I need some advice! Thanks

[Jwalker9]

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Hey folks,
Long time lurker turned poster here. I am a 23 year old male from GA trying to decide when I should take this years MCAT. While an undergrad, I majored in Middle Grades Education and have been teaching middle school business classes for the past 2 years. It’s a decent job, but I soon realized that teaching wasn’t what I wanted to do as a job for the rest of my life. I went back to school and have been working on my Science Pre-reqs as night classes for the past year. I currently have Chem. 1/2, Bio 1/2, and Orgo 1 under my belt. I am In Organic 2 right now and will be taking Physics 1/2 during summer session. I have a 3.25 GPA and just started the online Kaplan Prep course. I scored a 21 on the Diagnostic. (low, but I have a lot to review) I want to apply to GA-PCOM as my school of choice for the 2008 entry class. After investigating the DO philosophy and shadowing a few DO physicians, I feel that it very much fits in line with personal philosophy as a teacher and a person. So matriculation next year is my goal. Now, since I am a teacher and have off during the summers, I will have a good bit of free time to study, however, I will be taking intensive Physics classes throughout the summer and am timid to take the MCAT before completing my classes. Should I reconsider? I start back to work on August 7th, so the August 6th date seems like an excellent time to take the MCAT since I will be done with all of my pre-reqs and not yet working. However, since my GPA is low and I am probably considered non-traditional, should I take it sooner in hopes of scoring decent so that I can get my application in as early as possible? I know that I should submit as soon as possible, but would getting my MCAT results back in September be too late? Would it hurt to take it in June or July and then again in September? Thanks for the help. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Jeremy

 

[BCon902]

Get your application in as early as you can but don't sacrifice taking the test early if you feel you're not ready. The Kaplan course should prepare you enough to take them without having the course. Do you have any clinical/volunteer experience in the healthcare setting? If not, that maybe something to consider in your summer off.

 

[DoctorMom78]

Hey folks,
Long time lurker turned poster here. I am a 23 year old male from GA trying to decide when I should take this years MCAT. While an undergrad, I majored in Middle Grades Education and have been teaching middle school business classes for the past 2 years. It’s a decent job, but I soon realized that teaching wasn’t what I wanted to do as a job for the rest of my life. I went back to school and have been working on my Science Pre-reqs as night classes for the past year. I currently have Chem. 1/2, Bio 1/2, and Orgo 1 under my belt. I am In Organic 2 right now and will be taking Physics 1/2 during summer session. I have a 3.25 GPA and just started the online Kaplan Prep course. I scored a 21 on the Diagnostic. (low, but I have a lot to review) I want to apply to GA-PCOM as my school of choice for the 2008 entry class. After investigating the DO philosophy and shadowing a few DO physicians, I feel that it very much fits in line with personal philosophy as a teacher and a person. So matriculation next year is my goal. Now, since I am a teacher and have off during the summers, I will have a good bit of free time to study, however, I will be taking intensive Physics classes throughout the summer and am timid to take the MCAT before completing my classes. Should I reconsider? I start back to work on August 7th, so the August 6th date seems like an excellent time to take the MCAT since I will be done with all of my pre-reqs and not yet working. However, since my GPA is low and I am probably considered non-traditional, should I take it sooner in hopes of scoring decent so that I can get my application in as early as possible? I know that I should submit as soon as possible, but would getting my MCAT results back in September be too late? Would it hurt to take it in June or July and then again in September? Thanks for the help. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Jeremy

August 6th is perfect. I took the MCATs without any organic chemistry and that was a big mistake. Definitely wait until you finish physics. You can actually even submit your primary before that so that will be processed. I am non-trad with a low GPA and was fine. It is better to wait and take the MCAT when you are ready than to have to take it twice. However, if you really scored 21 on the diagnostic and your practice tests keep going up, then you may want to try it. It is your decision if you want to take the risk or not. Earlier is ideal, but if your MCAT is low, you will have to retake it and wait for that score. I think August 6th is the best time. Good luck!

 

[Jwalker9]

Thanks guys,
I didn't mention my clinical/volunteer experience. I spent some free time over the past year volunteering/shadowing at a few hospitals and probably have about 60 hours in the ER and 1 day on a Pediatric floor at the Medical College of GA. I am currently waiting to hear back from a local DO about shadowing in his family practice. I'm hoping he can help me out, but if not there are a few others in town I can contact. Other than that, I dont have any research credentials. Got any other pointers on strengthening my app?