Timeline for application?

[missdr10]

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I'm sure there are other threads on this but I couldn't seem to find (a recent) one using the search tool. If there is one, I apologize and I would appreciate being directed to it.

I'll be applying allopathic and osteopathic this summer and I want to get my applications and letters in at the earliest time to maximize my opportunities. I've seen some people suggest getting a head start on the personal statement, as well as some secondary essays, in winter or spring before applications. Does anyone have a timeline or a rough guideline of when to get things in by? For example, when should I have all of my rec letters in by?

I haven't done anything for my app yet and I'm sure some of it will become more clear as I begin my application, but I'm looking for any guidance here 🙂 You all seem to know what you're doing

 

[Mt Kilimanjaro]

Your school have letter service? If not, use Interfolio. Start getting letters banked in one of those systems ASAP. Anytime between now and July/August 2014 is good. Consult MSAR to ensure that you are asking for the correct mix of science, non-science, and personal letters required for every school that you are even considering applying to.

Letters can be added to AMCAS after submission, but you won't be complete at a specific school until they get the letters they are expecting (you "assign" letters to schools in AMCAS). So the letters don't have to be in until next fall, but it's obviously much better to have them all in around June/July if at all possible. I don't know about DO process.

Write personal statement over the course of the spring. Get lots of edits and lots of rewrites. Write secondaries in June/July/August while waiting for and receiving secondaries. Secondary questions available on SDN school-specific threads. Scroll up for that.

Read every word of below resources. Skip the parts that don't apply to you. Knowing the process well really gives you an advantage and minimizes stress. Enjoy the ride.

https://www.amherst.edu/campuslife/careers/students/gradstudy/health/guide/part2

http://oregonstate.edu/dept/biochem/ahern/AhernRajagopalMedBook.pdf

https://www.aamc.org/students/download/182162/data/amcas_instruction_manual.pdf

https://www.aamc.org/students/download/175214/data/timeline.pdf

http://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/259636/file-61585859-pdf/GettingIntoMedicalSchool.pdf

https://www.meded.umn.edu/futuredocs/documents/The-Hand-of-a-Phenomenal-Pre-Med.pdf