What is the time to apply?? Is after Aug really bad?

[yusanshui]

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Hi all,

I have heard lots of opinions about the earlier you apply, the better. Some indicated that everything should be out by end of July, leaving things till Sep is a bad bad idea...

What does everyone else think? What is the deadline you would use? I originally plan to submit things in Sep, seems I need to move earlier a bit...

Thanks.

 

[hopeful22213]

Depends. You aren't hurting yourself much with an August app for D.O. schools, but to give yourself the best chance possible at MD schools you'd ideally get the application in earlier.

 

[DrMidlife]

I have heard lots of opinions about the earlier you apply, the better.

I agree with that: the earlier the better.

Some indicated that everything should be out by end of July,

End of July isn't early. That's 2-3 months into the cycle. You might get away with applying at the end of July.

Apply as close to the open date as you can. The open date for MD is June 1, for Texas it's May 1. DO is also in June but early is less interesting for DO (also, DO deposits are HUGE and you lose your deposit if you take another acceptance).

Note that I'm talking about "early" not about "possible". You can always find an anecdote of somebody applying stupid late and getting in anyway. It's foolish to use detail-free anecdotes to make your plan.

leaving things till Sep is a bad bad idea...

Waiting until September looks like you didn't plan. Or you're apathetic.

But you have to do what you have to do.

If you have an insane app with ridiculously high numbers, and you are a mature and compelling applicant who is delightful to review and interview, then an early app isn't an edge you need.

If you're closer to ordinary, or you have some deficiencies, then you need every advantage you can get.

Usually MCAT scheduling is what folks get hung up on. If you take the MCAT after April, you don't get your score until after June. Imho, if your MCAT schedule has you ready for the test after April, or your April test doesn't go well, then I suggest you need to think really hard about taking another year to get ready to apply. Applying is extremely expensive and emotionally excruciating - try to just do it once. In June.

Best of luck to you.

 

[Nasrudin]

I agree with that: the earlier the better.

End of July isn't early. That's 2-3 months into the cycle. You might get away with applying at the end of July.

Apply as close to the open date as you can. The open date for MD is June 1, for Texas it's May 1. DO is also in June but early is less interesting for DO (also, DO deposits are HUGE and you lose your deposit if you take another acceptance).

Note that I'm talking about "early" not about "possible". You can always find an anecdote of somebody applying stupid late and getting in anyway. It's foolish to use detail-free anecdotes to make your plan.

Waiting until September looks like you didn't plan. Or you're apathetic.

But you have to do what you have to do.

If you have an insane app with ridiculously high numbers, and you are a mature and compelling applicant who is delightful to review and interview, then an early app isn't an edge you need.

If you're closer to ordinary, or you have some deficiencies, then you need every advantage you can get.

Usually MCAT scheduling is what folks get hung up on. If you take the MCAT after April, you don't get your score until after June. Imho, if your MCAT schedule has you ready for the test after April, or your April test doesn't go well, then I suggest you need to think really hard about taking another year to get ready to apply. Applying is extremely expensive and emotionally excruciating - try to just do it once. In June.

Best of luck to you.

As usual I agree with Master Midlife.

However. I pushed my MCAT to may 25. And didn't loose too much time because I submitted my app to verification and let that cook. Since MCAT score reporting is electronic you can close some distance with the leading pack. You can also do quick 2ndaries. And use interfolio for lor's.

But that's as late as you want push it without losing advantage. Especially if you have deficiencies. You need fresh eyes to go deep enough into your app.

 

[MT Headed]

OP, keep in mind that there is a world of difference between your phrases "submit" and "everything out".

"submit" generally means clicking on the big submit button on the AMCAS primary. "everything out" generally means that you finished your MCAT and secondary essays and are waiting for the medical school to make the next move (interview invite). Since the AMCAS primary verification process can take six weeks and the secondaries are often turned in two weeks later, there is basically a two month difference between "submitting" in September and having "everything out" in September. Two months is a huge delay at any point in the application cycle.

If you have an insane app with ridiculously high numbers, and you are a mature and compelling applicant who is delightful to review and interview, then an early app isn't an edge you need.

Oh lordy I hope not. I "submitted" the beginning of July, and had "everything out" at the end of August.

 

[DrMidlife]

Oh lordy I hope not. I "submitted" the beginning of July, and had "everything out" at the end of August.

Nothing wrong with that.

 

[yusanshui]

Thank you DrMidlife for all your advice!

I now understand the process better. I will take my MCAT on May 12 and get score on June 12. So I guess I will submit as soon as the system opens.

I was not sure about this because a lot of medical school replied that the time of applying won't affect the acceptance, so I wasn't very cautious about the timing issue.

Thanks again.

I agree with that: the earlier the better.

End of July isn't early. That's 2-3 months into the cycle. You might get away with applying at the end of July.

Apply as close to the open date as you can. The open date for MD is June 1, for Texas it's May 1. DO is also in June but early is less interesting for DO (also, DO deposits are HUGE and you lose your deposit if you take another acceptance).

Note that I'm talking about "early" not about "possible". You can always find an anecdote of somebody applying stupid late and getting in anyway. It's foolish to use detail-free anecdotes to make your plan.

Waiting until September looks like you didn't plan. Or you're apathetic.

But you have to do what you have to do.

If you have an insane app with ridiculously high numbers, and you are a mature and compelling applicant who is delightful to review and interview, then an early app isn't an edge you need.

If you're closer to ordinary, or you have some deficiencies, then you need every advantage you can get.

Usually MCAT scheduling is what folks get hung up on. If you take the MCAT after April, you don't get your score until after June. Imho, if your MCAT schedule has you ready for the test after April, or your April test doesn't go well, then I suggest you need to think really hard about taking another year to get ready to apply. Applying is extremely expensive and emotionally excruciating - try to just do it once. In June.

Best of luck to you.

 

[yusanshui]

Thanks Nasrudin,

I will take my MCAT on May 12, 2012, I guess it is not too late...

So, would you please clarify for me about the process on submitting my app for verification? Can I submit my application and send out my transcript for verification while I am waiting for MCAT score? and send my MCAT score as soon as it is available? Or the AAMC will not start process my application if MCAT score is not receIved by them?

Thanks so much!

As usual I agree with Master Midlife.

However. I pushed my MCAT to may 25. And didn't loose too much time because I submitted my app to verification and let that cook. Since MCAT score reporting is electronic you can close some distance with the leading pack. You can also do quick 2ndaries. And use interfolio for lor's.

But that's as late as you want push it without losing advantage. Especially if you have deficiencies. You need fresh eyes to go deep enough into your app.

 

[Nasrudin]

Thanks Nasrudin,

I will take my MCAT on May 12, 2012, I guess it is not too late...

So, would you please clarify for me about the process on submitting my app for verification? Can I submit my application and send out my transcript for verification while I am waiting for MCAT score? and send my MCAT score as soon as it is available? Or the AAMC will not start process my application if MCAT score is not receIved by them?

Thanks so much!

You can submit at the opening. And indicate your test date. Then your score report is submitted by MCAT. I can't remember the details. Shouldn't be too hard to figure out.