Can you guys help me tidy up my schedule/two year plan?

[Tremella]

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Hi guys! Thanks for taking the time to read this, I hope it's not too tedious - I really appreciate any suggestions! Here's my background, I have BA in Psychology from 13 years ago. Looking at records from my current school, I have 196 total transfer credits and my GPA is 3.82. Within the last two years I have made up most of my science prereqs except organic (the one I took didn't have a lab, and didn't transfer to my new school so I think I have to take it again) also, the physics have are non-calc based, do I need to do the calc based physics? According to this timeline, I am planning to start submitting applications to schools in the June of 2017, is that going to slow? Am I in a position to rush things more than that (should I plan more towards submitting in the Fall of 2016?)

Spring 2016:
1. Calc II
2. Physics I (should I just change this to organic I here? or add it in addition to Physics?)
3. Begin studying for the MCAT for plans to take it at the end of summer ("Gold Zone" Registration for any of the 2016 summer MCAT dates is October-April)
4. Begin getting some volunteer or clinical experience

Summer 2016
a. Dedicated MCAT studying for a couple months
b. Take MCAT at the end of summer (should I take it earlier so that I could try to apply on June as I've read here that it is important to have your application submitted by June 1st?) Dates the MCAT is offered during the summer of 2016 are: May 6/May 14/May 20/June 2/June 18/July 8/July 9/July 22/August 4

Fall 2016
a. Organic I (or Organic II if I do swap or add Org I for this semester)
b. Biochemistry or Anatomy (I have all the prereqs at this point, just adding some others that might be helpful)
b. Finalize Application procedures/start getting LORs and navigating the application websites
c. start working on PS

Spring 2017
a. Organic II (if I haven't already finished both of these)
b. any other classes I might still have left or want to take?
c. Finalize my entire packet, LORs, PS, etc to be ready for June 2017 submission.

Thanks for all you're help!!

 

[Eccesignum]

Take the MCAT when you're ready to take the MCAT. If you're scoring where you want to be scoring on practice tests, then you're ready to take the real thing. If not, you aren't. I strongly suggest taking Biochem before taking the MCAT, as the new test features biochemistry.

That said, take the MCAT at least 2-3 months before you intend to submit, in case of disaster. Do not take it mid-application cycle. Schools won't process your application without an MCAT score, and if you tank the test you're left in a very bad spot in the middle of the cycle. If you really intend to push for June 2016 submission, do not take a first MCAT any later than April of 2016.

Anatomy is not necessary (I'd suggest Cell Bio or Genetics instead if that's an option). Calc-based physics is not necessary. If I were you, based on this timeline, I'd drop Calc II in that first semester and take Organic I with Physics, then take Organic II and Biochem in the fall with plan to take the MCAT in winter/spring of 2017.

There's no such thing as "too slow". Take your time with this and do it right the first time. If you feel you can load up on classes and do well in them, thus compressing your timeline, then do that. If work, etc makes that difficult and risks your performance then don't. Make sure your application is solid, and that also includes shadowing, volunteering, and other non-academic ECs. If that means applying in 2017 then by all means apply in 2017, but do it with the strongest application you can. Medical school will still be there when you're ready for it.

 

[New_Slang]

No need to take calculus. Save your time/money and start studying for the MCAT then. You should take Biochem before the MCAT if at all possible, especially if Organic was a while ago for you. After the MCAT don't take anything that isn't a missing pre-req (Anatomy won't help you on the apps) so I say save that time/money.

If you really need to fill a math slot, I'd recommend Stats if you don't already have a good foundation in that. Otherwise, take the bare minimum and prep harder for the MCAT.

**FWIW, I took non-calc physics and it wasn't ever an issue. I took calculus almost 10 years ago and got a D+ - only 1 interviewer asked me about it and that was the first school I got an acceptance to 🙂

 

[New_Slang]

Take the MCAT when you're ready to take the MCAT. If you're scoring where you want to be scoring on practice tests, then you're ready to take the real thing. If not, you aren't. I strongly suggest taking Biochem before taking the MCAT, as the new test features biochemistry.

That said, take the MCAT at least 2-3 months before you intend to submit, in case of disaster. Do not take it mid-application cycle. Schools won't process your application without an MCAT score, and if you tank the test you're left in a very bad spot in the middle of the cycle. If you really intend to push for June 2016 submission, do not take a first MCAT any later than April of 2016.

Anatomy is not necessary (I'd suggest Cell Bio or Genetics instead if that's an option). Calc-based physics is not necessary. If I were you, based on this timeline, I'd drop Calc II in that first semester and take Organic I with Physics, then take Organic II and Biochem in the fall with plan to take the MCAT in winter/spring of 2017.

