Intensive MCAT Prep Courses

[aboynamedsooie]

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What are some of the best summer intensive courses for preparing for the MCAT? Money and location are not an issue.

 

[BerkReviewTeach]

What are some of the best summer intensive courses for preparing for the MCAT? Money and location are not an issue.

While it's not formally called intensive, the summer Berkeley Review course in Irvine should be. There is only one session total. The times I've taught in Irvine over the summer, there were twenty-four people (maybe less) in the class. I'd teach for four hours (with a 30-minute lunch break in the middle), take a short break and then do four hours of office hours each of the days I taught. The intensity came from the fact that all of the students did nothing but MCAT and all of those office hours made it more like homework sessions.

Both times I taught, there were people who came out from around the country to take the Irvine class. It's pretty different from other classes at different times of year, when most of the students have other things going on.

Westwood last summer was sort of like that too, because they added all of these problem sessions and extra reviews to the regular classes so that it ended up being about 200 hours it seemed. Just having students with more time to study makes it more intense.

The only thing is that you'll need to find your own housing. It must be easy to do, because it seems that every summer there are always about ten to twenty people who come out specifically to take the class.

 

[lola1986]

Hi,

Does anyone know of any condensed/intensive mcat prep that happens in the winter? before Feb.?
Also, for those in the Boston are, does anyone have any suggestions/experiences with a very good private tutor for mcat prep?

thanks!

 

[ThePrincetonReview]

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[Mehd School]

I prefer forums without advertisements.

Anyway, I don't really see any reason to blow thousands upon thousands on those. The normal classes are already expensive. The "intensive" prices are comedic.

I can't really foresee a situation where you're in such a time crunch that you have to shell out $8,000+ for a condense course. I'd really be interested to see some stats on scores for students that attend the classes.

 

[NeuroSho]

I prefer forums without advertisements.

Anyway, I don't really see any reason to blow thousands upon thousands on those. The normal classes are already expensive. The "intensive" prices are comedic.

I can't really foresee a situation where you're in such a time crunch that you have to shell out $8,000+ for a condense course. I'd really be interested to see some stats on scores for students that attend the classes.

I did an intensive course (Kaplan) and my score improved around 10 points in six weeks. And that's after I had already taken a previous prep course and ended up scoring lower than my diagnostic, my first time around. Not saying it's necessarily worth the absurd amount of money money, but for me it was. They eliminate distractions and supply the tools you need to do well.

Can't speak to how it worked for the other people in the course. Although, of those that I spoke to, it seems like it helps the people who were scoring low the most (20-27ish). Most were able to bring it up to the 30's. Those who started with 30 and wanted 35+ didn't find as much benefit.

 

[Mehd School]

I did an intensive course (Kaplan) and my score improved around 10 points in six weeks. And that's after I had already taken a previous prep course and ended up scoring lower than my diagnostic, my first time around. Not saying it's necessarily worth the absurd amount of money money, but for me it was. They eliminate distractions and supply the tools you need to do well.

Can't speak to how it worked for the other people in the course. Although, of those that I spoke to, it seems like it helps the people who were scoring low the most (20-27ish). Most were able to bring it up to the 30's. Those who started with 30 and wanted 35+ didn't find as much benefit.

Well, I will say congratulations to you on your score jump. That is certainly impressive. 👍

I guess if you have the money to blow, it is what it is. I took (and will be taking again) an online Kaplan course that set me back $1600. The instruction was awful, the books were and are terrible, but the online materials were worth every penny.

I personally know three people that took these "intensive" classes, and didn't understand the work necessary to get the most out of the course. Their mindset was more or less "They'll map out everything for me, I just need to show up and absorb". I feel that the vast majority of those that sign up for prep classes have an attitude of this nature.

Out of the three, the scores (If my memory serves) were 24, 24, and 27. None are in medical school, and they have all moved on to other careers. What a waste. 😳

 

[NeuroSho]

With attitudes like that, they probably wouldn't have made it through medical school anyway. 😛

But yeah, I feel you. Admittedly, alot of my improvement came from correcting a similar attitude. Ultimately it comes down to your own drive and ability to dedicate the effort. For me, it helped to be structured and away from home and other responsibility. But I understand the money is ridiculous, and not practical for most people. It is also, by no means, a way to purchase a higher score. If you look at it that way, you will definitely be disappointed.