When to apply for med school?

[Laureatebarrel]

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Hi all,
I am a junior now and I want to go straight to med school when I graduate in 2 years. I am in a research lab and I think I will continue until my senior year so I basically will have 2 years of research lab (hopefully with 1 or 2 publications), ~ 1.5 years of volunteer and probably 300 hrs of shadow when I graduate. I have a rather unique situation but I think everyone goes to med school have their own special ones so I am not counting on that.
I want to know if I can list my upcoming ECs (or intended) in the EC option on the AMCAS? My GPA and MCAT is good, but I am weak on ECs. I only have 6 months of volunteer at a hospital. For example, if I am applying at summer of Junior year, can I list the ECs that I have not done but planned to do until I graduate? I don't want to spend a waiting year after I graduate but I also want to prepare my application as much as I can.

 

[Dallasmavs]

Hi all,
I am a junior now and I want to go straight to med school when I graduate in 2 years. I am in a research lab and I think I will continue until my senior year so I basically will have 2 years of research lab (hopefully with 1 or 2 publications), ~ 1.5 years of volunteer and probably 300 hrs of shadow when I graduate. I have a rather unique situation but I think everyone goes to med school have their own special ones so I am not counting on that.
I want to know if I can list my upcoming ECs (or intended) in the EC option on the AMCAS? My GPA and MCAT is good, but I am weak on ECs. I only have 6 months of volunteer at a hospital. For example, if I am applying at summer of Junior year, can I list the ECs that I have not done but planned to do until I graduate? I don't want to spend a waiting year after I graduate but I also want to prepare my application as much as I can.

The answer to your title: if you want to go straight into med school you should be applying the summer after junior year and have everything such as MCAT done by then.

Yes, there is spaces to put planned activities but I wouldn't think that would mean much to adcoms.

 

[Laureatebarrel]

The answer to your title: if you want to go straight into med school you should be applying the summer after junior year and have everything such as MCAT done by then.

Yes, there is spaces to put planned activities but I wouldn't think that would mean much to adcoms.

So if I want to go straight after graduation, then I need to have all my Ecs completed before next summer, correct?

 

[sector9]

So if I want to go straight after graduation, then I need to have all my Ecs completed before next summer, correct?

You have to have started the activity before you can list it. AMCAS does not accept future "start dates" on activities.

You are allowed to list an "end date" in the future though.

 

[Laureatebarrel]

You have to have started the activity before you can list it. AMCAS does not accept future "start dates" on activities.

You are allowed to list an "end date" in the future though.

If they can accept the end date, that is good enough for me. How do you update what you will do in senior year?

 

[sector9]

If they can accept the end date, that is good enough for me. How do you update what you will do in senior year?

You have to send update letters or talk about updates during interviews.

 

[Laureatebarrel]

You have to send update letters or talk about updates during interviews.

Ok thank you 👍

 

[kyamh]

From the University of Michigan Admissions twitter earlier this month...seems like at least some top ten schools prefer students who wait..

UMich Med Admissions ‏@UMichMedAdmiss 29 Aug

A growing trend: other work/activity post graduation, prior to medical school! 70% of our M1 class graduated 2012 or earlier!

 

[Laureatebarrel]

From the University of Michigan Admissions twitter earlier this month...seems like at least some top ten schools prefer students who wait..

UMich Med Admissions ‏@UMichMedAdmiss 29 Aug

A growing trend: other work/activity post graduation, prior to medical school! 70% of our M1 class graduated 2012 or earlier!

I love this school! Definitely my top choice for sure.