There's no such thing as "too slow". Take your time with this and do it right the first time. If you feel you can load up on classes and do well in them, thus compressing your timeline, then do that. If work, etc makes that difficult and risks your performance then don't. Make sure your application is solid, and that also includes shadowing, volunteering, and other non-academic ECs. If that means applying in 2017 then by all means apply in 2017, but do it with the strongest application you can. Medical school will still be there when you're ready for it.

I didn't see this (I was writing my own comment when it was posted) and agree 100% with it.

 

[DocWinter]

Agree that calc is mostly unnecessary. Physics based is all you need. Also take stats if possible.
Why are you planning on using the MCAT before orgo or biochem? Also, a July submission isn't bad at all and will give you more time to study hard for an April/may MCAT.

Advice: slow it down a touch, spread it out, take orgo, biochem and ramp up in early 2017 for an early May MCAT. You can submit in July and be just fine.

 

[Tremella]

take the MCAT at least 2-3 months before you intend to submit

Thank you so much for helping me fit this in my timeline more appropriately, and for all the great advice. I will also move Organic and Biochemistry up so that I plan on having those done before I take it.

Anatomy is not necessary (I'd suggest Cell Bio or Genetics instead if that's an option). Calc-based physics is not necessary. If I were you, based on this timeline, I'd drop Calc II in that first semester and take Organic I with Physics, then take Organic II and Biochem in the fall with plan to take the MCAT in winter/spring of 2017.

Wow, I thought calc II was required. I did well in Calc I and though I'd keep going, I already have cell bio and genetics within the last few years, did well in both of those. I have a 3 credit-no-lab Organic I, but it did not transfer so I am guessing I will have to take Organic I again? Unless I appeal to the school that this should count as a prereq for Org II, that might work.

Thanks again for the great advice, this has been very helpful 🙂

 

[Tremella]

You should take Biochem before the MCAT if at all possible

Will do! Thanks for all the replies!!

 

[New_Slang]

Thank you so much for helping me fit this in my timeline more appropriately, and for all the great advice. I will also move Organic and Biochemistry up so that I plan on having those done before I take it.


Wow, I thought calc II was required. I did well in Calc I and though I'd keep going, I already have cell bio and genetics within the last few years, did well in both of those. I have a 3 credit-no-lab Organic I, but it did not transfer so I am guessing I will have to take Organic I again? Unless I appeal to the school that this should count as a prereq for Org II, that might work.

Thanks again for the great advice, this has been very helpful 🙂

Well it has to have a lab credit (the requirements usually state "with lab"), so unless some school will let you take JUST the lab portion, you'll have to repeat it again.

 

[Tremella]

Well it has to have a lab credit (the requirements usually state "with lab"), so unless some school will let you take JUST the lab portion, you'll have to repeat it again.

Yeh, that's what it was, if I had stayed there I could have taken the lab separately. So yes unless they let me take it separately at my current school, which I doubt, I will just have to retake Organic I, that's ok.

 

[Affiche]

Drop the Calc II and do not take calc-based physics. All you need is algebra-based physics and you'll be fine.

Is the Spring semester a regular term or an accelerated summer term? If it's a regular term (second semester, which was called Winter term at my school), I'd recommend:

Spring 2016
1. Organic Chem I
2. Physics I
3. Begin getting some volunteer or clinical experience

Summer 2016
a. Organic Chem II
b. Continue with volunteer or clinical experience

Fall 2016
a. Biochemistry
b. Physics II
c. Continue with volunteer or clinical experience

Spring 2017
a. MCAT studying, test by May, 2017
b. Continue with volunteering and clinical experience

You should be collecting LORs along the way as you take the pre-reqs.
There will be about a month between the time you take the MCAT and get your score back. Work on your PS and AMCAS application during that time. Before then, focus on the MCAT.

 

[Tremella]

Drop the Calc II and do not take calc-based physics. All you need is algebra-based physics and you'll be fine.

Is the Spring semester a regular term or an accelerated summer term? If it's a regular term (second semester, which was called Winter term at my school), I'd recommend:

Spring 2016
1. Organic Chem I
2. Physics I
3. Begin getting some volunteer or clinical experience

Summer 2016
a. Organic Chem II
b. Continue with volunteer or clinical experience

Fall 2016
a. Biochemistry
b. Physics II
c. Continue with volunteer or clinical experience

Spring 2017
a. MCAT studying, test by May, 2017
b. Continue with volunteering and clinical experience

You should be collecting LORs along the way as you take the pre-reqs.
There will be about a month between the time you take the MCAT and get your score back. Work on your PS and AMCAS application during that time. Before then, focus on the MCAT.

Thanks!! I gave my schedule another look after everyone's comments and I am now signed up for Organic I (4 credits) next semester! The lab (2 credits) is full already though so I am going to call tomorrow and see if there is anything I can do there. I already have the non-calc based physics so I don't need that at all. So I will stay on track to start applying in the summer of 2017! Thanks again!!

