When to apply?

[appleicecream]

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I'm aiming for Western, but compared to stats on their website, I have below average GPAs (3.04c, 3.01s).
I plan on taking the MCATs in April for the first time. Is this too late if I want to apply for the the 2011 school year? Or should I just wait to turn in my complete application early for the 2012 school year?
I know that applying early improves your chances, but will they even consider my application without an MCAT score? what about other schools?

Here are a couple other details, if it helps:
-Graduated with BS Biology from a UC this past june
-Conducted & wrote a research paper that got published in school's research journal
-Worked for a Podiatrist for 2 years, duties included a lot of patient interaction & working with orthotics
-Volunteering 40hrs/week for Americorps right now

Thanks for all your help guys!

 

[emericana]

i believe from what i have been told that is a little too late for the fall.

why dont you take the mcats earlier?

 

[xileh]

April is pretty late.

One of the AACPMAS traffic rules states:

Schools and colleges will not take final admissions action prior to the receipt of an official standardized test score. For MCAT and DAT scores, an official score is accepted only through the AACPMAS program

So based on that it seems as though they may interview earlier you but won't let you know if you are accepted until they get your MCAT score.

 

[appleicecream]

emericana: I signed up for a review class that lasts until then. It was the only one that fit my schedule. I know I always have the option of taking it before then, but I wonder if taking it before I am ready (in terms of the class being finish) will affect my score and eventually my chances of acceptance.

xileh: thanks for that. I know acceptance isn't going to happen prior to receiving MCAT scores, but with my figures, do you think an interview might, despite not having MCAT scores?

So i guess my follow up questions would be:

How do DPM schools view re-applicants? In case I do apply this year and don't make the cut if/when I take the MCATs earlier and re-take in April when I am ready.

Should I just apply now, take MCATs in January and cross my fingers?

 

[sorham]

I honestly don't think that reapplying will hurt your chances at all, but that is definitely a question you could take to admissions at the schools you wish to apply to, send them an email or call them. If you want to go for it this year, it won't hurt your chances applying next year IMO, you just lose out on the money you put into applying if you don't get in.

 

[xileh]

Yea i agree with sorham. Reapplying most likely will not hurt your chances at all. As long as you keep involved in the field somehow (volunteer, shadow, etc) you will have something to show your are still dedicated if you do not get in.

So if you have a few hundred dollars, go ahead and apply now and see what happens. You should hopefully receive some interviews since you have pretty good EC. So I would prepare hard for the MCAT in Jan, apply now, and hope for the best.