Super late app + unexpectedly high MCAT = total confusion. Advice sought.

[Imogen]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I took the Sept 11 MCAT and discovered, about an hour ago, that I got a very good score (40). I had halfheartedly submitted an AMCAS application at the beginning of October, mostly just to placate my parents. I basically didn't think my MCAT would be good enough to allow me to apply this year and was totally thinking I would be applying next year and retaking my MCAT in the spring.

I'm confused what to do now. I haven't technically missed any deadlines... but my application to any schools will obviously be really really late for this cycle. Should I just go ahead and do it (meaning add more schools) anyway? Right now I just have one placeholder school listed on my app, which is still awaiting verification.

Other pertinent info: I am a nontraditional applicant and have already been out of school for 2 years. I had to delay applying due to needing chemotherapy. My gpa is 3.8-3.9.

I really really really want to be done with waiting to apply... and just apply! Part of me is always paranoid that people are going to think my classes, activities, experiences, LORs, are too old, and obviously waiting another year would just mean making everything 1 year older. On the other hand, I don't want not get into schools just 'cause I applied late (and then have to be a reapplicant next year).

My parents and boyfriend are all dancing around rejoicing that I'm "gonna be a doctor" but I'm a little less enthusiastic due to this lateness concern. We all know, a good MCAT score does not a physician make. Advice would be appreciated.

 

[LizzyM]

I took the Sept 11 MCAT and discovered, about an hour ago, that I got a very good score (40). I had halfheartedly submitted an AMCAS application at the beginning of October, mostly just to placate my parents. I basically didn't think my MCAT would be good enough to allow me to apply this year and was totally thinking I would be applying next year and retaking my MCAT in the spring.

I'm confused what to do now. I haven't technically missed any deadlines... but my application to any schools will obviously be really really late for this cycle. Should I just go ahead and do it anyway? Right now I just have one placeholder school listed on my app.

Other pertinent info: I am a nontraditional applicant and have already been out of school for 2 years. I had to delay applying due to needing chemotherapy. My gpa is 3.8-3.9.

I really really really want to be done with waiting to apply... and just apply! Part of me is always paranoid that people are going to think my classes, activities, experiences, LORs, are too old, and obviously waiting another year would just mean making everything 1 year older. On the other hand, I don't want not get into schools just cause I applied late (and then have to be a reapplicant next year).

My parents and boyfriend are all dancing around rejoicing that I'm "gonna be a doctor" but I'm a little less enthusiastic due to this lateness concern. A good MCAT score does not a physician make! Advice is appreciated!

It is not unusual to get a few extraordinary applications at the deadline. Most often they are non-trads who aren't up on the usual "rules" about applying on Day 1. Schools that like non-traditional students (they tend to be more mature and with more real-world experience) know that they need to save a few interview slots for these applicants. One of those slots should have your name on it. Go for it but don't be surprised or dismayed if you don't have interviews until Jan/Feb and admission offers before March.

 

[Imogen]

Was your primary really that bad? If it's passable I think you'll be fine given your awesome numbers and health issues. I'm guessing verification doesn't take that long this time of year (maybe you're already verified) and if you can churn out the secondaries, starting with your state schools, you'll be complete in no time.

Hmm... I'm not sure what you mean by "was my primary bad" - But to clarify, my primary is already submitted and is awaiting verification. My transcripts are in too. As of now, it says they're processing apps submitted on Sept 11 so it appears they are about a month behind with verifications. Mine wasn't submitted until the beginning of October so I really have no idea how long it will take to get verified and I was mostly concerned about missing November secondary deadlines.

 

[ClemsonFirst]

Usually takes 4-6 weeks to verify.

 

[GadRads]

Hmm... I'm not sure what you mean by "was my primary bad" - But to clarify, my primary is already submitted and is awaiting verification. My transcripts are in too. As of now, it says they're processing apps submitted on Sept 11 so it appears they are about a month behind with verifications. Mine wasn't submitted until the beginning of October so I really have no idea how long it will take to get verified and I was mostly concerned about missing November secondary deadlines.

You should be fine. I submitted primaries in October last year. It's not ideal to apply late, but you should be ok. Just get the secondaries in on time.