 

[Tremella]

You should be collecting LORs along the way as you take the pre-reqs.

Sorry if this is a noob question, I still have a lot to learn about the application process - but these are requested electronically right? How do they become part of my AMCAS application? Are the recommendations then saved and sent to whatever school I apply to (i.e., the LOR author obviously doesn't have to write me a separate recommendation for every school I apply to right?)
So glad I found you guys, what an awesome resource this site is!

Edit - should I be signing up for an AMCAS account this early in the game?

 

[Affiche]

Sorry if this is a noob question, I still have a lot to learn about the application process - but these are requested electronically right? How do they become part of my AMCAS application? Are the recommendations then saved and sent to whatever school I apply to (i.e., the LOR author obviously doesn't have to write me a separate recommendation for every school I apply to right?)
So glad I found you guys, what an awesome resource this site is!

Edit - should I be signing up for an AMCAS account this early in the game?

Idt you need an AMCAS account until 6 months (ish) before you take the MCAT, since you'll use your account to register.

Ask your profs if they'd feel comfortable writing a GOOD LoR after the semester ends for their class, then stay in touch until you ask them to actually write the letter, usually about 4-6 months before you actually apply. I think I asked officially around March (pretty late lol) and sent the electronic request through in May when the application opened. Just worry about getting profs to agree to write a letter now.

 

[Tremella]

Idt you need an AMCAS account until 6 months (ish) before you take the MCAT, since you'll use your account to register.

Ask your profs if they'd feel comfortable writing a GOOD LoR after the semester ends for their class, then stay in touch until you ask them to actually write the letter, usually about 4-6 months before you actually apply. I think I asked officially around March (pretty late lol) and sent the electronic request through in May when the application opened. Just worry about getting profs to agree to write a letter now.

Thanks again for the advice, even if they agreed now, unless I really went out of the way to keep in touch with them it really would feel awkward to ask for a letter almost two years from now lol. I will be keeping it in mind though and asking at the end of the semesters. I did really well in Calc I and had excellent rapport with the professor, it was his first year teaching though, should I mention that I might need an LOR sometime in the future, or not bother with a class like calculus?

 

[Eccesignum]

Thanks again for the advice, even if they agreed now, unless I really went out of the way to keep in touch with them it really would feel awkward to ask for a letter almost two years from now lol. I will be keeping it in mind though and asking at the end of the semesters. I did really well in Calc I and had excellent rapport with the professor, it was his first year teaching though, should I mention that I might need an LOR sometime in the future, or not bother with a class like calculus?

A large number of schools (in my personal experience) ask for two "science" LORs and one "non-science" (the latter I interpreted as humanities, etc). However, a number of schools didn't have caps on number of LORs and allowed you to submit extras. If you think that your calc teacher can write you a solid LOR it might be worth getting one for those circumstances.

You might want to check out the AAMC's guide for letter writers if you haven't seen it before: https://www.aamc.org/download/349990/data/lettersguidelinesbrochure.pdf Looking at this can help you get a sense of who knows you well enough to be writing your LORs. You want your arsenal to contain letters that don't all say the same thing, but address different strengths as your writers see them.

 

[BluMist]

If you need to save a letter for the future, you can use Interfolio. I haven't used them personally but seen plenty of positive reviews; they are recommended by AMCAS as well.

This way, you can ask them for letters now and send the letters when you are actually in application cycle.

Thanks again for the advice, even if they agreed now, unless I really went out of the way to keep in touch with them it really would feel awkward to ask for a letter almost two years from now lol. I will be keeping it in mind though and asking at the end of the semesters. I did really well in Calc I and had excellent rapport with the professor, it was his first year teaching though, should I mention that I might need an LOR sometime in the future, or not bother with a class like calculus?

 

[Tremella]

A large number of schools (in my personal experience) ask for two "science" LORs and one "non-science" (the latter I interpreted as humanities, etc). However, a number of schools didn't have caps on number of LORs and allowed you to submit extras. If you think that your calc teacher can write you a solid LOR it might be worth getting one for those circumstances.

You might want to check out the AAMC's guide for letter writers if you haven't seen it before: https://www.aamc.org/download/349990/data/lettersguidelinesbrochure.pdf Looking at this can help you get a sense of who knows you well enough to be writing your LORs. You want your arsenal to contain letters that don't all say the same thing, but address different strengths as your writers see them.

Thanks, I may tutor Calculus next semester, if I do, the program at my school requires a LOR for that anyway, while I'm getting that one, I'll go ahead and give him a heads up about the tailored letter I'll need for AMCAS.

 

[Tremella]

If you need to save a letter for the future, you can use Interfolio. I haven't used them personally but seen plenty of positive reviews; they are recommended by AMCAS as well.

