Apply 2014 cycle or 2015?

[karioca]

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Hey everyone, would greatly appreciate your advice on this matter. So I am a recent Systems Engineering and Operations Research graduate and I have a strong desire to go to Medical school and in particular DO School.

The thing is that I have some of the pre-reqs but I am missing : Bio Lab 1, Bio Lab 2, Chem Lab 2, O-Chem 1&2 and their respective labs. I will be taking O-Chem 1 and the lab in the Spring at a local university. After that, I plan on taking Ochem 2 and the rest of the labs summer 1 and summer 2.

I am currently working full time as a Analyst at the World Bank and don't want to quit my job until the summer, so that is why I plan on only taking Ochem1 and lab next semester. I don't know when I should aim to take the MCAT and apply. I mean I guess if everything goes to plan I can have all the pre-reqs done by August. I know application open up around June 1st. Can I work very hard and somehow squeeze in to apply for the 2014 cycle? I would hate to kill another year, but If I can continue working at the WB it would not be too bad.

As for the strength of my application: I graduated with a 3.40, and have done several projects at a hospital but they were from an engineering perspective. I have shadowed a few Docs in Internal Medicine. I am very solid in physics and chem, but have forgotten most of the Bio. I guess I was just cramming it when i took the class. Thanks for any advice!

 

[Moosepig]

I am by no means an authority, but at least me answering will bump this up so someone more qualified might answer.

I would wait til 2015. That just seems like too crammed of a timeframe to fit in the MCAT. As you said I am sure you are solid in chem and PHYS but a large part of studying is Bio, verbal, and generally getting a feel for the test.

 

[Iheartnachos]

All of this kind of depends on how well you study and learn. It looks like you're going to be putting a lot of pressure at the tail end of your year to do well in labs and ochem II when you should be focusing on MCAT prep. You said you're comfortable with physics and chem which is great, but Its not just the science content you have to be solid on. You need to be comfortable with the format, timing, verbal, etc. Its a PITA. If you feel like its all something you can handle then by all means go for it.

I was in a somewhat similar situation where I was taking Ochem 2 & Lab, Physics II & Lab, an MCAT prep class and volunteering during my spring semester. I had pretty limited time didn't do nearly enough work for my MCAT class, opting to do the work for my actual classes instead. I ended up having to put the test off until late July to try and get enough study time and I still felt pretty rushed. I did fine but if I had waited until the next cycle I probably would have done a lot better.

Honestly, whats one more year in the grand scheme of things? You're going to be spending 4 years in medical school and another 3-5+ in residency. Do well in your classes and your MCAT and try to ensure you have a better shot at going to a school that you really like instead of cramming it all in and potentially having limited options.

 

[karioca]

Thanks for the responses! I agree it will be a tight squeeze but 3 years from now to start is so far 🙁

 

[Iheartnachos]

Totally up to you. If you feel like you can handle it then more power to you. The MCAT sucks, and so does studying for it. I suppose you could always give it a shot and if it works out, great, and if not then you'll just have to change your plans a bit. Either way, best of luck!

 

[Goro]

Take your time to do the best you can and present the best possible appication.

Hey everyone, would greatly appreciate your advice on this matter. So I am a recent Systems Engineering and Operations Research graduate and I have a strong desire to go to Medical school and in particular DO School.

The thing is that I have some of the pre-reqs but I am missing : Bio Lab 1, Bio Lab 2, Chem Lab 2, O-Chem 1&2 and their respective labs. I will be taking O-Chem 1 and the lab in the Spring at a local university. After that, I plan on taking Ochem 2 and the rest of the labs summer 1 and summer 2.

I am currently working full time as a Analyst at the World Bank and don't want to quit my job until the summer, so that is why I plan on only taking Ochem1 and lab next semester. I don't know when I should aim to take the MCAT and apply. I mean I guess if everything goes to plan I can have all the pre-reqs done by August. I know application open up around June 1st. Can I work very hard and somehow squeeze in to apply for the 2014 cycle? I would hate to kill another year, but If I can continue working at the WB it would not be too bad.

As for the strength of my application: I graduated with a 3.40, and have done several projects at a hospital but they were from an engineering perspective. I have shadowed a few Docs in Internal Medicine. I am very solid in physics and chem, but have forgotten most of the Bio. I guess I was just cramming it when i took the class. Thanks for any advice!

 

[Florida pharmd.]

Thanks for the Responses. I guess I will re take the pcat in January. Hopefully there will be seats available when they get my new score.

 

[baxt1412]

Thanks for the Responses. I guess I will re take the pcat in January. Hopefully there will be seats available when they get my new score.

ummm wrong forum brah. plus this thread is olllllllddddd