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What Late Medical School Applicants Need to Know

By U.S. News & World Report

Applying early is one of the most important — if not the most important — medical school admissions strategies. But what do you do if, come August, you have yet to finish your primary application? It’s important to know if you should still submit your materials and understand the risks of applying to medical school late.

— How will submitting a late application hurt my chances?

Most medical schools operate according to a rolling admissions process, with roughly 44 percent of applicants receiving an acceptance letter. Under rolling admissions, schools can accept a great applicant on the first day of admissions season, or on day 60.

By August, application committees will have their choice of qualified students who submitted their applications on time. And because medical schools interview a limited number of applicants, you may be automatically rejected if there are no interview spots remaining.

[Follow a medical school application timeline.]

— How late is too late to apply, and what should I do if it is?

The American Medical College Application Service opens in May for data entry, and it begins to transmit applications to schools in early 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 is shortest in May, when it’s 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 medical school. August is borderline. Submitting in or before mid-July is reasonably safe, and June is ideal.

Exceptions do exist, of course, so be certain to speak to your academic adviser to determine whether you have 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.

[Check out the 10 medical schools with the most applicants.]

— 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 medical 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.

If you took additional course work 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, you might even consider applying to less competitive schools where your odds are greater. If you are offered an interview despite applying late, prepare amply and well in advance, as this can help you maximize the interview.

[Get answers to questions medical school applicants are afraid to ask.]

— What is the benefit 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 medical school is expensive. You may spend several thousand dollars on applications, and this does not include travel and lodging for interviews. 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 medical 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.

More from U.S. News

4 Attributes to Demonstrate on Your Primary Medical School Essay

Avoid Common Mistakes on the Medical School Personal Statement

Ask 3 Questions When Deciding Whether to Retake the MCAT

What Late Medical School Applicants Need to Know originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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