when is the best time..

[Murphy005]

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i'm getting ready to start applying for the fall 08 round and i was planning on taking the pcat in june to get ahead start and get my application in early to improve my chances. now, i have this strange desire to study abroad this summer. problem is i might not be able to take the pcat till august now. is this still early enough to get my application processed "early"?

 

[tharper14]

i'm getting ready to start applying for the fall 08 round and i was planning on taking the pcat in june to get ahead start and get my application in early to improve my chances. now, i have this strange desire to study abroad this summer. problem is i might not be able to take the pcat till august now. is this still early enough to get my application processed "early"?

Do you mean Fall 09? You're applying for Fall 09 admission, not 08?

 

[Disposal]

lol probably still not used to the new year, so I"m assuming you mean 2009.
Never hurts to take the next PCAT. Experience under your belt will help you know what you need to be studying.

P.S. I'm still writing 2007 on everything. I'm slow.

 

[fenixtnlfan]

I think it depends on where you apply, their deadlines, and if it is rolling admissions. It takes about a month for PCAT scores to get sent after the test date. You can get all your other application materials in before that though. If you want to be able to re-take the PCAT in case you get a lower score, taking it in June is probably your best bet. You can still re-take in October though and meet most deadlines. Best bet is to look at the deadlines for the schools you want to apply to, and make a decision from there.

 

[omnione]

For true early/rolling admissions, the August date is too late. It's fine for regular admissions if you can have your application completed before you take the exam. This way, the score is the only thing holding up your application.

Do note that the August date may put you closer to the middle of the pack for rolling admission schools but it might not be adverse unless your stats and application are "on the bubble".

 

[phuang06]

For true early/rolling admissions, the August date is too late. It's fine for regular admissions if you can have your application completed before you take the exam. This way, the score is the only thing holding up your application.

Do note that the August date may put you closer to the middle of the pack for rolling admission schools but it might not be adverse unless your stats and application are "on the bubble".

So the very best chance is going all out and just doing awesome on the June PCAT. Such pressure *Breaks out old textbooks*

 

[omnione]

So the very best chance is going all out and just doing awesome on the June PCAT. Such pressure *Breaks out old textbooks*

Technically, the very best time is when one has completed all of the courses needed for the PCAT plus a few background courses (biochem, genetics, et. Al.). You want to take the test when the info is still fresh. The January date right before the desired admissions scyle is theoretically the best date because it allows the applicant to have a complete primary application right after PharmCAS goes live in June (Note: see caveat below) while not producing results that are too old. There's nothing like being in the front of the line for every school😀. Of course, most people who apply during the second and third years haven't complete all the necessary courses before the January date making the June and August dates more ideal.

Caveat: some schools may prefer a test date that is closer to the time of application review. For example, UNMC is preferring that students take the August or even October PCAT so that the performance is more "current". Just something to think about.....

 

[phuang06]

Technically, the very best time is when one has completed all of the courses needed for the PCAT plus a few background courses (biochem, genetics, et. Al.). You want to take the test when the info is still fresh. The January date right before the desired admissions scyle is theoretically the best date because it allows the applicant to have a complete primary application right after PharmCAS goes live in June (Note: see caveat below) while not producing results that are too old. There's nothing like being in the front of the line for every school😀. Of course, most people who apply during the second and third years haven't complete all the necessary courses before the January date making the June and August dates more ideal.

Caveat: some schools may prefer a test date that is closer to the time of application review. For example, UNMC is preferring that students take the August or even October PCAT so that the performance is more "current". Just something to think about.....

June is as fresh as August or October I would think, cause it's not like you're really learning anything new from fall/spring semester college, just summertime studying really. For me though, I'm finishing up my second year, so I will be applying during the beginning of my third year, so yeah, June and August dates would be my best bet.