Submitting AMCAS with ???MCAT???

[EBLoneStar]

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It seems like a couple other people on the 05-28-09 MCAT thread are having the same thoughts, but no one seems to know for sure what to do, so I figured I'd post a new thread.

I took the May 28 bear of an MCAT and have absolutely no idea how I did. I feel like the test went pretty horribly, but I know people always say you can't judge how you did based on how you feel afterwards. Well just in case I did do as horribly as I think I did and I have to retake, I just registered for the July 17 MCAT.

What I'm wondering though is how to fill out the MCAT part of the AMCAS application. I want to submit the application this week, probably with just one school until I find out how I did and then add more schools later, but should I indicate that I will be retaking the test on July 17th? If it turns out that I did okay and don't need to retake, will schools see on my application that I'm planning on retaking and not consider my application complete until the second set of scores comes in?
Or if I don't indicate that I'm planning on retaking, but then I get my score on June 30 and decide I do need to do so, will I be able to change that part of the application before submitting it to the rest of the schools?

I really don't want to wait until August 18 (when the July 17 scores will be back) to send my primary application off to schools.

So I'm just not really sure what to do. I was doing really well on all the AAMC practice tests too (avg. 34-36). Now I'll just be happy to break 30 on that May 28 test.

*sigh*
🙁

 

[n618ft]

It seems like a couple other people on the 05-28-09 MCAT thread are having the same thoughts, but no one seems to know for sure what to do, so I figured I'd post a new thread.

I took the May 28 bear of an MCAT and have absolutely no idea how I did. I feel like the test went pretty horribly, but I know people always say you can't judge how you did based on how you feel afterwards. Well just in case I did do as horribly as I think I did and I have to retake, I just registered for the July 17 MCAT.

What I'm wondering though is how to fill out the MCAT part of the AMCAS application. I want to submit the application this week, probably with just one school until I find out how I did and then add more schools later, but should I indicate that I will be retaking the test on July 17th? If it turns out that I did okay and don't need to retake, will schools see on my application that I'm planning on retaking and not consider my application complete until the second set of scores comes in?
Or if I don't indicate that I'm planning on retaking, but then I get my score on June 30 and decide I do need to do so, will I be able to change that part of the application before submitting it to the rest of the schools?

I really don't want to wait until August 18 (when the July 17 scores will be back) to send my primary application off to schools.

So I'm just not really sure what to do. I was doing really well on all the AAMC practice tests too (avg. 34-36). Now I'll just be happy to break 30 on that May 28 test.

*sigh*
🙁

I took it on the 28th too and I'm going to man-up and apply to all the schools in the next few days... I was getting about the same on the AAMC practice but no clue on this one - so I added a bunch of "safety" schools to my app and I'm calling it good. I couldn't imagine taking the MCAT again... #1, there's no guarantee that you'll do better... #2, most schools will look at both scores, not just the better one... and have fun telling them that everyone on the board agrees it was a "bear" of a test - although it was... omg those balls! If I were to take it again, I would have put those intentions on the AMCAS... like expect the last MCAT of this year to be from July, not the one in May.

 

[EBLoneStar]

No one else has any thoughts?


I guess my main question is would it be better to
(1) Indicate that I will be retaking the MCAT on my AMCAS primary app but then decide not to do so (and also potentially look like an idiot if my scores come back fine but I've indicated I plan on retaking), or
(2) Not indicate I plan on retaking but then do so anyway if it comes down to it (and risk being thrown out of the pile of consideration due to a potentially low MCAT score)

Thanks guys!

 

[Zona Pellucida]

Bump. Similar situation (5/22)

 

[dannhk1987]

Just so you know I'm not throwing this out without being educated...I'm just finishing the application process (been accepted at several schools and currently trying to pick one), and I had a consultant to help me with it. So I do know what I'm talking about...

I would definitely just put that you plan to re-take them. The schools will understand that you're just being safe, since you don't know your MCAT scores yet. And it would be much bigger pain to go back into AMCAS and send the correction of adding an MCAT than it would be to just send them all a letter saying you decided you didn't need to take another one.

