MCATs before and after AMCAS submission

This is a somewhat mundane technical detail about MCATs and the AMCAS application but we've gotten quite a few questions about this this year.

A number of applicants each year decide to retake the MCATs. Assuming this happens in the summer after the AMCAS application has come out (early June), the question is how to notify medical schools of their upcoming test date and new scores.

The main thing to know is that the AMCAS verification process runs completely independently of MCATs. For instance, if you do not yet have an MCAT score on the books, this won't slow don't the verification process. So long as you are committed to applying to medical school no matter what score they receive, you should submit your AMCAS as early as possible and not wait for your score. In the case that an MCAT score comes out after your AMCAS has been verified, you do not need to contact each medical school about your new score (so long as you've indicated in AMCAS this new test date). Schools are automatically notified.

Here is what the AAMC says about the process:

Applicants can, at anytime pre or post submission, let medical schools know they plan to take another MCAT and the date they plan to take the test. They log into their AMCAS application go to the STANDARDIZED TEST tab (Section 9) and select Next MCAT from the options available on the right, they’ll be presented with the list of MCAT dates and they need to select the date they plan on taking the test. If they decide, later, not to take the test, they can change their answer again. They need to be sure to re-submit their application by selecting SUBMIT APPLICATION on the Main Menu in order for the changes to save and be sent to the medical schools. This will have no affect on their processing time; if they are already processed we will make the new data available to the schools.

MCAT scores are automatically inserted into the AMCAS application, if the examinee has applied to AMCAS, once the scores are available. The applicant doesn't need to take action once the scores are in, he or she can check the AMCAS application though to double check that the scores appear in the application.

Advice from Current Applicant about Financial Assistance

Following up on last week's post about financial assistance from the AAMC, here's some advice from a Harvard student currently applying to medical school:

I didn't think that I would be eligible for FAP because my family hasn't generally been eligible for fee assistance programs like this in the past---but they actually have rather generous criteria, and I discovered that I would have been eligible only after submitting my AMCAS. I'm getting lots of fee waivers for my secondary apps (which is awesome and very helpful) but I missed getting the waiver for MCAT registration and for AMCAS.

As this example points out, FAP does not offer fee assistance retroactively. Especially with the MCAT, it's very easy to miss applying for FAP. But even if you do miss the MCAT, you are still eligible for assistance on AMCAS application fees provided that you qualify. For the AMCAS alone, this makes a big difference. For instance, if you applied to 13 schools, you would save $532. Also keep in mind that even if you don't qualify for FAP but are on significant financial aid at Harvard, you may still be able to receive fee waivers for your secondary applications.

Other health professional graduate schools often offer programs similar to FAP such as AADSAS's Fee Reduction Program (FRP) for the dental school application. Note: this is a partial refund program (post-application) rather than a waiver program (pre-application).

Thoughts about the MCAT

How important are the MCATs?
A medical school admissions dean answered in this way: "... the MCAT is important -- in context, though... It does not project who will be a good physician and so, we try to balance the whole picture: academic performance (which includes # of credits per semester and type of courses taken), MCAT scores, family background (educational and economic -- need to work while in college and/or obstacles overcome, distance traveled), leadership roles, extent and depth of involvement in clinical/ extracurricular activities/ community service/ research, the personal statement and, last but not least, what ... evaluators tell us about the applicant. "

Jeff and I have found that a high MCAT score will not overcome poor grades, minimal clinical experience, poor personal statement, etc. We have also noticed that med schools respond negatively to students who take only three courses the semester they take the MCAT. Because the admissions office reviews your transcripts carefully, they will be concerned if your abilty to score high on the MCAT was due to taking only three courses. However, many students do take a fourth course pass/fail that semester, which is fine.

Should I take Kaplan or Princeton Review or Examcrackers to prepare for the MCAT?
We don't endorse any particular course, especially as they can be incredibly expensive! The MCAT consists of hard questions on basic material. Many students study on their own, or with friends, by using online material, review books, etc. The best way to prepare is preparing is to take as many practice tests as possible, in a setting similar to the real test (with timed breaks, etc.) Whatever way you prepare, we suggest you make sure to check the official MCAT website for access to full-length MCAT practice tests composed of previously administered MCAT items.


How long will my MCAT score last?
Recently, some students have asked whether they can take their MCATs the summer after sophomore year even though they do not plan to go to med school until a few years after graduation. Alumni have contacted us asking if their MCAT "is still good". Unfortunately, despite the fact that med schools like applicants who have taken time off post college, many of these med schools also require that your MCATs be taken within three years of application. You will find that med schools really do vary in their policy regarding when MCAT scores expire. The Medical School Admissions Requirements book, published by the AAMC, lists the oldest MCAT considered for each medical school. (You can find a copy in the OCS library). For example, Harvard Medical School would accept an applicant who took her MCAT in 2007, and then applies in 2010 to enter in 2011. However, Dartmouth probably would not.

It would be a lot easier if the policy was more consistent and if schools would allow the MCATs to last at least four years. But, until that happens, we suggest that you keep your options open by taking your MCAT closer to the time of your application.

Financial Assistance from AAMC

The following is a message from the AAMC about their new program to support financially needy students who will be applying for accommodations for the MCAT. Please note that the AAMC's Fee Assistance Program (FAP) is a separate program. Students must first receive approval for FAP before they are eligible to apply for this accommodations financial assistance program.

The AAMC has developed a new financial assistance program for MCAT examinees applying for accommodations. Some examinees applying for accommodations do not have documentation of their disabilities or medical conditions that meet our currency requirements. Our program is designed to assist low-income students and provides support to reduce the cost of re-evaluations. Please take a look at the program details on our web site which also describes the eligibility requirements and application process.

Math for Med Schools

Most medical schools do not require math; of those that do, some require only one semester, some accept APs, some require calculus specifically, and some accept statistics (see list). Depending on your background, you may need to take math to a certain level in order to be fully prepared for your concentration or for future coursework. Therefore, freshmen should not feel compelled to take a math course their first year just to meet a possible premed requirement.

About 16 medical schools require at least one semester of calculus; a few (including Harvard Medical School) require one full year. If you have Calculus APs, this may be enough for some medical schools.