- Joined
- Sep 19, 2013
- Messages
- 72
- Reaction score
- 15
Thanks for reading. I believe (correct if wrong)I am a strong applicant, save that I haven't yet taken MCAT.
UC Davis Class of 2017:
- Major: Political Science
- 3.87 sGPA, 3.94 cGPA
- 2 years of clinical research
- 9 months as ER tech (EMT-certified)
- 3 months as healthcare policy analyst intern
- 5 weeks clinical work in South Africa (area of research)
- 1 year of clinical work in undergraduate university-associated rural clinic
Current:
- ER scribe
- Volunteer leadership position for congressional campaign (Federal, House of Representatives)
Notes:
- Documented disability
- Community college transfer / non-trad
Additional relevant background follows; questions bolded at bottom if you wish to skip.
Underlying longer-term problem: I more ground to make up on MCAT content review than typical.
- Never taken:
• psychology/sociology
• anatomy (cell bio only)
- Taken, but poor retention
• lab procedure stuff
• research paper reading "skills"
• general chemistry (4 years ago, largely forgotten)
Given this, and that my record does not indicate any of these deficiencies I am concerned the MCAT may "expose" me. I also feel as though I have "more to lose" in that and a 515+ score is required to prevent major limitations on my potential as an applicant that are not baked in as MCAT TBD "wait and see" applicant.
I am scheduled to take MCAT June 2 (delayed before from April 20) and don't think I am on track to be prepared by test day (some urgency to assess as seats may fill). I have spent a lot of time on content review, creating comprehensive Anki decks for Bio/Biochem/P/S.
At this point, with 80 days remaining (55 non-work days), I need to invest time to:
• review Bio/Biochem/P/S decks in full
• strengthen passage-based skills (many unforced errors, low comprehension)
• really strengthen C/P, my weakest section (memorize equations etc.)
• CARS is of least concern, and seems to be on track
Time is short enough now that I am starting to feel a push-pull between these areas to cover and looks as though having all of my bases covered isn't "adding up" within available timeframe.
I have been experiencing significant and worsening anxiety ("impending sense of doom") over this period that was acute enough that my therapist has prescribed my beta blockers that I am to start on tomorrow. It would be fair the anxiety has somewhat sapped my efficiency.
With that background, I'll state the fundamental question being asked succinctly:
Is it "normal" to sit for the test knowing full well that you have not completed content review due to having had to shift over to simulating test conditions/passages as you run short on time?
Should I delay my MCAT from June 2 to June 17 (or even June 30 if 2 weeks is argued to be inconsequential)?
Does the fact that I am an otherwise strong applicant (again, correct me if I'm wrong) make me less subject to the disadvantages associated with applying in mid/late July? (my primary will be sent out to 1 school without MCAT, as is often suggested)
Am I just being neurotic and shooting myself in the foot?
UC Davis Class of 2017:
- Major: Political Science
- 3.87 sGPA, 3.94 cGPA
- 2 years of clinical research
- 9 months as ER tech (EMT-certified)
- 3 months as healthcare policy analyst intern
- 5 weeks clinical work in South Africa (area of research)
- 1 year of clinical work in undergraduate university-associated rural clinic
Current:
- ER scribe
- Volunteer leadership position for congressional campaign (Federal, House of Representatives)
Notes:
- Documented disability
- Community college transfer / non-trad
Additional relevant background follows; questions bolded at bottom if you wish to skip.
Underlying longer-term problem: I more ground to make up on MCAT content review than typical.
- Never taken:
• psychology/sociology
• anatomy (cell bio only)
- Taken, but poor retention
• lab procedure stuff
• research paper reading "skills"
• general chemistry (4 years ago, largely forgotten)
Given this, and that my record does not indicate any of these deficiencies I am concerned the MCAT may "expose" me. I also feel as though I have "more to lose" in that and a 515+ score is required to prevent major limitations on my potential as an applicant that are not baked in as MCAT TBD "wait and see" applicant.
I am scheduled to take MCAT June 2 (delayed before from April 20) and don't think I am on track to be prepared by test day (some urgency to assess as seats may fill). I have spent a lot of time on content review, creating comprehensive Anki decks for Bio/Biochem/P/S.
At this point, with 80 days remaining (55 non-work days), I need to invest time to:
• review Bio/Biochem/P/S decks in full
• strengthen passage-based skills (many unforced errors, low comprehension)
• really strengthen C/P, my weakest section (memorize equations etc.)
• CARS is of least concern, and seems to be on track
Time is short enough now that I am starting to feel a push-pull between these areas to cover and looks as though having all of my bases covered isn't "adding up" within available timeframe.
I have been experiencing significant and worsening anxiety ("impending sense of doom") over this period that was acute enough that my therapist has prescribed my beta blockers that I am to start on tomorrow. It would be fair the anxiety has somewhat sapped my efficiency.
With that background, I'll state the fundamental question being asked succinctly:
Is it "normal" to sit for the test knowing full well that you have not completed content review due to having had to shift over to simulating test conditions/passages as you run short on time?
Should I delay my MCAT from June 2 to June 17 (or even June 30 if 2 weeks is argued to be inconsequential)?
Does the fact that I am an otherwise strong applicant (again, correct me if I'm wrong) make me less subject to the disadvantages associated with applying in mid/late July? (my primary will be sent out to 1 school without MCAT, as is often suggested)
Am I just being neurotic and shooting myself in the foot?
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