Comments on: The Application Process: Why Apply Early

By: S

Sun, 05 Jun 2011 20:11:23 +0000

@keval uh…. i don’t think you are too familiar with the process… yes.. you have to still complete your senior year.

https://www.aamc.org/students/considering/gettingin/62796/considering_timeline.html

By: Keval

Keval — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 17:53:23 +0000

Hi I’m a junior in college right now and I plan to take the MCATS early next year definitely between January and May. So once I get an interview and if I am accepted would I still have to complete my senior year at college or would I just go to medical school?

By: Roshni

Roshni — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 17:53:13 +0000

I’m a sophomore right now and I plan on taking my MCAT in the summer between my sophomore and junior year. I am not sure whether or not I can start the application then or if it will be too early. As in, when should I send all my information to AMCAS so that they can verify it?

Thank you.

By: Dan

Dan — Wed, 20 May 2009 16:58:55 +0000

I have the same question as the few above. I took the mcat in april and just got my scores and know I can do better. I signed up to take the MCAT again July 2nd. Should I submit the AMCAS application asap with my current score and have the boxes checked that say I plan to take the mcat again and to expect scores from the July 2nd test, or wait till I get my new scores in August to submit?

By: Lake

Lake — Thu, 07 May 2009 18:55:44 +0000

I have the same concern as above two people. I am re-taking MCAT at the end of July.
It is ideal to submit primary application early as possible but I don’t think it is wise to just hurry things without well-polished application package.

I was wondering if I can still submit everything else (Personal Statement, CV’s, etc) to get varified without for the MCAT score.

Any inputs on this matter will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

By: Chris

Chris — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 09:57:45 +0000

Good question StealYourCarbon…I have a similar one. I’m retaking my MCAT early in July and am wondering if it’s better to just apply to the schools of my choice with my old scores or to wait until the July scores come out. (I’m almost certain my new scores will be an improvement over my old, but by how many points, I’m not sure) Is it possible to send in an application in June and “update” it when the new scores come out? Is there any way I could indicate on my app that I’m retaking the MCAT again so “ignore” the old scores until the new ones come out? Thanks so much for your help, I learned a LOT from your article.

By: StealYourCarbon

StealYourCarbon — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 16:14:12 +0000

I have a question regarding applying. I am taking the June 18th MCAT, so since I won’t receive my scores until mid-July, can I still submit this application in June? And when I receive my scores, can I update the application with the score? If I submit the application without scores, will medical schools see my application at that time or only after my scores are in? I was just hoping that I could do everything in the application that is time consuming sooner, so that all that verifying could occur while I’m waiting for my scores. Is this possible? Thanks for the help… Sorry if these are silly questions.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 04:12:49 +0000

Very good point about the EDPs. It makes sense that those programs be extremely competitive because the schools are taking the risk that they could get more qualified candidates later that they’ll have to turn down. And if you’re qualified enough to get in EDP then you will very likely get in regular admissions so its lose-lose for the applicant.

Dip, I don’t know very much about post bach programs like the MS you mentioned but I would think a high profile research experience that may very well give you an opportunity for more clinic hours would be more useful than a cookie-cutter program. Also, I would put off the MCAT until later in the summer if you aren’t applying until next year anyway. Take it later and give yourself another month or so to prepare.

Also, I think Becker’s article was excellent but I would add that you should absolutely take additional science electives if possible before the test. I had endocrinology, neurobiology, and a higher level anatomy class before the MCATs and there were several points in the Biology section where I felt I could have answered the questions without even reading the passage. Even if that extra material doesn’t directly apply it might give you added confidence.

Maybe a final point I might add is, Becker is absolutely spot on on getting things done as early as possible, but you might need to weigh some options that could change the balance. In my case, the spring of my junior year was extremely stressful for a variety of reasons and my MCAT studying did not start until may. Because of this I took the test mid july. If I took the test in may I probably would have scored just under a 30. The extra 6 or so weeks translated into me shattering a 30. My apps got in alot later, but the extra 8 or so points definitely were more useful than the lost couple of months time. Things to think about anyways…

By: Christian Becker

Christian Becker — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 21:37:39 +0000

Don’t go for Early Decision Programs. They are not a good choice. Read on http://www.StartMedcine.com in the Application section for more info on the EDPs. They severely limit your options and are not good for most people.

By: dip1123

dip1123 — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 04:50:48 +0000

I am torn between what I should do next year. First off, I am taking the MCATs June 18. For next year, I have an opportunity to do a one year MS program that’s aimed for pre-health professional students to improve their academic credential. I also have an opportunity to do an research-based internship with an Emergency Dept. physician at one of the level 1 trauma centers in Indianapolis, who happens to be an associate faculty for IU SOM. My GPA was mediocre, but I have extensive clinical experience by working as an EMT through college, running a campus EMS for 2 years, ample shadowing experience, and 1.5yrs of undergraduate research. Which one of the two is a good route?

If you choose to apply in the EDP, is there a clear place on the AMCAS to choose this option?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!