<p>Hi,
I was planning on taking the mcat on the June 13 test date, so I'd have a decent amount of time to study after the semester ended. However, given that it will take another couple of weeks to get scores back, is this too late to take the MCAT? I've heard that the earlier you apply, the better - and don't people start applying in June?
Would you recommend that I took the test 2 weeks earlier instead, so I could get my application out sooner?</p>
<p>thanks!!!</p>
<p>It's a tradeoff. You're right that it gives you more time to study; you're also right that those couple weeks might be helpful application-wise. It's a question of how much better you think you're going to do. When does your school year end?</p>
<p>No, it won't be too late. Here's what you do: submit your transcript/grades in early June and have them verified. I submitted my primary on June 11th this year and it took 2 days to verify. If I had waited a couple of months, it would've taken 4-6 weeks. Then, as soon as your MCAT score comes in mid-July, you'll be ready to send your primary and work on secondaries. Keep in mind, your application won't be reviewed until your LOR's are in. So, even though I got my secondaries early and completed them early, my file wasn't complete until I actually had my LOR's in (which Cornell refuses to send before mid-August). Even so, I was able to schedule and do 9 of my interviews before the end of November.</p>
<p>So, my point is that as long as you have your file complete (your primary turned in, your secondary turned in, your LOR's and application fee submitted) before mid-August, you'll be in good shape. You also have to be efficient in doing those secondaries. In a good week, I was able to do 4-6 secondaries' worth essays (obviously a lot of copying and pasting involved). If you're the type that likes to stew over essays, then you might want to take the earlier MCAT since you'll receive your secondaries earlier and you'll have more time to do them. </p>
<p>The critical idea here is that the AAMC will verify your courses w/o a MCAT score.</p>
<p>Oh thanks, that does seem doable.</p>
<p>My semester ends May 2. I feel like the extra 2 weeks might help me b/c I've been having a real hard time studying during the school year. So I kind of want to make use of whatever extra time I can get. </p>
<p>When is considered ideal to have your entire file complete? Ie. Is getting everything in by mid-June a considerable advantage over mid-August?</p>
<p>June to July is already a noticeable advantage. July to August is getting pretty significant, although it's the next month (September) that will really start to harm you.</p>
<p>If I were you, I'd go with the May 31 date. The difference between 4 weeks and 6 weeks is starting to matter less and less. If your school year ended, say, May 28, then I'd vote for June 13. But it could definitely go either way.</p>
<p>Oh crap, now its too late to register for May 31 anyways. There are no seats left at any of the testing sites! I had no idea that 3 1/2 months in advance was too late!!</p>
<p>Oh. Well, that settles that. Should be fine. Just... be fast. Get a list of last year's secondary questions and start doing them while you wait for your MCAT score.</p>
<p>I think I'm going to sign up for the May 31 date at a site thats about 2 hours away. I didnt want to have to drive so far, but I think its worth it to get my application in early.</p>
<p>Thanks for all your help!!! Much appreciated :)</p>
<p>Nah, I wouldn't do that. Just adds to the stress of the day. Combine with a short study period and you probably won't be at your best. A couple points on the MCAT is worth much more than the extra month.</p>