The "CYCLE"

[budhak0n]

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Just so I have all my "ducks" in a row... What exactly is the Beginning of the 2008-2009 "CYCLE" I know lots of people say Early June..

Reason why I'm asking is I'm plotting out when I'm going to take my MCAT and get into the "release" dates for the scores.

Here's your test dates.. if I want to be in the very beginning of the 2008 cycle.. what's the last date I should plan on taking the MCAT?

Test date- Release date
4/18&19 = 5/20
5/10 = 6/10
5/23 = 6/24
5/27 = 6/26
5/31 = 7/1

I'm taking the rest of my "core" post Bacc classes this semester...

but material wise just having reviewed some basic MCAT review course materials... I don't think I'd be at a signficant disadvantage having not completed any particular course..

So if I want to be in at the beginning of the 2008 Cycle.. Is a 6/24 or 6/26 release date too late? Because obviously those tests allow me to finish up my course work for the semester while then doing my review ...

Whereas an April Test date forces me to do my review mid semester and will undoubtedly draw away from my classes themselves..

Any advice greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

 

[emt30119]

Earlier is better. I took mine in may. If you take a later MCAT that should be fine. But Start the application process as soon as you can, in june I think? I waited until I got my MCAT results before even starting the application computer work, I wish I had started that part sooner. Applying to med school is just like voting in Chicago: Vote early and vote often. 🙂

 

[TarHeel55]

I took the MCAT on May 31, 2007. Got my scores back around July 6th.

I think taking the MCAT on any date April or May is fine. In the big picture of the application process, the difference between late June and early July score release dates is negligible. If taking the MCAT in April will distract you from your coursework, I would strongly encourage you to wait until late May.

Rather than worry about fitting in an April test date, I suggest that you keep in mind other factors that can hang up your completion time. These include the time it takes you to write your personal statement, and the time it takes to get LORs.

I didn't submit my AMCAS until July 7th -- not because I was waiting on my MCAT scores, but because I wasn't satisfied with my PS until then. Keep in mind that the first date you can submit your AMCAS is June 1, and that you can submit it before you get your MCAT scores. Early June submissions of the AMCAS are great, because you get verified very quickly. But to get your AMCAS in early, you need your PS done early.

If I could go back and do it again, I would start working on my personal statement EARLIER. The personal statement plays a hugely important in getting your story across to adcoms. It is a unique kind of document, and it can take a lot of time to write a statement that is eloquent and genuinely personal. You also want to be sure to leave some time to have professors or other people read a draft of your statement, critique it, and get it back to you. Mine went through several cycles of revisions.

 

[drizzt3117]

The earliest date is probably June 5... but AMCAS doesn't send info to schools until 6/21 or so. You're probably OK with having your scores released 6/26.

 

[gman33]

Pick a date based on when you will be most ready to take the exam. Earlier is better, but not if you can get a higher score by taking it a little later. If your app is complete at schools by early August, I think that's plenty good enough.

I took the MCAT in July because I wanted to give myself 2 months to study, after I was done all my classes. I didn't want to try to do both at once since I wanted to make sure my grades were high and my MCAT score was good.

 

[sawood]

Whichever test date you choose, make sure you have your transcripts in to AMCAS and submit your app as soon as they let you, even if your scores are not back yet. That early in the cycle verification shouldn't take long, and then when your scores are released they are automatically sent to schools. I agree with others that you should take the test on the soonest date you'll be ready.