Writing MCAT this July (question in regards to applying early)

[studentp0x]

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I'm writing my MCAT this July (I'm a Canadian 3rd year undergrad) and expecting the scores in August. (So middle of august).

Are you able to apply early in the timeline (June) WITHOUT your MCAT score? Or do you need to have everything finalized before applying? Or.. is this just school dependent (if so, what percentage of schools require the MCAT score finalized before they review your application?)

So far my understanding has been that at the moment they're reviewing applications from 2 months ago, so basically I could apply in June and my application would be reviewed in August (in time when my scores come back?).

Please let me know if I'm wrong or right, any help is appreciated. I'd really like to apply as early as possible, and applying mid-august definitely doesn't help my odds since I'm Canadian...

Thanks!

 

[MackandBlues]

take your MCAT earlier - you've got almost a year. July is pretty late in my opinion.

 

[studentp0x]

I have a fairly busy year academically speaking, although I am a biology major so I have the relevant knowledge, I still need solid review of physics and lots of verbal practice. Would a June MCAT make a big difference? And then a July retake if needed? (so maybe 1 week after receiving my scores).

 

[thegypsyqueen]

Your plan puts you at a disadvantage. Take it in July if you want, but being this far out, there is plenty of time to take it by April. Make the time and be ready day one if you want the best shot.

 

[studentp0x]

How does June sound?

 

[MackandBlues]

it's your life and your application. I would get everything in on the first day to give yourself the best possible advantage. And no you are not going to want to retake the test within a week of getting your scores. you will have to keep studying hard after your test to be ready for a July retake. Because if your score goes down.... not good. If I were you, take it late winter, early spring so you have time for a possible retake the end of May to June.

 

[studentp0x]

Any tips on managing study time this semester? I don't have any labs but 2 of my 5 courses are pretty challenging and GPA is a huge priority for me this year.

From a timeline perspective, would taking it in June have any real disadvantage? I thought applications aren't even reviewed for a month or so and then secondaries go in.. and interviews a month after at the earliest?

 

[FCMike11]

I'm writing my MCAT this July (I'm a Canadian 3rd year undergrad) and expecting the scores in August. (So middle of august).

Are you able to apply early in the timeline (June) WITHOUT your MCAT score? Or do you need to have everything finalized before applying? Or.. is this just school dependent (if so, what percentage of schools require the MCAT score finalized before they review your application?)

So far my understanding has been that at the moment they're reviewing applications from 2 months ago, so basically I could apply in June and my application would be reviewed in August (in time when my scores come back?).

Please let me know if I'm wrong or right, any help is appreciated. I'd really like to apply as early as possible, and applying mid-august definitely doesn't help my odds since I'm Canadian...

Thanks!

I'm sort of in a similiar situation. Academic year + work makes it not feasible to take my MCAT till August (studying over the summer). I am a so-so applicant so I am going to delay my application till the following year so I can submit day 1 with complete degree, MCAT scores etc. I'd rather not have to go meh on my application, not get in and then be labled as a "reapplicant" the following year.

Just a thought.

 

[studentp0x]

Yea true. Though being labelled as a reapplicant surely doesn't affect your odds?

 

[FCMike11]

Just from what I've read (again just from reading here) they typically look and want to know what you have done from the previous app cycle to improve yourself as an applicant.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2

 

[kyamh]

Yea true. Though being labelled as a reapplicant surely doesn't affect your odds?

From many posts I have seen on SDN it seems as though being a reapplicant can make a pretty big difference. You have to remember that adcoms are human. If they see an applicant apply for a second time they have to wonder why they didn't get in anywhere the first time around.

 

[studentp0x]

From many posts I have seen on SDN it seems as though being a reapplicant can make a pretty big difference. You have to remember that adcoms are human. If they see an applicant apply for a second time they have to wonder why they didn't get in anywhere the first time around.

Probably different for us Canadians maybe? Since more than half of schools don't even accept Canadians at all.

 

[QuantumJ]

I would suggest studying some this semester and as soon as your last final is over in december to dive in to full time studying for your entire winter break and take the mcat the first week or two back in January. Of course this only works if you have a month off like we do in the states and if it's feasible for you to have the entire break off and study long hours every day and not get burned out.

 

[muddyduck7]

I took the MCAT in July during the cycle that I was applying. I submitted my primary within the first possible week in June, and was verified around the time that I took the MCAT. I used the month between taking the test and receiving my scores to write all of the secondaries. So by early August, I was complete. I don't think the difference between mid July and early August will break an application, but it is certainly not ideal for the schools that send out early interview invitations (e.g. UChicago, Pitt etc.).

As others have said, the major risk with taking the MCAT in July (or even June), is that it becomes do or die. If my MCAT hadn't gone well, my application cycle would have been sunk. Fortunately, I did well, and received one of the earliest interview slots for my top choice - where I am now attending. N = 1 and all that jazz. But while the circumstance is certainly not ideal, it is not the death sentence that others would lead you to believe.