Which applicant would you interview?

[bluepeach9]

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Assuming the MCAT is taken once, which applicant is more likely to be given the earlier interview and acceptance?

1. The 510 MCAT scorer complete in mid-July
2. The 514 MCAT scorer complete in mid-August

Assume the MCAT is taken only once, GPA of 3.8, and comparable EC's

@Goro @gyngyn @LizzyM @Ismet @Catalystik @gonnif what do you all think?

 

[gyngyn]

It doesn't work this way.

 

[bluepeach9]

It doesn't work this way.

Hmm, then how does it work? Could you please elaborate? I'd really appreciate it!

 

[gyngyn]

Hmm, then how does it work? Could you please elaborate? I'd really appreciate it!

Schools stratify applicants for interview very differently. The difference in time of submission is negligible between July and August. The difference in MCAT will be important at some schools and negligible at others. Some schools will interview them both, others will interview neither...

 

[Goro]

Ahh, it's already mid-June and it's fool's errand time!

Both kids would be interviewed on the strengths of their packets. No one, and I mean no one, gets an interview solely on the strength of an MCAT score.

Assuming the MCAT is taken once, which applicant is more likely to be given the earlier interview and acceptance?

1. The 510 MCAT scorer complete in mid-July
2. The 514 MCAT scorer complete in mid-August

Assume the MCAT is taken only once, GPA of 3.8, and comparable EC's

@Goro @gyngyn @LizzyM @Ismet @Catalystik @gonnif what do you all think?

 

[bluepeach9]

you have got to be kidding?

even mid-september would be fine;

two applicants with similar stats like that would both likely either be interviewed or both not.

if your question is it actually worth waiting to take the MCAT in order to get a better score and still apply this cycle within a reasonable timeframe, my opinion is yes

I'm not actually, I'm really worried about the whole timeline thing. My advisors have scared me into thinking I shouldn't even apply if I will be complete mid-August since it's not worth the money to waste on schools that are rolling. I'm signed up for the test this weekend. I received a 510 on the AAMC scored practice, but I still have some content review to do, haven't done all the AAMC practice, and have only taken two practice tests. I believe I can raise my score to a 514 or maybe more for the July 9th exam. If anything, I will feel more confident for the July exam. But will this be worth the delay? Because the July 9th exam will put me at a completion date ~6 weeks behind the earliest applicants. I've heard that almost 60% of the apps go out by then, and maybe half of the interview slots!

 

[bluepeach9]

Ahh, it's already mid-June and it's fool's errand time!

Both kids would be interviewed on the strengths of their packets. No one, and I mean no one, gets an interview solely on the strength of an MCAT score.

Yes, but would the kid who interviewed first (I'm assuming the one who was complete earlier) receive the acceptance? Both may be interviewed, but don't early interviews translate into early acceptances? It would suck if the other kid who got the 514 was placed on the wait list because of a later interview due to a later completion date.

 

[gyngyn]

I'm not actually, I'm really worried about the whole timeline thing. My advisors have scared me into thinking I shouldn't even apply if I will be complete mid-August since it's not worth the money to waste on schools that are rolling. I'm signed up for the test this weekend. I received a 510 on the AAMC scored practice, but I still have some content review to do, haven't done all the AAMC practice, and have only taken two practice tests. I believe I can raise my score to a 514 or maybe more for the July 9th exam. If anything, I will feel more confident for the July exam. But will this be worth the delay? Because the July 9th exam will put me at a completion date ~6 weeks behind the earliest applicants. I've heard that almost 60% of the apps go out by then, and maybe half of the interview slots!

All schools have rolling admissions. the only difference is when they notify the candidates.

 

[gyngyn]

Yes, but would the kid who interviewed first (I'm assuming the one who was complete earlier) receive the acceptance? Both may be interviewed, but don't early interviews translate into early acceptances? It would suck if the other kid who got the 514 was placed on the wait list because of a later interview due to a later completion date.

Applicants are not sorted by date of submission. No school has filled the class by September.

 

[bluepeach9]

All schools have rolling admissions. the only difference is when they notify the candidates.

I know…that's why I'm worried! 🙁 I think I can do better on the early July date, but am also torn between early submission vs better MCAT

 

[bluepeach9]

Applicants are not sorted by date of submission. No school has filled the class by September.

