Is Aug. too late for Jan. class?

[AJ James]

Greetings to all...

Can someone inform me if applying in late August would be traditionally considered "late" for AUC's January class? (not taking the MCAT till Aug.)

Thank in advance for the help.

AJ James

[Jungaroo]

Applying in August is not too late. It would be beneficial to have the application done before August and have your letters of recommendation in before then. That way all you have to do is send your MCAT scores and they'll process your application.

[kemper6036]

the earlier the better but like my buddy said, those LOR can take some time so its best to allow for that

[slevit1]

Definitely not too late...December would actually probably not be too late. AUC lets admissions go right up until the semester begins.

[stateofequilibrium]

As Kemper said, the earlier the better!

[AJ James]

Jungaroo and kemper6036: Thank you guys for the information and reply... I antecipate doing exactly as you both stated. I've been through the process in the past (many years) and understand the importance of having things sent early.

slevit1: WOW... That's just insane! Didn't know AUC was that crazy about student. I actually thought they turned some away...

AJ James

[slevit1]

They do turn people away...not everyone gets accepted. But they still accept pretty close up to the start date. Their web page just recently started saying "apply now for September." It said May for part of April.

[AJ James]

So does that mean I can send an application now, take the MCATin 6 weeks, I'd still have a chance for this Fall's entering class...?

I tried asking this to the admissions staff but there was no direct answer...

Thanks again!

[DrShikima]

So does that mean I can send an application now, take the MCATin 6 weeks, I'd still have a chance for this Fall's entering class...?

I tried asking this to the admissions staff but there was no direct answer...

Thanks again!

Hurry up and apply. Never know what can happen!

[AJ James]

Shikima:

I ask because there is a certain amount of risk related. I can take the MCAT in Aug. and likely have numbers for acceptance for D.O schools. If I take it in 6 weeks and don't score well, I'd jeopardize the opportunity to choose between entering AUC in Jan. or D.O in the following fall. However, i'd jump at the chance to start AUC this fall as I'm 30yo and in some hurry.

AJ James

[stateofequilibrium]

Shikima:

I ask because there is a certain amount of risk related. I can take the MCAT in Aug. and likely have numbers for acceptance for D.O schools. If I take it in 6 weeks and don't score well, I'd jeopardize the opportunity to choose between entering AUC in Jan. or D.O in the following fall. However, i'd jump at the chance to start AUC this fall as I'm 30yo and in some hurry.

AJ James

You're 30 years young! don't worry about, there are plenty of people your age at AUC.

[slevit1]

Shikima:

I ask because there is a certain amount of risk related. I can take the MCAT in Aug. and likely have numbers for acceptance for D.O schools. If I take it in 6 weeks and don't score well, I'd jeopardize the opportunity to choose between entering AUC in Jan. or D.O in the following fall. However, i'd jump at the chance to start AUC this fall as I'm 30yo and in some hurry.

AJ James

If you've got the time to study hard, 6 weeks allow you enough time to do fairly well on the MCATs, well enough to get into AUC. If you take the MCAT in 6 weeks, you could have your application completed for the august entering class. Even if you don't do well, you can re-take the MCATs in August and still get into AUC jan class or DO school. Lots of people re-take the MCATs. Just be prepared to improve a lot if you do.

If you're willing to study now, I'd say study, take the MCATs, and apply. You don't have much to lose.

[DrShikima]

Shikima:

I ask because there is a certain amount of risk related. I can take the MCAT in Aug. and likely have numbers for acceptance for D.O schools. If I take it in 6 weeks and don't score well, I'd jeopardize the opportunity to choose between entering AUC in Jan. or D.O in the following fall. However, i'd jump at the chance to start AUC this fall as I'm 30yo and in some hurry.

AJ James

Take your time, apply to DO schools first. If that doesn't work out, apply to AUC. You've got a long life and no sense in making rash decisions you may regret.

