Deciding my path

[Palam]

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I'm doing a lot of extracurricular work and so this academic year will be fulfilling my organic, calculus, and physics requirements.That will leave me with:

biochemistry
neuroscience elective
independent study
biology elective (I was originally in genetics, but withdrew since I had too much on my plate)

Now first things first. I've read that the best time to take the MCAT is around May since that's when schools are selecting for the Fall. Is that the only time you can apply?

I would need biochem and the biology elective for the MCAT which means I'd be taking the exam in September of 2012 if I took the aforementioned bio classes in the summer (hopefully that's possible).

I guess that would leave me with the summer to study for the MCAT and I could always retake it in May of 2013 if my original score wasn't great. I could also spend that time building my resume.

Does this sound reasonable? Any advice would be great! I'm turning 25 this December.

 

[ShoTyme]

I'm doing a lot of extracurricular work and so this academic year will be fulfilling my organic, calculus, and physics requirements.That will leave me with:

biochemistry
neuroscience elective
independent study
biology elective (I was originally in genetics, but withdrew since I had too much on my plate)

Now first things first. I've read that the best time to take the MCAT is around May since that's when schools are selecting for the Fall. Is that the only time you can apply?

I would need biochem and the biology elective for the MCAT which means I'd be taking the exam in September of 2012 if I took the aforementioned bio classes in the summer (hopefully that's possible).

I guess that would leave me with the summer to study for the MCAT and I could always retake it in May of 2013 if my original score wasn't great. I could also spend that time building my resume.

Does this sound reasonable? Any advice would be great! I'm turning 25 this December.

You sound about where I am now. I am taking Neuroscience in the spring along with Physics 2, organic 2, and psychology research methods. My plan is to take the MCAT this summer. My plan is to maybe take biochem in the fall if I need it or if I need to retake the MCAT. So I think your plan to take the MCAT in the summer is a good one, but I'm going to do so before I take biochem. I'm older than you are and am trying to get this all completed as quickly as possible. But of course different strokes... to you.

Edit: Also my 25th birthday was actually my most difficult one. I looked at myself and thought, "I'm a quarter century old and what the hell have I been doing with my life?" As I've aged, I've become more comfortable in my own skin. Don't stress too much about your age. Enjoy the ride.

 

[Yankees2519]

I am also 25. You shouldn't think about it as being a quarter century old with nothing to show. The way I look at it, I graduated HS when I was 18, so ive only actually had 7 years to make my own decisions regarding my future. If you are already a couple years into your undergrad than you are ahead of me. Cheer up!

 

[ghostman]

I'm doing a lot of extracurricular work and so this academic year will be fulfilling my organic, calculus, and physics requirements.That will leave me with:

biochemistry
neuroscience elective
independent study
biology elective (I was originally in genetics, but withdrew since I had too much on my plate)

Now first things first. I've read that the best time to take the MCAT is around May since that's when schools are selecting for the Fall. Is that the only time you can apply?

I would need biochem and the biology elective for the MCAT which means I'd be taking the exam in September of 2012 if I took the aforementioned bio classes in the summer (hopefully that's possible).

I guess that would leave me with the summer to study for the MCAT and I could always retake it in May of 2013 if my original score wasn't great. I could also spend that time building my resume.

Does this sound reasonable? Any advice would be great! I'm turning 25 this December.

I think the best time to take the MCATs is April, assuming you feel comfortable with that early date. A May exam (which is what I did) gives you little room for a retake if you were not satisfied with your score. Your application will either be late or you'll have to end up applying for the next cycle. But if all goes well, a May MCAT should work as well.

I'm a bit lost about where you are in your studies right now. Have you finished your Gen Chem and Bio pre-reqs? If so, and you are finishing up Orgo and Phys this year, you can technically take the MCATs this Spring. But since you've loaded yourself up with the most intense courses (Orgo, Phys, Calc), I'm not sure you'll have enough time to give yourself adequate prep for a Spring MCAT. If you are in no rush to take the MCATs and can hold off until 2013, then give yourself that extra time to study.

You really don't need biochem or any bio electives to handle the level of biology on the MCATs. Not that Bio MCAT is easy, but it's more of a thinking exam based on the provided information and Bio 101. I'm taking Biochem right now during my glide year and, while the first chapter of my text seemed relevant, the MCATs do not go that much further into the details.

 

[Prncssbuttercup]

You can take the MCAT Jan-Sept. The best time to take it is when you are good and ready to take it, not sooner (unless you are a very good standardized test taker). I took my MCAT in May, applied, did well enough to get in, and decided I didn't need to take it again.

I am 35 and was just accepted, don't whine about your age on the NT forum, you'll get flamed...

 

[Palam]

I am 35 and was just accepted, don't whine about your age on the NT forum, you'll get flamed...

I never "whined", so I'm not too worried about it.

I have a strange setup going because I was originally a transfer with another major. I have taken all my neuroscience classes except the ones mentioned in the original post.

A friend suggested i take the MCAT in August without biochem, then retake in April 2013 if need be. By then I'll have graduated and really bulked up my resume.

Also- sorry for the confusion in regards to one of my questions. I was essentially asking if September was the only time you can enter medical school.

 

[Palam]

I'm definitely clicking that link.

 

[Nasrudin]

I'm doing a lot of extracurricular work and so this academic year will be fulfilling my organic, calculus, and physics requirements.That will leave me with:

biochemistry
neuroscience elective
independent study
biology elective (I was originally in genetics, but withdrew since I had too much on my plate)

Now first things first. I've read that the best time to take the MCAT is around May since that's when schools are selecting for the Fall. Is that the only time you can apply?

I would need biochem and the biology elective for the MCAT which means I'd be taking the exam in September of 2012 if I took the aforementioned bio classes in the summer (hopefully that's possible).

I guess that would leave me with the summer to study for the MCAT and I could always retake it in May of 2013 if my original score wasn't great. I could also spend that time building my resume.

Does this sound reasonable? Any advice would be great! I'm turning 25 this December.

Yeah. Like Showtyme. I felt acutely like a F'up at 25. Working a dumb job. Playing for 4-5 drunks in a little band. And going slow in no direction in particular.

Before any wave there is stasis.

And in retrospect. As little as I remember about being 25 now. I think. It must have been alright. There's just only so much time before our lights go out forever. As long as your taking chances of some sort. You're living. So don't worry so much.

I can sense you inching off my porch, like a kid trying to get away from grandpa's rambling nonsense.

Your plan is fine. If it makes sense to you. It does to me. It's like watching somebody grocery shop. And them saying does this make sense. The cellery and then the milk.

Sure.

 

[kraskadva]

Also- sorry for the confusion in regards to one of my questions. I was essentially asking if September was the only time you can enter medical school.

Yes.

And you don't need Biochem+ for the MCAT. They may be helpful, but the only classes you need are Gen Chem, Orgo, Gen Bio and Physics. You also need MCAT-specific study time. Not just the material you learned in the pre-reqs, but test methodology and full-length practice tests as well.