Crazy? A little…

Hi! I’m a non-biology major currently in my junior year; I haven’t been able to complete all of my prereqs (1 year Chem w/ lab and OChem) and I was wondering—when would I take the MCAT if I were to take a gap year? Also, would it be realistic to fit Chem and OChem into that gap year—Chem 1 over the summer, Chem 2 Fall, OChem 1 Spring, OChem 2 Summer. Or is that just crazy?

Question 1:  If you were going to take a gap year I would advise taking the MCAT your senior year, or basically the spring before you plan to apply.  Generally the timeline goes: MCAT in the spring -> apply in the summer -> interview in fall -> celebrate getting in the following spring.

Question 2:  Yes.  That would be abnormal (crazy) and probably not advisable.  If you did that it would mean you would take the MCAT prior to having any chemistry whatsoever.  Gen chem is tested pretty hard on the MCAT. O-chem is giving way to biochem, but you will still see it.  I just fear that if you have no chemistry experience prior to studying for the MCAT it might affect your score.

That may not have been what you wanted to hear.  I wish you the best of luck though.

TNQD

The Changing Face of Medical School Admissions

Some medical schools are looking beyond MCAT scores and grade point averages in search of a more diverse student class.

Help! It’s the dreaded MCAT

HELP! Okay so I’m a sophomore- Junior to be doing pre-med and am wondering when to plan out my MCAT studying and so on. 1. Do you think kaplan courses really do help? are they worth the $$. 2. How do you suggest studying for MCATS? Thanks!

Here are two posts that might help.  The first is a Pre-Med Timeline.  Most people take the MCAT at the end of their Junior year.

As far as preparation check out this post on my MCAT advice.

Hope that helps.  The MCAT is a tough road, but remember:

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Best of luck,

TNQD

Currently I’m a sophomore in undergrad. Due to a change in major my freshman year, I’ll be taking the physics sequence over this summer and organic chemistry next year (during my junior year). Ideally, I’d like to take the MCAT in April of my junior year, but I’ll still be in my third quarter of the organic chemistry sequence. Will this put me at a large disadvantage on the test? My course load next year won’t be too heavy other than organic chemistry and anatomy/physiology.

Will you have biochem by that time?  Most of the organic chemistry on the MCAT is actually biochem masquerading in disguise.  Will not having all of orgo II kill your chances of doing well on the MCAT?  Probably not.  I would venture to guess that having organic I will give you enough of a foundation that you could learn organic II on your own from review books, which I would highly recommend buying.  I might also recommend taking some sort of formal MCAT class, which should be able to supplement the organic lectures you won’t get before the MCAT. 

Best of luck on the MCAT,

TNQD  

Calculus on the MCAT?

I have heard that most medical schools like to see that students have passed calculus 1 and 2. Is calculus on the MCAT, or can I wait till afterwards to take calculus if I need it? Thank you. :-]

There is no calc on the MCAT.  The only mathematics right now is physics, which is mostly trig based.

I preface that statement with right now because there are some changes coming to the MCAT in 2015.  I talked about that in a post a while back.

Or you can read about the changes for yourself here.

What if I can’t do well on the MCAT

I’m pre-med but I struggle with standardized tests. It’s not that I don’t know the material, I do, it’s that I’ve never been good at them. For example, I didn’t even break a 20 on the ACT (a test that’s apparently supposed to predict how successful a student will be in college) but my 1st semester of college, I got a 4.0; I’ve made the dean’s list every semester. I sucked on the MCAT. I took it 4 times. I don’t feel my scores accurately represent me or my potential to be a doctor. Any advice?

Well MCAT score is definitely a big determinant of whether or not you get an interview, which is unfortunate.  I am assuming you read my recent post on the MCAT and how that score doesn’t always matter as much as you think.  Regardless, it does play into the overall decisions about whether or not a school will take you.

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MCAT Doesn’t Always Matter

I first met Lindsey my junior year.  We had a class together, though I don’t think we talked much.  She asked for tutoring help after finding out that I tutored students in the past.  What started as purely a business relationship has turned into a mentorship of sorts and, more importantly, a friendship.

I spent a year tutoring her through organic chem I and II.  After she blew through those it was time to take her MCAT, which I also tried to help with.  More or less I gave insights, feedback and advice from my own experience.  Despite our best efforts she was relatively disappointed with her score, which was a 24.

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Q:can you compare teh hardness of the USMLE boards part 1 to the MCAT's? which one is easier? Or harder?

Anonymous

I haven’t taken a USMLE, so I cannot compare the two.

Q:I have taken bio 1&2, Chem 1&2, Cal 1, Physics 1; all at the cc and I will be taking Orgo 1&2 as well as Physics 2 there. I asked a couple of med schools if it will hinder my chances of getting in; So far I had positive feedback's. I intend on transferring to the university in the spring to start on my major. With all that laid out, am I going in the right track? I would like to prepare for the MCAT in the summer, I bought Examkrackers due to advice from my relative on starting ahead.

Anonymous

Many MCAT teachers say (at least when I was taking my courses) studying any more than 3 to 4 months out is kind of useless.  If you could retain that kind of intricate information for that long you would be just fine having had all your gen chem, physics and orgo classes.  The fact you have to restudy that info should give you a clue as to how well you retain it in the long term.  That being said, it never hurts to at least start understanding concepts early, but save your real studying for closer to the MCAT.

