GRE and MCAT

[LoneCoyote]

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I cannot believe I am even thinking about another test at T-8 days to the MCAT.... BUT, after waiting a month I finally got to meet with the pre-med advisor here this morning and we were talking about my applying to MPH programs along with my MD applications as a possible back-up plan. So, she suggested I review some math and then take the GRE asap, like early this summer, before I forget all of the verbal prep I have done. Has anyone out there taken the GRE recently? Did you have to do a lot of additional prep having studied for the MCAT? How did the verbal sections compare? Thanks! 🙂

 

[vixenell]

I've heard that the GRE is much easier than the MCAT, and that most grad schools will accept MCAT if you've taken it and are satisfied with your score. Not positive about MPH programs, though, but most of the PhD programs I'm looking at will accept MCAT in lieu of GRE.

 

[Ubu]

I think it depends on which GRE you are planning to take. I took the general GRE about 3 years ago, but I don't think the format has changed much since then. The general GRE is basically the SAT, but more fun!! 😀 I know, I'm such a dork. There are 3 sections in the test: verbal/reading comprehension, math, and analytical. I wouldn't worry about the math part since it basically algebra and some geometry and trig. but really basic stuff. the verbal is the hardest part, but nowhere as hard as the MCAT verbal. The analytical part is totally fun. I had a blast on that section. It's like a puzzle!!! If you need to study for it, I would suggest studying for the analytical part..once you get a basic idea of the pattern of puzzles, then it's easy. don't need to study for math, and if you've prepared for MCAT verbal, then I'd say you're set for the GRE as well. If you're talking about the GRE subjects though..that's a different story. Some questions they ask on the bio GRE are things I don't even remember learning in undergrad....

 

[lotanna]

Lol, i studied for GRE for 2 weeks, and got pretty ok scores, over 630+ for each section. Verbal is hard no doubt, but there is a new format, and now the writing is mandatory, so you will have to type the essay. When I took the gRE it wasnt mandatory but my epidemiology prog required it, so I had to take it. Its not bad, after studying for MCAT, it was a piece of cake

 

[DoubleOSeven]

its cake, dont worry about it at all. i didn't have time to study for the gre general at all and i did fine. the math is pretty basic and the verbal has some passages and also analogies and fill in the blank type questions if i remember correctly. i actually thought the verbal section was kinda fun! the only thing that is a little challenging is having to read the passages on the computer and not being able to circle or underline things. i dont think you'll have to take any gre subject tests for mph programs but just in case you do for any other grad programs...the gre bio is all over the place! you definitely have to dust off the old bio book for that one. but as far as the gre general goes, just relax and clear your mind when you take it. once you register for the test they send you a cd rom with a practice test on it. i would suggest doing it even though i didn't! good luck!

 

[Asclepius]

GRE math is easier than SAT math...as others have said, no problem there. I thought the GRE verbal was harder than the MCAT's. There's a lot less reading comprehension and more vocab on the GRE, but they use the same words over and over. Most study guides have extensive lists of GRE words. I think the analytical section is gone now. Didn't the writing section replace it? Most people can do fairly well without a great deal of study, especially after MCAT prep...it just depends on how well you need to do. Good luck...and don't sweat it...

 

[AEG]

I took both at about the same time last year...the GRE soon after the MCAT, and didn't study at all got the GRE and did well - mostly due to my MCAT prep. The part I had the most trouble on, however, was the verbal. My reading comp was great (due to MCAT prep) but my analogies and antonyms were lacking (I have never been good at that stuff) So read up on those if you have troubles with them! The math was really easy, and I think that they have replaced the analytical section with an essay section where you have to defend an argument (can't really remember - I didn't have to do it but I read about the change) Good Luck

 

[thirdangel]

hi! I took the GRE also and it was easy... kind of like the SAT. I didn't prepare that much, I took a few practice tests and got a good score, but I also took it before it changed and the logic section was dropped so I don't know much about the writing section.

I would just get a prep book, read it over, and do the practice exams that ETS sends you a CD with some practice exams when you sign up. The best part is that you can get your scores right after you take it!!!!

What MPH programs do you plan on applying to? I'm in my first year of an MPH program right now.
I don't think it's a good idea to apply MPH as a back up unless you are really sure that it is what you want and that you would have gotten it regardless of whether or not you get into medical school. I know a few people in my program who are not happy and would rather be in a different program...

 

[LoneCoyote]

Hey all,

Thanks for the advice 🙂 Sounds like I don't need to sweat this one too much. I think I'll get that CD after the MCAT and evaluate if I need to do anything from there.

thirdangel, MPH actually isn't really a "back up" for me. I have always planned to do MD/MPH and very likely to do a preventive medicine residency and to have a public health career. I'm very interested in Environmental Health and Health Policy. So I wouldn't be too angry or upset if I did an MPH first and then possibly re-applied for the MD or even went another direction. As for programs definitely Berkeley, maybe UCLA, SD-State. If I am not going to end up in med school I definitely do not want to leave California if I can avoid it. I know I need to do some research on differnet programs. Where are you right now? What are your impressions of the school and the MPH in general?

 

[thirdangel]

Hi AZPremed! That's good that you are not using the MPH as a backup because it would have just been a waste of time if it wasn't what you wanted. I applied to medical school and MPH programs at the same time also, but medical school didn't work out so I am in Michigan at the U of M. I think the program is really good. It's either #3 or #4 for public health. I am not crazy about the town or the state yet, but it's starting to grow on me. I am very happy with what I am learning and that I will be getting an MPH. I think that it will be extremely helpful and very useful should I decide to reapply and even if I don't.

Good luck.