Some ppl just took MCAT, aren't your chances lower to apply now?

[Elastase]

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I just took MCAT in August, but I don't feel like I would have a good chance to get in if I apply right now. There is no way I would apply right now because I am getting extra experience (UCSF research associate, clinical research, mentoring kids, shadowing docs, and volunteering at SFGeneral). I feel that getting this extra experience would probably greatly boost my chances of getting into med school in Cali...

I have already graduated from UCB, there was no way to do all this crap while I was in school....I know some ppl have but still...not knowing your score...

Anyways, I don't understand how some people apply in August, without really knowing what they got on the MCAT. That test is totally unpredictable...Also, I thought it was rolling admissions, so wouldn't your chances greatly diminish?

I figure that the best way to apply would be when you have the greatest chances of getting in... I only want to do this application shieet once...

Explain to me please, why some ppl apply without knowing their score!!! I totally see that as a waste of straight bank (MONEEY), especially if your score is low that you don't make the cut for the school... 😕

 

[leverp2000]

Well, practice tests are a good indication of what you will score on the real thing (for some people at least). So, as long as one knows a ballpark score, one could apply to schools. The test is not THAT unpredictable. What you put in is what you get out of it.

Also, only a portion of the schools are on rolling admissions. For the remaining schools, taking the August MCAT is not a big disadvantage.

 

[Medikit]

I think you are doing the right thing, but some people are impatient.

 

[xSTALLiONx]

I just took MCAT in August, but I don't feel like I would have a good chance to get in if I apply right now. There is no way I would apply right now because I am getting extra experience (UCSF research associate, clinical research, mentoring kids, shadowing docs, and volunteering at SFGeneral). I feel that getting this extra experience would probably greatly boost my chances of getting into med school in Cali...

I have already graduated from UCB, there was no way to do all this crap while I was in school....I know some ppl have but still...not knowing your score...

Anyways, I don't understand how some people apply in August, without really knowing what they got on the MCAT. That test is totally unpredictable...Also, I thought it was rolling admissions, so wouldn't your chances greatly diminish?

I figure that the best way to apply would be when you have the greatest chances of getting in... I only want to do this application shieet once...

Explain to me please, why some ppl apply without knowing their score!!! I totally see that as a waste of straight bank (MONEEY), especially if your score is low that you don't make the cut for the school... 😕

some schools are rolling admissions but others are not.. those with rolling also waitlist people to see how the august MCAT applicants do...
think about it.. if you were an adcom.. would you fill up your spots ASAP or would you shelve people until you had the best pool to pick from.. (of course you quickly try to grab a couple of the superstars before they accept elsewhere)..

also, the test isn't that unpredictable.. i was scoring consistantly (within 1-3 pts) on the practice tests and I had that good feeling coming out of the test so I'm pretty sure that I'm not wasting money as long as i got a couple safe schools..

 

[Innocent Girl]

I just took MCAT in August, but I don't feel like I would have a good chance to get in if I apply right now. There is no way I would apply right now because I am getting extra experience (UCSF research associate, clinical research, mentoring kids, shadowing docs, and volunteering at SFGeneral). I feel that getting this extra experience would probably greatly boost my chances of getting into med school in Cali...

I have already graduated from UCB, there was no way to do all this crap while I was in school....I know some ppl have but still...not knowing your score...

Anyways, I don't understand how some people apply in August, without really knowing what they got on the MCAT. That test is totally unpredictable...Also, I thought it was rolling admissions, so wouldn't your chances greatly diminish?

I figure that the best way to apply would be when you have the greatest chances of getting in... I only want to do this application shieet once...

Explain to me please, why some ppl apply without knowing their score!!! I totally see that as a waste of straight bank (MONEEY), especially if your score is low that you don't make the cut for the school... 😕

It sounds like you have good reason to wait. For others, it may be worth taking a chance (and spending some money) to possibly get in a year sooner. People taking the August MCAT do get in. It's not like you are doomed.

 

[dankev]

As I've said several times on this forum, I took the Aug MCAT last year, submitted ~ 2 weeks later, and was accepted to one school. Most of my friends were on the same schedule. Some got in nowhere, some one place, others half a dozen places. It depends more on you as an applicant, but surely applying earlier can only help. My group of friends and I were all postbacc students, and we all thought applying in Aug was better than waiting a year. What did we have to lose (except money) by applying?

There are, of course, people who are not ready to apply in August. Of course they should wait. But for folks who are all set except for the Aug MCAT, there is no reason not to apply. And as other posters have mentioned, the MCAT is very predictable, based on practice tests.

 

[Fermata]

I think you are doing the right thing, but some people are impatient.

I agree.

 

[Medikit]

I agree.

We're the buddy bears!