Some general questions regarding timing of applicaiton

[MariaK]

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Hello,
I apologize if this question has been answered, but I could not find the specific info I was looking for. I researched it and read through many sites/threads but none of them seemed to directly answer what I wanted to know.

From what I understand, you submit a primary application which has your GPA/Mcat etc, and then later you submit your secondary application which has more personal info.

I do not have specific question, but rather a confusing mess which I am hoping someone can tease apart and shed some light on some of the points I raise.

My university is on a semester format. Last winter session (Jan-April) I withdrew from all my classes very early on in January due to personal reasons. It was before the deadline so I did not receive any academic penalty.

I'm returning to classes this September. Basically this would have been my final year. But because of that missed semester, I will actually have one more September-Dec semester next year.

What I wanted advice on is the planning of my MCAT and applications.

I cannot apply right away nor take the MCAT right away because I am hoping to boost my GPA to a comfortable level during this 3 semesters, and I also do not feel I am currently ready for the MCAT.

So assuming I began some preliminary review for the MCAT this year while in class, and then over the summer put in the gruntwork and take the MCAT in august ; what then would that mean in terms of the timeline on how the application would unfold?

In essense, what im asking is : It is currently Fall 2009. I will officially have completed my degree at the beginning of 2011.(Jan 1st). If I wanted to begin medical school Fall of 2011 ... when is the latest I would have to send in my GPA and MCAT scores? (I understand diff schools have diff exact deadlines, but I'm talking in general terms)

Thanks a bunch to anyone who helps

 

[dw2158]

you would apply next summer/fall (during the 2010-2011 academic year, which will be called the 2011 application cycle).

to do this, you'd probably want to take the MCAT by the spring of 2010, but you can search old threads to find out people's various opinions on when the latest acceptable MCAT is. your grades and MCAT score go to the schools when you send your primary. that is, your primary cannot be verified and sent to schools without your transcript(s) and MCAT score report. if you're curious about how AMCAS (the primary) works, go here and check out the FAQ and the instruction book. good luck!

 

[MariaK]

Hmmm 2010 spring MCAT is kind of early. I was hoping to study for the MCAT over the summer.

Lets say I take the August MCAT, and then the scores are in a month later, and I apply before the deadlines which are around October ... will I be at a significant disadvantage?

That is another thing that confuses me. I tried searching the forum but could not find a discussion about Taking the MCAT in spring vs August and its relative merits in terms of how it impacts your application.

I always assumed that because the deadline is in october, once october reaches the Medical schools stop taking applications, and then pile together the mass they have recieved and then start reviewing them.

If you are suggesting I take the Spring Mcat, it would mean that Med schools begin reviewing applications before the summer starts, several months before the deadline, and a about 1 year and 4 months before the accepted applicants begin class.

Any extra info would be appreciated.

 

[Compass]

Hmmm 2010 spring MCAT is kind of early. I was hoping to study for the MCAT over the summer.

No. Our school MANDATES a January 2010 or earlier date for next year's applications.

Lets say I take the August MCAT, and then the scores are in a month later, and I apply before the deadlines which are around October ... will I be at a significant disadvantage?[/quote]
Yes. September is bulk, October is late. These are rolling admissions. In September/October, you could very well not be evaluated until May 2011, or even not ever, like I was.

That is another thing that confuses me. I tried searching the forum but could not find a discussion about Taking the MCAT in spring vs August and its relative merits in terms of how it impacts your application.

Your MCAT holds your application. If you take it in spring and receive the scores back, you can submit your AMCAS instantly June 1st. If you take it in August, you cannot submit your AMCAS reasonably until September.

]I always assumed that because the deadline is in october, once october reaches the Medical schools stop taking applications, and then pile together the mass they have recieved and then start reviewing them.

No. They read applications as they start getting them. You send in August, they read in August/September. You send in September, they read them October/November. You send in October, they read them December, January, February... etc... This is rolling admissions...

If you are suggesting I take the Spring Mcat, it would mean that Med schools begin reviewing applications before the summer starts, several months before the deadline, and a about 1 year and 4 months before the accepted applicants begin class.

... Spring MCAT (April -> Scores come back May, you can choose to retake at this time for a June/July date) Applications are already being reviewed in July. People are getting INTERVIEWS right now, in August, while you would theoretically be taking your MCAT. You would have your application in after a whole MONTH of people have already been interviewed, and two months of people have been scheduled for interviews.

 

[dw2158]

Hmmm 2010 spring MCAT is kind of early. I was hoping to study for the MCAT over the summer.

Lets say I take the August MCAT, and then the scores are in a month later, and I apply before the deadlines which are around October ... will I be at a significant disadvantage?

That is another thing that confuses me. I tried searching the forum but could not find a discussion about Taking the MCAT in spring vs August and its relative merits in terms of how it impacts your application.

I always assumed that because the deadline is in october, once october reaches the Medical schools stop taking applications, and then pile together the mass they have recieved and then start reviewing them.

If you are suggesting I take the Spring Mcat, it would mean that Med schools begin reviewing applications before the summer starts, several months before the deadline, and a about 1 year and 4 months before the accepted applicants begin class.

Any extra info would be appreciated.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=659323&highlight=mcat+late

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=655486&highlight=mcat+late

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=652327&highlight=mcat+late

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=649391&highlight=mcat+late

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=647833&highlight=mcat+late

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=535602&highlight=mcat+late

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=643446&highlight=mcat+late

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=641655&highlight=mcat+late

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=639588&highlight=mcat+late

... i could go on and on. not so hard to search.

AMCAS opens in may. you can submit in june at the earliest. at the end of june/beginning of july you'll start getting secondaries. once you do those, you'll be "complete." then schools start reviewing apps. if you do some reading on the boards you'll see that many schools started handing out interview invites this month. so, yes, they review apps more than a year before you'll matriculate.

all of this information and more really *is* accessible if you do some hunting around.

 

[dream1070]

If you can only study for MCAT over the summer, then take the MCAT in August. No problem.
What I believe is, you should take the MCAT when you are actually READY to take. Don't try to rush it since everyone else is taking it early, instead take it when you really feel like you are ready.
I think it's better off to study enough and take it and do well, compared to didn't have enouth time to study for it but take it anyway.
Make sure schools you are applying accept the August MCAT scores which most schools do. A lot of them even take the September scores.
But submit your application early. Start working on your personal statement/EC whenever you have time and have them almost ready by the time AMCAS opens the application. Try to submit it as soon as they open so you don't have to worry about the application while you study for the MCAT since it takes up so much time.
Focus solely on studying for MCAT and do it well.
Considering your situation, that's what I would recommend.
Many people say that it's too late to take the MCAT in August, but as long as you do it well it shouldn't be too much problem.
You will get the secondary and interview later than other applicants but I have seen many of my friends who took MCAT in August/September and got into schools they wanted.