[AJ James]

SOI: So I'd like to think... Glad to hear I'll have people to discuss male pattern baldness with. :drinkbud:

slevit1: I would have taken your advise, however, the admissions department explained it will be unlikely that I will have enough time if I take the exam on June 15. So I'll just wait till Aug. and apply for the Jan. class.

Shikima: I get the impression you consider AUC much less valuable to students than D.O school's are. If I may ask: (1) Are you a AUC student and, (2) Why do you feel I may regret attending AUC over D.O?

Thanks all for your inputs!

AJ James

[slevit1]

There are quite a few people (including myself) that could have gotten into a DO school without much trouble, but just had no desire to. It's a personal decision of which you'd rather do. For me, I just don't want a DO after my name, simple as that. It's no secret that most people (not all) go to DO school or the Caribbean because they couldn't get into US allopathic. If you search the forums, you will see advantages and disadvatages to both. I'm going to graduate from a Caribbean med school, but once I'm done residency, any stigma will disaapear and I'll be an MD like the rest. DO sticks around forever. Whether you care about it or not is up to you.

DO's have more residencies available to them because there are DO-only residencies and they can also apply for any allo residency. I would never do a DO residency anyway though because I have no interest in osteopathic theory and have no intention on entering any sort of primary care field. Both DO and caribbean will put you at some disadvantage when applying for residency, but if you do well, you can get very good residencies from either place.

[DrShikima]

SOI: So I'd like to think... Glad to hear I'll have people to discuss male pattern baldness with. :drinkbud:

slevit1: I would have taken your advise, however, the admissions department explained it will be unlikely that I will have enough time if I take the exam on June 15. So I'll just wait till Aug. and apply for the Jan. class.

Shikima: I get the impression you consider AUC much less valuable to students than D.O school's are. If I may ask: (1) Are you a AUC student and, (2) Why do you feel I may regret attending AUC over D.O?

Thanks all for your inputs!

AJ James

I am an AUC student finishing up. And what slevit said, is exactly right on. I just chose wherever I got into school, that's why I'm at AUC. But AUC was the only carib school I applied to.

[AizenBaby]

I have a quick question about choosing the term to apply for. It is my understanding that you could apply for either Aug, Jan, or May? Are there any advantages for applying/starting in a particular semester vs another? Jan and May classes would have less students, so it's easier to get your picks comes time to do rotations? Thanks...

[slevit1]

I have a quick question about choosing the term to apply for. It is my understanding that you could apply for either Aug, Jan, or May? Are there any advantages for applying/starting in a particular semester vs another? Jan and May classes would have less students, so it's easier to get your picks comes time to do rotations? Thanks...

If I could have finished undergrad in time, I would have started in May just for the smaller class size. No matter if you start in May, August, or January though, everyone tries to make the same residency match (there's only one a year). So, the people who start in August have the same amount of time to get things done as everyone in the US. The people in May have a little longer and don't have to worry as much if they fail a class. And, the people in January have to line everything up just right to make the match in time.

[AizenBaby]

Thanks for the info, slevit1. I was considering about applying for Jan term but according to your info I think I'll try for May instead. Thanks.

[DrShikima]

I have a quick question about choosing the term to apply for. It is my understanding that you could apply for either Aug, Jan, or May? Are there any advantages for applying/starting in a particular semester vs another? Jan and May classes would have less students, so it's easier to get your picks comes time to do rotations? Thanks...

To be honest about getting your "pick" for rotations, it won't be quite that simple. Those that are off island before you and have passed Step 1 before you as well as faxing in the scores to the school will have priority in choosing sites before you.

Nutshell : First come, first serve.

[JenMN]

Just for clarification sake, if a person begins in January, they will be in the same "class" of students (i.e. competing for the same residencies) as those who started the previous August?

So whether I start in May 2007, August 2007, or January 2008, I will still be starting a residency in summer of 2011?

Thanks!

[DrShikima]

Just for clarification sake, if a person begins in January, they will be in the same "class" of students (i.e. competing for the same residencies) as those who started the previous August?

So whether I start in May 2007, August 2007, or January 2008, I will still be starting a residency in summer of 2011?

Thanks!

Pretty much.