Any non-traditional students who took the MCAT?

[BSChemE]

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Hello Everyone,

Here's my story. I graduated from college six years ago. I took all the pre-medical requirements except one year of biology. After years of working, I'm planing to enter a graduate program in Chemistry this fall. I'm planning to take the biology courses I need as well.

So, when I take the MCAT, Biology is the only course that I would have taken recently.

Is there anyone else out there that took the MCAT after being out of school for years? Did this effect your score? Does Kaplan or The Princeton Review have an extensive science review or do they just start tackling questions? I would definitely need a refresher course.

Thanks in advance for any information you can give.

 

[MoosePilot]

Hello Everyone,

Here's my story. I graduated from college six years ago. I took all the pre-medical requirements except one year of biology. After years of working, I'm planing to enter a graduate program in Chemistry this fall. I'm planning to take the biology courses I need as well.

So, when I take the MCAT, Biology is the only course that I would have taken recently.

Is there anyone else out there that took the MCAT after being out of school for years? Did this effect your score? Does Kaplan or The Princeton Review have an extensive science review or do they just start tackling questions? I would definitely need a refresher course.

Thanks in advance for any information you can give.

Yeah, this was pretty much my story. I was a zoo major/pre-med, graduated in 1996, then entered the Air Force and am flying planes. I took the April MCAT with a TPR course to help refresh the knowledge. My goal was to get the same score I got when I was an undergrad (32). I got a 36 😀

They do an extensive science review and also tackle questions on what they're reviewing. I used it as a real refresher for some ideas that I just plain didn't remember at all. Sure I may have looked like a dummy to some of these 20 year olds, but I got what I paid for and embarassment is the least of my worries.

 

[ma-bas]

Me too. When I took the MCAT, the only class I took recently was Physics. I took AP Bio in high school and the chem courses in my first 2 years at college 9-10 years earlier. I took Kaplan which does a decent science review, certainly not as in depth as when I took them in college, which is good, b/c you don't need that depth of knowledge for the MCAT. I guess it worked for me b/c I got a 36. It may in fact be a detriment to have those classes to fresh in your mind, or have a deeper knowledge than what is required b/c I could see the tendency to overthink questions, or rely too much on your own knowledge instead of being a quickreader and a smart test taker. Good Luck. I'm sure you will be fine.

 

[gujuDoc]

MoosePilot,

I agree, I think Princeton Review Rocks.

To the original Poster,

I think if you either use a prep course like Princeton Review, or by the Exam Krackers books and audio learning material, you will get all the refresher material you need.

Other suggestions are to not retake those classes, but to sit in on them if you have some spare time to work it into your schedule, cuz that will refresh the material in your head.

Oh and there's nothing embarrasing about being a nontraditional older applicant.,

I know many many nontrads and some of them recently got into their top choice med schools.
So more power to you all.

 

[smokeycat]

Hello Everyone,

Here's my story. I graduated from college six years ago. I took all the pre-medical requirements except one year of biology. After years of working, I'm planing to enter a graduate program in Chemistry this fall. I'm planning to take the biology courses I need as well.

So, when I take the MCAT, Biology is the only course that I would have taken recently.

Is there anyone else out there that took the MCAT after being out of school for years? Did this effect your score? Does Kaplan or The Princeton Review have an extensive science review or do they just start tackling questions? I would definitely need a refresher course.

Thanks in advance for any information you can give.

I recieved my undergrad degree 7 years ago and used Kaplan to prepare for the MCAT but I was REALLY disappointed with my score. 😡 I don't think that the time away from school affected my score...I didn't use the right preparation materials. Kaplan is good for some people but not for me. I thought that actual MCAT was MUCH harder than the Kaplan practice tests (I borrowed material from other people b/c I couldn't afford the class). I felt that Kaplan oversimplfied some material and made other material more difficult than necessary. Right now, I'm retaking some of my pre-reqs (some schools will require it if you classes are over 5 years old) and studying with Exam Krackers.

I think that it's highly possible to to study for the MCAT without retaking pre-reqs. Maybe you should audit a class or two. Just be aware that some schools require that you retake old classes (i.e. Duke, Howard).