 

[IncognitoGuy]

Hmm... I'm not sure what you mean by "was my primary bad" - But to clarify, my primary is already submitted and is awaiting verification. My transcripts are in too. As of now, it says they're processing apps submitted on Sept 11 so it appears they are about a month behind with verifications. Mine wasn't submitted until the beginning of October so I really have no idea how long it will take to get verified and I was mostly concerned about missing November secondary deadlines.

I believe he's referring to the quality of it, since you mentioned you made a halfhearted attempt to complete it. Given your numbers and story, I can see schools taking an interest in you. But on the other hand, if you took the time to refine your application for next year, there's so much potential for an amazing cycle.

 

[Imogen]

Did you really submit a half-hearted primary, with mediocre Work/Activities descriptions and most meaningful essays and a cliche personal statement? Or, was your primary okay? If the latter, I think you'll be fine.

Oh I see. No, I actually agonized over my primary. It took me about 5 days to finish because I kept reworking my activities descriptions and eventually I tweaked my personal statement too. What I meant by "half-hearted" was that I really wasn't expecting much in the way of MCAT scores and having taken the test so late in the year, I was thinking that my whole application was just going to be too late to be of much use. At best, I thought I might get a 30-32 and my plan in that case was to apply only to schools with Dec. 1st deadlines... because I thought my later application wouldn't matter quite so much to those schools.

Now however, I feel like my score is good enough that I could stand a shot at almost anywhere... but many schools have Oct-Nov primary deadlines, and I was concerned about being far too late for them.

The advice of my family/ friends is to just apply everywhere, even October deadline schools, and in the event I don't get in, just apply again. But I just wanted to seek out some more impartial advice.

 

[tn4596]

Oh I see. No, I actually agonized over my primary. It took me about 5 days to finish because I kept reworking my activities descriptions and eventually I tweaked my personal statement too. What I meant by "half-hearted" was that I really wasn't expecting much in the way of MCAT scores and having taken the test so late in the year, I was thinking that my whole application was just going to be too late to be of much use. At best, I thought I might get a 30-32 and my plan in that case was to apply only to schools with Dec. 1st deadlines... because I thought my later application wouldn't matter quite so much to those schools.

Now however, I feel like my score is good enough that I could stand a shot at almost anywhere... but many schools have Oct-Nov primary deadlines, and I was concerned about being far too late for them.

The advice of my family/ friends is to just apply everywhere, even October deadline schools, and in the event I don't get in, just apply again. But I just wanted to seek out some more impartial advice.

Wow you expected 30-32 and got a 40? Whaaat?? That's crazy!

 

[Imogen]

Wow you expected 30-32 and got a 40? Whaaat?? That's crazy!

Lol. I'll agree with you there! I made my boyfriend double check my scores, cried, and then took a screenshot... because I was afraid they'd disappear or something. I didn't really do much scored practice testing before I took the exam so I didn't have a sense of what a good score felt like. I guess I underestimated myself.

To those that are willing to advise, any comments about school selection? Should I just apply broadly? Or should I stay completely away from super-competitive schools even though I have the numbers now? I'm actually just hoping to get into one of my state schools.

 

[typicalindian]

I don't have any advice for you but good luck! You have really great numbers and I'm sure you'll get an acceptance this cycle. You should post this thread in the "what are my chances" section of the forum. People there will probably be able to help you out more.

 

[Imogen]

I don't have any advice for you but good luck! You have really great numbers and I'm sure you'll get an acceptance this cycle. You should post this thread in the "what are my chances" section of the forum. People there will probably be able to help you out more.

Whoops. Sorry. Mods, please feel free to move this thread if it's more appropriate for that section.

 

[carramrod06]

Oh I see. No, I actually agonized over my primary. It took me about 5 days to finish because I kept reworking my activities descriptions and eventually I tweaked my personal statement too. What I meant by "half-hearted" was that I really wasn't expecting much in the way of MCAT scores and having taken the test so late in the year, I was thinking that my whole application was just going to be too late to be of much use. At best, I thought I might get a 30-32 and my plan in that case was to apply only to schools with Dec. 1st deadlines... because I thought my later application wouldn't matter quite so much to those schools.

Now however, I feel like my score is good enough that I could stand a shot at almost anywhere... but many schools have Oct-Nov primary deadlines, and I was concerned about being far too late for them.

