Thoughts on applying early?

[ilovescrubs]

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So I understand the reasons for why someone might apply early, I just thought I would ask exactly why people thought it would be so much better for schools that are not necessarily rolling admissions? I mean I completely understand the reasons people are giving (being on the top of the pile, etc.) but I just thought it might be encouraging to hear people's thoughts on how great of a leg-up it gives you? Especially for some of the higher tier schools that do not necessarily rolling admin. Anecdotes welcome.

 

[DrBowtie]

So I understand the reasons for why someone might apply early, I just thought I would ask exactly why people thought it would be so much better for schools that are not necessarily rolling admissions? I mean I completely understand the reasons people are giving (being on the top of the pile, etc.) but I just thought it might be encouraging to hear people's thoughts on how great of a leg-up it gives you? Especially for some of the higher tier schools that do not necessarily rolling admin. Anecdotes welcome.

Non-rolling decisions still means rolling interview invites.

 

[ilovescrubs]

Non-rolling decisions still means rolling interview invites.

Yeah I mean it does make sense to me, I just have a friend who applied late last year and was accepted to Cornell. I guess I was just wondering how someone more average (me) might fare in some of these admission processes if I'm getting all my stuff in now-ish.

 

[146233]

"Now-ish" is still pretty early.

 

[MChitty]

Yeah I mean it does make sense to me, I just have a friend who applied late last year and was accepted to Cornell. I guess I was just wondering how someone more average (me) might fare in some of these admission processes if I'm getting all my stuff in now-ish.

You're always going to hear anecdotes about people who turned their stuff in on the last possible date and still got in. I bet a lot of, though not all, of these people are super outstanding candidates that would've gotten in regardless.

Since you are stating that you are average, it would definitely behoove you to apply as early as possible when there are still more spots for both interviews and seats in the class. There is a good amount evidence supporting the fact that average candidates fare much better when they apply early.

Also, as a side note, besides the fact that I'm not that great of a candidate, the possibility of having an acceptance early in the cycle and being able to withdraw from schools is pretty appealing. That saves not only time and money, but you'll be a LOT less stressed out. So that's my reasoning.

 

[ilovescrubs]

Yeah, it can be such a nerve-racking process. I guess I was looking for some pick-me-up stories, haha! Thanks for the info though.

 

[MChitty]

Yeah, it can be such a nerve-racking process. I guess I was looking for some pick-me-up stories, haha! Thanks for the info though.

I wasn't trying to bring you down! Look at this this way--I applied super late last year and seriously, it was just so frustrating the whole way through knowing that there was a chance I could've done better. I was still fortunate to get 2 interviews, but now I'm languishing on the waitlist and have to do this all over again.

Even if I don't get in this year, at least I've given myself a fighting chance. This process is nerve wracking, but it's all in how you respond to it. You're going to have moments that truly suck, but it's really a lot easier to take it if you feel like you're at least doing everything that you can to get in. So that's my 2 cents. Besides, it's only July--we all have a long way to go, so don't get too frustrated now.

 

[ilovescrubs]

I wasn't trying to bring you down! Look at this this way--I applied super late last year and seriously, it was just so frustrating the whole way through knowing that there was a chance I could've done better. I was still fortunate to get 2 interviews, but now I'm languishing on the waitlist and have to do this all over again.

Even if I don't get in this year, at least I've given myself a fighting chance. This process is nerve wracking, but it's all in how you respond to it. You're going to have moments that truly suck, but it's really a lot easier to take it if you feel like you're at least doing everything that you can to get in. So that's my 2 cents. Besides, it's only July--we all have a long way to go, so don't get too frustrated now.

Oh not to worry, thanks for the information! I actually just looked at your stats and they are very comparable to mine (30 MCAT, 3.35 BCPM, 3.40 CGPA) it makes me feel better to know there are others like me applying! I am hopeful that the process will not be overly disgruntling, I look forward to at least seeing some schools and getting a sense of what's out there.

 

[spospo]

of course i don't have any hard-fast evidence to this, but i think that i wouldn't have gotten in had i not applied as early as i did. my mcat was below average and i didn't have a ton of clinical experience. i had a friend at a different school with stats very similar to mine. she interviewed later in the season at creighton (Jan/Feb) and is now on the waitlist that doesn't seem to be moving. as for schools with non-rolling admissions ---- i didn't get into the one school where i interviewed that did this. well, they were kind of halfway. about 10% or so of the class was accepted a week or two after the interview. the rest had to wait until spring. still though, early is better. you have a greater chance of getting your application looked over a few more times. plus, you can get the interview out of the way early in the cycle and not stress about it (too much anyway) anymore. i was done with my interviews by late october. it was great.

 

[TheRealMD]

"Now-ish" is still pretty early.

When people say that most people are "done" around late-July to August, are we just talking about submitting the app or it being verified, because the former is certainly different from the latter.

 

[ilovescrubs]

When people say that most people are "done" around late-July to August, are we just talking about submitting the app or it being verified, because the former is certainly different from the latter.

yeah good question, Id like to know too...

 

[littlealex]

yeah good question, Id like to know too...

I'm personally not close to done, and I'll probably be in the middle of the cycle.

