What is the timeline I'm looking at?

[ninerfan36]

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I have heard a lot of different things, on this site and on others, about the timeline of applying to medical school. I submitted my AMCAS application fairly late (mid-September) and right now it is still "ready for review", which is frustrating me to no end.

1) When can I hope that it will be verified?
2) Once it is verified, how long until I will receive many of my secondaries?
3) Once I submit my secondaries, how long until I will start to hear about interviews?
4) How far in advance are the dates for interviews, once the offer comes in?
5) How long after the interview can I hope to hear about a decision?

I don't know how much this affects it, but I am sure that applying later has some affect on these time tables (not sure if it speeds it up or slows it down though). Please try to take that into account. Also, I don't know if it matters but my scores are pretty competitive (does that speed up the process?)

 

[Astarael]

I have heard a lot of different things, on this site and on others, about the timeline of applying to medical school. I submitted my AMCAS application fairly late (mid-September) and right now it is still "ready for review", which is frustrating me to no end.

1) When can I hope that it will be verified?
2) Once it is verified, how long until I will receive many of my secondaries?
3) Once I submit my secondaries, how long until I will start to hear about interviews?
4) How far in advance are the dates for interviews, once the offer comes in?
5) How long after the interview can I hope to hear about a decision?

I don't know how much this affects it, but I am sure that applying later has some affect on these time tables (not sure if it speeds it up or slows it down though). Please try to take that into account. Also, I don't know if it matters but my scores are pretty competitive (does that speed up the process?)

Unfortunately a lot of your questions don't have very good answers.

1) AMCAS verification generally takes approximately one month. Look on the AMCAS verification thread on this forum to get a better idea of how long it is taking right now.

2) The majority of schools will send you the secondary the day of/after your AMCAS application is verified. A limited number will allow you to complete the secondary before this, and several prescreen your primary application - those you will receive a week or two after you are verified, if at all.

3) Depending on the school and the strength of your application, you can expect an interview invite anytime between a week after completion of the secondary up until February or March. Expect that most schools will take about a month.

4) Again, it depends on the school. I've seen anything from a couple of weeks to a couple of months.

5) School dependent. If you are accepted or rejected immediately, you will probably hear about it between 2 weeks and 2 months after the interview. If you are waitlisted, you might not have a final decision until sometime next summer.

While you might be late submitting your AMCAS application according to the timeline SDN normally recommends, you certainly still have a shot to get in. I recommend pre-writing your secondary essays so you can send secondary applications immediately. Most school's essay prompts can be found in their school specific thread, or by using the search function.

 

[mvenus929]

If it turns out that you have to reapply next year, I highly suggest turning in your application in June. It will save you a lot of headaches, trust me.

You will be towards the bottom of the pile for review. You should be prepared to turn around your secondaries very quickly. You might not hear back from schools about interviews until after New Years. Schools vary in how long in advance they schedule interviews... NYU seems to do 2-4 weeks in advance, whereas VCU had me scheduling an interview 5 months in advance (not sure if that's cause they wanted me at the bottom of the interview pile, or because they really filled up all those interview slots).

 

[barcoderider]

I have heard a lot of different things, on this site and on others, about the timeline of applying to medical school. I submitted my AMCAS application fairly late (mid-September) and right now it is still "ready for review", which is frustrating me to no end.

1) When can I hope that it will be verified?
2) Once it is verified, how long until I will receive many of my secondaries?
3) Once I submit my secondaries, how long until I will start to hear about interviews?
4) How far in advance are the dates for interviews, once the offer comes in?
5) How long after the interview can I hope to hear about a decision?

I don't know how much this affects it, but I am sure that applying later has some affect on these time tables (not sure if it speeds it up or slows it down though). Please try to take that into account. Also, I don't know if it matters but my scores are pretty competitive (does that speed up the process?)

As far as I understand it...(please take these answers with a grain of salt)

1. Mid October or so. They're pretty backed up.

2. You'll get most of them right away or within a few days. So start writing them now! For schools that screen, 2 weeks-1 month, and good numbers might help you there. I'm guessing you're from CA. The UC's generally give you a secondary within a few weeks if they like you.

3. Interviews seem to come within 1 week-2 months

4. all of my interview dates have been about 1 month out

5. 1-2 weeks if you're lucky. Non-rolling may not admit anyone until March (i.e. Harvard I think)

Good luck, you still have a good shot!

If you don't mind me asking, why did you apply so late? Waiting on MCAT scores?

 

[ninerfan36]

If you don't mind me asking, why did you apply so late? Waiting on MCAT scores?

Nope. I had originally planned to take 2 years off before medical school, then changed my mind late in the summer.