Behind on pre-req classes

[Alfrito]

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So I'm going into my sophomore year in college now and I feel like I'm already behind on the pre-req classes.

I'm planning on finishing Biology and O.Chem this upcoming year, but I haven't done physics, statistics, biochem, or any upper level bio classes.

I saw that a lot of people take the MCAT their junior year, but I feel like I won't be caught up in time, because I also have other requirements for my major that I need to do.

-Am I actually behind?
-Is it okay to take some of the pre-req classes at a community college during the summer? My brother told me that some med schools don't accept credits from a community college?

 

[GeorgiadisMD]

Yea I wouldnt take classes in a CC. Cant you take them at your home university during the summer? And honestly, all you really need is physics. You are on track. Dont worry. There is hardly, to no statistics on the MCAT, and the biochem can be learned by reading a prep book (like examkrackers biology). I would buy the set, and just start studying from those.
The physics portion is actually fairly easy also. I think (some may disagree) that you can probably self teach yourself the physics portion. Just buy a huge practice book (TPR Hyperlearning Science WB) and do every problem till you know them front to back, as well as all the AAMC practice tests (knowing them front to back), while reading the entire EK series 2-3 times. You will be very very prepared. And if you need to brush up on your verbal, buy the EK verbal 101 for like 25 dollars, and you are good to go.

There are some other very good prep materials out there such as mcat-review.org, wikipremed.com, and khan academy for some basic review you might have forgotten, or if you are a visual learner.

Hope this helps!

 

[AestheticGod]

So I'm going into my sophomore year in college now and I feel like I'm already behind on the pre-req classes.

I'm planning on finishing Biology and O.Chem this upcoming year, but I haven't done physics, statistics, biochem, or any upper level bio classes.

I saw that a lot of people take the MCAT their junior year, but I feel like I won't be caught up in time, because I also have other requirements for my major that I need to do.

-Am I actually behind?
-Is it okay to take some of the pre-req classes at a community college during the summer? My brother told me that some med schools don't accept credits from a community college?

not as behind as me...i'm considered a "junior" at my university that i'm transferring to...and i haven't even TOUCHED any of the science classes...Stupid adviser screwed me over hard.

Not to take control of ur thread, but does it matter how long you take to take the MCAT or apply to med school?

 

[NightGod]

The physics portion is actually fairly easy also. I think (some may disagree) that you can probably self teach yourself the physics portion. Just buy a huge practice book (TPR Hyperlearning Science WB) and do every problem till you know them front to back, as well as all the AAMC practice tests (knowing them front to back), while reading the entire EK series 2-3 times. You will be very very prepared. And if you need to brush up on your verbal, buy the EK verbal 101 for like 25 dollars, and you are good to go.

A post-bacc at my school took her MCAT without taking Physics yet and in the middle of her second semester of orgo and got a 34. She credits Khan and review books with preparing her for the physics portion. In short, it's definitely doable if you're willing to put in the work to learn it on your own.

 

[Aerus]

You could consider taking a gap year too. You don't have to take the MCAT your junior year, if you need to catch up.

 

[plumhill]

No such thing as being behind; everyone's got their own timeline. A gap year isn't a bad idea at all, and is becoming more common. That'll give you all four years to catch up on pre-reqs, and give you time to properly study for the MCAT.

Biochemistry is generally a recommendation at most schools, not a requirement; same with everything else but physics. Also, remember that you only need to finish these courses before you MATRICULATE, not before you apply 🙂

 

[thlaxer]

No such thing as being behind; everyone's got their own timeline. A gap year isn't a bad idea at all, and is becoming more common.

+1, you are not behind. I didn't start the pre-reqs until after finishing college, so you're still way ahead of where other post-bacs and I were 😉. I also took a gap year for applications and don't regret it one bit. It's been a great experience. So don't feel rushed to complete everything asap, this isn't a race. Good luck 🙂.

 

[Thego2guy]

So I'm going into my sophomore year in college now and I feel like I'm already behind on the pre-req classes.

I'm planning on finishing Biology and O.Chem this upcoming year, but I haven't done physics, statistics, biochem, or any upper level bio classes.

I saw that a lot of people take the MCAT their junior year, but I feel like I won't be caught up in time, because I also have other requirements for my major that I need to do.

