By: Rob Humbracht
Pre-meds are Type A. Rather than wait for the application deadlines, they rush to submit their application on the first day each application opens.
Is this crazy? Well, not really. When you apply affects whether you get in.
Your Med School Application Is Ticking
To help you stay on top of the application dates and deadlines for this cycle, we’ve written a quick guide to all the dates to know so that you can be on the application ball.
Why this date matters:
It's time to start filling out the application. The actual application--outside of the essays--takes about four hours to fill out. Things that can help make it easier are: a) ordering an official transcript for yourself (the coursework section is lonnnnng), and b) writing your essays in advance. Don't forget about the forgotten essays--the "Most Meaningful" essays!
http://www.savvypremed.com/savvy-pre-med/2016/3/22/vkmwi1xly6caj3hv47vz04l7djzo0r
Why this date matters:
Because you get your MCAT scores back by June 20, this is the last date to take your MCAT without delaying your application (yes, you can submit your primary on June 1, but because applications aren't released to medical schools until June 30, a June 20 score release will not delay your application). Sure, you can take the MCAT later than May 19--there are several dates in June that would still be okay for this application cycle--but those dates will ever-so-slightly delay your application.
Why this date matters:
Apply early! You'd better apply by 9:30am Eastern on June 1, or you'll never get into med school! Just kidding, obviously, but you should get your application in within the first week if at all possible. The biggest holdup is verification, which is where someone at AMCAS carefully reads every line of your transcript to make sure it matches up with what you put into the application itself (what a fun job!). The longer you wait to apply, the longer verification takes. At its peak in 2016, verification took up to a full month (so, if you apply July 1, your application isn't ready until August 1). The earlier you get your application in, the shorter verification will be.
Why this date matters:
This is the first day to receive secondary essays. Most schools don't screen, so expect to get 8-10 schools--that's 32-40 essays--within the first week of July. The key to surviving this date is to pre-write your secondaries. You can find a full list of prompts here:
http://students.passportadmissions.com/medical-schools-by-state/
Why these dates matter:
They don't. Or, they shouldn't. If you wait until the deadlines to apply, you significantly damage your chances of getting in.
http://www.savvypremed.com/savvy-pre-med/2014/7/27/why-applying-early-still-helps-your-chances
You should apply by July 1 if you can help it, or else we recommend that you wait until next cycle to apply.
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