Courses Before Taking MCAT???

[Spotless]

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Hi there,

What courses should I take before taking the MCAT that would benefit my results, besides taking the 1st year Bio, 1st year CHEM, Organic CHEM, Physics, and ENglish???


My other question is, is it best to take the MCAT in April rather than in August for the first time???

 

[DAL]

It's best to take the MCAT in April.

Any upper level biology, chemistry, or physics would probably help you out for the MCAT, but it's not required. Genetics, Cell Biology, Human Phys., etc. Courses of that nature could help out, but I've always heard it's best to take the MCAT when the basics (BCPM) are fresh on your mind.

 

[tms]

in addition to the basic science classes, i would suggest classes in the humanities if you are a "science" major. the verbal section is quited difficult and it proves usefull to take classes where you will be reading a lot and at an elevated level. you'll understand when you take a practice mcat.

 

[arsh]

I agree with DAL that it is best to take the MCAT when all the basics are fresh in your mind. However, I personally feel that the August MCAT is the way to go (if you have a choice). I took it in August myself. As an MCAT instructor, I have come to notice that the students who take it in August are able to put in enough time and feel much more satisfied with their preperation and performance. Since they aren't taking classes, it just becomes easier to spend time studying every day. Even if you're working fulltime over the summer, I still think that taking it in August is better. Obviously, I am really biased. People can do well is April as long as they are sure to start preparing early enough (in January or February) as well as make a strict daily schedule and follow it. I think that for a lot of students, it is tough to divide up time for studying for classes and studying for MCATs. Naturally, most of them spend too much time studying for the bio or chem that is a few days away rather than the MCAT (which is a few months away). I feel that this problem can be seriously avoided with the August MCAT. Anyway, I am sure that there are many people on these boards who will agree and just as many who will disagree with me. Good luck!

 

[sunlover]

I vote for the April MCAT. That way, your application is complete MUCH earlier in the cycle, which is a major advantage, as you may learn. You'll interview earlier and be accepted earlier at rolling schools. And, if you didn't do as well as you want, you have another chance in August, rather than having to wait another year to retake it and apply.

I recommend an MCAT prep course to help you budget your studying, but lots of people have done well without it, so that's your decision. If you take the April MCAT, beware of your course schedule. Take as few classes as you can, or only 12 credits, and make up for it some other semester if need be. It can be difficult to balance classes and studying for the MCAT (that's why I took the class-it forces you to study). IT can be done successfully.

 

[arsh]

I agree with Sunlover that the Aug MCAT can delay applications. I personally feel that the Aug exam is better when someone is taking it two years before they matriculate in med school. For instance, I took it the summer after my sophomore year; I am now a senior and I plan on going to med school right after I graduate.

 

[Iffy premed]

I think Biochem I and II are a must
Cell bio helps alot
human physiology
genetics is going to have more questions on the mcat from 2003 and on, so it is going to become more important

I took both april and august, and i took princeton review
I like the idea of taking the test twice
in april, I had to deal with mcat and finals at school, but it was good practice
the real test is different from any diagnostic that you might take
you definitely perform differently when you have to get up 6 or 7 in the morning, with relatively no breakfast, your head is dizzy from nerves, and you are cramped into a small desk with barely enough room to put your papers down, but to mention, probably a cold sandwich for lunch....yuck!
I didn't crack 30 on april, but I got above 30 in august
april showed me how and where i was weak