ago and the thought of taking another test is just one I dont want to deal with right now.

Thanks!

 

[deleted972488]

It’s a lot different than the MCAT, so don’t worry about being burnt out. Take it if any of the schools on your list require it. Otherwise, don’t bother.

 

[OchemOficionado]

If you are applying to schools that required it, you should take it. It’s a simply exam that you don’t need to study for. Check out their website for more info.

 

[rdyotz]

If you are a psychopath, then don't take the exam and avoid schools that require it.
If you are a normal person that can remain respectful and see different points of view, then take it if any school you are applying to requires it. This exam must be taken the year you are applying (take it in 2019 for the 2019-2020 application cycle).

It doesn't require you to study and it takes about 1.5 hours of typing.

 

[JustAUser]

Don't bother applying to the schools that require it if you don't want to take it

 

[907914]

Don't bother applying to the schools that require it if you don't want to take it

The school list is in excess of 40 schools now, so I would def avoid this strategy. 40 is a lot of schools.

 

[Jungkookie]

Only take it if your school requires it, its a computer test similar to MMI but don't stress about it!

 

[Bonne Nuit]

I honestly wasnt even aware of this before this summer. It seems like its being used by some state schools and still optional at a few others.

What is the general consensus on this?
Is it better to take it? I just feel overwhelmed aftee taking the MCAT a couple of months ago and the thought of taking another test is just one I dont want to deal with right now.

Thanks!

Yes, it’s an easy enough “test” and lots of MD programs now require it. I keep hearing about people trying to avoid applying to CASPer schools and, while understandable, I don’t think that’s very wise. I’m a pretty average MD applicant applying very broadly and something like 15 of the schools I applied to (roughly 40%) required me to take CASPer. Unless you’re such a stellar applicant that you can really cherry pick schools and have a reasonable shot at acceptance, just bite the bullet and get it over with. But do it soon if you’re applying this cycle.

 

[Engrailed]

Yes, it’s an easy enough “test” and lots of MD programs now require it. I keep hearing about people trying to avoid applying to CASPer schools and, while understandable, I don’t think that’s very wise. I’m a pretty average MD applicant applying very broadly and something like 15 of the schools I applied to (roughly 40%) required me to take CASPer. Unless you’re such a stellar applicant that you can really cherry pick schools and have a reasonable shot at acceptance, just bite the bullet and get it over with. But do it soon if you’re applying this cycle.

So if I take the exam, is that added to my AMCAS application like it does for the MCAT? As in, do schools that do not require it also view it (just for fun)? Or is it only sent individually to the schools that require it through some separate portal?

 

[907914]

15 of the schools I applied to (roughly 40%)

Now hold up, let’s just talk about this “applying to 40 schools” thing you got going here....? Lol How was the secondary and interview season (or how is it currently going).

 

[907914]

So if I take the exam, is that added to my AMCAS application like it does for the MCAT? As in, do schools that do not require it also view it (just for fun)? Or is it only sent individually to the schools that require it through some separate portal?

It is a separate portal. Literally you will answer all of your questions just by googling it and going to their site.

 

[deleted972488]

Now hold up, let’s just talk about this “applying to 40 schools” thing you got going here....? Lol How was the secondary and interview season (or how is it currently going).

That’s not far off from what I’m doing. It’s manageable if you give yourself plenty of time to prewrite. Financially, it sucks.

 

[Engrailed]

Would July 18 be too late to take the exam (scores are distributed 3 weeks post exam date)

 

[907914]

That’s not far off from what I’m doing. It’s manageable if you give yourself plenty of time to prewrite. Financially, it sucks.

You speakin the true true lol I just know you have been prewriting since like January or March lol Still to many schools IMHO...But everybody gotta do themselves. NMB.

 

[907914]

Would July 18 be too late to take the exam (scores are distributed 3 weeks post exam date)

Not at all. Unless you are honking for Day 1 interview invites, then being verified at a school in the second week of August is A OK.

Edit: I meant gunning, but imma leave it.

 

[Bonne Nuit]

Now hold up, let’s just talk about this “applying to 40 schools” thing you got going here....? Lol How was the secondary and interview season (or how is it currently going).

RIP my life this summer. I am currently only working part time at a job with lots of downtime in which I can secondary, and dedicating basically all my free time to writing. My husband, who has the patience of a saint, is bankrolling this farce.

If I truly luck out and get lots of IIs, I’ll start whittling down the list. But I just think I’m way too middle of the road in terms of stats to get comfy.

 

[Bonne Nuit]

So if I take the exam, is that added to my AMCAS application like it does for the MCAT? As in, do schools that do not require it also view it (just for fun)? Or is it only sent individually to the schools that require it through some separate portal?

You do it through the CASPer website directly. Ten bucks to take the dumb thing, then ten bucks per school to have them send your score. It’s a total waste of time but that’s the game.

 

[Engrailed]

Im not sure which schools (from the list) I will end up applying to exactly. Is it okay to select more than what schools I will actually be applying to?
I have the Fee Assistance help from AAMC so It wouldnt cost me extra.

 

[907914]

Im not sure which schools (from the list) I will end up applying to exactly. Is it okay to select more than what schools I will actually be applying to?
I have the Fee Assistance help from AAMC so It wouldnt cost me extra.

Does CASPer honor FAP?

 

[JustAUser]

Im not sure which schools (from the list) I will end up applying to exactly. Is it okay to select more than what schools I will actually be applying to?
I have the Fee Assistance help from AAMC so It wouldnt cost me extra.

You can add schools later on too, as long as they are still accepting scores

 

[Engrailed]

Does CASPer honor FAP?

Seems like it!

 

[JustAUser]

Does CASPer honor FAP?

They do

Which Fee Assistance Programs are accepted?
If you are approved for a fee assistance program that is honoured by CASPer, please select the checkbox that says, ‘I have been approved for the AAMC Fee Assistance Program’ when reserving your test.
This checkbox will appear after you have selected the programs you want to distribute your CASPer score to and before you continue to the payment.
Fee Assistance Programs that are honoured for the CASPer test are:
AAMC
AACOMAS
Texas JAMP
Texas Early Assurance

https://takecasper.com/faq/

 

[907914]

They do

Which Fee Assistance Programs are accepted?
If you are approved for a fee assistance program that is honoured by CASPer, please select the checkbox that says, ‘I have been approved for the AAMC Fee Assistance Program’ when reserving your test.
This checkbox will appear after you have selected the programs you want to distribute your CASPer score to and before you continue to the payment.
Fee Assistance Programs that are honoured for the CASPer test are:
AAMC
AACOMAS
Texas JAMP
Texas Early Assurance

https://takecasper.com/faq/

Nifty! FAP is an even better program for those who qualify

 

[JustAUser]

Don't bother applying to the schools that require it if you don't want to take it

And to clarify, I definitely don't recommend this strategy. This exam is not something you can really prepare for (except typing, do practice typing a lot). It's pretty straightforward, so just take it for whichever schools require it. The sooner the better as is the case always. Also, you won't ever know how you fared on it so don't stress too much

 

[rdyotz]

The long part is waiting for them to grade your CASPER (mine took like 4 days or something, it will likely take longer now as it seems more people are taking more recent tests). Having CASPER sent the results to schools is pretty quick. The point I am making is even if you have FAP, don't just select every school, only select those you are applying to. Abusing the system may make them switch to only allowing you to fill out X (I think AMCAS allows 10 free apps with FAP) schools with FAP.