When to submit my AAMC application?

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

Topiary56

Full Member
Joined
Mar 1, 2024
Messages
23
Reaction score
6
I got a 512 on my MCAT 2 years ago and I'm retaking may 31st which will be graded July 1st. I'm not unhappy with the score, but I had a 124 on CARS and I feel like I had much more room left in the tank overall since I only prepped for 3 months. I will 100% definitely bail out if I'm not scoring significantly higher on FLs, but I'm just starting to take them in the next 5 weeks. I already applied last year so my primary is done for the most part so it won't take much time from my MCAT prep.

I'm probably overthinking a bit, but I'm worried I might get my application filtered from some schools for my CARS score or my overall score. Ideally I'd like my new score to be the one schools see rather than submitting the old one and having the new score release after my application is verified and submitted to schools.

Should I wait a week or two after the application opens to submit or should I just send it in on the first day?

Members don't see this ad.
 
If you have to reapply, why are you reusing the same primary that previously failed?
There are many parts of a previous app that will roll over (coursework list especially) which I think is what OP meant by their primary being "done for the most part".
Essays should be revised and new experiences added for sure.

@Topiary56 you should still submit AMCAS early, when it is ready and proof-read, being sure to indicate the date of your MCAT retake.
AMCAS doesn't transmit your app to schools until June 27 at the very earliest, so your new score will soon be on your app and when schools start reading apps they will see both scores.
 
Members don't see this ad :)
As the other two posters have said, don't submit the same app that didn't work last time. You want to show both growth, dynamism, and commitment to the process. You will probably want to update your PS and perhaps your MMEs and at least some of your activity descriptions to reflect what you've accomplished in the last two years.

And as @wysdoc said regarding the MCAT timing, if your application is ready and you're proud of it, don't wait for the MCAT score to come back. Apply at least to one school ASAP so that your app is verified and then once you see your score you can have AMCAS sent to the other schools you want to apply to. This way verification is not held up.
 
If you have to reapply, why are you reusing the same primary that previously failed?
Oh I should have mentioned this, but I only applied to one school and didn't bother doing a full cycle. I decided halfway through my primary that I wanted to take a gap regardless, but I figured I should stick it out just so I'm familiar with the process. I didn't want to apply with the intention of asking to defer and waste people's time.

Ended up getting an interview for that school so the application wasn't complete garbage. That single application is still in the air, but I doubt I'm getting in at this point lol.
 
As the other two posters have said, don't submit the same app that didn't work last time. You want to show both growth, dynamism, and commitment to the process. You will probably want to update your PS and perhaps your MMEs and at least some of your activity descriptions to reflect what you've accomplished in the last two years.

And as @wysdoc said regarding the MCAT timing, if your application is ready and you're proud of it, don't wait for the MCAT score to come back. Apply at least to one school ASAP so that your app is verified and then once you see your score you can have AMCAS sent to the other schools you want to apply to. This way verification is not held up.
That sounds like agood idea. I didn't realize the applications would submit instantly after mine has applied.

I'll probably apply to one school first and then submit to the others when my new score is out.
 
Top