Timing Question

[Turd Furgeson]

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Hey everybody,

I've been told over and over that applying early is extremely important, and plan to get everything (transcripts, LORs, PS) in once the application cycle opens in May.

However I'm considering postponing my MCAT until June.

I know pretty much every school doesn't start interviewing until October, so is there a huge advantage in having everything turned in by June vs July/August?

Muchos gracias!

 

[christina30]

Hey everybody,

I've been told over and over that applying early is extremely important, and plan to get everything (transcripts, LORs, PS) in once the application cycle opens in May.

However I'm considering postponing my MCAT until June.

I know pretty much every school doesn't start interviewing until October, so is there a huge advantage in having everything turned in by June vs July/August?

Muchos gracias!

YES. If you don't apply until July/August, it takes 4-6+ weeks for your application to be processed. Then you have to wait for secondaries, and fill those out. By the time the schools receive your secondaries, review your application, and invite you for an interview, it could be well into next year (February or March). The later you interview, the more your chances of acceptance decrease.

 

[Turd Furgeson]

YES. If you don't apply until July/August, it takes 4-6+ weeks for your application to be processed. Then you have to wait for secondaries, and fill those out. By the time the schools receive your secondaries, review your application, and invite you for an interview, it could be well into next year (February or March). The later you interview, the more your chances of acceptance decrease.

Thanks Christina.

I'm scheduled to take the MCAT on May 21st, but I haven't had as much time to prepare as I would have liked (18 hours of coursework, 30 hours of work, wrapping up year long research project, volunteering, student orgs, etc... just trying to say its not cause I'm lazy 😀)

I still have a month left and have been making steady progress, so I suppose I can just kick it into hyperdrive...

 

[christina30]

Thanks Christina.

I'm scheduled to take the MCAT on May 21st, but I haven't had as much time to prepare as I would have liked (18 hours of coursework, 30 hours of work, wrapping up year long research project, volunteering, student orgs, etc... just trying to say its not cause I'm lazy 😀)

I still have a month left and have been making steady progress, so I suppose I can just kick it into hyperdrive...

You also have to consider, realistically, how much more will you ACTUALLY study in that extra month?

And if you do postpone, you can still submit your application without the scores - you should at the very least complete your application early, with or without the scores (it's possible to check a box, or some such, that says you haven't taken the exam yet).

 

[Turd Furgeson]

OP, I have to respectfully disagree with christina30.

You should take the MCAT when you are ready. A June MCAT is certainly not going to hurt your chances (at least my July 31 MCAT didn't hurt mine).

Elftown, if you don't mind me asking, what month/months did you interview? early or late?

 

[Turd Furgeson]

Nov-Dec-Jan

I sent you a more detailed PM.

much appreciated!