Should I wait another year? Should I submit primaries after receiving amcas?

[kamikaze1992]

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Hi all
I'm completing my primaries; I should have everything finished by the end of this month. However, I'm not at all certain about my mcat scores, which can range anywhere from 30 to 35 (my average aamc is around 34, but my score i took on the 5th of June maybe lower than that). If my score is low (low 30s), I might consider retaking it and apply my senior year. btw I'm applying for md/phd programs
I'd like to seek your opinions as if I should wait for my score to be back, which will be early July to submit primaries? Or should I submit it late June (around the mid 20s of June vs first week of July). Will submitting my primaries in early July put my app in a disadvantage?

regarding taking a year off. I'm in a difficult situation. Namely, I'm having a first author PlosONE under revision, which should be accepted around late August, early September. I'm also having another 2nd author and 1st author manuscript under preparation, which may be in press by the end of my senior year. The MCAT score is the only think holding my candicacy back right now. Would applying after senior year a good idea?

 

[Maebea]

Submitting in early July will not put your application at a disadvantage. I think of the secondary application season like this: up to July 15-early applicant; July 15 to August 31 - regular applicant; September 1 to October 15- late applicant; after October 15 - DOA applicant. There are too many great applicants who submit early in the season for indiviudals to feel comfortable with just meeting the application deadline. By October 15 we will have filled 80% of available interview slots. Now, a first author paper will make a late applicant stand out, but to maximize their chances applicants need to apply well before a program's deadline.

Once your paper is accepted you should email the abstract to programs.

 

[Neuronix]

I think Maebea's post on timing is very reasonable. There's an overemphasis in pre-allo on early applications. All things equal, an early application can only help. But, taking the MCAT early and not scoring as well on it as you could have is quite damning. Having a paper in hand with the initial application (with the caveat that these things ALWAYS take longer than you expect) is helpful.

 

[kamikaze1992]

Thanks, the paper revision is of course always unpredictable. It may take longer than expected, but I'm not in control of that. I think it all comes down to my mcat scores. I'll have my primaries ready by early July and probably will decide then.