Good idea to postpone?

[fas376]

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I'll be done with content review for Physics, Gen Chem, and Biology by next Monday (03/12). My exam is on April 13th. I haven't even touched OChem (don't ask why) and probably wont be able to for another week. Do you think it's possible to go through practice exams while learning all the Ochem on the MCAT? Or is it better to postpone to April 28th? I'm a Texas resident, and our applications open up May 1st. If I do poorly the first time around, it'll be tough for me to get in this cycle since I'll be retaking it at the end of June or beginning of July.

If it helps, my GPA is 3.65, 8 months of research (not published), and about 500 health care related working/volunteering hours (I don't see how this is relevant, but I always see people post this at the end of the thread).

 

[valkener]

Your stats are good, only a good MCAT score is missing. You should take the MCAT only when you are ready, but applying early is also vital as the scramble gets harder towards the end. You should be able to diagnose yourself with full-length AAMC tests (you should take all of them anyway) - and then see for yourself how you're doing on average. There's no way of telling how good you are at ochem at this point. Good luck!

 

[fas376]

Your stats are good, only a good MCAT score is missing. You should take the MCAT only when you are ready, but applying early is also vital as the scramble gets harder towards the end. You should be able to diagnose yourself with full-length AAMC tests (you should take all of them anyway) - and then see for yourself how you're doing on average. There's no way of telling how good you are at ochem at this point. Good luck!

Yeah I thought about that, but since I haven't studied any OChem, I figured my BS score would be low and I would end up wasting a pratice AAMC test, you know?

Also, I know this is incredibly off topic, but I noticed your avatar was Master Chief. I'm a hardcore halo fan - have you seen this? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6UL63Zo-uo&feature=player_embedded

They're getting rid of the DMR and replacing it with the BR like in Halo 3.

Okay, back to MCAT discussions now 😀

 

[Yreva]

If you haven't, buy EK OChem and you can finish reading it within a week. That's more than enough time to get you a decent score on your BS, assuming the rest of your bio knowledge is ok.

 

[ScarlettOHara]

I vote postpone. If you really think 2 weeks will improve your comfort level and score it's worth being 2 weeks later in the stacks with a higher MCAT.

 

[stevvo111]

I'll be done with content review for Physics, Gen Chem, and Biology by next Monday (03/12). My exam is on April 13th. I haven't even touched OChem (don't ask why) and probably wont be able to for another week. Do you think it's possible to go through practice exams while learning all the Ochem on the MCAT? Or is it better to postpone to April 28th? I'm a Texas resident, and our applications open up May 1st. If I do poorly the first time around, it'll be tough for me to get in this cycle since I'll be retaking it at the end of June or beginning of July.

If it helps, my GPA is 3.65, 8 months of research (not published), and about 500 health care related working/volunteering hours (I don't see how this is relevant, but I always see people post this at the end of the thread).

Yeah, you need to crush these MCAT's. You are not prepared for it, unless of course you already know ochem by heart. Otherwise, I'd postpone. Consider a year off. This way, you can study ball out and crush em and have an even better chance of getting into med school.

3.65, 8 months of research and 500 hours of volunteer hours is irrelevant when considering your MCAT score.

 

[chemhead123]

Never take the MCAT if you have any doubts about your level of preparation. Take a year off... seriously, don't do it.

 

[fas376]

Never take the MCAT if you have any doubts about your level of preparation. Take a year off... seriously, don't do it.

why would I take off? applying at the end of may is not considered late. hell, AMCAS won't even be OPEN by then..

 

[411309]

my previous exam only had five ochem quesitons, all of which were really basic. I think in most cases the amount of bio far exceeds the amount of o chem, but i guess it does depend on the test. I think it's possible to get away with doing a light o chem review but postponing it to may isnt a big deal youll still be right on time with your app.

 

[BKN89]

You don't necessarily have to take a year off. If you can pull of a test in May, you can get your scores back in mid-late June, which will mean you aren't the earliest, but you're not late either. In fact, as long as you're in before June I think you'll be okay, especially with your GPA and ECs. You seem like a solid applicant, and you can afford to push back your app a couple of weeks for a stellar MCAT score.

And yes, you can also consider taking a year off if you still can't get it done by May.