<p>I know this is the Medical School tab but I figured I'd post here anyway. I am currently a sophomore kinesiology major and have a 3.2 gpa. I know both require tests for admission as well as classes and I was wondering when these tests should be taken, operating under the idea that I don't want to take a year off between graduation and grad school. They all say scores and pre reqs are required before applying and applications close in the fall/winter. So would I have to take all the classes and the test before the end of my junior year? Or could I apply and say that I am taking the last of the classes my senior year?</p>
<p>If you don’t want to take a gap year before starting med or PA school (i.e. a year off between undergrad and the start of professional school), you will need to have all pre-reqs completed and your testing completed by later spring/early summer (May-June) after your junior year in college. </p>
<p>Medical start accepting applications ~June 1 and PA schools start accepting applications in mid-April. Many programs offer interviews and acceptances on a rolling basis so it’s to your advantage to apply earlier rather than later in the cycle.</p>
<p>Neither PA nor med schools require you to have all your pre-reqs completed at the time of application; you only need to have them completed before matriculation. However, there are practical reasons why you should have all or nearly all of your pre-reqs completed before applying.</p>
<p>Material from all med school pre-reqs is included on the MCAT and taking the test without having the necessary preparatory coursework will likely result in a poor score. </p>
<p>PA schools may not allow you to update your application after submission (to reflect new grades or new patient contact hours), or may have strict requirements on which missing pre-reqs they will allow and how many they will allow when considering you for admission. Please check the specific requirements for any programs you plan on applying to. </p>