Why is it so important to apply early?

Started by ccc2009
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ccc2009

Full Member
10+ Year Member
Hello,

i was just wondering what the biggest reasons were for such a huge (if in reality it is?) advantage by applying early in the process. i already have my primary etc. submitted and have been receiving secondaries which is good. I have done a couple searches as well as read the sdn article on applying early and everyone just says apply early but just curious if any students who have worked on ad committee or advisors could give their input as to why it is so valuable it would be appreciated.

i get that if one has low stats, it is one way to beat the other applicants who have a 3.9/33 and haven't applied yet, so the committee in theory doesn't "know" that applicants with higher stats will be applying. Would applying early also happen in situations where the applicant has unique ecs and activities such as being a musician or 1000s of hours of clinical experience. Is such an applicant more valuable to the school earlier in the process, since the school is possibly worried about losing him/her to other schools compared to later in the process where the committee has already see several musicians etc. and don't need that kind of "diversity" for the upcoming class. looking forward to everyones thoughts!

ccc2009
 
It shows that you're serious, interested, on top of things, ahead of the game.
 
PeachyPhd said:
No matter what your Stats and app looks like, rolling admissions = more spots early on and less spots when you wait.
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This is absolutely right. The earlier you get an interview, arguably, the more likely you are to be accepted because there is not much of the class filled yet. It seems that this is how it usually works anyway.
 
how about in the case of an MCAT retake which won't be in until end of september;

does it really help that I applied so early and am turning in secondaries so early when most schools are waiting on my new scores?
 
gatewasani said:
how about in the case of an MCAT retake which won't be in until end of september;

does it really help that I applied so early and am turning in secondaries so early when most schools are waiting on my new scores?
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I would like to know this too, I'm taking July 8th but in case I void I might take in September too.
 
I asked my dream school why and they said by december 1/2 the seats were filled. So if you take a sep mcat, get scores in oct, receive and turn in secondaries by nov and get an interview date for dec, you are now applying for half as many seats, but the shools have the same applicant pool to choose from. So naturally it will be tougher to obtain one of those spots.
 
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