 

[MoosePilot]

I recieved my undergrad degree 7 years ago and used Kaplan to prepare for the MCAT but I was REALLY disappointed with my score. 😡 I don't think that the time away from school affected my score...I didn't use the right preparation materials. Kaplan is good for some people but not for me. I thought that actual MCAT was MUCH harder than the Kaplan practice tests (I borrowed material from other people b/c I couldn't afford the class). I felt that Kaplan oversimplfied some material and made other material more difficult than necessary. Right now, I'm retaking some of my pre-reqs (some schools will require it if you classes are over 5 years old) and studying with Exam Krackers.

I think that it's highly possible to to study for the MCAT without retaking pre-reqs. Maybe you should audit a class or two. Just be aware that some schools require that you retake old classes (i.e. Duke, Howard).

Some schools will make you retake pre-reqs? I've heard rumors of this before, but how do you find out which schools require this?

 

[smokeycat]

Some schools will make you retake pre-reqs? I've heard rumors of this before, but how do you find out which schools require this?

I checked the website and then called the school to verify the information.

 

[bdt]

I finished school 8 years ago (although I still work in a molecular bio lab). A friend gave me the kaplan books and I was really disapointed with them. I purchased the Examkracker books, Kaplan's MCAT Qbank, and the AAMC practice tests. That seemed to get me back up to speed( got higher than a 30 but lower than a 35). I didn't take a course because of the $$$. I wish I'd added the audio materials as well.

As far as schools that require your pre-reqs be of a certain "age" there was a post a bit ago about it... http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=127540

Good Luck

 

[Ganell]

Have you looked over at http://www.oldpremeds.org?

 

[bigdan]

OP-

I used EK faithfully and ended up with a 29; I graduated in 1998.

Good luck.

dc

 

[KatieOConnor]

I took the MCAT when I was an undergrad and got a 27.

I took it after being away from school for a while and got a 38. Princeton Review helped a lot. Also, I noticed that a lot of the biology was stuff that I never even touched on in my undergrad classes. So being out of school was neither an advantage nor a disadvantage.

 

[MoosePilot]

I took the MCAT when I was an undergrad and got a 27.

I took it after being away from school for a while and got a 38. Princeton Review helped a lot. Also, I noticed that a lot of the biology was stuff that I never even touched on in my undergrad classes. So being out of school was neither an advantage nor a disadvantage.

Your quote in the SAT/MCAT thread really hit me.

"I've been a Sub Thirty MCAT person for the last three years, and now I feel like my whole position in the world has changed and now I am a High Thirties MCAT person."

If I ever judge anyone by their score again, I'll remember that quote. I might be totally underestimating someone who will whip my butt on a retake someday.

 

[BSChemE]

Thanks for the information. I will definitely look up the schools when I apply to see if they require the pre-reqs to be retaken. That is really not an option for me. I'm starting a graduate program and it will be hard to get all those courses in and pre-reqs.

 

[xanthines]

I took it two years after graduating with a history degree and got a 32, so I'm pretty sure a ChemE should have no problems.

The MCAT tries to be intimidating but it's just like any other standardized test. Just learn the "tricks", study the material backwards and forwards (either through a class like Kaplan or just studying on your own), and get a good night's sleep. You'll be fine.

-X

Hello Everyone,

Here's my story. I graduated from college six years ago. I took all the pre-medical requirements except one year of biology. After years of working, I'm planing to enter a graduate program in Chemistry this fall. I'm planning to take the biology courses I need as well.

So, when I take the MCAT, Biology is the only course that I would have taken recently.

Is there anyone else out there that took the MCAT after being out of school for years? Did this effect your score? Does Kaplan or The Princeton Review have an extensive science review or do they just start tackling questions? I would definitely need a refresher course.

Thanks in advance for any information you can give.

