submitting secondaries before mcat score received -- too hasty?

[scarfscarfscarf]

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i'm thinking about submitting my secondaries before my third mcat score comes back mid-september. i feel pretty confident this time about my score, but i'm not sure if submitting now is worth the time difference.

 

[TopSecret]

i'm thinking about submitting my secondaries before my third mcat score comes back mid-september. i feel pretty confident this time about my score, but i'm not sure if submitting now is worth the time difference.

Third MCAT? It might be better to save your money and wait.

 

[scarfscarfscarf]

you mean because the chances are stacked against me for having done mediocre the first two times? or because taking it a third time would kill my chances regardless?

 

[TopSecret]

you mean because the chances are stacked against me for having done mediocre the first two times? or because taking it a third time would kill my chances regardless?

More of the former. If you're swimming in money, then go for it. But I would wait a couple of weeks until the scores return.

 

[cher25]

You must be strategic about this. My app was put on hold at a couple of schools and rejected at 1 before my 'new' MCAT scores came in. They reviewed my app even though it had indicated that I retook the MCAT and was pending scores. So make sure that you only submit secondaries to schools that will wait for your new scores. Unless your old score is good enough to get you an interview.

 

[scarfscarfscarf]

i don't understand. if they didn't care your upcoming scores, wouldn't they have screened you out of a secondary?

 

[TopSecret]

i don't understand. if they didn't care your upcoming scores, wouldn't they have screened you out of a secondary?

It's a business for the admissions office. The secondary application fees pay for the office staff and interviewing expenses.

They can be rather merciless since they have thousands of applicants each year.

 

[scarfscarfscarf]

i'm having trouble believing this. does any else know of schools who send out secondary requests to students weeded out, and then reject them without even reading their sent secondary application?

also, if i submitted my amcas around late may, then they would have sent me rejection letters by now wouldn't they?

 

[dingyibvs]

i'm having trouble believing this. does any else know of schools who send out secondary requests to students weeded out, and then reject them without even reading their sent secondary application?

also, if i submitted my amcas around late may, then they would have sent me rejection letters by now wouldn't they?

That's not what he said. He said they'll review your secondary before they receive your latest MCAT scores, and if they deem fit, they'll reject you right then. He didn't say that they've made up their mind even before sending you the secondary.

 

[njbmd]

Do be aware that many secondary applications (and fees) are revenue generators for medical schools. Most school will send secondary applications to every student who submits an application to them. Regardless of your MCAT score (three takes is definitely not going to win you any points in this process) many schools will send out an application and will reject you once your score comes in and your secondary fee check is processed. You have to "pay to play" in the first place.

There are some schools that screen (you won't get a secondary from them unless you meet their minimum admission criteria) but these are becoming fewer these days because of need for revenue.