When to take the MCAT

[SoWasRed]

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Hello SDN. I was hoping many of you that have already gone through the process could give me some advice. I am 29 years old and am completing my postbacc this spring at a well respected state school. I have already completed 41 credits of postbacc work since last January which includes all the prereq's with labs (except orgo 2) in addition to some other biology courses and statistics. I am finishing this semester with organic chemistry 2 lecture and lab and an upper level drug development class. In addition I volunteer and am doing clinical research each one day a week. In between I am doing by best at studying for the mcat 6 days a week (doing a modified version of sn2's schedule.) I know how important it is that I apply early so I have my mcat date scheduled for april 28th. My question is that I am feeling a little behind since I am self teaching myself the human physiology, and material learned during organic 2 to try and keep up with my mcat review. Would it hinder my chances if I were to push my mcat test date until late May giving me 4 weeks after this semester is done to do nothing but mcat practice? As a note I had a weak undergrad gpa of 2.7 when I graduated in 2005. But I have a strong postbacc gpa (currently 3.88) which will also be my science gpa since I was originally a non-science major. My overall cgpa when I apply should be around a 3.1. Any advice will be appreciated.

 

[lkthlttr]

Would it hinder my chances if I were to push my mcat test date until late May giving me 4 weeks after this semester is done to do nothing but mcat practice?

If you feel that pushing your test date until late May will mean that you can achieve a significantly higher score then do it. A late may exam means that you'll be getting your score back what, the first week of July? That is still plenty early and in the meantime you can still complete your primary application to have it in as early as possible and then start pre-writing your secondary essays, assuming that they won't change drastically from the previous year.

 

[dbizzy]

You're fine. Don't take "must apply by June 1st or else" rule too literally. July is plenty early a time to submit your primaries.

 

[paeony]

I don't think it will hinder your chances. Submit your primary AMCAS before hand so that it's been approved OR have it ready to submit as soon as you receive your MCAT score in June. I took my MCAT in May and did fine (in terms of getting interviews and such..still waiting for decisions) this past cycle. In fact, I know I was on the early side.

Having a better/stronger MCAT score will help your application significantly.

 

[LUCPM]

Have you taken any FL AAMC? This will give you a pretty good idea where you stand. At any rate, take the MCAT when you are happy with your practice score. GL.

 

[NontradICUdoc]

Take the MCAT when you feel that you are ready. There is no reason to rush into the exam.

 

[SoWasRed]

Thank you for all your advice. I have worked so hard over the past year to prove to adcoms that I can handle medical school. I just want to give myself my best shot for success this cycle and I hear that when you do have a weakness in your application like I do it is extremely important to apply early. I have not taken any Fl's yet but I will be taking my first in a few weeks. All told I will be taking 17 Fl's (all the aamc's, 7 BR, and 1 kaplan and EK) and I will make a decision on when I am ready based on my practice results. EMT2ER-DOC, I will be attending the northeast conference and look forward to meeting you.

 

[NontradICUdoc]

I will be there and likewise

 

[salsera]

I originally scheduled my MCAT for April 2011 and pushed it back to July, with scores not released until August, and I have had a great application cycle with early interviews at many top schools. If your scores are released in the summer, you're doing great. Just be prompt with secondaries.