 

[t00mies]

i graduated with a electical engineering degree back in 1995. about two years ago, i began taking the pre-reqs at the community college (evening classes).

i also took two months off from work (mid Feb - MCAT day) and read my a&p, chemistry, orgo, and physics books. i didn't take a prep class, but i borrowed some 1997-vintage kaplan prep books from my doctor cousin, and also bought access to the kaplan q-bank, and the AAMC online MCAT tests.

i personally dont think the prep classes are worth it; after looking over the kaplan materials, and talking to some people that took the prep class, the class is a very rough review (if you dont have knowledge of the material before the class, you will be lost, because they just whiz thru the topics), and most of the prep class is on 'test taking strategies'.


if you can take about two months off and focus on the MCAT, i think you can relearn the material and do well on the test. get some school books on each subject, and start reading, learn the concepts. dont get bogged down on any one topic, when you start dragging in one subject, put that book down, and start reading a different subject book.

oh, i got a 35.


good luck!

t

 

[olddoc1]

I graduated in 1998 and did not re-take any premed requirements. When it came to studying for the MCAT, I bought a couple of books in January, used the practice tests available from AAMC, and was able to score a 35 on the April exam. I worked my butt off, but it's possible. Just give yourself ample time to prepare and USE THE PRACTICE EXAMS!

 

[pathdr2b]

Thanks for the information. I will definitely look up the schools when I apply to see if they require the pre-reqs to be retaken. That is really not an option for me. I'm starting a graduate program and it will be hard to get all those courses in and pre-reqs.

My understanding from both Howard and Duke was that you only need to take prereqs if you don't have any recent coursework. Therefore, with recent grad classes you should be okay although I guess I'd better look into this again since that was a few years ago.

To the Op's original question, knowing what I know now having taken the MCAT in 2004 and 1999 with decent scores, but not having had the prereqs since 1993, I would retake general chemistry, organic, and physics. Retaking these courses at say a community college, would probably be cheaper than a Kaplan course and much more through.

 

[NDESTRUKT]

Moosepilot,

from a C-17 engineer to a C-17 pilot, i wanna congratulate you...that's an awesome score!

to the OP,

i've always been a big proponent of Kaplan. their books helped me through the SAT, GRE, and MCAT. but in this case, after seeing my friends at princeton review, i think that program may be better. they offer deep review and you get what you put into it, so attend all the classes and do all the hw and you'll be fine.

 

[MsEvolution]

How long did you guys study before you took the MCAT? I've been out of school for about 7 years now, and I've forgotten most (seems like all) of what I learned... and as someone said, I think some material I didn't even cover at all in college. I've worked in Manufacturing/Logistics so I haven't been using or practicing any science for a long time.

I'm worried. I'm registered for the August MCAT, I started studying mid-May. I took a practice test this weekend and scored VR12 PS6 and BS5. Am I being unrealistic thinking I can do well in a test less than 50 days from now?

I can't afford more prep than I've paid for... right now I'm using Kaplan Online Science Review, QBank, Kaplan 45 (book), Kaplan Tests, EK CD's and I'm planning on ordering the AAMC tests to better assess myself.

What do you all think?

 

[MsEvolution]

*bump*

 

[MoosePilot]

Moosepilot,

from a C-17 engineer to a C-17 pilot, i wanna congratulate you...that's an awesome score!

Thanks, I was tickled 😀

 

[pathdr2b]

Thanks, I was tickled 😀

Now if you were a NAVY pilot, that would REALLY be something!
😉

 

[MoosePilot]

Now if you were a NAVY pilot, that would REALLY be something!
😉

You mean because it would be such a rarity for a Navy pilot to score well on a test?

Joking, let's not hijack the OPs thread any more than we already have 🙂

 

[gschl1234]

Hello Everyone,

Here's my story. I graduated from college six years ago. I took all the pre-medical requirements except one year of biology. After years of working, I'm planing to enter a graduate program in Chemistry this fall. I'm planning to take the biology courses I need as well.

So, when I take the MCAT, Biology is the only course that I would have taken recently.

Is there anyone else out there that took the MCAT after being out of school for years? Did this effect your score? Does Kaplan or The Princeton Review have an extensive science review or do they just start tackling questions? I would definitely need a refresher course.

Thanks in advance for any information you can give.