EARLY is considered to be finishing everything, including your secondaries and file completed/closed by the beginning of August.

Average is about finishing at the beginning of September to the middle of September.

If you're still doing secondaries in October, your chances are dwindling fast.

I know there are a lot of stories of people getting in late, but statistically most students that get in apply early. I've known people who applied late, are statistically good enough to get into the schools but because of the precious few spots left, ended up being placed on the wait list.

You can get into a school as long as you submitted your application before the deadline. The problem is just that they gradually get more selective as the number of remaining acceptances they can give out dwindles.

 

[ilovescrubs]

I'm personally not close to done, and I'll probably be in the middle of the cycle.

EARLY is considered to be finishing everything, including your secondaries and file completed/closed by the beginning of August.

Average is about finishing at the beginning of September to the middle of September.

If you're still doing secondaries in October, your chances are dwindling fast.

I know there are a lot of stories of people getting in late, but statistically most students that get in apply early. I've known people who applied late, are statistically good enough to get into the schools but because of the precious few spots left, ended up being placed on the wait list.

You can get into a school as long as you submitted your application before the deadline. The problem is just that they gradually get more selective as the number of remaining acceptances they can give out dwindles.

Yeah makes sense, the thing that really sucks though is the fact that my premed committee doesnt actually send out the letter until maybe Aug 15th. Whats that all about? I mean granted schools might not really start looking until closer to then, but still it would be nice if they could wrap it up by the end up July so our files could be complete by the time they open them. Do other ppl's schools wait that long??

 

[littlealex]

Yeah makes sense, the thing that really sucks though is the fact that my premed committee doesnt actually send out the letter until maybe Aug 15th. Whats that all about? I mean granted schools might not really start looking until closer to then, but still it would be nice if they could wrap it up by the end up July so our files could be complete by the time they open them. Do other ppl's schools wait that long??

Actually yes. Most schools I know that do the committee process releases the letter around the middle of August. It is actually the reason I am personally going to be done that late.

However, from what I heard, the committee letters really do help. What you can do to try to speed up the process is to just make sure that the rest of your application is complete when that committee letter is done. Finish your essays, turn them in early.

 

[ilovescrubs]

Actually yes. Most schools I know that do the committee process releases the letter around the middle of August. It is actually the reason I am personally going to be done that late.

However, from what I heard, the committee letters really do help. What you can do to try to speed up the process is to just make sure that the rest of your application is complete when that committee letter is done. Finish your essays, turn them in early.

Yeah thats the plan! Good to know others have to deal with similar frustration. Oh well...

 

[littlealex]

Yeah thats the plan! Good to know others have to deal with similar frustration. Oh well...

Oh yeah, I love Scrubs too!!

Can't wait for the next season. They left a huge cliff hanger.

 

[ilovescrubs]

Oh yeah, I love Scrubs too!!

Can't wait for the next season. They left a huge cliff hanger.

Haha yeah for real... I just hope it doesnt start taking itself too seriously. I love the rediculousness.

 

[armybound]

Oh yeah, I love Scrubs too!!

Can't wait for the next season. They left a huge cliff hanger.

.. if there is a next season?

 

[ilovescrubs]

So how long did it take ppl to start receiving secondaries from the time they were verified by AMCAS? Generally speaking...

 

[spospo]

So how long did it take ppl to start receiving secondaries from the time they were verified by AMCAS? Generally speaking...

according to my mdapps, i was verified june 30th and received my last secondary aug 15th (emory, that was the first day they sent to anyone). i received most in mid to late july.

 

[armybound]

So how long did it take ppl to start receiving secondaries from the time they were verified by AMCAS? Generally speaking...

It took me about a week.

 

[CCLCMer]

So I understand the reasons for why someone might apply early, I just thought I would ask exactly why people thought it would be so much better for schools that are not necessarily rolling admissions? I mean I completely understand the reasons people are giving (being on the top of the pile, etc.) but I just thought it might be encouraging to hear people's thoughts on how great of a leg-up it gives you? Especially for some of the higher tier schools that do not necessarily rolling admin. Anecdotes welcome.

Last year at my school, only a couple hundred applicants were interviewed out of about 1300 who applied to fill a class of 32 students. If you're one of the early people and the admissions people like you, there are plenty of slots left open for them to schedule you. But if you apply last minute and they've already filled most of the slots, they might want to invite you but not be able to. Or, they might interview you and want to accept you, but they have to put you on hold because there isn't a free spot in the class for you right now. Applying late decreases your chances of getting interviews and acceptances. Why would anyone not want to apply early and make their chances as good as they can?

 

[CCLCMer]

It took me about a week.

This is totally off topic, but I love your avatar.

 

[armybound]

This is totally off topic, but I love your avatar.

thanks

 

[Igor4sugry]

I already got an interview, so apply early.

 

[ilovescrubs]

I already got an interview, so apply early.

Oh yeah? Where?

 

[Mister Pie]

Oh yeah? Where?

Michigan is already scheduling interviews. Don't know if other places are or not.

 

[ilovescrubs]

Michigan is already scheduling interviews. Don't know if other places are or not.

Nice, congrats. Seems early, not too sure if other places start that soon.