Get the clearance ASAP since the FBI website says 15-17 weeks of processing, but a lot of people get it way under those numbers, they usually get it at 3-5 weeks. And with the medical, it is also recommended doing it after sending your application in. Depending on where you go, it's usually 10-14 days for them to send it. And from what I have learned the medical only lasts for 12 months, so that's why it's better to do it when you send your application in.