Biochem or Physics

[vin5cent0]

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I'm going to be taking the MCAT this summer in August. Right now, I have all the gen bio's done, I will have both Ochem 1 and 2 done, Genetics, Cell bio and all the basic pre-reqs for my major.

For next semester, I can choose between either Biochem or Physics 1. Which would be more beneficial for the MCAT? I don't want to take both as I'll be taking Ochem 2, Calc, some kind of Bio with a lab and then either one of tose classes, and I don't want to overload myself like I am now.

Thanks

 

[SN2ed]

Finish ALL of your pre-reqs before you take the MCAT.

 

[vin5cent0]

Finish ALL of your pre-reqs before you take the MCAT.

The difference between one class would be a year between taking the MCAT. I'd rather not do that while I have all these classes (especially genetics, cell and ochem) fresh in my mind.

 

[dudechiefboss]

The difference between one class would be a year between taking the MCAT. I'd rather not do that while I have all these classes (especially genetics, cell and ochem) fresh in my mind.

While you should take ALL pre-reqs before taking the MCAT, your test date allows you to take 2 months (June and July) to review topics you are weak on. I would take Physics 1 (biochem is nice, but not necessary). Also, you didn't mention gen chem, did you take your gen chems, yet?

Maybe, take biochem instead of Ochem 2? I felt the organic on the MCAT required only organic 1, and even the questions you were able to think your way through them.

 

[J ROD]

Physics is a main part of the MCAT; Biochem is not..maybe touched on a little....

Take Physics I....

 

[vin5cent0]

Physics it is, thanks guys. Would algebra based physics work, or should I take calc based physics?

And yeah, I have taken gen chems. I have to take orgo II because it's only offered 2nd semester, and I want to get it done while orgo I is fresh in the mind.

 

[BennieBlanco]

Finish ALL of your pre-reqs before you take the MCAT.

It cracks me up that at least 2 people per week "must" take the MCAT early because of "special" circumstances.

Take classes before you take exam about classes. hmmmmm

 

[BennieBlanco]

The difference between one class would be a year between taking the MCAT. I'd rather not do that while I have all these classes (especially genetics, cell and ochem) fresh in my mind.

if you have to take it soon after your courses, you probably didn't learn the material that well.

For lower scorers I think it matters if they take right after. For top scorers, it doesn't matter.

I guess it depends what group you want to be in.

 

[vin5cent0]

I asked a specific quesiton, I don't need your opinions on the matter. The benefits of taking the MCAT so shortly after taking the classes far outweigh the benefits of one additional class that will be fresh in my mind vs. 5 that'll be a year old for me.

 

[loveoforganic]

I asked a specific quesiton, I don't need your opinions on the matter. The benefits of taking the MCAT so shortly after taking the classes far outweigh the benefits of one additional class that will be fresh in my mind vs. 5 that'll be a year old for me.

You really think you'll be better served taking the test with 3/4 of the prereqs complete and straight out of those three than all your prereqs and straight out of one?

At any rate, you don't need calc based physics whatsoever.

 

[BennieBlanco]

I asked a specific quesiton, I don't need your opinions on the matter. The benefits of taking the MCAT so shortly after taking the classes far outweigh the benefits of one additional class that will be fresh in my mind vs. 5 that'll be a year old for me.

only time will tell. Listen to those who have gone to medical school and scored very high (SUCCESS) OR do your own thing and find a few that agree with you (likely special circumstances).

This is life, no?

 

[InterMilan]

Physics it is, thanks guys. Would algebra based physics work, or should I take calc based physics?

And yeah, I have taken gen chems. I have to take orgo II because it's only offered 2nd semester, and I want to get it done while orgo I is fresh in the mind.

I strongly suggest taking calculus based physics, which will better teach you all fundamental concepts.

 

[Steelersfan2009]

I strongly suggest taking calculus based physics, which will better teach you all fundamental concepts.

don't really need it imo I took non calc based, but we weren't able to use calculators on our tests that really helped for the MCAT. I made a 12 on the PS btw.

 

[Segovia]

Physics it is, thanks guys. Would algebra based physics work, or should I take calc based physics?

And yeah, I have taken gen chems. I have to take orgo II because it's only offered 2nd semester, and I want to get it done while orgo I is fresh in the mind.

I took 3 semesters of calc-based physics, and I can honestly say that algebra-based physics would have been just as good. In fact, I learned more about kinematics from TBR than I did from calc-based mechanics.

