Advise very much needed please!

[jeserai1doc]

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Brief info: English is my third language. It has been two years since I finished my bachelor degree in biology. My GPA is 3.7 overall. I have been working in the ER as a tech since then. Also I have done a lot of volunteer, shadowing, and international medical mission trips. I took the MCAT a year ago and scored a 17 overall because I didn't study and I thought I was ready. (i know very stupid of me).

Now I am 24 and still want to apply to medical school. My problem is I barely remember anything from my prereqs. I cannot afford to pay for a prep class and I want to put in the time and the hard work needed to prep for the MCAT. How do I start my studying since I don't remember a thing? Should I stop volunteering, shadowing and work just part time to focus on the MCAT? How long will I need to prep for it? Also, I am looking at March 2013 to take the MCAT. Any advice you can give for the next year's application process will be great. Thanks!

 

[dmf2682]

Brief info: English is my third language. It has been two years since I finished my bachelor degree in biology. My GPA is 3.7 overall. I have been working in the ER as a tech since then. Also I have done a lot of volunteer, shadowing, and international medical mission trips. I took the MCAT a year ago and scored a 17 overall because I didn't study and I thought I was ready. (i know very stupid of me).

Now I am 24 and still want to apply to medical school. My problem is I barely remember anything from my prereqs. I cannot afford to pay for a prep class and I want to put in the time and the hard work needed to prep for the MCAT. How do I start my studying since I don't remember a thing? Should I stop volunteering, shadowing and work just part time to focus on the MCAT? How long will I need to prep for it? Also, I am looking at March 2013 to take the MCAT. Any advice you can give for the next year's application process will be great. Thanks!

According to your post history, catalystik said you've an uncompetitive gpa in the summer of 2010, with only two classes to go. Here you say you're two years out of college, so something doesn't add up. She also recommended you not take the mcat after getting a 13 on a Kaplan diagnostic, but I guess you did anyway.

Not judging or anything, but if you're from Haiti maybe you should go to medical school there. It's a terrible option for Americans, but if English is your third language and you're a US citizen by accident (from your 2010 post) maybe you should just stay there.

 

[Helen Wheels]

According to your post history, catalystik said you've an uncompetitive gpa in the summer of 2010, with only two classes to go. Here you say you're two years out of college, so something doesn't add up. She also recommended you not take the mcat after getting a 13 on a Kaplan diagnostic, but I guess you did anyway.

I don't mean to be critical but in his prior post history OP says he was going to graduate in December 2010. Also, he never mentioned his GPA before today's post so Catalystik didn't say it was uncompetitive; she made a statement about what he should do if it was uncompetitive.

Anyway, jeserai, your cumulative GPA looks good. What's the science GPA? It sounds like from your post history you have lot of clinical and shadowing experience, both in the US and abroad. If the sGPA is good your only obstacle is the MCAT. It's hard to say how long it will take you because that depends on so many factors. Are you working, taking classes, or are you just going to study the MCAT as a full time job? How fast of a learner are you? You'll be relearning and not just reviewing. This will take more time. Also, how is your English? Many people who do not speak English as a first language have lots of problems on the VR section of the MCAT. It's a tough section for native English speakers!

Eight months seems reasonable, though, and a March test date leaves the opportunity to potentially retake in April or May before your application would be late. Lots of people on SDN review on their own and do well on the MCAT so prep courses aren't strictly necessary. However, keep in mind that applying to med school is expensive ad runs into the thousands for most. Even if you qualify for fee reductions on the MCAT and AMCAS, not all schools waive application fees and you are on your own for interview expenses which add up quickly.

Best of luck to you!

 

[dmf2682]

@HW you're right, I misread cats post and inferred a lower gpa, from op editing the 2010 post. Leave it to me to see the worst in everyone 🙂

Regardless, I maintain that if op grew up in Haiti the Caribbean should not be off the table. Perhaps as a good backup if all else fails.

@OP I take it your bs was from a US school?

 

[Helen Wheels]

Regardless, I maintain that if op grew up in Haiti the Caribbean should not be off the table. Perhaps as a good backup if all else fails.

I would agree it might be fine for the OP since he says he wants to practice in Haiti, anyway.

 

[Courtjester8]

Buy the EK prep books. They're gold.

-cj8

 

[SrootsWwings]

I'm just going to address your question about the MCAT. If you do the 3 month MCAT study plan which is stickied in the MCAT Discussion forum, you will get a good score. If you really follow that plan and do it all, if you put in those tough hours, you will see improvement. Go find that thread and read the plan. Decide for yourself whether you can put that kind of studying in.

Also, with how much time you have, if changing your schedule significantly is an issue/stressor, you can start studying earlier and spread it out more.

Buy the EK prep books. They're gold.

-cj8

EK is great. Review book-wise, there isn't a best option, just ones that fit differently. E.g., if you're looking for the most detail-oriented content review, I would go with the Berkeley Review. They will reteach/remind you of everything macro- and microscopically for the MCAT.

But if you are disciplined, I venture to say self-study is better than a class for review (not to mention more affordable and flexible). This is true for me, but I am also generally more disciplined now as I self-study with TBR than I was five years ago when taking a Kaplan course.

 

[freebuys]

i am sure at level 5 You should contact for a Tutor, If you would be in the New Zealand there are so many consulting companies which are providing guide to the students. but here we did not find any.