-Am I actually behind?
-Is it okay to take some of the pre-req classes at a community college during the summer? My brother told me that some med schools don't accept credits from a community college?

You are definitely not behind. Most people take either one or two prereqs freshman year. (Bio or Chem) then one prereq in their sophmore year (Physics or Orgo - along wiht an upperdivision bio course, if they are a bio major, such as genetics), and then their third prereq in their junior year (orgo, or physics ^). That's how it is at my college, and almost every other college in my city.

So don't worry man, you are definitely not behind.

 

[Thego2guy]

A post-bacc at my school took her MCAT without taking Physics yet and in the middle of her second semester of orgo and got a 34. She credits Khan and review books with preparing her for the physics portion. In short, it's definitely doable if you're willing to put in the work to learn it on your own.

Didn't start a thread on SDN for fear of being shunned (lol, ridiculous), but since you brought it up:

I decided to take my MCAT a year early (end of sophomore year/summer before Junior year) to take stress off of my Junior year. I took AP Bio, AP Chem, and I got top scores in them (although my uni is not awarding neither credit, so I just retook one semester of bio - A), so I have most of the knowledge. Next semester (first semester of sophomore year) I will be finishing my bio, starting gen chem 1, and physics 1. Semester 2 will be genetics (?), gen chem 2, and physics 2... and once that is over, I want to take my MCAT.

I have the PR book for all the subjects, and printed out chapters for every subject from EK. I already started learning physics on my own (its going slow) from my princeton review book in an effort to 1) prepare for the class and familiarize myself wtih the topics, and 2) prepare for the MCAT! learn the tricks, the ins and outs, and practice passages.

Your quote ^ gives me hope that I can actually do this on my own. Do you, or any other fellow SDNer have any advice about how I should tackle orgo? Do you think it is feasible to learn orgo on my own? If so, what resources do you think are particularly helpful? learning orgo from EK has been pretty tedious, and I am looking elsewhere.

I am okay with gen chem, and I am realllllly good with bio. I feel like physics will be my weak point. So the fact that you said that physics is generally considered to be the easiest part, makes me feel much better.

any advice/comments?

 

[thlaxer]

Didn't start a thread on SDN for fear of being shunned (lol, ridiculous), but since you brought it up:

I decided to take my MCAT a year early (end of sophomore year/summer before Junior year) to take stress off of my Junior year. I took AP Bio, AP Chem, and I got top scores in them (although my uni is not awarding neither credit, so I just retook one semester of bio - A), so I have most of the knowledge. Next semester (first semester of sophomore year) I will be finishing my bio, starting gen chem 1, and physics 1. Semester 2 will be genetics (?), gen chem 2, and physics 2... and once that is over, I want to take my MCAT.

I have the PR book for all the subjects, and printed out chapters for every subject from EK. I already started learning physics on my own (its going slow) from my princeton review book in an effort to 1) prepare for the class and familiarize myself wtih the topics, and 2) prepare for the MCAT! learn the tricks, the ins and outs, and practice passages.

Your quote ^ gives me hope that I can actually do this on my own. Do you, or any other fellow SDNer have any advice about how I should tackle orgo? Do you think it is feasible to learn orgo on my own? If so, what resources do you think are particularly helpful? learning orgo from EK has been pretty tedious, and I am looking elsewhere.

I am okay with gen chem, and I am realllllly good with bio. I feel like physics will be my weak point. So the fact that you said that physics is generally considered to be the easiest part, makes me feel much better.

any advice/comments?

Personally, I wouldn't take the MCAT without first having taken an orgo class. Your grasp of the material just wouldn't be as strong imo. Your current 2nd year schedule is already pretty dense as well. I'm not sure fitting in orgo self-study time + MCAT review would be the best idea. Why rush it when you've got plenty of time to take it at a later date when you'll be more prepared (during your Junior year)? That's what I would do anyways if I was in your situation. Just my thoughts 🙂.

(Also EK does go through the concepts very quickly, it assumes you've already gotten a foundation and just need a refresher. So it's probably not the best source for you to use (at least initially to learn the material). I found the TPRH books to be more thorough, though they do tend to bog you down with details, maybe that would help more with your situation.)