Confused about the whole process and need advice on when I should take the MCAT/start studying

[jupiter78]

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Hey guys, so I know the general advice for MCAT studying is that its never too early but I'm a bit confused about when I should take the test because I haven't taken physics or biochem yet and i'm going to be a junior in the fall.

So far I have taken biology, general/organic chem, and psychology. I'm going to take physics and biochem in the fall and so I'm wondering if I should take the MCAT right after the spring semester in like May or June or take it later.

I want to have physics 2 done before the test but I also feel like studying for the MCAT during the school year while also having a job will be horrible (especially with the test right after finals). Do most people do this or do they just study during the summer?

Thank you

 

[BigBoss]

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[jupiter78]

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Thank you but I didnt see anything there that really helps the main point of my post here. I'm unsure if I should take the MCAT right after spring 2019 since I will have study during school months or if I should just take a gap year so I can study during the summer and take the MCAT later.

Is it a bad idea to study for the MCAT during an typical semester with classes like physics, anatomy, cell bio, etc.?

 

[ciestar]

Most seem to take it during the summer if they’re still in school since there is more time to dedicate to it.

Just take it when you’re ready. I cannot say when that will be, but for sure after you’ve taken the pre-reqs.

 

[BigBoss]

It's recommended the MCAT be taken during the summer before your senior year in college.

 

[Lucca]

So it really depends on what else you have going on. Many, many people take it in the spring of Junior year. Here are some possible paths:

1. Start studying during the fall semester. Treat McAT study like an extra course. Finish all content review before the end of the semester. Be doing passage practice and section practice throughout. Winter break hits. Hardcore full length practice testing and reviewing the exams. Do as many practice exams as physically possible. Take in January before spring semester.

2. Start studying winter break. Content review done by Spring semester. Find time in the spring for FL testing. Same as above. Take exam in April-early June.

I think 1 is a better way, personally, but it’s up to you. Not that much physics on the MCAT tbh. Biochem is a must. Taking the course while studying for the McAT will be helpful

 

[jupiter78]

So it really depends on what else you have going on. Many, many people take it in the spring of Junior year. Here are some possible paths:

1. Start studying during the fall semester. Treat McAT study like an extra course. Finish all content review before the end of the semester. Be doing passage practice and section practice throughout. Winter break hits. Hardcore full length practice testing and reviewing the exams. Do as many practice exams as physically possible. Take in January before spring semester.

2. Start studying winter break. Content review done by Spring semester. Find time in the spring for FL testing. Same as above. Take exam in April-early June.

I think 1 is a better way, personally, but it’s up to you. Not that much physics on the MCAT tbh. Biochem is a must. Taking the course while studying for the McAT will be helpful

Thank you, this is kind of the advice I was looking for. So I don't want to take the MCAT in January because i'm taking physics 2 in the spring and I want to have all my prereq's done before the test. Would it be worth it to start studying in the fall and keep studying until an exam date in May-June 2019?

I've heard some people say that studying for more than 3 months isn't worth it but it sounds better for me since i'll have less time to study each day with classes and a job at the same time.

 

[Dr. Meliodas]

Your other option is to take a gap year and take it as late as possible the summer after Junior year. That way you can spend the entire summer studying for the MCAT without having to worry about your grades in schools, finals and if your lucky and able to not work during the summer that too.

Taking the gap year will allow your seniors grades to be factored in when you apply to med school which if you do well will bring up your GPA. This will also give you more time to focus on shadowing, clinical volunteering, non-clinical volunteering, and research.

Average age of incoming medical students is 24. Don't rush the process and take it when you feel confident you will do well.

Wish you the best of luck!

 

[Lucca]

Thank you, this is kind of the advice I was looking for. So I don't want to take the MCAT in January because i'm taking physics 2 in the spring and I want to have all my prereq's done before the test. Would it be worth it to start studying in the fall and keep studying until an exam date in May-June 2019?

I've heard some people say that studying for more than 3 months isn't worth it but it sounds better for me since i'll have less time to study each day with classes and a job at the same time.

You really don’t need physics 2 to study for the physics on the McAT. You barely need physics 1. No need to put off studying for that reason.

It’s ok to study for longer periods of time if it’s more protracted, but I do believe you have to pick a point to start going hard in the paint or you won’t be as prepared as you should be to get the best possible score. So there should be a protected period of FL testing IMO just cuz it’s easier to schedule that way. The main danger in studying for too long is burnout.

