When is it reasonable to start worrying about getting IIs?

[LikeAirIRise]

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I’m a Texas resident that was complete August 13 at all schools, didn’t receive my updated MCAT scores until 8/24, and was complete with other AMCAS applications 9/10. I understand that I’m a late applicant but so far I have only heard back from 1 DO school, and no MD schools, out of about 20 applications. Any idea when I should expect to hear back or if I should start preparing for the next application cycle?

 

[Saifa]

Thanksgiving, for you even later because you were late.

Assume you're a reapplicant until you're accepted.

/thread

 

[Toutie]

You should not stop preparing for the next application cycle until you have an acceptance in hand.

 

[LikeAirIRise]

Thanksgiving, for you even later because you were late.

Assume you're a reapplicant until you're accepted.

/thread

Ok. When do late August/ early September applicants typically hear back? Assuming thanksgiving is a time to start worrying.

 

[Goro]

Ok. When do late August/ early September applicants typically hear back? Assuming thanksgiving is a time to start worrying.

There is no way of answering this. You could get a response tomorrow, or in March.

 

[Toutie]

Ok. When do late August/ early September applicants typically hear back? Assuming thanksgiving is a time to start worrying.

Schools receive thousands of applications. They can get through maybe 500 a week, at best. They received apps for 2 months before they received yours. Do the math! Yes, typically Thanksgiving is the time to start worrying, but it could be much later. The time to start working on a reapplication is the day you turn in your app.

 

[Saifa]

I was done on Labor Day and half of my II came December-March. The only program that let me in before that was extremely mission/region-oriented and I fit the bill, but I'm at a school that invited me right before Christmas. The quality of your application still matters a lot more.

 

[676188]

I know it’s hard to be told “the cycle is long, don’t worry until Thanksgiving/Christmas” while simultaneously being advised to “assume you’ll be a reapplicnt until you have an acceptance.” This process is taxing on an emotional level, because you’ve just spent many months/years taking classes, prepping for the mcat, lining up ECs, and filling out apps and secondaries.

For now, if you’ve submitted everything, all you can do is wait, and try to find something else to focus on. Continue your EC hours, finish your classes/degree strong, continue working or look for a job to fill the void, or take up a hobby. Know you’re not alone, there’s a bunch of us here with you trying not to stress about it too.

 

[LikeAirIRise]

If I’m being honest I think I just constantly make threads/ask questions like these for some sort of peace of mind haha. I work full time I find myself disconnected and distracted much of the time thinking about my medical school applications. But thanks for the answers all, they were all helpful

 

[LukaDoncicLuk]

I've also noticed that there seems to be no correlation between time submitted and the time you hear back. The two interviews I have (that I've very lucky and happy to have) were received about ~2 weeks after I submitted my secondary. I submitted the first one in late August and the other one in mid/late September. Schools that I have been complete at since late July have yet to respond to me. All of this is to say that don't expect any rhyme or reason to when you get interview invites. It seems to be totally random so I think it's better to try and not stress about stuff like complete dates, the time you've waited etc.

 

[IceDuchess]

I've also noticed that there seems to be no correlation between time submitted and the time you hear back. The two interviews I have (that I've very lucky and happy to have) were received about ~2 weeks after I submitted my secondary. I submitted the first one in late August and the other one in mid/late September. Schools that I have been complete at since late July have yet to respond to me. All of this is to say that don't expect any rhyme or reason to when you get interview invites. It seems to be totally random so I think it's better to try and not stress about stuff like complete dates, the time you've waited etc.

I completely agree with this. Last year, I had most of my secondaries complete in July and some in August. I was interviewed at one school. I was complete at that school at the end of July and received my interview invitation in January.

This year, I submitted my secondaries much later (still working on a couple). I was complete at one school at the end of Sept and received an interview invite to that school three days later.

There really is no way to predict when you will hear back. I remember last year I was constantly checking my email, excited to hopefully hear some good news. As a reapplicant, I now know how unpredictable the application process is and I'm much more calm about it. Just try to relax and keep yourself distracted. And feel free to reach out if you (or anyone else) ever needs to talk/vent. At times like this when it's a matter of luck and waiting, it really helps to support one another as much as possible. I wish you luck! 🙂

 

[LikeAirIRise]

I completely agree with this. Last year, I had most of my secondaries complete in July and some in August. I was interviewed at one school. I was complete at that school at the end of July and received my interview invitation in January.

This year, I submitted my secondaries much later (still working on a couple). I was complete at one school at the end of Sept and received an interview invite to that school three days later.

There really is no way to predict when you will hear back. I remember last year I was constantly checking my email, excited to hopefully hear some good news. As a reapplicant, I now know how unpredictable the application process is and I'm much more calm about it. Just try to relax and keep yourself distracted. And feel free to reach out if you (or anyone else) ever needs to talk/vent. At times like this when it's a matter of luck and waiting, it really helps to support one another as much as possible. I wish you luck! 🙂

Almost the same boat. I only received one interview last year in March, after being complete everywhere in June. This year I’ve gotten an interview and I’ve only been complete since late August/September.
I’m a little more relaxed this cycle but I still do find myself checking my email every day lol