When to apply/take the MCAT?!

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.

animal_addict

New Member
7+ Year Member
Joined
Apr 30, 2014
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
Hey all! I'm in a bit of a pickle and could really use some advice. My undergraduate institution does not have a pre-med advisor so I have no one to reach to with this dilemma.
My first MCAT is scheduled to be taken on June 13. I have all my recommendation letters and personal statement ready to submit on June 1st.
However, for the past 2.5 months, I have been suffering from extreme fatigue-to the point where I fall asleep while talking to people, driving and eating. This has made studying nearly impossible and I have only gotten about one week's worth of material covered in the last 4 weeks of my proposed schedule. I think the doctors have finally found what is causing my fatigue so it shoud be improving from here but is it too late to do well on the MCAT with only one month to go? Should I go ahead and attempt and prepare myself to retake or should I push the date back to closer to August so I am fully prepared?
I just don't want to not apply this year because of the test...
Also, I am working about 50 hours a week and still taking a class online (which will end the first week of June).

Any advice would be appreciated-will I be hurting my odds by submitting my application without a score or having to retake it while my application has already been submitted?
Thank you all for any help you can give!
 
Why would you need to make the jump from June to August? What about a July date?

I would suggest submitting for verification June 3rd, don't include all the schools, just one so the process begins, then once you have an mcat score your app will be ready to go and you can add the other schools.

What have you been averaging on practice tests? If you have been studying for 2.5 months, I think another 5 weeks is adequate if your average scores have been on par with what you aim to get.

EDIT: is there any way you can cut back on work/not work at all until you get the mcat overwith?
 
Last edited:
Don't take the mcat when you're extremely fatigued and burnt out. Make sure you're at the top of your game mentally before taking it, as this test really tests you on every level.
 
I have a week-long family vacation in June and am afraid that would set me back for July but if the fatigue issue gets resolved within the next week, I don't think that would be too bad.
Applying for one school at first sounds like a great idea! Thank you!
I have not yet taken any practice tests-I am following the ExamKracker 10 week schedule and have only done one week's worth of material. With the thirty minute practice test conversions, I got a 12 on the first biology lecture, 8 on the first physics and 6 on the first verbal reasoning. I keep planning to take a practice test but I can't physically stay awake long enough to do so...
I am considering asking my boss about cutting back on work but I just got two promotions and I am important for the company right now, unfortunately 🙁
 
I have a week-long family vacation in June and am afraid that would set me back for July but if the fatigue issue gets resolved within the next week, I don't think that would be too bad.
Applying for one school at first sounds like a great idea! Thank you!
I have not yet taken any practice tests-I am following the ExamKracker 10 week schedule and have only done one week's worth of material. With the thirty minute practice test conversions, I got a 12 on the first biology lecture, 8 on the first physics and 6 on the first verbal reasoning. I keep planning to take a practice test but I can't physically stay awake long enough to do so...
I am considering asking my boss about cutting back on work but I just got two promotions and I am important for the company right now, unfortunately 🙁

Well congrats on your promotion! Haha- definitely talk to your boss though, maybe you can work something out?

That is what I am doing, submitting June 3rd with one school, then waiting to see my MCAT score to add other schools- so worst case scenario, I am a reapplicant at just that one school if I have to wait another year (which I really REALLY don't want to do lol).

That's rough, I hope everything works out for the best with your doctor/situation. Good luck!
 
Ok I will do so. I think I am going to move my test to July...thank you so much for the input. I appreciate it more than you know 🙂
 
See Official SDN AMCAS FAQ:

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/official-amcas-questions-thread-2014-2015.1062247/unread

"7. What is all of this about being a reapplicant?
Once you have submitted an AMCAS application and are verified, you will be considered a re-applicant the following year. Even though you may not be a re-applicant at a particular school, the AMCAS application will reflect that you have "previously applied to medical school" in that you have had a verified application from a previous year. Every school you apply to will be able to see this, regardless of whether you applied to that particular school before or not."
 
See Official SDN AMCAS FAQ:

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/official-amcas-questions-thread-2014-2015.1062247/unread

"7. What is all of this about being a reapplicant?
Once you have submitted an AMCAS application and are verified, you will be considered a re-applicant the following year. Even though you may not be a re-applicant at a particular school, the AMCAS application will reflect that you have "previously applied to medical school" in that you have had a verified application from a previous year. Every school you apply to will be able to see this, regardless of whether you applied to that particular school before or not."

pretty confused about this now then. where is this information from exactly?

EDIT: what are the ramifications if one was verified early (with just one school receiving the primary), got their scores back, and then decided to not add more schools (call that one school and withdraw directly) and not technically apply then?
 
Last edited:
Top