Timeline Help

[scaranojj5730]

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Hello,
So I am currently registered to take the MCAT on June 29th. I just graduated from college with a biology degree and a 3.8 GPA. I have taken the MCAT before and was completely naive to the test and received a 493 (embarrassing I know). This time around is a different case and am doing much better and realistically am thinking I’ll get around a 503-505. I plan on applying to a few DO schools this cycle, and was wondering if I should get the process rolling and apply to a throwaway school? I am slightly confused by that topic and am petrified of schools seeing my first score before the second one comes in. Do people do this just so that the application is verified? How long does it take to get verified and what exactly does that mean? Anyone timeline advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Doctor-In-Training99]

I didn’t do this but I think it could be smart. You’re MCAT date is pretty early though and I’m assuming you’d get your score back in late July which is still very early in the cycle. If you were looking to conserve money I think you would be fine to wait, but if you’re willing to pay over $100 just for early verification I say more power to ya!

 

[scaranojj5730]

I didn’t do this but I think it could be smart. You’re MCAT date is pretty early though and I’m assuming you’d get your score back in late July which is still very early in the cycle. If you were looking to conserve money I think you would be fine to wait, but if you’re willing to pay over $100 just for early verification I say more power to ya!

I am more confused on the benefits of being verified, is that just so that when I do get my scores back I can send my applications to other schools with out waiting?

 

[Doctor-In-Training99]

I am more confused on the benefits of being verified, is that just so that when I do get my scores back I can send my applications to other schools with out waiting?

So basically the verification process can take between 2-4 weeks depending on volume. So if a ton of people are applying when you are then it will take longer to get verified. Some people like to send in an app to a “throwaway school” like you said so they can get the verification process rolling. Mine didn’t take near that long though. My app was verified in a matter of days when I sent my application in in September! Does that help at all?

 

[scaranojj5730]

So basically the verification process can take between 2-4 weeks depending on volume. So if a ton of people are applying when you are then it will take longer to get verified. Some people like to send in an app to a “throwaway school” like you said so they can get the verification process rolling. Mine didn’t take near that long though. My app was verified in a matter of days when I sent my application in in September! Does that help at all?

Yes it does, so basically I should be fine to just apply when I get my MCAT scores back late August? I will have everything prepared before hand of course so I can just submit it then and there.

 

[Doctor-In-Training99]

Yes it does, so basically I should be fine to just apply when I get my MCAT scores back late August? I will have everything prepared before hand of course so I can just submit it then and there.

I would think so. It’s just frustrating because you never know when an influx of applications is going to happen. Either way I would think if you send everything in during late August, the absolute latest everything goes through is late September (and I’ve never actually heard of them taking the full 4 weeks either) which still puts you at a good point to get an early interview. The thing you should be most concerned about is secondary application because those can take a while especially if you apply to a lot of schools. Sometimes people post the prompts on here, don’t be afraid to start looking for those right after your MCAT so you can start writing them while you’re waiting on everything. That way you can get those in early too!

 

[scaranojj5730]

Thank you, I appreciate the help!

 

[Doctor-In-Training99]

No problem! Keep checking this thread because someone who did do the “throwaway school” thing may reply and tell you about their experience with it!