When to take MCAT to not be late applicant

[tiedyeddog]

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When is the best time to take the MCAT for the 2010-2011 application cycle? I am pre-md/phd and don't want to be limited by a late application. the dates are(with exam results in parathesis):
June 17(july 20), July 8(aug 10), July 16(aug 17).

 

[BlueElmo]

take it as early as possible, but be sure you're ready when you take them. Don't rush things just to get it over with or something.

and what's up, man, long time no see.

 

[tiedyeddog]

Well, I really want to take it as late as possible. I graduate March 21st, so I'd like to take one of the tests in july.....but....

Dude, life has been crazy. Senior thesis = 24/7 **** fest.

Did you pick from Harvard, JHU, or WashU, yet? 😉

take it as early as possible, but be sure you're ready when you take them. Don't rush things just to get it over with or something.

and what's up, man, long time no see.

 

[summerallwinter]

Interested in what you guys think on this topic as well. I plan on taking it in mid or late summer of my junior year (after finishing O chem 1, 2 and physics 1, 2). Wondering when is the latest I can get away with taking it without simultaneously hurting my conditions by being late.

 

[mattng]

If you think you're going to rock the MCAT, say >35, it doesn't really matter when you take it, pending everything else on your application is just as good (GPA, EC, etc.). But if you're average or below average, the earlier the better. Remember, most schools are on rolling admissions.

 

[Euclides]

Interested in what you guys think on this topic as well. I plan on taking it in mid or late summer of my junior year (after finishing O chem 1, 2 and physics 1, 2). Wondering when is the latest I can get away with taking it without simultaneously hurting my conditions by being late.

Some people take it during the winter break, so that if need be, they can retake it in the spring (march-april); which is when most people take it (to get their scores early enough).
However, I have heard of people taking it as late as the summer after their junior year and getting accepted. It depends on (1) whether you want be able to retake it (which means you should take it earlier maybe spring then summer) and (2) what schools you want to apply to.
I would say try and shoot for April. But check the schools first.

 

[BlitzSleep]

When is the best time to take the MCAT for the 2010-2011 application cycle? I am pre-md/phd and don't want to be limited by a late application. the dates are(with exam results in parathesis):
June 17(july 20), July 8(aug 10), July 16(aug 17).

I'm in the same boat as you bro

 

[Narmerguy]

If you think you're going to rock the MCAT, say >35, it doesn't really matter when you take it, pending everything else on your application is just as good (GPA, EC, etc.). But if you're average or below average, the earlier the better. Remember, most schools are on rolling admissions.

Well, even if you rock it I think it would serve you well to take it the earliest that you feel you would do well. I would want to take every advantage in this process that I could get.

 

[lstone13]

When is the best time to take the MCAT for the 2010-2011 application cycle? I am pre-md/phd and don't want to be limited by a late application. the dates are(with exam results in parathesis):
June 17(july 20), July 8(aug 10), July 16(aug 17).

Take it as early as you can. Seriously. I was originally registered for the June MCAT then changed it to the July MCAT last summer. Just that month put my application behind. I am confident that had I submitted my application earlier, I might have seen different results this application season. It is only to your advantage to take the early MCAT.

 

[Ion1776]

If you take it in June or July, still be sure to submit your application June 1, then just send your MCAT score when you get it.

 

[summerallwinter]

Which would be better:

1) Take the MCAT in April, in the middle of the semester of O Chem 2 and Physics 2

or

2) Take the MCAT in July, after finishing O Chem 2 and Physics 2?

???

 

[Narmerguy]

Well, even if you rock it I think it would serve you well to take it the earliest that you feel you would do well. I would want to take every advantage in this process that I could get.

I seriously don't remember writing this 8 days ago 😕

 

[ksmi117]

If you take it in June or July, still be sure to submit your application June 1, then just send your MCAT score when you get it.

This.

Which would be better:

1) Take the MCAT in April, in the middle of the semester of O Chem 2 and Physics 2

or

2) Take the MCAT in July, after finishing O Chem 2 and Physics 2?

???

Depends on what you are most comfortable with. If you know the material, take it early. If you need extra time with it, wait a bit later.

Moral of the story: take it as early as possible without sacrificing points. Don't rush into the test, but don't put it off for no reason either.

If you submit June 1, you can have your application verified and be all ready to go minus your MCAT score. Then they'll just upload that and you're done. If you do this, I suggest only applying to one school at first, then adding others on once you know your score. It's super easy, and doesn't require re-verification.

The goal is to get your applications to the schools by late-July/early-August at the latest (including MCAT scores, being verified, etc.).