Does this plan seem doable?

[andjusticeforal]

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I currently work in a research lab full time, I put in a lot of hours in over there and I also spend about 3 hours a day commuting to and from work. I am currently taking Orgo 1 at night and it is going well. I am signed up to take the MCAT in the Spring, but I know if I have this same schedule next semester with Orgo 2 then I will not have time to study for it as I have no spare time outside of work, class, commuting. I really want to do anything I can to prevent delaying my application a year.

My current plan is to not take Orgo 2 in the Spring, but rather spend my free time studying for the MCAT once this semester is over so that I can take it in April and apply in June. I will then take Orgo 2 during the Spring of the next year (prior to matriculation if I'm accepted).

Does this seem doable? Has anyone tried this. I know there is not a ton of Orgo on the MCAT and I suppose I could teach myself the things we didn't cover this semester. Also, would this make it very difficult to get a decent grade when I finally do take Orgo 2? Any suggestions/alternate plans?

Thanks guys

 

[streampaw]

Well, your problem is that stuff from orgo 2 will be on the MCAT. I'm not sure how you could handle studying for the MCAT while also working full time, much less taking another class while studying for the MCAT AND working full time... I'd suggest, either cut the work hours in half, or perhaps delay your application a year. Or perhaps take the spring semester off from work, take that orgo class, and study for the mcat. It all depends on what you think you can handle. Have you looked over the orgo 2 material?

 

[Thego2guy]

Seems doable. It would be nice to show off those Orgo 2 grades when you apply though. Why not take Orgo 2, do some light content review throughout Spring semester. Take finals early May, study all of May and June, and take the MCAT at the end of the June? You are still applying at a very reasonable time. Your application can be complete, and schools will just receive your MCAT score.

 

[andjusticeforal]

Well, your problem is that stuff from orgo 2 will be on the MCAT. I'm not sure how you could handle studying for the MCAT while also working full time, much less taking another class while studying for the MCAT AND working full time... I'd suggest, either cut the work hours in half, or perhaps delay your application a year. Or perhaps take the spring semester off from work, take that orgo class, and study for the mcat. It all depends on what you think you can handle. Have you looked over the orgo 2 material?

I would cut my hours in half or take the spring semester off, but my PI is CRAZY (seriously insane) and would not only not allow me to do those things, but wouldn't provide me with an LOR if I wanted to do that. He is a giant in his field and I could really use his LOR so I don't want to jeopardize that. Unfortunately, he doesn't care about the success of anyone in the lab so he won't be flexible at all. In the end MCAT score is more important than 1 LOR, and I do have other great letters, maybe I will have to leave the lab and focus on studying. I haven't looked at the Orgo 2 material though. Someone in my lab that has taken the MCAT said that I could self-study it, but obviously that is not optimal.

 

[andjusticeforal]

Seems doable. It would be nice to show off those Orgo 2 grades when you apply though. Why not take Orgo 2, do some light content review throughout Spring semester. Take finals early May, study all of May and June, and take the MCAT at the end of the June? You are still applying at a very reasonable time. Your application can be complete, and schools will just receive your MCAT score.

Thanks for the reply. That certainly is a valid option, but unfortunately for me I am a non-trad and will need some really dedicated review (especially Physics) in order to be prepared. I don't think I will be able to handle that while working and taking Orgo 2.

 

[Thego2guy]

Thanks for the reply. That certainly is a valid option, but unfortunately for me I am a non-trad and will need some really dedicated review (especially Physics) in order to be prepared. I don't think I will be able to handle that while working and taking Orgo 2.

My pleasure. And I don't know. I'm biased. Personally I am trying to cram as many classes (that are recommended by med schools) into my three years before applications as I can (biostats, calculus with bio applications, orgo, physics, chem, bio, biochemistry). These are relevant courses to them, and it arms them with the tools necessary to properly assess my stance vs other premeds, and my likelihood to succeed in med school. This is coming at the cost of taking the MCAT later in the year.

So the question is this: Should you miss the opportunity to show a VERY important grade to med schools (which can potentially boost up your overall and science GPA, and is the most major weed out course for premeds) and get a good score on the MCAT while applying very early or get Orgo 2 in, study for 3 months, take exam at the end of July (May, June, July to study) and be fully complete sometime in August.

I'll let someone with more experience answer. Bear in mind, SDN is heavily biased toward "applying as early as you can". My mentality is that you don't want to rush it. You want to be a complete package and provide as many variables as you can that go into your favor (orgo 2 and MCAT). For me, that probably outweighs being complete super early.

