Enrolled while studying MCAT

[OnMyWayThere]

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How did you past MCAT takers prepare for the MCAT while enrolled in core sciences? I mean, I was studying for the MCAT in January all fine until yesterday when I started school . I am taking Orgo II, Bio II, Clinical Psych (each with its own lab) and Interviewing Psych ( 4 courses + 3 labs). This seems overwhelming enough and then I gotta fit in the MCAT to prepare for in April.

Did you guys/gals do this ? If so, how many classes were you taking? I am starting to think I should push my test date to August unless you previous test-takers tell me your strategies. 😕

Thanking you in advance.

 

[Disenchanted 1]

hmmm.....wow, that sux. I really feel for you. I can just imagine those miserable days. 🙄

I actually tried to take an easier load that semester!?? Is there anyway you can do this?

Here are some suggestions that I learned through the process that might help you. All of these come from my experiences and the experiences of friends around me who are in med school now. I apologize if some may be too generalized, they are simply my experiences and I just wanted to share them with you in case it helps you in any way. Of course, my experience might be different from others, so anyone who can correct or revise my suggestions, you are more than welcome to! I just wanted to point out these three things,

1) In order to do well in MCAT you definitely need hardcore studying. Even though some people are just great at it (and I hope you are one of those) but most everyone puts in a lot of effort. With that schedule you are definitely comprimising your study time on MCAT. And since MCAT is such an important factor for admission you definitely dont want to do that.

2) If you are going to apply this year (if you are a 2004 applicant) then taking the april MCAT has several advantages. For one, you can turn in your application early and of course, I am sure everyone will agree with the fact that turning in your application early definitely highers your chances ! If you wait till August to take MCAT (even though you might have scored higher) you have not been able to turn in your application early. I am not sure if there are med schools out there to which you can still apply pending the MCAT score. If that is the case then I guess it makes no difference. But in my case you definitely needed MCAT score prior to your primary application.

3)And again if you are a 2004 applicant you have also other stuff to worry about in addition to your MCAT and classes and GPA !! (sorry to tell you this) You will have to worry about getting those "stellar" recommendations from profs that of course have to take their sweet time in completing them (BTW, my advice.....ask for recommendations early b/c that way you wont have to wait around for some prof to finally get to your case). In addition, you have to start writing that all important essay. Plus, you might want to even take a look at primary app as it is always good to start looking over them around april!! and yes not to mention the secondary app with their essays! 😡 also, I remember I used to have volunteering and internship obligations as well as various other EC's to worry about!!

I am not sure but is there any way you could perhaps drop some courses and take them during summer or fall. You could always load up after this ordeal with MCAT and app is over!!? If you plan to take the august anyway and apply next year I guess that would be a differnt issue but regardless I hope some of these helped you. I wish you the best of luck.

 

[Amy B]

I was taking 12 credits while studying for the April MCAT; Organic II and 2credit lab, Physics II with lab, and Physiology.

It is doable because those classes are on the MCAT so studying for them helps you study for the MCAt and vice versa.

I would say do your best and if you bomb the MCAT, then use the summer to study and take it again in August. If you wait until August to take it and don't do well, you will have to take it in April which will hurt your chances to apply that cycle starting in June.

Good luck!!!

 

[Hamface16]

Wow- I totally know how you feel. Last year I was taking Genetics+Lab, Physical Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Instrumental Methods, plus doing research while trying to study for the MCAT. IT was definitely the hardest most stressful semester of my life. My strategy would be to take an MCAT class, because it gives you a set time to be working on MCAT stuff just like the rest of your classes. If you can't sign up for some reason (money, time conflict, already started) then set aside a time block like you do have a class and stay faithful to it. The Kaplan class I took was 3 hours on Tues, Thurs, and Sat, plus I did a lot of outside prep and took a lot of practice tests for it. Another hint if you can't take a class, find out if there is one, and if they keep practice tests on your school's campus. Ours were in our Chemistry Library and you were supposed to have a Kaplan ID but they accepted the school ID as well. They have a TON of subject and practice exams that you can use. I would caution against taking the August MCAT if you are applying next year b/c it really puts you at a disadvantage for getting interviews/acceptances since you have to submit your apps later than other people. Even with a strong app and scores you'll be behind ppl that submit earlier.

 

[fun8stuff]

I would say that most people are in your position. I am taking 18 credits which includes 19 hours of lab a week and 3 upper level classes (400 level) and I work. I am in class or working 9 to 5 T,R and 9 to 7 M,W and only a half day on friday. I had no choice with my schedule because of my program.

What do you think med school will be like? Do you think they are going to give you 6 months off to study for the USLME? No. You will be much more busy, taking much harder classes, and have a harder test to take.

As for strategy: I do a little bit every day. A little bit everyday adds up. Do 1-2 hrs a day and a little more on weekends. I also started in January because the week of tests I don't study as much for the MCAT.

One last thing: I wouldn't look at being in BioII and OrgoII as a bad thing. A lot of people have forgotten their Bio and Orgo and will have to review it. Hopefully, it will be more fresh in your mind. From my understanding, the MCAT tests very little orgo and most of what it does test is first semester. I think you may actually be at an advantage.

Good luck.

 

[elias514]

The bottom line is that studying for the MCAT is a part-time job that requires around 20-25 hrs/wk of your time. A full courseload is the equivalent of of 35-40 hrs/wk (hence the term "full-time"). The optimal balance between coursework and MCAT preparation is a 12-13 hr. courseload, which translates into about 35 hrs./wk of studying to get solid A's, and 20-25 hrs./wk for MCAT prep. In sum, you'll be "working" about 60 hrs./wk, which is reasonable. This is a good combo, because you maintain full-time status, which means you still qualify for financial aid, AND you have time to take 1 day off every week to go out and have fun. The prospect of 10-hour workdays, 6 times a week for 3 months sounds tough, but it's totally worth it for the payoff in terms of recreational time and the high score that you'll receive.

Some more advice: don't study more than 4 hrs./day for the MCAT--the law of diminishing returns kicks in around 4 hrs. This means that you need only study for the MCAT 5-6 days/wk. Breaks are very important. Set aside a day every week for rest and relaxation (e.g., Friday). In addition, take as many tests as possible. Finally, conceptual understanding is just as important as a broad scientific knowledge base for the MCAT; this means that you can't just memorize formulas and facts, you need to thoroughly understand relationships among different variables and WHY things happen in biology, o. chem, etc.

Best of luck in the pursuit of your dream! Your hard work and sacrifice are worth the suffering. Admission to the medical profession is a wonderful thing.

 

[OnMyWayThere]

Thank you all for your help. You guys/gals rock

 

[drlexygoat]

I took Organic II right before the MCAT and I thought it really helped me on that material because it was so fresh in my mind. Your schedule seems hectic but at least most the material is relevant to the MCAT for you (except psych probably)

 

[OnMyWayThere]

Originally posted by drlexygoat
I took Organic II right before the MCAT and I thought it really helped me on that material because it was so fresh in my mind. Your schedule seems hectic but at least most the material is relevant to the MCAT for you (except psych probably)

I won't be done with General Bio or Organic Chem until 6 weeks after the MCAT.

 

[fun8stuff]

Originally posted by OnMyWayThere
I won't be done with General Bio or Organic Chem until 6 weeks after the MCAT.

From my understanding, the MCAT is mostly organic I. So by being in organic II will only help solidfy your knowledge base of organic chemistry. It won't be that bad.

 

[Blade28]

I took the MCAT during the summer after my sophomore year, so I didn't have to worry about concurrent classes.