Help me schedule my DIY post-bacc!

[Pose]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hi,

So I was originally accepted to the Harvard HCP for this year, but had to withdraw due to work schedule (I work in the Boston area as an ED tech, four-ish 12's a week). Anyhow, I am enrolled for Gen Chem 1 and Physics 1 for this semester at a state school nearby -- and I'm trying to get a tentative timeframe for applying to medical school. I've already completed bio (but I'd need a killer review, as this was two years ago).

My initial plan:

Fall '11: Gen Chem 1, Physics 1
Spring '12: Gen Chem 2, Physics 2
Summer 1: Orgo 1
Summer 2: Orgo 2
MCAT

My concern is that I'd like to apply as early as possible -- but if I'm not mistaken, I'd be set back quite a bit if summer session 2 does not end until August and I have yet to take the MCAT. Is this correct?

So this leaves me with either my original plan, and to apply late; take the MCAT without/during Orgo II; or skip summer orgo and take Orgo 1 during fall '12, and Orgo II spring '13. I'd really not like to wait two more years.

Thanks!

 

[DrMidlife]

None of the above.

See how your fall grades are. If you're killing it, then you can think about cutting some corners. If you're struggling, then you have to slow it down.

MCAT prep is separate from taking classes - what's your plan for separate prep?

I think it's horrible planning, generally, when people schedule the MCAT for anything later than May. We see teeming hordes of low-scoring August MCAT takers on SDN, asking what they should do with their gap year. What they should do is go back in time and have a better plan that maximizes their MCAT score potential in time for an early AMCAS. Early is June.

Best of luck to you.

 

[aSagacious]

None of the above.

+1. I don't think it's a good idea to study for the MCAT while finishing up pre-reqs, since of course you can't review what you haven't yet learned. I also agree that an August MCAT is far too late. Just take the extra year to adequately prepare for the exam and be ready to apply early next year. Life is not a race.

 

[nycsoul87]

STOP!

It's going to be nearly impossible to take summer orgo and successfully study for the MCAT.

I tried that this past summer and it did not go well at all. I did poorly in Orgo, getting C+/B- in Orgo I/ Orgo II, and ended up not even taking the MCAT. (I will be taking it in Jan2012 instead and applying Summer 2012.)

Keep it mind that this is with having had just finished Bio/Physics/Gen Chem in the past yr (3.8 in those courses).

Listen, as much as you want to not wait two years, you don't want to shoot yourself in the foot by doing poorly. Take your time, do it right. I tried to rush and put myself behind the 8-ball a bit because of it.

TLDR;
Don't rush and try to do Orgo + MCAT in one summer
I know it sucks to hear it but take your time and do it right: Apply 2013