Finally taking an MCAT class - as fate would have it (need advice)

[Tartheheel]

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So, I am a junior planning to take the MCAT next year. For a long time I've been entertaining the idea that I will NOT pay PR/Kaplan and just study on my own using the materials I have by planning out my work...and working out my plan. But alas, it's been 4-5 months and I've gotten NO work/productive review done. I always have some sort of an excuse to not do it - this usually revolves around me not being able to find time due to school work. I mean the MCAT is soooo important!! I am done with all prereqs, but haven't practiced squat for the MCAT.

Has anyone else had a similar experience?

So, I've finally gotten myself together, and have now decided that I'll just suck it up and TAKE an MCAT class. Perhaps Princeton. Here's my idea of why:
1) having to go and sit in class and follow a strict schedule twice a week will structure my prep (hopefully) and at least get me past that initial activation energy barrier to hardcore self-directed MCAT prep.

2) Studying/sitting with other premed classmates (ahem..competition) at University, taking weekly timed exams etc. will create a productively stressful, competitive environment that I can't get at home studying in isolation.

So, yea...will have to dole out the 1700-1800 green ones...🙁

How do I make the best possible use of this class, money, and time in terms of review strategy/game plan?

I really want to be able to eventually "get into the zone" you know...the "lose yourself" mentality that many MCAT gunners on here seem to have. I'd like to get to the point where I'll start competing with myself trying to get better, better and better... (i know...i know...I can be a little too idealistic sometimes...)

 

[DrDre2001]

Regarding your first point...


The structure of the class did help, as kaplan (and im pretty sure princeton would have it too) has a gaurantee where if u do your homework you can get money back or take the class again if you dont improve. So there were many times where i was scrambling a few hours before the class to get my HW done...if not for the class and gaurantee, i prob woulda just been chillin around the house for 3-4 hours

Regarding your second point...

The "face to face competion" or whatever you want to call it definitely helped me. We would do a few timed passages in class, and then review them right after...the teacher would call on each of us to give a few answers. In the first few classes, i was getting some wrong. And i remember there were a couple kids getting everything correct. One of them was real cocky about it too. That motivated me to step my game up. And by the end i was getting almost everything correct too. This "face to face competition" also allowed me to gauge myself against other MCAT takers. Also, in the first few classes, since we were doing the passages under a time limit, i was able to look around the class and i noticed that i was finishing reading the passages a little slower than everyone else. So i worked on my speed, and after some concsious effort on this i was on par with everyone else in terms of passage reading speed. You cant really get this "face to face competition" anywhere else.

 

[Tartheheel]

Hey DrDre...really appreciate your response. The benefits of the "face-to-face" competition is really what made me finalize my decision.

As for the money back guarantee...wow...so they ACTUALLY check your HW?? 🙄 That would certainly push me to do it.

I am concerned that with the mindset and personality I have, when I do get into med school (hopefully), a P/F system might be a disincentive to work harder and master the material. So maybe I should look into non P/F schools?

 

[futuredoctor10]

For the money back guarantee, they don't "check your HW" persay (on a day to day basis). The homework is all online and electronic, so only if you need to request the Higher Score Guarantee, they will go back and check that you completed all required assignments.