I'm so confused….everything I've heard so far says that applicants are reviewed chronologically in order received according to AMCAS. Is SDN wrong or am I just not getting this process? 🤔

 

[radioactive15]

<delete>

 

[gyngyn]

I know…that's why I'm worried! 🙁 I think I can do better on the early July date, but am also torn between early submission vs better MCAT

A single strong MCAT is the best strategy.

 

[WedgeDawg]

I wouldn't interview either of them because my hypothetical school where I am an adcom would be so awesome that all seats would be full June 7th.

 

[gyngyn]

I wouldn't interview either of them because my hypothetical school where I am an adcom would be so awesome that all seats would be full June 7th.

She might believe you...

 

[Chromium Surfer]

I wouldn't interview either of them because my hypothetical school where I am an adcom would be so awesome that all seats would be full June 7th.

Savage sarcasm strikes!

 

[Lawpy]

Assuming the MCAT is taken once, which applicant is more likely to be given the earlier interview and acceptance?

1. The 510 MCAT scorer complete in mid-July
2. The 514 MCAT scorer complete in mid-August

Assume the MCAT is taken only once, GPA of 3.8, and comparable EC's

Neither in regards to schools with 520+ MCAT medians. Unless comparable ECs are something truly exceptional and incredible.

 

[WedgeDawg]

She might believe you...

Hopefully the hypothetical part helps

Spoiler: If anyone doesn't get it, please read

disclaimer: I am NOT an adcom. nowhere close.

 

[Lawpy]

I wouldn't interview either of them because my hypothetical school where I am an adcom would be so awesome that all seats would be full June 7th.

She might believe you...

June 7 was referring to the following year

Hopefully the hypothetical part helps

Spoiler: If anyone gets it, please read

disclaimer: I am NOT an adcom. nowhere close atm, but will be soon!.

Ya i agree.

 

[Ismet]

I'm not actually, I'm really worried about the whole timeline thing. My advisors have scared me into thinking I shouldn't even apply if I will be complete mid-August since it's not worth the money to waste on schools that are rolling. I'm signed up for the test this weekend. I received a 510 on the AAMC scored practice, but I still have some content review to do, haven't done all the AAMC practice, and have only taken two practice tests. I believe I can raise my score to a 514 or maybe more for the July 9th exam. If anything, I will feel more confident for the July exam. But will this be worth the delay? Because the July 9th exam will put me at a completion date ~6 weeks behind the earliest applicants. I've heard that almost 60% of the apps go out by then, and maybe half of the interview slots!

If you don't feel ready to take it this weekend, then push it back. Getting a strong score is worth more than being complete in August, which isn't late. Heck I went to a school that finished interviewing in December and we interviewed people who were complete in October.

 

[Catalystik]

I'm so confused….everything I've heard so far says that applicants are reviewed chronologically in order received according to AMCAS. Is SDN wrong or am I just not getting this process? 🤔

AMCAS reviews applications chronologically after both the Primary and transcripts are received. Individual med schools sort and review them according to their own criteria.

 

[bluepeach9]

If you don't feel ready to take it this weekend, then push it back. Getting a strong score is worth more than being complete in August, which isn't late. Heck I went to a school that finished interviewing in December and we interviewed people who were complete in October.

AMCAS reviews applications chronologically after both the Primary and transcripts are received. Individual med schools sort and review them according to their own criteria.

That makes sense...how long do med schools usually take to review completed apps before sending out II invites?

 

[bluepeach9]

Also, for schools that pre-screen before sending secondaries, how long would that review take? I'd be complete Aug 9th with my MCAT score, so I'd ideally like to complete my secondary asap, but guess I wouldn't know when I'd get my secondary for schools like VCU, Jefferson, etc.

 

[MaxPlancker]

That makes sense...how long do med schools usually take to review completed apps before sending out II invites?

Also, for schools that pre-screen before sending secondaries, how long would that review take? I'd be complete Aug 9th with my MCAT score, so I'd ideally like to complete my secondary asap, but guess I wouldn't know when I'd get my secondary for schools like VCU, Jefferson, etc.

It depends on the school. Nobody here can tell you a magic answer for your questions. Schools can take as little or as long to send an II. If you're on the edge, they may hold your app for further review later after more applications for the cycle are in. If you're a superstar, then you could get IIs as early as late August/early September depending on the school. Generally, the majority of pre-screening occurs during July and August with late apps being screened as they arrive.