Help me with timelines..

[FiremedicMike]

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I have 8 semester left, including this current semester. This is 3 full time semesters to finish my bachelors then 5 semesters (part time, doubtful I could schedule full time in class while maintaining my full time job) to finish my pre-reqs. This has me completing all pre reqs and bachelors in the first week of May, 2015.

My timeline question is three parts;

1. My last semester (Jan 2015-May 2015) is orgo 2 and physics 2. Are those classes necessary to complete/understand prior to taking the MCAT?

2. When does the MCAT need to be complete in order to apply for admission in 2015? I understand early applications are favored, when does an early application need to be in by? (ballpark is OK, I understand schools have slightly different timelines)

3. Is this cutting it too close for admission to begin in 2015 for the class of 2019?

 

[akinetopsia]

1) Re: Organic 2/Physics 2 & the MCAT. They could help, they could hurt you. It's really luck of the draw depending on what topics are covered on the test.

2) To apply for admission in 2015 (start medical school in Summer 2015) you'll want to apply as soon as AMCAS/AACOMAS open in May/June 2014. So technically, if you were planning on taking Organic 1/Physics 1 in the Fall of 2014, you could take the MCAT during Winter Break, your score will be back in plenty of time to submit as soon as AMCAS/AACOMAS open, but you wouldn't have covered anything in Physics 2/Organic 2 by that point. As far as ballpark - earlier is better. The earlier you finish your AMCAS/AACOMAS and the earlier you are complete (LORs in, transcripts, etc), the better shape you'll be in among applicants.

3) It's not cutting it too close, but consider:
- you'll be working full time
- you'll be taking two not-so-easy for most people classes
- you'll have a few months off from school being out Spring Semester 2015 and matriculating in the summer, assuming you get an acceptance

 

[FiremedicMike]

1) Re: Organic 2/Physics 2 & the MCAT. They could help, they could hurt you. It's really luck of the draw depending on what topics are covered on the test.

2) To apply for admission in 2015 (start medical school in Summer 2015) you'll want to apply as soon as AMCAS/AACOMAS open in May/June 2014. So technically, if you were planning on taking Organic 1/Physics 1 in the Fall of 2014, you could take the MCAT during Winter Break, your score will be back in plenty of time to submit as soon as AMCAS/AACOMAS open, but you wouldn't have covered anything in Physics 2/Organic 2 by that point. As far as ballpark - earlier is better. The earlier you finish your AMCAS/AACOMAS and the earlier you are complete (LORs in, transcripts, etc), the better shape you'll be in among applicants.

3) It's not cutting it too close, but consider:
- you'll be working full time
- you'll be taking two not-so-easy for most people classes
- you'll have a few months off from school being out Spring Semester 2015 and matriculating in the summer, assuming you get an acceptance

So I could apply in mid 2014, then take my MCAT after that, and submit my MCAT score in early 2015? For that matter, if I apply in mid 2014, I'll still have two more semesters of prereqs, is that normal?

 

[NuttyEngDude]

I think your time line is too fast, you need to start the application a year prior to the year you want to matriculate. So if you want to start in fall 2015, you really need to start applying in the summer of 2014, which means mcat in 2014.

Also, pretty sure the mcat changes in 2015 so take that into account, I havent paid attention to what the new classes are but I am pretty sure orgo2 will not be on 2015 and there will be biochem and a new social sciences section that includes sociology and psychology.

check this link:
https://www.aamc.org/students/applying/mcat/mcat2015/

so unless you want to change things up, you should probably take the mcat in 2014 or start adding classes for the 2015 test, and also plan for 2016 matriculation.

For that matter, if I apply in mid 2014, I'll still have two more semesters of prereqs, is that normal?

I would probably plan for a 2015 mcat and take those classes into account or speed up the rate of your classes so you have your pre-reqs done by the 2014 test date. You do not want to take the test/study for it w/o having finished your pre-reqs.

 

[FiremedicMike]

So given that I'm a good test taker and do well under pressure, if I were to grab an MCAT study guide and carry it through my classes, would I be likely to be successful in taking it at the end of 2014, which seems obviously preferable to taking the 2015 test?

Really kicking myself now for taking the last three quarters off..

 

[FiremedicMike]

And yes I know akine answered that, I just like to get multiple opinions. I'm guessing physics 1 during autumn semester prior to winter break would be essential as I didn't take physics in high school. So winter break would be the earliest prudent time to take it. It looks like the 2015 test is planned for spring of 2015, which means I might have 1 more chance in early 2015 to take the old exam if I need a retake..

 

[NuttyEngDude]

It's possible and you know your abilities the best, but I see it as pretty risky. I dont know if you are a GPA comeback or not but if you are then i would not chance an mcat w/o knowing full well that i am thoroughly prepared for it.

If you aren't a GPA comeback then presumably your GPA is pretty high, in which case, again, why risk ruining a nice GPA with a potentially bad MCAT score.

The thing that blindsides people during mcat study is when they realize what was not covered in their pre-reqs. To me, this would be the best argument for one of those fancy post-bacc programs rather than a do-it-yourself program. but then this becomes a moot point for a 2015 mcat because no one really knows what will be on it.

most people study 3-4 solid (no other commitments) months for the mcat. I studied the summer this way and still did not feel ready for it. I know i am an outlier though because i *should* have been ready for it with that much time. Some of it is efficiency and scheduling too.

I would look to pull in as many classes as possible to get all pre-reqs done by end of the spring 2014 semester then spend the summer studying for the mcat. that is the only timeline that seems to work and that seems like you would be shoe-horning in a lot of stuff.

also, be aware that the physics and orgo material is what most people consider the hardest of all the pre-req subjects, so if you have yet to take these, you might be overestimating their ease. But again, you know your abilities the best.