Coursework/Class planning and best time for MCAT?

[dec0y]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I am a little bit curious as when the optimal time to take the courses that I need pre-MCAT.

I am about to start my sophmore year at the State university (University of Oregon). So far I have just taken general classes, I don't have a major yet, so there isnt really any consistency in my classes thus far. However, now knowing that I want to be a physician, I need certain classes for the MCAT, and I at least have a little direction... The problem is this: I have not finished a year of physics, biology, chem, calculus, or o. chem. In fact, I only have one quarter of general biology so far.

So this is where I sort of need some help. What is the best order to take the classes in so I am well prepared for the big test? So far for this term I am scheduled for calc, general chem, and physics, which are all 3-quarter sequences. This means that next year I would be taking o.chem and finishing up my bio reqs--bio is a 4-quarter sequence, I have 1 completed. If I was to take the MCAT in April, then i would only have 2/3 terms of both bio and o.chem. So, naturally the next best idea would be to take it in September of my 4th year, correct?

Should I try and get into the bio class this term and finish the sequence up by the end of the year, or should I stick with physics? I am stuck with Chem and Calc for now, which I dont think will be a problem. If I take bio this year I will be taking o.chem and physics at the same time next year.

So I guess my question is: Is it smarter to take physics closer to the date of the MCAT, or biology.

Also, I am wondering what classes have you taken that you thought helped a lot on the MCAT. Right now, it seems that I am going to be a 5-year student, which means I could, in theory, take the MCAT in April of my 4th year. But, the downside to this is that I would not have had a physics course for about a year, or, possibly two. Do the review books and practice tests do enough to jar your memory of important concepts and formulas? Or is it smarter to take the test when these concepts are freshly implanted for the first time?

Taking the MCAT in spring of my 4th year would also offer me the oppurtunity to take biochemistry and physiology, and other courses (hoping for some reccomendations here). What is your opinion on this approach?

I know I am getting a late start here, I'm just looking for some advice for getting back on track.



Sorry if that seemed long, but I've been rolling over it quite a bit lately and I want some outside opinions from people that know!

 

[Kazema]

Since you're going for 5 years, I advise taking it April of your 4th year if you aren't going to have the prereqs done by the summer after your 3rd year.

Calc doesn't matter at all (or at most, very minimally) for the MCAT so just get that out of the way. If you're taking a prep class it probably doesn't matter too much what order you take your classes - make sure you understand what you're learning and it should come back pretty quickly when you review. Even without the prep class, if you study pretty well on your own you should relearn everything okay. So if I were you I'd try to stagger Physics and OChem so that I wouldn't have to take them at the same time, unless you feel confident that you can handle it. Those two subjects generally give people more trouble than Bio or G.Chem.

Just make sure you gain a fundamental comprehension of all those subjects from your classes and do a well-planned review of the material and you'll be fine.

I definitely recommend Physiology if you have time for it. Then Biochem, then Genetics.

 

[Medikit]

I pretty much agree with Kazema, I'm just posting because he obviously has no credibility without my name behind him.

 

[Kazema]

I pretty much agree with Kazema, I'm just posting because he obviously has no credibility without my name behind him.

So true, so true...

 

[sintheta]

Physiology at my school is notoriously hard. Do you think it's still worth it to take it for preparation for the MCAT?

 

[Jason110]

Physiology at my school is notoriously hard. Do you think it's still worth it to take it for preparation for the MCAT?

Your intro classes should give you enough to do well on the MCAT. If you are interested in physiology (and it might help for MedSchool Year I), I would wait until your last year of college. That's probably the best bet.

Jason

 

[SanDiegoSOD]

Physiology at my school is notoriously hard. Do you think it's still worth it to take it for preparation for the MCAT?

No, because you dont need advanced physiology training for the MCAT. But it is worth taking to prepare for medical school.

 

[ambrosia]

Physiology at my school is notoriously hard. Do you think it's still worth it to take it for preparation for the MCAT?

NO! not worth it at all. I had taken no bio at all (not even intro bio, nothing since highschool) before the mcat and still managed to get an 11 on bs. As long as you study the material you need to know, you'll be fine.