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How many pre-reqs needed before MCAT?
- Thread starter isupsych253
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All of them. You're going to see a lot of every one of those subjects while taking practice tests on the MCAT. I guess you could self study organic 2 or something before taking the MCAT since organic is a small portion of the BS section, but it's really not recommended.
I started studying for the MCAT after I had taken those courses and sat for my MCAT spring of junior year. I was kind of behind though.
I started studying for the MCAT after I had taken those courses and sat for my MCAT spring of junior year. I was kind of behind though.
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+1
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Off the top of my head at least 2 semesters of: intro biology, general chem, organic chem, and physics. Some other biology and chemistry classes will also help.
None of them are "required," but I'd recommend taking the prerecs before the MCAT, unless you're able to teach yourself all of those subjects (did that with physics on MCAT--not recommended). Upper division classes can also help.
FYI, the MCAT has expiration dates, so if you take it early in college and apply late, you may be required to take it again (think it's 3 years).
FYI, the MCAT has expiration dates, so if you take it early in college and apply late, you may be required to take it again (think it's 3 years).
Thank you all for the advice. I will have a bachelor's in Psych in December and I am just now beginning these pre-reqs (I'm currently taking Bio 1 along with my other psych classes this semester). I'd love to be able to apply to schools next Fall (enroll Fall 2013), but that's looking near impossible, correct?
Yea. If you really want to get in I'd say get all your pre regs out by next December. MCATS in March or April after a few months of studying. apply in June.
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yeah that definitely isn't going to happen.
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I found Anatomy & Physiology, Microbiology, and Biochemistry to be very helpful for the MCAT.
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I don't even.
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Please, please, do not do that.
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You really should finish all your pre-reqs before even studying for the MCAT. I guess you might be able to get away with not taking Bio II or maybe Gen. Chem II (if you can easily pick that stuff up), but nothing else. You really, really need to make sure you do O. Chem I+II, Physics I+II and at least Bio I. Don't rush to take the MCAT. If you do bad on the MCAT, it's going to look bad if you have to retake.
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Take all the pre-requisites before you take MCAT. Why would you want to answer physics and chemistry questions without having learned them from a qualified teacher or at least from a qualified textbook?
Taking some upper division bio courses such as biochem, molecular biology, immunology and physiology are also helpful.
Take MCAT once, only when you are ready.
Taking some upper division bio courses such as biochem, molecular biology, immunology and physiology are also helpful.
Take MCAT once, only when you are ready.
Thanks everyone for the advice, looks like I'll be adding one more year to my pre-med studies...oh well, I'll take a few more courses and gain some more clinical experience.
I guess my sarcasm detector is off today..? 🙁
Yeah, OP, if you've just started your pre-reqs, you'll be needing at least 2 more years in my opinion, unless you want to take all three classes (gchem, ochem, physics) at the same time next year. You could take one of them during the summer, but you'll still have to take two of them at the same time, which would be more doable.
And maybe you haven't realized, but all of these classes are year long classes, and must be taken with labs. It isn't just a semester long class you can do 1 at a time and finish in 4 semesters (sorry if you knew already, but my impression was you didn't).
And I'm pretty fairly certain the pre-reqs are required. At least at most of the medical schools.
So does this look like a good plan? (All are 4 credit courses that include lab) Or is there a more efficient/effective way to approach it?
Fall 2011 (Already started)
Bio 1 (along with other psych classes)
Spring 2012
Gen. Chem 1
Bio 2
Summer 2012
Gen Chem 2
Physics 1
Fall 2012
Org Chem 1
Physics 2
Spring 2013
Org Chem 2
and maybe BioChem or Micro
Summer 2013
Take MCAT/Apply
Fall 2011 (Already started)
Bio 1 (along with other psych classes)
Spring 2012
Gen. Chem 1
Bio 2
Summer 2012
Gen Chem 2
Physics 1
Fall 2012
Org Chem 1
Physics 2
Spring 2013
Org Chem 2
and maybe BioChem or Micro
Summer 2013
Take MCAT/Apply
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no
nobody can
I am speaking for all people
they definitely don't hurt, but they're not things people operating under a time crunch should try to cram in
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This part worries me if the two classes are concurrent. No problem if they are sequential.