 

[jupiter78]

Your other option is to take a gap year and take it as late as possible the summer after Junior year. That way you can spend the entire summer studying for the MCAT without having to worry about your grades in schools, finals and if your lucky and able to not work during the summer that too.

Taking the gap year will allow your seniors grades to be factored in when you apply to med school which if you do well will bring up your GPA. This will also give you more time to focus on shadowing, clinical volunteering, non-clinical volunteering, and research.

Average age of incoming medical students is 24. Don't rush the process and take it when you feel confident you will do well.

Wish you the best of luck!

This idea is also on my mind because my volunteering and research EC's are really lacking and I would love extra time to beef them up. I think I'm going to start this schoolyear and see where I stand in the spring on practice tests. If I'm still not doing great then I'll probably do a gap year.

The main reason I'm hesitant on the gap year option though is that my parents seem to think it's a waste of time and that I should take the MCAT as soon as possible so I don't forget content I learned in classes semesters ago.

 

[jupiter78]

You really don’t need physics 2 to study for the physics on the McAT. You barely need physics 1. No need to put off studying for that reason.

It’s ok to study for longer periods of time if it’s more protracted, but I do believe you have to pick a point to start going hard in the paint or you won’t be as prepared as you should be to get the best possible score. So there should be a protected period of FL testing IMO just cuz it’s easier to schedule that way. The main danger in studying for too long is burnout.

Huh, well I guess I still have very little idea of how much the MCAT tests for on the actual pre-req's but I'm glad if physics 2 is as unimportant as you say.

I'm still curious a bit about how you guys did it. Did you have classes and a job during the bulk of your MCAT studying or did you avoid things like a job/volunteering/research so you could prioritize more study time?

 

[trobinsonmd]

Thank you but I didnt see anything there that really helps the main point of my post here. I'm unsure if I should take the MCAT right after spring 2019 since I will have study during school months or if I should just take a gap year so I can study during the summer and take the MCAT later.

Is it a bad idea to study for the MCAT during an typical semester with classes like physics, anatomy, cell bio, etc.?

If you take the MCAT right after spring semester, that means you are going to have to concurrently study for it with your other hard science classes... most people who concurrently study and do well typically take an easy course load... it will be hard to have a heavy course load and study as well... If you had an easier course load, I would have said give it a shot, but if your course load is difficult, you are going to risk messing up your GPA and your MCAT... it is not worth the risk... it's best to only take the mcat once and do it right, so I would recommend a gap year

 

[Lucca]

Huh, well I guess I still have very little idea of how much the MCAT tests for on the actual pre-req's but I'm glad if physics 2 is as unimportant as you say.

I'm still curious a bit about how you guys did it. Did you have classes and a job during the bulk of your MCAT studying or did you avoid things like a job/volunteering/research so you could prioritize more study time?

I did 10-12 hours a day 6 days a week for 6 weeks over winter break. No other responsibilities. I came in knowing that I had a strong background in most subjects. If I were to do it again, I would do 3 months over the summer, full dedicated time. I dont think its impossible, or even bad, to do it alongside classes, but I do think you need to have an easier schedule and treat the MCAT like a 5-6 credit course.

 

[Happy Duck]

I took physics II and Biochem in the Spring semester. Started studying for the MCAT that previous winter break, and found it really helpful to be learning material in class that I also had to know for the MCAT. Aside from those two classes the rest of my course load was pretty light, so as to have time to study. I took the MCAT in May, about a week and a half after my school finals ended. I liked that the content from my classes was still fresh in my mind, and that I got to have my summer to work on applying.

 

[raiderette]

Huh, well I guess I still have very little idea of how much the MCAT tests for on the actual pre-req's but I'm glad if physics 2 is as unimportant as you say.

I'm still curious a bit about how you guys did it. Did you have classes and a job during the bulk of your MCAT studying or did you avoid things like a job/volunteering/research so you could prioritize more study time?

I studied while taking a full course load and working 20 hrs. a week plus ECs. Just treat it like another class and be prepared to give up some free time. If I could do it again, I would have taken one less class that semester, but it worked out well for me. I took my test at the end of May, so I had two weeks to do FL tests and focus on weakness.

 

[bioislife]

I took my test the summer after graduating, before pursuing any full-time opportunity. I would suggest taking the test the summer between junior and senior year onces you've done all the pre-reqs. Also, study full time.

I would NOT suggest studying for the MCAT during the semester.