 

[andjusticeforal]

My pleasure. And I don't know. I'm biased. Personally I am trying to cram as many classes (that are recommended by med schools) into my three years before applications as I can (biostats, calculus with bio applications, orgo, physics, chem, bio, biochemistry). These are relevant courses to them, and it arms them with the tools necessary to properly assess my stance vs other premeds, and my likelihood to succeed in med school. This is coming at the cost of taking the MCAT later in the year.

So the question is this: Should you miss the opportunity to show a VERY important grade to med schools (which can potentially boost up your overall and science GPA, and is the most major weed out course for premeds) and get a good score on the MCAT while applying very early or get Orgo 2 in, study for 3 months, take exam at the end of July (May, June, July to study) and be fully complete sometime in August.

I'll let someone with more experience answer. Bear in mind, SDN is heavily biased toward "applying as early as you can". My mentality is that you don't want to rush it. You want to be a complete package and provide as many variables as you can that go into your favor (orgo 2 and MCAT). For me, that probably outweighs being complete super early.

I don't think my application will be strong enough to be very successful later in the cycle to be honest. I think will be someone that could really use the benefit of being complete early.

 

[SN12357]

I currently work in a research lab full time, I put in a lot of hours in over there and I also spend about 3 hours a day commuting to and from work. I am currently taking Orgo 1 at night and it is going well. I am signed up to take the MCAT in the Spring, but I know if I have this same schedule next semester with Orgo 2 then I will not have time to study for it as I have no spare time outside of work, class, commuting. I really want to do anything I can to prevent delaying my application a year.

My current plan is to not take Orgo 2 in the Spring, but rather spend my free time studying for the MCAT once this semester is over so that I can take it in April and apply in June. I will then take Orgo 2 during the Spring of the next year (prior to matriculation if I'm accepted).

Does this seem doable? Has anyone tried this. I know there is not a ton of Orgo on the MCAT and I suppose I could teach myself the things we didn't cover this semester. Also, would this make it very difficult to get a decent grade when I finally do take Orgo 2? Any suggestions/alternate plans?

Thanks guys

I think this is doable, and I sympathize with having a PI whose goodwill you need but requires crazy hours.

Of all the prereqs, orgo 2 has the least material on the MCAT. If you are able to dedicate appropriate time to study and are confident after orgo 1, you could pull this off.

I recommend a May (not April) MCAT and a June submission of your primary. Does NOT have to be the first day, doing that is overrated. Applying in mid/late June is still early.

 

[roundza]

Hi! Have you considered taking orgo II while you are applying, AFTER you've finished the MCAT? Honestly orgo makes up a pretty small amount of the MCAT material and if you are doing well with orgo I then learning the necessary rules for orgo II in a content review specific to the mcat should be enough to beast that 1 passage. I'd maybe study from Dec-May, take the mcat in may, and then prepare all your app matericals in time for june to be sent off. Then take Orgo II int he second half of the summer (july-aug). In the mean time I'd start working on your Personal Statement and getting allyour transcripts together so everything is ready to go come June. It's not ideal but you'll have your grades by the time you are getting interview invites and you will be able to keep your job/LOR. Don't underestimate the power of a great LOR!!! Unlike the MCAT score, the LOR will set you apart from the rest of the applicants as many will tell you... schools look for that "whole package."

Also- what's wrong with waiting another year? I understand it might be frustrating but I'm also a somewhat nontrad and I regret nothing about spacing out my pre-med tasks so that I could do well at each step of the way

 

[andjusticeforal]

I think this is doable, and I sympathize with having a PI whose goodwill you need but requires crazy hours.

Of all the prereqs, orgo 2 has the least material on the MCAT. If you are able to dedicate appropriate time to study and are confident after orgo 1, you could pull this off.

I recommend a May (not April) MCAT and a June submission of your primary. Does NOT have to be the first day, doing that is overrated. Applying in mid/late June is still early.

I think a May MCAT is a great idea, I will most likely move my test date to then. I looked at the AAMC Orgo content outline and it seem's there's not a ton I would need to learn. Do you think schools will mind if I don't have my Orgo 2 grade and plan to take it in spring 2015?

 

[hubriz]

I currently work in a research lab full time, I put in a lot of hours in over there and I also spend about 3 hours a day commuting to and from work. I am currently taking Orgo 1 at night and it is going well. I am signed up to take the MCAT in the Spring, but I know if I have this same schedule next semester with Orgo 2 then I will not have time to study for it as I have no spare time outside of work, class, commuting. I really want to do anything I can to prevent delaying my application a year.

My current plan is to not take Orgo 2 in the Spring, but rather spend my free time studying for the MCAT once this semester is over so that I can take it in April and apply in June. I will then take Orgo 2 during the Spring of the next year (prior to matriculation if I'm accepted).