I think the first part of your question is asking about whether or not taking those classes at a community college will hurt you.  My answer is yes and no.  I don’t know that it will keep you out of medical school, but the orgo classes I took were 300 level, which I don’t believe you can get at a community college.  Basically you would have to worry about getting a watered down education.  This doesn’t have to hurt you, but it may when you really get into MCAT studying.  It sounds like you are already on course so there really is no reason to change it.  I would finish up at the community college and then transfer. 

I hope that answers your question.  Good luck.

Q:what was your MCAT score?

Anonymous

33   BS-11 VR-12 PS-10

Q:Greetings! I will soon be taking the MCAT in about 12 weeks, and have an idea of the game plan to prepare for it. I was just curious how you prepared for the MCAT, along with your words of advice, any regrets, and maybe a pep talk thrown in there somewhere :)

Anonymous

Here is a document I wrote up shortly after taking my MCAT.

http://thenotquitedoctor.tumblr.com/post/6952357018/mcatadvice

I took a Princeton Review course for my prep.  I think you could do well with out needing a course, but it kept me disciplined in my study.  In that post you will see my review of various books.  I recommend the Princeton Review books on everything except the verbal section.  For that use ExamKrackers. 

The biggest thing is being diligent in your studies.  It is easy to see 12 weeks as a long time, but it will fly by.  Try to dedicate a little bit of time every day to MCAT prep.  I also recommend taking practice tests.  You could buy the Princeton Review tests or get the ExamKrackers 1001 questions books.  A big problem for many people is that they never practice the actual test.  That is like spending all your time reading about the theory of soccer but never scrimmaging before the big game.  You need to learn how to handle the stress, how to pace and how to keep your mind focused for 5 straight hours.  As you get closer to the test start taking the AAMC tests, as they will be more indicative of the real test.

Your next 12 weeks will suck.  You will feel inadequate and question if you are meant for medical school.  During my MCAT prep time I started researching back up career paths.  But don’t let it get to you, I have not met a person yet who felt good or happy while preparing for the MCAT.  You will survive though, and with some hard work you will do well. 

Success lies in the preparation.  Good luck!

Q:hey i wanted to know if its a good idea to take the mcat's after you get your undergrad degree. Im a little behind in my mcat requirements where i have to take physics my senior yr. so do you know of anyone who applied after they graduated?

Anonymous

Lots of people apply after they graduate, but I also know people who have taken the MCAT with out having all the pre-reqs.  A friend of mine took the MCAT with out having his physics requirements completed, and still got a 30.  He also got into medical school.  It all depends on whether or not you want to take a year off.  If you do take time off, fill it with things that will strengthen your app.  This could be volunteering, research or hospital work experience.  But if you are against taking a year off then start studying for the MCAT and spend extra time on physics.  Most MCAT physics books will teach you what you need to know.  Most of my MCAT preparation was relearning all that stuff anyways.  I wouldn’t expect that having the class will make preparing that much easier.  You will still need to study, a lot, and spend time learning a lot of concepts you may have previously been unclear on.    

Good luck.

Q:Hi! I was reading up on the 2015 MCAT (which I believe I'll be taking, I'm in my spring semester of my Freshman year as a Bio major) and was just wondering, how could I study for the test? I'd like to start as soon as possible and really want to do well but I have no idea how to approach this revised exam. I do have the Kaplan review book but that obviously won't be enough. Thank You in advance:)

Anonymous

The best way I could suggest to study is to just pay attention in your gen eds.  Chem 1 & 2, Orgo 1 & 2,  and Phys 1 & 2 are all classes people like to blow through, but learning the material in a way that makes it stick will help dramatically later.  As far as starting a Kaplan book, slow down gunner.  It is not really recommended to study more than 6 months out and even that is a stretch.  I only started serious studying 3 months out.  Plus why use a book for the wrong test?  By the time you get to MCAT there will be plenty of updated review material out there.

You will be better off putting this energy and drive (and time!) into your extracurriculars.  Find some place to volunteer and really do something special.  That will do more for your app than 2 years of MCAT studying.

Good luck. 

MCAT 2015: Changes to the Exam

For you young pre meds out there, here are some of the changes you have to look forward to:

“In MCAT 2015, the natural sciences sections will reflect changes in medical education, focusing on biology, general and organic chemistry, biochemistry, and physics. There will be a new section on social and behavioral sciences covering introductory psychology and sociology concepts, and introductory biology concepts as they relate to mental processes and behavior. In addition, a new section regarding critical analysis and reasoning skills, which does not require specific knowledge, but rather tests analysis and reasoning skills in general, has been added.”

So the new line up of sections is:

“MCAT 2015 will have four sections: Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems; Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems; Psychological, Social and Biological Foundations of Behavior; and Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills. Scoring will be similar to the current 1-15 scale, and each section will receive its own score.”

Also, the writing sample will be eliminated starting 2013.

Check out the article here:

http://studentdoctor.net/2012/03/mcat-2015-changes-to-the-exam/

Yesterday my med school sent out the rest of its acceptances.  I had several friends waiting to hear from them.  My friends all had strong stats 3.9 or above GPAs and 30 or above MCATs.  I assumed that worse case scenario they would get wait listed.

All three got flat out rejected. 

I was shocked.

Now I am wondering what kind of applicant pool and incoming class does my school have to reject 30+ MCATs and 3.9 GPAs?  I may end up as the dumbest guy there!