This way, you can ask them for letters now and send the letters when you are actually in application cycle.

This is brilliant! Thanks for this, I will definitely use Interfolio.

 

[New_Slang]

This is brilliant! Thanks for this, I will definitely use Interfolio.

Will you have access to a pre-med advisor/pre-med committee? My advisor set up the committee letter for me, which basically meant all of my letter writers sent their letter to her (with my attached AMCAS form/waiver) and then she wrote a "committee letter" which was basically a summary of her work with me and then all the things that my letter writers had said about me (like a highlights reel). Then she compiled it all into a packet and she submitted it to AMCAS (I designated with permission on the AMCAS app to do this). It was easier than tracking that each person had submitted it to AMCAS, as it gave some more flexibility with them turning it into the advisor on a flexible schedule (with a deadline).

I had 2 science faculty letters, 1 MD, and 1 boss I worked under in my previous career.

 

[Tremella]

I actually just found out we do, they have a pretty decent Pre-Med program at my current school (much better in comparison to my previous school) and they do offer this service so I will be taking advantage of this. I didn't realize this would essentially be a dossier service and resolve the issue of having to ask my recommenders to write letter after letter if I want to apply to a large number of schools. There are only 5 schools in Georgia and I was going to apply to all 5 of them, but is that not enough? If anyone is interested, there is also PrivateFolio as an alternative to Interfolio (it looks like PrivateFolio only charges you for the delivery of the letters - which seems like a much better option than charging yearly for an account).

You guys are great!! Thanks for all the info!!

 

[Eccesignum]

I actually just found out we do, they have a pretty decent Pre-Med program at my current school (much better in comparison to my previous school) and they do offer this service so I will be taking advantage of this. I didn't realize this would essentially be a dossier service and resolve the issue of having to ask my recommenders to write letter after letter if I want to apply to a large number of schools. There are only 5 schools in Georgia and I was going to apply to all 5 of them, but is that not enough? If anyone is interested, there is also PrivateFolio as an alternative to Interfolio (it looks like PrivateFolio only charges you for the delivery of the letters - which seems like a much better option than charging yearly for an account).

You guys are great!! Thanks for all the info!!

Five is a tiny number of schools to be applying to. Most people get rejected from more than that in a cycle.

As it gets closer to application time make good use of the MSAR and other resources to figure out good target schools, with some reach and some slightly below your average. The lower your numbers and poorer your ECs, the more schools you may need to apply to. I'd say baseline of 15-20 schools, possibly more depending how strong or weak your application is (which can't be assessed right now)

 

[Mwooster]

I actually just found out we do, they have a pretty decent Pre-Med program at my current school (much better in comparison to my previous school) and they do offer this service so I will be taking advantage of this. I didn't realize this would essentially be a dossier service and resolve the issue of having to ask my recommenders to write letter after letter if I want to apply to a large number of schools. There are only 5 schools in Georgia and I was going to apply to all 5 of them, but is that not enough? If anyone is interested, there is also PrivateFolio as an alternative to Interfolio (it looks like PrivateFolio only charges you for the delivery of the letters - which seems like a much better option than charging yearly for an account).

You guys are great!! Thanks for all the info!!

Good luck, OP! Being from GA means your stats don't necessarily have to be extremely good like the CA residents. Besides the GA schools I'd apply to some OOS friendly public schools or Private Schools close-by (like Tulane) if geography is important to you.

Keep in mind that this is a great service by the pre-med program at your school. In fact, since they offer this service, it is almost mandatory that you use the service. If you don't, it could raise a red flag at certain schools as some schools do ask something along the line of "If your school offers a committee letter and you don't use it, how come?" on their secondaries

 

[Tremella]

Good luck, OP! Being from GA means your stats don't necessarily have to be extremely good like the CA residents.

I've noticed. There are two lower rated schools right near me, I'm hoping, in a year or two, to have my choice of those two 😉


Edit: Not that I expect my stats to be not be extremely good. I have a good GPA, 3.82, and I'm not sure how well it would predict MCAT performance, but I tend to well on standardized tests. I wonder if there are any stats on GRE performance compared to MCAT performance - would be interesting if there were any patterns there...

 

[Tremella]

Five is a tiny number of schools to be applying to. Most people get rejected from more than that in a cycle.

Yikes, good to know, I'll definitely look into the MSAR, thanks again!!

 

[New_Slang]

Yikes, good to know, I'll definitely look into the MSAR, thanks again!!

And remember DO schools aren't included in the MSAR or in the AMCAS app, so become familiar with the ACOMAS app service if you plan to apply to a DO school

 

[Tremella]

And remember DO schools aren't included in the MSAR or in the AMCAS app, so become familiar with the ACOMAS app service if you plan to apply to a DO school

Thank you! PCOM is a DO school, I'll definitely learn AACOMAS as well.