Besides, calc-based physics doesn't really all meld together until you have had 3 semester of calculus, and can convert from rectangular to polar to spherical coordinates, etc, and then integrate.....all of which is not necessary for the MCAT...but it is cool for party tricks if a nerd fight breaks out.

BTW, organic II material does pop up on the MCAT, so be prepared to see stuff on there you didn't encounter in O-chem I.

 

[Segovia]

Physics it is, thanks guys. Would algebra based physics work, or should I take calc based physics?

And yeah, I have taken gen chems. I have to take orgo II because it's only offered 2nd semester, and I want to get it done while orgo I is fresh in the mind.

Oh...I just realized you have will have O-chem II completed prior to MCAT, but possibly not Physics II?

Some people can pull this off, but honestly I would rather have Physics II than O-chem II going in to the MCAT. It sounds like you are going to take the test despite any advice, so I would definitely get TBR physics and do your best to learn the basics of E&M and optics. It's not the ideal situation, but people have gone into the test with worse handicaps. Tailor your study schedule accordingly and don't be surprised if circuits, mirrors, and particles flying through magnetic fields pop up on your test.

 

[strang3Gonz0]

I'm going to be taking the MCAT this summer in August. Right now, I have all the gen bio's done, I will have both Ochem 1 and 2 done, Genetics, Cell bio and all the basic pre-reqs for my major.

For next semester, I can choose between either Biochem or Physics 1. Which would be more beneficial for the MCAT? I don't want to take both as I'll be taking Ochem 2, Calc, some kind of Bio with a lab and then either one of tose classes, and I don't want to overload myself like I am now.

Thanks

When are you applying to med school? You're going to have to review for the MCAT regardless of whether you have just taken the specific pre-req classes or not. It would be a good idea to take physics 2 as well. I'm in biochemistry right now, studying for the January MCAT and I'm really glad I'm taking the MCAT after biochem. It's definitely not a pre-req for anything, but it has helped me a lot with reviewing gen chem, and especially organic, since we only review mechanisms with the most important organic reactions in my class.

Not sure about you're school, but at mine organic 2 is a pre-req for biochem.

 

[DrDre2001]

OP I can see your point about taking the MCAT while 6 of the pre-reqs are fresh in your mind vs waiting a year to take both physics classes.

I waited a year so that I could take genetics, biochem, a-chem, and cell bio. It was NOT worth it. I wish I hadn't taken that year in between and instead took the MCAT right after taking my pre-reqs.

I think if you take physics 1 this spring, you should be fine. I "took" physics 2, but I was really immature back then and I don't really consider myself as haven taken that class because I never went to lecture and only studied for the course on the nights before each of 3 exams. I ended up with a C minus and didn't really feel like I learned anything. But I was fine when I took the MCAT.

You must take physics 1, though. Don't even think about taking biochem over physics.

 

[mzblue]

Op, can't you take both classes? if not, then physics.

 

[Longshanks]

Physics is a main part of the MCAT; Biochem is not..maybe touched on a little....

Take Physics I....

Same with the upper level bio classes such as genetics, cell bio, etc. These are not main topics of the MCAT. Physics is half a section. Biochem, while maybe helping to understand better and integrate content from multiple classes, is not tested for on the MCAT beyond what would be expected of from intro to cellular and molecular biology (or whatever your school calls one semester of the intro bio sequence) and organic chemistry.

As SN2'd said: finish pre-reqs first... or at least be almost finished with your second semester of physics.

 

[vin5cent0]

Thanks for the info. I'm taking Physics. I suppose I could've done both and I was thinking about it, but little did I realize they only offer Biochem 1 first semester, biochem 2 second semester. So Physics it is.

 

[Longshanks]

Thanks for the info. I'm taking Physics. I suppose I could've done both and I was thinking about it, but little did I realize they only offer Biochem 1 first semester, biochem 2 second semester. So Physics it is.

Biochem is not one course? That's a shame. When I took it in grad school, even though it was cross-listed with a 400 level, it was a one semester class.

Good luck with Physics, not a bad course and good to learn.

 

[boaz]

Physics it is, thanks guys. Would algebra based physics work, or should I take calc based physics?

And yeah, I have taken gen chems. I have to take orgo II because it's only offered 2nd semester, and I want to get it done while orgo I is fresh in the mind.

I strongly suggest taking calculus based physics, which will better teach you all fundamental concepts.

I don't even know how OP plans to take the MCAT without physics II. Some administrations have tons of wave, optics and electronics. Not taking physics II might result in a horrible score.