What Late Medical School Applicants Need to Know

Applying early is one of the most important medical school admissions strategies, if not the most important. But what do you do if, come August, you have not finished your primary or secondary applications? While you should still submit your admissions materials, it is also important to understand the risks of applying to medical school late.

How Will Submitting a Late Application Hurt Your Admissions Chances?

Most med schools operate according to a rolling admissions process, with 42.3% of applicants from 2018-2019 through 2020-2021 receiving an acceptance letter, according to statistics reported in October 2020 by the Association of American Medical Colleges.

With rolling admissions, med schools can accept a great applicant at any point during the admissions cycle. But because interview spots fill and available spaces in classes are taken as the cycle proceeds, ensuring that your application is complete as early as possible maximizes your admissions chances.

In addition to the primary application submitted via the American Medical College Application Service, or AMCAS, many schools also require completion of a secondary application to land an interview spot. Some schools send this secondary application as soon as they receive an applicant's primary application. Other schools elect to screen applicants via their primary applications before inviting selected candidates to complete a secondary application.

[Read: How to Answer 3 Medical School Secondary Application Questions.]

Your application is not considered complete unless both the primary and secondary portions are finished. Submitting your primary application early allows schools to complete their screening processes in a timely manner -- and ensures that you will have an ample amount of time to finish your secondary applications.

Even if you submit your primary application on time, failing to turn in your secondary applications within a week or two of receipt can detrimentally extend the amount of time your application is unable to be evaluated by admissions committees.

How Late Is Too Late to Apply to Med School, and What Should You Do if it Is?

AMCAS opens in May for data entry, and it begins to transmit applications to schools in June. Although the deadlines for many medical schools fall in October, some range as late as December.

Because AMCAS must verify your application prior to its transmission, the wait typically is shortest in May, when it is just a few days. By the end of July, the delay may be several weeks long.

In short, September is simply too late to submit an application to med school, and August is borderline. Submitting in or before mid-July is reasonably safe, and June is ideal.

Exceptions do exist, so speak to your academic adviser to determine whether there is an aspect of your application that distinguishes you enough to ensure you earn an interview despite the much stiffer autumn competition. Otherwise, it is time to seriously consider whether you should apply in the next cycle.

What Might Rescue a Late Application?

If you plan to apply late in the cycle, you must have application elements that unequivocally prove your ability to flourish in med school. Your GPA, MCAT score and letters of recommendation should be very competitive. In fact, delaying your MCAT test date to improve your performance is sometimes wise, as June dates will count toward the current cycle.

[Read: What Is a Good MCAT Score?]

If you took additional coursework to improve your grades, these grades should be accessible to schools by July. Extracurriculars that may benefit you include clinically focused volunteer work or research that leads to national publication. Institutional recognition such as a university award can also add weight to your application.

If you have a strong application, applying to in-state schools, schools at which you have ties and less-competitive schools can increase your chances of interview offers. If you are offered an interview despite applying late, prepare amply and well in advance, as this can help you maximize the interview.

What Are the Benefits of Waiting for the Next Cycle?

There are many reasons why applying in the next cycle might benefit you. It can be disappointing to face the prospect of not attending medical school when you initially planned to, but being realistic is key.

Applying to med school is expensive. You may spend several thousand dollars on applications, and this does not include travel and lodging for interviews once in-person interviews resume.

[READ: 3 Reasons for College Students to Wait to Apply to Medical School.]

Spending hard-earned funds on a late application may not be the wisest option. Waiting until the next cycle will allow your application data to speak for itself. In addition, U.S. medical schools value maturity in their applicants, and a gap year that is used wisely can greatly enhance your admissions portfolio.

While applying to med school late is not recommended, some students may still ultimately receive an acceptance letter. Before you proceed, consider your options and the strength of your profile, and then choose the best path for you. Doing so now -- in April -- may prevent missteps later in the application cycle.

Vipinjeet Sandhu was previously a professional MCAT tutor and contributing writer with Varsity Tutors. He earned his bachelor's degree in neuroscience and behavior from Columbia College of Columbia University. He holds an M.D. from St. George's University School of Medicine.