Waiting for AOA...when to apply???

[BlueJasper]

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I am way concerned that many have submitted their ERAS application already; does it hurt to wait until late September to apply? Does this really decease interview odds that much?
My school advised me to hold off on submitting my application, since I will more than likely be elected to senior AOA (but I won't find out until a few more weeks). I guess there is an "AOA" box on ERAS that can be checked, but once submitted, cannot be changed? Is it really worth waiting for? How can programs be updated regarding AOA status? Or, should I just wait until they get my application that states AOA?

Please please advise : )

Blue J

 

[gutonc]

I am way concerned that many have submitted their ERAS application already; does it hurt to wait until late September to apply? Does this really decease interview odds that much?
My school advised me to hold off on submitting my application, since I will more than likely be elected to senior AOA (but I won't find out until a few more weeks). I guess there is an "AOA" box on ERAS that can be checked, but once submitted, cannot be changed? Is it really worth waiting for? How can programs be updated regarding AOA status? Or, should I just wait until they get my application that states AOA?

Please please advise : )

Blue J

Your school doesn't know what they're talking about. Yes, there is a box in ERAS that you check for "AOA" but it's not part of the CAF so you can update it whenever you want. If you get elected, you go in, check that box and, any time a program you applied to refreshes their downloads, it pops up that you're AOA. If that was the deciding factor in inviting you for a visit then you're now golden.

This brings up an interesting point.... My med school was not particularly great, and I doubt I'll ever be offering them a lot of cash in alumni fund raising, but one thing they did very well was prepare us for residency applications and the Match. We had meetings at least once a month (some of which were "mandatory") from about May of 3rd year through ROL deadline time which explained all of the details of the process. The program where I was a resident (and am now a fellow) is a much better school, but in the past 2 weeks I've talked to a number of 4th years who, when I asked if they were ready to click "Submit" on 9/2 asked if that was important. 2 people hadn't even started on their PS yet (one of them applying to Derm of all things).