Should you apply before MCAT scores?

[rrmix]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I'm taking the MCAT mid-May, and I know applications start early june. But, I was wondering if it would be a good/bad idea to apply before receiving my MCAT Scores?

Thanks

 

[mangomadness]

if you take the mcat mid may, scores should be out by mid june. id recommend having everything ready, and when the scores come out, submit it then. ONLY because in case they're too too low, you don't wanna waste your money (by too low, im talking crazy low- like 20)

nothing wrong with submitting amcas mid june. 🙂

 

[RogueUnicorn]

they're not going to read your application before your score gets in anyway. and depending on your score your school selection would likely change. you'd probably kick yourself for giving yale the primary fee when it turns out you got a 27, as an example..

edit: beat to it

 

[Dr Optimistic]

See what you are scoring on the AAMC full lengths right before you take the test. If it is around what you are going for I would definitely apply the first day possible. They usually are good predictors of your actual score.

Good Luck

 

[RogueUnicorn]

See what you are scoring on the AAMC full lengths right before you take the test. If it is around what you are going for I would definitely apply the first day possible. They usually are good predictors of your actual score.

Good Luck

dumb idea.

 

[FluffyRabbit]

See what you are scoring on the AAMC full lengths right before you take the test. If it is around what you are going for I would definitely apply the first day possible. They usually are good predictors of your actual score.

Good Luck

dumb idea.

Turning in your primaries earlier means you get verified faster too, so the increase in speed is non trivial. You better be confident of your MCAT abilities though..

 

[silverhorse84]

What you can do is submit your AMCAS application with only one school selected (perhaps a state school). That way you're in line to be verified early.

If you don't do well and want to wait a year, you've only paid for one school. If you do well, you can add schools later without losing your place in the verification line.

 

[metallica81788]

What you can do is submit your AMCAS application with only one school selected (perhaps a state school). That way you're in line to be verified early.

If you don't do well and want to wait a year, you've only paid for one school. If you do well, you can add schools later without losing your place in the verification line.

I believe this is the best route to go and the one that was recommended the most on SDN in the past.

 

[rrmix]

What you can do is submit your AMCAS application with only one school selected (perhaps a state school). That way you're in line to be verified early.

If you don't do well and want to wait a year, you've only paid for one school. If you do well, you can add schools later without losing your place in the verification line.

That sounds like a great idea, thank you so much

 

[musafirah]

dumb idea.

AGREED. my actual score turned out to be 6 points lower than my average on the AAMC tests 🙁 and the same thing happened to all my classmates that took the MCAT the same summer. i wasted ALOT on schools out of my reach since I applied before my score came back.. (and I was confident that i did well on it, sigh.)
go ahead and apply, but only add a couple schools you're absolutely sure that you want to apply to and wait for your score to add the other schools.

 

[wishfor]

👍

What you can do is submit your AMCAS application with only one school selected (perhaps a state school). That way you're in line to be verified early.

If you don't do well and want to wait a year, you've only paid for one school. If you do well, you can add schools later without losing your place in the verification line.

 

[bravofleet4]

many schools still ask on their secondaries if this is your first time applying to medical school and what schools those were. Therefore, if you do follow the one school idea, it may still look like you're reapplying in their eyes. That would put you at a sort of disadvantage and explaining yourself during interviews wouldn't make you look any better. I would just wait. Even if you submit in late June or early July, you would still be considered relatively early. Applying the first day does not give you that significant an advantage. The advice is really geared toward people who wait so long that they send it in September and fill out secondaries in December.

 

[vman51]

What you can do is submit your AMCAS application with only one school selected (perhaps a state school). That way you're in line to be verified early.

If you don't do well and want to wait a year, you've only paid for one school. If you do well, you can add schools later without losing your place in the verification line.

best advice

 

[Camy99]

best advice

I like this advice too but what about this scenario: I just finished my 2nd year and I'm in the process of doing some serious GPA raising. I'm not positive what it'll look like by end of junior year, if I continue my upward trend it should be acceptable.
I was hoping to use the summer of junior year to study for MCATs (I finish early June) and take it end of summer (after a 3-mnth study plan). Would it still be a good idea to apply to one school, if I'm semi-satisfied with my GPA in June, and wait for my MCAT results all the way in late August (possibly early Sept.)? And then if that all doesn't work out I'll just wait for the next year when I'll have more time to raise my GPA. This was my plan anyways, but if my MCATs turn out to be good enough I don't want to waste the chance to get it all done one year earlier...