What can I do for the spring application process now?

[guitarguy23]

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I'm trying to figure out what things I can do for my AMCAS application for '11 enrollment. Should I try and get some LORs, work on my personal statement, or worry about getting all my transcripts organized?

I'm currently an MS student taking the MCAT in April and I was just wondering if anyone had some general guidance to what I should be spending my time doing right now. Thanks!

 

[cmac1705]

Yes, yes, and yes.

LOR's in particular can take a while because professors are notorious for dragging their feet. Don't forget to get letters from both professors and physicians (if possible).

One thing I have learned the hard way: Be sure to have a varied app.
Beef up your shadowing, volunteering, GPA, etc. When in doubt, do more. By all means, however, do not compromise your MCAT studying. The time between Jan 1st and your MCAT date should be predominantly spent studying.

And as far as MCAT prep goes, I highly recommend buying all the AAMC full-length (FL) practice exams (PE). Beyond that, there are always prep courses and books and you need to assess your financial situation and preferred means of studying.

Hope that helps.

 

[Catalystik]

I've seen it take over three months for a promised LOR to be submitted. Absolutely, get that effort started now. And professors do die, relocate, take a locum tenens, get sick for months, etc. So have an extra in the pipeline, just in case.

And it's never too early to start thinking about your Personal Statement and write a draft. Chances are you'll hate it in three months and write something really great the second time.

 

[casillas]

1. right now i would focus on the MCAT if i were you and do your best on that.

2. Ask for letters of rec, they can take a long time to get written so make it your goal to have them all turned in by April/May

3. Work on ideas for your personal statement if you have not started.

4. and as the person before said, last minute shadowing can go a long way. the sahdowing i did for three months before application led to more questions than all the other hospital volunteering i had done.

 

[boaz]

For now, just focus on the MCAT. If there's time, beef up on clinical experience (esp. shadowing), especially after MCAT. You can start asking for LORs from people you're already finished working with. LORs from people you're still working with should wait--the letters might look better the more time you spend with them. I wouldn't be in a hurry to work on the PS just yet. You have plenty of time between the MCAT and earliest day of submission.

 

[guitarguy23]

Thank you all for your responses, I'll get in touch with 2 or 3 LOR writers at this point and focus on some strong shadowing while studying for the MCAT!

 

[Wheee]

I ditto everything, though I wouldn't say the majority of your time should be spent on MCAT quite yet. I'd say pick that up gradually and have Feb/March/April be more intense. As I remember, I'd forgotten most of what I looked at in January by April and had to look over it again.

I wish I'd gotten my LORs earlier, plus the resume/letter application/etc you put together to give to them will get you ahead on the AMCAS app and personal statement since it'll be writing about your activities and why you wanna be a doctor. I also wish I'd done more shadowing...

 

[metallica81788]

I'm trying to figure out what things I can do for my AMCAS application for '11 enrollment. Should I try and get some LORs, work on my personal statement, or worry about getting all my transcripts organized?

I'm currently an MS student taking the MCAT in April and I was just wondering if anyone had some general guidance to what I should be spending my time doing right now. Thanks!

All. Mostly 1 and 2.

You might need a very rough PS to even get LORs, though. I'd do that before I tried to get LORs, but those are the trickiest part so get on them ASAP! I asked all writers before the holidays, but I was pretty early. No later than February.

 

[casillas]

All. Mostly 1 and 2.

You might need a very rough PS to even get LORs, though. I'd do that before I tried to get LORs, but those are the trickiest part so get on them ASAP! I asked all writers before the holidays, but I was pretty early. No later than February.

to further elaborate on why it would be a good idea to have a rough personal statement... when i asked for letters of recommendation a couple of the recommenders thought they only knew one side of me and wanted to know more about my motivations before they could write the letters. that;s when it comes in handy either that or have a rough resume with all your activities and what you learnt from them. Be prepared when you go ask for a recommendation

 

[Dr McSexy]

I handed each one of my LOR writers my PS, transcript, and a brief resume noting medical experiences, community involment, and awards and distinctions.

 

[JJMrK]

The MCAT is the most important thing you can work on. Your PS can wait until much later, and your letters can wait a few months.