Fitting in certain coursework before MCAT?

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ehwatsupdoc

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7+ Year Member
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Hey guys, I am a premed going into my junior year of undergrad. I am a bit behind in coursework due to some confusion in my freshman year, but this is what I have taken from the pre reqs so far:
BIO I & II
Gen Chem I & II
Calc I & II
intro to Psychology
This coming fall semester I am taking molecular biology and organic chem I. Second semester organic chem II and maybe physics I? Or biochem? My plan is to take a gap year after college so that I can push taking the MCAT and finishing pre reqs to senior year. I am worried about fitting a year of physics and biochemistry in (without cramming too many sciences into one semester) before the MCAT. I am just looking for other perspectives on when I should take the MCAT next year and/or where is best to fit some of these pre reqs in. How vital is it to have taken all pre reqs before the MCAT? Are there some you can just as easily learn on your own? Thanks guys
 
It is vital to take the prereqs. At least one semester of biochem is critical. If you look at the new test requirements, biochem is in two sections.
 
Taught myself the physics and it went fine (top percent score in PS). I wouldn't worry about teaching yourself the physics, but the biochem I can't speak to (I took the old MCAT), though I would not recommend self-teaching more than one of the subjects.
 
Also I highly recommend Physiology. I did well on the bio section of the old MCAT because of that class.
 
I wouldn't recommend teaching yourself an entire prereq. And I say that as someone who is pretty good at independent study. Besides, you dont have to. Take physics, ochem, and biochem over the next two years and take the MCAT in April or May of senior year.