It is also an option to send a generic letter to each of the admissions offices to "accompany" your AMCAS as an explanation. As much, as you might not get this feeling, the admission committees of any schools appreciate getting as much information as possible from the applicants. ALSO, for most schools, they just send you the secondary application automatically with barely even looking at your AMCAS.

Email is also a good option. All of the directors or deans of admissions have been more than happy to correspond with me over email, and sometimes even suggest it over normal "snail mail."

Long story short. It's better to be safe than sorry, and register for the second MCAT and put it on the AMCAS, then decide not to take it. AND it's also better to get your AMCAS out earlier than later.

I hope this helped!!

 

[n618ft]

I was reading through the DO threads... in one thread, several people brought up the problem that if you put that you're going to take a future MCAT, they're going to wait to see what you get on that.

I changed my strategy... I'm going to submit my application with 20 or so schools so that it gets processed... depending on what comes of the MCAT, I'm going to put the rest in when I know the score. If I were to be taking the MCAT again, (which I'm definitely not) I would not put that on the application... that way, the first schools would get processed without delay. The first batch of schools would get my first MCAT and the 2nd batch would get both and there wouldn't be any undue delay. I think I'd rather apply to a few as early as possible to hedge the possibility of a sub-par MCAT a bit. At least for me, I'd rather get into an ok place now than a "higher tier" school later.

 

[sunsfan]

I've polled friends from last year's cycle and I want to share their advice to me. Make of this what you want.

- Decide now what's the minimum score I'll run with. Wait for my score to come out June 30. Meanwhile get everything else - EVERYTHING - ready.

- Best Case: No retake necessary. If so, they assured me a July 1 submission is not a huge disadvantage as long as I can guarantee a short turn-around time on my secondaries. Some of them took a June MCAT last year and felt "late" submitting their app in July/Aug but surprisingly many of them still got early interviews - within days of those who applied really early in the UCs.

- Worst case: Retake necessary. In this case, I should already be CALLING SCHOOLS NOW to check their policy about MCAT scores. Some schools prefer to have all scores including retakes before submitting the app. This is actually on the AMCAS Instruction book. A friend pointed this out to me. There are probably some schools who will wait for your scores if it comes out in a reasonable time frame.

So there it is. Again, this is the opinion of friends who know me well and this is personal advice that may not apply to you. I hope you find it somewhat helpful.

 

[Zona Pellucida]

Great advice. Thanks to all.

Makes me nervous to get my scores back; I really hope I was good enough.

 

[olemissbabydoc]

I *think* that's one of the sections you can edit on amcas after your first submission.

 

[shahak49]

I am taking MCAT on July 2nd.....
However, i want to submit AMCAS NOW.

Can I add the med schools later on once I receive the score?
Or should I enter the med schools before taking MCATs?
Or should I enter list of schools after taking MCAT but before the scores are released?

Also, I have no LOR yet.but will have bunch of them once i am done MCAT. Should I obtain those letters now? Or can I wait and submit them after submitting AMCAS??????????

I've polled friends from last year's cycle and I want to share their advice to me. Make of this what you want.

- Decide now what's the minimum score I'll run with. Wait for my score to come out June 30. Meanwhile get everything else - EVERYTHING - ready.

- Best Case: No retake necessary. If so, they assured me a July 1 submission is not a huge disadvantage as long as I can guarantee a short turn-around time on my secondaries. Some of them took a June MCAT last year and felt "late" submitting their app in July/Aug but surprisingly many of them still got early interviews - within days of those who applied really early in the UCs.

- Worst case: Retake necessary. In this case, I should already be CALLING SCHOOLS NOW to check their policy about MCAT scores. Some schools prefer to have all scores including retakes before submitting the app. This is actually on the AMCAS Instruction book. A friend pointed this out to me. There are probably some schools who will wait for your scores if it comes out in a reasonable time frame.

So there it is. Again, this is the opinion of friends who know me well and this is personal advice that may not apply to you. I hope you find it somewhat helpful.