Advice on classes/MCATs changing

[plumerias]

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EDIT: I just realized I posted this in the nontrad section. I'm wondering if this could be moved to the regular pre-med section...

Hey everyone!
I'm new here, so here's some background info about me. I'm currently a sophomore BM performance major also interested in going to med school. I've been trying to map out my courses for the rest of undergrad and am running into some walls because of the mcats changing- arg! I believe I am a strong independent studier, I ended up skipping my chem lectures taking the hardest grading professor, taught myself the material and did fairly well (I got an A- in 1 and B+ in 2; I was also in a depressed slump my second semester and I honestly feel like I could have done better without that obstacle.) I was trying to see if I could cram in all the prereqs before the exam change mostly to try and avoid the extra subjects that appear on the new exam, which could potentially push back my graduation even farther..

Currently I've taken gen chem 1 and 2 with labs, and I am finishing precalc this semester.
From what I've read, it's possible to take the MCATS without orgo 2, but I'm not sure how it is without physics 2.

Here's my schedule if I crammed it:
Spring 2013: Bio 1
Summer 2013: Calc 1, calc 2 (if needed?), english gen eds?
Fall 2013: Bio 2, Orgo 1
Spring 2014: Physics 1, Orgo 2?
Or I think could possibly switch Orgo 1 with Physics 1, then spring 2014 take orgo 1 and physics 2.
Summer 2014: Study study study..
Fall 2014 : MCATS
Spring 2015, fall 2015, spring 2016 rest of classes, graduate(?)

The problem is that I'm going to have to take summer classes to fulfill GenEds as well as probably take 5 years (total) min to complete my degree. I haven't completely ironed out when/how I can take all my degree classes.. but yeah. I'm worried about my MCAT score expiring before I get into med school.

If I wait and take the new exam, I'm not sure how many extra semesters I'm going to need. Also, it'll be an even bigger gap from taking my chem classes to the mcats..

So, questions.

• When do you technically apply to medical school? For example, if I plan to graduate spring 2016, when would I be submitting apps?
• Is it bad to take calc 1 over the summer? I know you aren't supposed to take core science over the summer, but what about math? Also, is calc 2 a prereq?
• What do you think I should do?

I apologize that my post is so jumbled and unorganized. I was trying to get all this confusion out of my mind and into this post, and well, here is the result. Also, I know I didn't mention anything about EC/volunteering/etc but I haven't forgot about it. Thank you so much in advance for any input!

 

[MedWonk]

EDIT: I just realized I posted this in the nontrad section. I'm wondering if this could be moved to the regular pre-med section...

Hey everyone!
I'm new here, so here's some background info about me. I'm currently a sophomore BM performance major also interested in going to med school. I've been trying to map out my courses for the rest of undergrad and am running into some walls because of the mcats changing- arg! I believe I am a strong independent studier, I ended up skipping my chem lectures taking the hardest grading professor, taught myself the material and did fairly well (I got an A- in 1 and B+ in 2; I was also in a depressed slump my second semester and I honestly feel like I could have done better without that obstacle.) I was trying to see if I could cram in all the prereqs before the exam change mostly to try and avoid the extra subjects that appear on the new exam, which could potentially push back my graduation even farther..

Currently I've taken gen chem 1 and 2 with labs, and I am finishing precalc this semester.
From what I've read, it's possible to take the MCATS without orgo 2, but I'm not sure how it is without physics 2.

Here's my schedule if I crammed it:
Spring 2013: Bio 1
Summer 2013: Calc 1, calc 2 (if needed?), english gen eds?
Fall 2013: Bio 2, Orgo 1
Spring 2014: Physics 1, Orgo 2?
Or I think could possibly switch Orgo 1 with Physics 1, then spring 2014 take orgo 1 and physics 2.
Summer 2014: Study study study..
Fall 2014 : MCATS
Spring 2015, fall 2015, spring 2016 rest of classes, graduate(?)

The problem is that I'm going to have to take summer classes to fulfill GenEds as well as probably take 5 years (total) min to complete my degree. I haven't completely ironed out when/how I can take all my degree classes.. but yeah. I'm worried about my MCAT score expiring before I get into med school.

If I wait and take the new exam, I'm not sure how many extra semesters I'm going to need. Also, it'll be an even bigger gap from taking my chem classes to the mcats..

So, questions.

• When do you technically apply to medical school? For example, if I plan to graduate spring 2016, when would I be submitting apps?
• Is it bad to take calc 1 over the summer? I know you aren't supposed to take core science over the summer, but what about math? Also, is calc 2 a prereq?
• What do you think I should do?

I apologize that my post is so jumbled and unorganized. I was trying to get all this confusion out of my mind and into this post, and well, here is the result. Also, I know I didn't mention anything about EC/volunteering/etc but I haven't forgot about it. Thank you so much in advance for any input!

If your plan is to matriculate straight out of undergrad, then you would submit your AMCAS in the Summer of 2015. Fall 2014 would be fine for the MCAT, and would allow for a retake if you really need it. The second semester of physics will appear on the MCAT, so you might want to take it beforehand. You'll also want to check out schools that you think you'll apply to and see if they have any additional course requirements. Biochem seems to be getting popular. Most schools don't require Calc 2. The math requirement at a lot of schools is "college-level math", which is a little open to interpretation. Pre-Calc + Calc I is usually good enough to fulfill this, but you should check with individual schools. Some want more, some want less, some want to kick you in the statisticals. Their admissions requirements are usually listed on their websites. You should also consider talking with your school's premed advisor.

One question, though: if you're a sophomore, why rush it with summer classes? You could probably fit those classes into your last two years, graduate, take the MCAT after graduation, delay application for one year, and have a gap year to shore up ECs and escape the college bubble. Plus you could make some money. You'll need it to pay for all the application fees.

 

[plumerias]

Thanks for your reply! So basically I need to apply nearly a year before I want to matriculate?
If I took the MCATS fall 2014, they would be accepted until 2017, correct? Just thinking of scenarios incase I don't get accepted the first time around.

You're right, I confused myself with my spreadsheet of classes. If I decide to take an extra year and graduate in 2016, I would have no problem doing it without taking more summer classes. I could get my geneds + whatever other science classes med schools are asking for taken care of during my last semester.
Which leads me to another question. Would it be okay to take these extra requirements after I start the application process? For example.. if I started my application in summer 2015 while taking the required class in fall 2015?

I'm scheduling a meeting with the pre-health advisor soon.. hopefully she can help me clear up any problems.

 

[MedWonk]

Thanks for your reply! So basically I need to apply nearly a year before I want to matriculate?
If I took the MCATS fall 2014, they would be accepted until 2017, correct? Just thinking of scenarios incase I don't get accepted the first time around.

You're right, I confused myself with my spreadsheet of classes. If I decide to take an extra year and graduate in 2016, I would have no problem doing it without taking more summer classes. I could get my geneds + whatever other science classes med schools are asking for taken care of during my last semester.
Which leads me to another question. Would it be okay to take these extra requirements after I start the application process? For example.. if I started my application in summer 2015 while taking the required class in fall 2015?

I'm scheduling a meeting with the pre-health advisor soon.. hopefully she can help me clear up any problems.

Yes, plan on submitting the AMCAS sometime in June of the year prior to matriculation.

Last I checked, the MCAT is good for three years, so you should be good until 2017.

You can take the extra classes while applying. They need to be done by matriculation, not by application. A good strategy is to try to save them until your last semester, and that way if you get rejected from that school, you can just drop whatever extras they want. This is assuming the school makes a decision before add/drop ends for your last semester.