I took the MCAT 3 years after graduating from college without having ever taken any biology. I was a chemistry major. I studied full time for 2 months prior to the exam (in April 2003) and I ended up getting a 10 on the Bio section. I made sure I really brushed up on organic chemistry and of the biology subjects, I spent the most time on genetics. I found that physiology was too complicated to study in such a short time so I just focused on what I thought might be highest yield. About 1/3 to 1/2 of the passages were about either biochem or orgo. Although I hadn't taken any biochem prior to taking the MCAT, I was very good at orgo so I had some context even if I couldn't get every question in the passage correct. I lucked out on one passage which was mostly pure logic (disguised as a microbiology passage). There were 2 genetics passages. I basically lucked out on the real thing because my average bio score on 7 practice exams was between an 8 and 9.

 

[abraxas20]

I am five years out of undergrad and 3 years out of Masters, both in humanities.

Took MCAT cold in April (after taking pre-med reqs, but no dedicated MCAT study). 29S...I am happy with it.

Applying EDP to my state school....after that who knows....I think we all justhave to go for it. What is the worst that can happen???

 

[BSChemE]

I took the MCAT 3 years after graduating from college without having ever taken any biology. I was a chemistry major. I studied full time for 2 months prior to the exam (in April 2003) and I ended up getting a 10 on the Bio section. I made sure I really brushed up on organic chemistry and of the biology subjects, I spent the most time on genetics. I found that physiology was too complicated to study in such a short time so I just focused on what I thought might be highest yield. About 1/3 to 1/2 of the passages were about either biochem or orgo. Although I hadn't taken any biochem prior to taking the MCAT, I was very good at orgo so I had some context even if I couldn't get every question in the passage correct. I lucked out on one passage which was mostly pure logic (disguised as a microbiology passage). There were 2 genetics passages. I basically lucked out on the real thing because my average bio score on 7 practice exams was between an 8 and 9.

Wow! You took the MCAT without any Biology and scored a 10 in that section. That's amazing.

 

[BSChemE]

Thanks to all of you that have replied so far. Now I know that this can be done.

 

[oldtimer]

Don't worry if you haven't taken the required coursework or if it has been a while since you took them. The amount of material that you need to know is not large. I literally just took Kaplan's books, studied them in depth, and scored very high on both science sections -- 13 and 12 (Kaplan didn't revise their books in time for the new emphasis on genetics and molecular biology, otherwise I could have scored higher). Before I began, I barely remembered squat about any of the subjects. Just practice, practice, practice. What will determine your score more I think is how strong your analytical and test taking skills are.

 

[rgporter]

Hello Everyone,

Here's my story. I graduated from college six years ago. I took all the pre-medical requirements except one year of biology. After years of working, I'm planing to enter a graduate program in Chemistry this fall. I'm planning to take the biology courses I need as well.

So, when I take the MCAT, Biology is the only course that I would have taken recently.

Is there anyone else out there that took the MCAT after being out of school for years? Did this effect your score? Does Kaplan or The Princeton Review have an extensive science review or do they just start tackling questions? I would definitely need a refresher course.

Thanks in advance for any information you can give.

Four years out of school. No recent coursework, no kaplan or EK, no it didn't affect my score. The best advice I can give you is to shell out the $80 for AAMC online MCAT access. If you take them as you would the real test they will aproximate your score on the real MCAT within 2 points or so. At least those are the results that everyone I know observed. If you do poorly then you will know you need some remedial work.

As long as you have a basic understanding of the concepts and excellent reading comprehension, you will do fine on the MCAT.

 

[delicatefade]

I graduated from PT school in 2001 and took the MCAT in 2003. I got a 31P composite.

Now, when I applied to PT school I had taken all the pre-med requirements for biology, physics, and chemistry except for O-chem. I took O-chem in a night class during the 2002-2003 school year. I think I would have scored a little better on MCAT had I taken it earlier because the biology (and cell bio) would have been a little fresher. Taking O-chem the same year as the MCAT definitely helped quite a bit.

I started studying in Sept 2002 for the April 2003 MCAT. I tried to schedule my time so I wouldn't spend too much time in one section. Physics was the hardest for me. I did register for the AAMC practice tests online and found them to be invaluable. I did not register for Kaplan; I simply used old Kaplan review books given to me by a friend.