Does this seem doable? Has anyone tried this. I know there is not a ton of Orgo on the MCAT and I suppose I could teach myself the things we didn't cover this semester. Also, would this make it very difficult to get a decent grade when I finally do take Orgo 2? Any suggestions/alternate plans?

Thanks guys

If you are willing to delay your application cycle and you feel that your competitiveness relies on an excellent MCAT score, then you should seriously consider delaying until after Orgo 2 in order to give yourself the opportunity you want.

HOWEVER

I had a very similar choice to make, but I decided to not delay my application cycle, because I felt (correctly) that I could compensate for the points lost as a result of BS section by scoring well in PS and VR.

In my case, I had not taken ANY undergraduate course in 10 years, and so I essentially had to start over. I was confident that I could score 30+ with only a slight review of BS (only reading) and that a score of 30 would land me into a decent med school. That is the risk I took. I took it after I scored an 11 on a simulated test in BS and a 7 in PS. My hope was to score a 12+ in BS (after light review) and bring my PS up to a 12+. So, while I plugged away at PS, I read every once in a while BS MCAT material.

I ended up with a 13 on PS and a 09 on BS . I scored a 33 overall, which I was satisfied with even though my BS score dropped (oh well). Could I have scored a 36+ and would that have made a difference for me? Yes, I could have, and no I don't think it would have made a difference to me. I am matriculating into Mayo Medical School in the fall and I don't think any other program could sway my decision. If I wanted to go to Hopkins, it probably would have made a difference - my application is still pending there, so maybe it would not have. Either way, studying for 1 or 2 more months sounds so dreadful that I am very happy with my decision, as is my wife.

Importantly, I decided to let my experiences and accomplishments in biomedical sciences (I have a PhD) speak for themselves, and I reasoned that admissions committees would do the same.

In your case, you should ensure that you have a great working knowledge of orgo 1 at least. By giving yourself sufficient time to prepare for the other sections, you can still do very well on the MCAT without having to delay your application.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[andjusticeforal]

Hi! Have you considered taking orgo II while you are applying, AFTER you've finished the MCAT? Honestly orgo makes up a pretty small amount of the MCAT material and if you are doing well with orgo I then learning the necessary rules for orgo II in a content review specific to the mcat should be enough to beast that 1 passage. I'd maybe study from Dec-May, take the mcat in may, and then prepare all your app matericals in time for june to be sent off. Then take Orgo II int he second half of the summer (july-aug). In the mean time I'd start working on your Personal Statement and getting allyour transcripts together so everything is ready to go come June. It's not ideal but you'll have your grades by the time you are getting interview invites and you will be able to keep your job/LOR. Don't underestimate the power of a great LOR!!! Unlike the MCAT score, the LOR will set you apart from the rest of the applicants as many will tell you... schools look for that "whole package."

Also- what's wrong with waiting another year? I understand it might be frustrating but I'm also a somewhat nontrad and I regret nothing about spacing out my pre-med tasks so that I could do well at each step of the way

I think Summer Orgo would be to intense to handle on top of work and probably wouldn't work with my schedule, although it would be nice to get it out of the way in August. As far as taking another year- I think I would be a way stronger candidate with more research/pubs and more time to nail the MCAT, but I think I have good enough ec's to get in and like many people here I just really want to get on with my life haha.

 

[SN12357]

I think a May MCAT is a great idea, I will most likely move my test date to then. I looked at the AAMC Orgo content outline and it seem's there's not a ton I would need to learn. Do you think schools will mind if I don't have my Orgo 2 grade and plan to take it in spring 2015?

If they have no reason to doubt you (ie, if all your other prereqs & the MCAT are fine) then it should be ok. I am taking a basic prereq right now during my application cycle. The rest of my record (including my MCAT) is solid enough no school cares as long I have the grade by the time I matriculate.

Before you commit to this plan do figure out if you'll need biochem, if you don't have it already. A lot of schools require it for matriculation so you might need to put it in your application year as well.

I do NOT recommend a summer course during your application cycle. Applying itself is more work than a course, and emotionally draining on top of it.

 

[andjusticeforal]

If they have no reason to doubt you (ie, if all your other prereqs & the MCAT are fine) then it should be ok. I am taking a basic prereq right now during my application cycle. The rest of my record (including my MCAT) is solid enough no school cares as long I have the grade by the time I matriculate.

Before you commit to this plan do figure out if you'll need biochem, if you don't have it already. A lot of schools require it for matriculation so you might need to put it in your application year as well.

I do NOT recommend a summer course during your application cycle. Applying itself is more work than a course, and emotionally draining on top of it.

Ya all of my other grades are pretty solid so that's a plus, and the schools I'm planning on applying to don't require biochem. Thanks for the input, good to know that the schools won't count it against me.