Our poster today is asking about the DO timeline. The rule of thumb is to always apply early. But what could be your chances when you’re submitting late in the game?
If you have questions answered here, register for free on the Nontrad Premed Forum and ask away!
Listen to this podcast episode with the player above, or keep reading for the highlights and takeaway points.
“I’m taking the January MCAT and was planning on applying to DO schools for 2021. Since I was planning on doing submissions work during summer and fall of 2020, admissions plans have fallen through. And I’m wondering if anyone knows whether it’s too late for applying for 2020.
I realized my MCAT scores will not be ready until six weeks after the January scores. It’s four weeks roughly. I know it’s technically feasible to do so but I was wondering if all of the early birds have gotten the worms. Thank you.”
There are some DO schools that accept the MCAT from January of the cycle. But if they accept the MCAT, a lot of the potential deadlines for the primary and secondary applications have passed.
'The deadlines for DO schools are much later than MD schools. There might be a school out there where it's feasible.'Click To TweetIf you’re coming to the game this late (December 2019) and you’re applying and taking the MCAT in January, it’s just not worth it to spend that money to take the test.
Don’t rush out an application hoping that maybe there’s one school out there that will look past the fact that you’re applying so late.
There are some schools that will have some slots left. But a lot of them are holding those spots for students who meet a specific need that they’re looking for. They won’t care if you have amazing stats, they’re saving those interview spots for those specific students.
At this stage of the game, don’t apply. Take a year off. Work on your application. Work on your clinical experience, shadowing, and volunteering. Work on your grades.
Study appropriately for the MCAT. Do a good job with your personal statement and activities in order.
'It's going to take a bit more time from your life. But it will all work out.'Click To TweetDon’t rush. Wait for the next cycle. Do everything appropriately and to the best of your ability. Maximize your chances of getting in the first time instead of rushing to put your application out.
Play it more conservatively when it comes to applying late or if you have some sketchy issues in your application that maybe an extra year can fix. Because it can be very, very expensive to apply to medical schools.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit
I just received my admission to XXXXX! This is unreal and almost feels like I am dreaming. I want to thank you for all of your help with my application. I cannot overstate how influential your guidance and insight have been with this result and I am eternally grateful for your support!
IM SO HAPPY!!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL YOUR HELP, IM INDEBTED TO YOU! Truly, thank you so much for all your help. Thank you doesnt do enough.
I want to take a few moments and thank you for all of your very instructive, kind and consistent feedback and support through my applications and it is your wishes, feedback, and most importantly your blessings that have landed me the acceptance!
I got into XXXXX this morning!!!! It still has not hit me that I will be a doctor now!! Thank you for all your help, your words and motivation have brought me to this point.
I wanted to once again express my heartfelt gratitude for your help in providing feedback during my secondary applications. Your guidance has been instrumental in my journey.
Just wanted to share my wonderful news! I received my first medical school acceptance! Thank you for all that you do for us Application Academy!!!
I am excited to tell you that I just got my third interview invite from XXXXX today! I can’t believe it. I didn’t even know if I was good enough to get one, let alone three – by mid-September. Thank you so much for all of your help and support up to this point; I would not be in this position without it!!
I wanted to thank you for helping me prepare for my XXXXX interview. Even in a 30-minute advising session, I learned so much from you. Thank you for believing in me, and here’s to another potential success story from one of your advisees!
I just received an acceptance with XXXXX! This is so exciting and such a huge relief and so nice to have one of our top choice schools! I also received an interview with XXXXX which brings the total up to 20 interviews! Thank so much, none of this would have been possible without you!