The advice of my family/ friends is to just apply everywhere, even October deadline schools, and in the event I don't get in, just apply again. But I just wanted to seek out some more impartial advice.

I think your chances will also somewhat depend on which schools you apply to (not based on rank, but just which schools have given out most of their interview invitations already. For example, schools University of Chicago, University of Michigan, and NYU have given out a large proportion of their interview invitations already. If you don't get complete until late November, it might be next to impossible to get an interview invitation no matter how good your application is. On the UChicago podcast they say maybe one in 100 to 150 get an interview invitation after applying close to the deadline. NYU finishes their interview season in December so it might be impossible to get an invite in late November (not enough time to schedule interviews). University of Michigan is looking at reducing the number of interview invites they are giving this year.

These are just a couple of examples. You need to do your research before applying to specific schools. All non-rolling admissions schools and some rolling admissions schools will probably be your best bet when compiling your list of schools to apply to.

I do have to repeat the advice given above though. If you apply this year, you will be a reapplicant next year which could possibly hurt your chances of admission. I know you say that you put in the effort into your primary but ask yourself if you could do better with more time. If yes and if a good proportion of your school list are rolling schools like the three described above, then taking a gap year is something you should strongly consider.

 

[kpcrew]

The application season lasts a long time. It's not exactly early but you have great stats and I would be very surprised if you didn't get any interview invitations. It's probably okay for you to go ahead and write up your answers to secondaries (they're on the school specific threads); there are many people who send in their applications near the deadline and get into medical school. It just doesn't happen to be an ideal situation.

 

[Praefectus]

Those are great stats! You have a decent shot to get in somewhere, so I wish you the best of luck.

 

[Irish Football]

those are great stats! You have a decent shot to get in somewhere, so i wish you the best of luck.

+1 op.

 

[Catalystik]

I took the Sept 11 MCAT and discovered, about an hour ago, that I got a very good score (40). I had halfheartedly submitted an AMCAS application at the beginning of October, mostly just to placate my parents. I basically didn't think my MCAT would be good enough to allow me to apply this year and was totally thinking I would be applying next year and retaking my MCAT in the spring.

I'm confused what to do now. I haven't technically missed any deadlines... but my application to any schools will obviously be really really late for this cycle. Should I just go ahead and do it (meaning add more schools) anyway? Right now I just have one placeholder school listed on my app, which is still awaiting verification.

Other pertinent info: I am a nontraditional applicant and have already been out of school for 2 years. I had to delay applying due to needing chemotherapy. My gpa is 3.8-3.9.

I really really really want to be done with waiting to apply... and just apply! Part of me is always paranoid that people are going to think my classes, activities, experiences, LORs, are too old, and obviously waiting another year would just mean making everything 1 year older. On the other hand, I don't want not get into schools just 'cause I applied late (and then have to be a reapplicant next year).

My parents and boyfriend are all dancing around rejoicing that I'm "gonna be a doctor" but I'm a little less enthusiastic due to this lateness concern. We all know, a good MCAT score does not a physician make. Advice would be appreciated.

Congrats on a very nice score. Since, IMO, you have very good ECs (without knowing a recent update), I am jumping on the band wagon in favor of your proceeding with a serious application cycle. Provided you apply broadly (meaning, a variety of selectivity), the odds are still in your favor.

Important to note: So long as you applied to AMCAS before a school's deadline, even if verification is complete after the deadline, you are considered to have met the school's requirement for Primary application submission.

 

[Amazingmuzmo]

OP I would hate for you to apply so late and not be fully considered for how great of an applicant you are just because of the lateness of your app. If you wait a year and then apply next cycle and schools ask during interviews why you waited so long, just tell then about the chemotherapy situation and I'm sure they will understand that you needed some time. I think applying next year you could have an absolutely incredible cycle...

 

[Imogen]

Thanks for the advice everyone, Catalystik and LizzyM in particular. I've decided to go for it and as of this morning, a full list of schools has been added to my primary. To those that advised me to wait, I completely understand where you're coming from and if I were anyone else, I'd probably agree with you. But I've been waiting so long already, I feel like the cost-benefit ratio of just going for it is probably worth it. I tried to be pretty varied in my choices and applied to 25 schools, so hopefully someone will bite.