Timing the MCAT and applications

[katiemaude]

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How detrimental would it be to my application to push back my MCAT test date from June 16th (haven't registered yet) to the first test date in July?

I am giving myself six weeks of full-time, hard core studying after my prereqs are done in early May. I've also been taking a Kaplan MCAT class this semester and studying for the test for the past two months. By the time the June test date rolls around, I will have been studying for three months in a crappy, half-hearted fashion (2 classes a week plus 12-15 hrs of studying just for MCAT) plus 6 weeks of down-and-dirty reviewing and practice test-taking. Is that enough?

I fear it isn't. I've scored 25 and 26 on my last two Kaplan tests (diagnostic and test 1). Not good. Does anyone think an extra month of studying will help me? Or is it better to take my chances in June and be complete that much sooner?

Second question: Can I (and should I?=) submit my primary application on June 1 without an MCAT score to get it verified sooner? Is that possible?

I'm finishing up my prereqs this May (physics 2 and orgo 2) and taking a Kaplan MCAT class 2x a week. With volunteering and part-time work, I feel like something has to get the short shrift and my grades are taking a hit. Now it's not past the point where I can't get an A, but I'm heading down A-/B+ lane and the only reason is because I just don't have time to pull out all the stops. I know this isn't the end of the world but I am beginning to resent the MCAT, and I'm wondering if I am going about this in the right way.

 

[Pons Asinorum]

I fear it isn't. I've scored 25 and 26 on my last two Kaplan tests (diagnostic and test 1). Not good. Does anyone think an extra month of studying will help me? Or is it better to take my chances in June and be complete that much sooner?

Second question: Can I (and should I?=) submit my primary application on June 1 without an MCAT score to get it verified sooner? Is that possible?

I'm finishing up my prereqs this May (physics 2 and orgo 2) and taking a Kaplan MCAT class 2x a week. With volunteering and part-time work, I feel like something has to get the short shrift and my grades are taking a hit.

My immediate thoughts to the quoted:

1. 25 and 26 are good scores on those two Kaplan exams. They are notoriously difficult for reasons you can find in the MCAT forum. When are you scheduled to take your first AAMC FL?

2. Yes, you should submit June 1st regardless of when you take the MCAT. Getting your grades verified is the time-consuming aspect of the primary process. That can roll without your MCAT. Just list your planned MCAT date when you submit and AMCAS will verify, and schools will consider your primary once your scores hit.

3. You need to drop some EC stuff and focus on grades and MCAT. Those two things are vastly more important to your success than getting another 80 hours of volunteer time in the hospital between now and July. I can't stress that enough.

WRT your question about delaying your test date, I think your first few AAMC practice FL scores will help you determine if you need to do that. Don't base that decision off of the Kaplan scores. Best of luck.

 

[spiderpete]

I agree with pons on all3 points.

My advisor asked "when should you take the mcat? When you are ready.". The point being that despite the pressures to apply early (albeit valid pressures), a crappy score is far worse than a late app.

Take an aamc fl and see where you stand.

 

[LegendaryPunk]

Can schools look at your application before your MCAT scores are in? With my sub-standard GPA, I'm going to have to count on my MCAT to help my application stand out. My worry is that a school will look at my app, see a crummy GPA, and toss it out without bothering to wait for my MCAT score.

Or, does the application not get pushed forward to the schools until all aspects are complete?

 

[Pons Asinorum]

Can schools look at your application before your MCAT scores are in? With my sub-standard GPA, I'm going to have to count on my MCAT to help my application stand out. My worry is that a school will look at my app, see a crummy GPA, and toss it out without bothering to wait for my MCAT score.

Or, does the application not get pushed forward to the schools until all aspects are complete?

They technically can look at your application once it is verified and released to the programs you select. However, the consensus is that they won't look at it until they have your latest MCAT score included (about 30 days after your test date.) I wouldn't worry about that timing - programs get too many applications to worry with apps that aren't complete enough to consider, and without an MCAT score, they really can't decide anything about the strength of your app.