Is this a good plan, time-wise?

[kkosp2451]

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Hey guys,

Just wanted to get your input on something. I'm in a DIY post-bacc, and will be taking Physics I, Bio II and Orgo I during this upcoming Spring semester. I know that I can handle the course load this spring and that it wont be an issue. My plan is to take Physics II w/lab during the first summer session of my school (Late May - Late June) and then to take Orgo II w/lab the second summer session of my school (Late June - Late July). Unfortunately, this is the only way my school offers is so I cant "double up" and take both courses in the same session. I'm trying to look around and see if any other schools offer it at the same time.

Of course, if I take these two courses, I'd be cutting down on MCAT studying time. I would be taking the middle/late September MCAT, which would give me almost a month and a half to study "intensely". I would be studying as much as I could throughout the summer while taking both classes.

My IDEAL would be to apply this next cycle (mainly DO and 1 brand new MD). Finish up my primaries late august/early september, take the MCAT mid-september, etc.

Is this a bad idea? Does this seem like a ridiculously tight schedule? I know everyone is different. Of course, I would prefer not to take the 2015 MCAT, but if need be I will do it. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Jepstein30]

I don't know about DO but taking the MCAT that late will make your application significantly late for MD. I'd assume its similar with DO. Also, I'm not entirely sure but I don't think the MCAT is offered past early September.

As for your study schedule, that should be enough time if that's full time studying + some other review sprinkled in during the summer. Especially because the content will be very, very fresh.

Orgo II and Physics II are probably the only pre-reqs you can get away with not taking (if they are structured like they are at most schools topic wise) but it's a good idea to take both because there's more to the MCAT than simple content.

 

[AquiVoy13]

I think it's good your that your first summer course is physics II, because more material on your mcat will cover that material instead of orgo II. I just looked it up, and the September MCAT dates are Sept. 4, 6, 10, 12, and 18. Do you think you'd be ready by Sept. 18th? A month and a half really isn't a long time to study... but I guess it depends on how much you're able to get done while taking your summer courses.

I don't know much about DO, but I think a September MCAT will be pretty late for this upcoming cycle. Make sure you look at the schools you're interested in to see if they have a deadline for the latest MCAT you can take. If needed, you could always take the September MCAT and apply the following cycle. That way you don't have to take the 2015 MCAT and you can apply early the next cycle. Whatever you decide, good luck!

 

[kkosp2451]

I don't know about DO but taking the MCAT that late will make your application significantly late for MD. I'd assume its similar with DO. Also, I'm not entirely sure but I don't think the MCAT is offered past early September.

As for your study schedule, that should be enough time if that's full time studying + some other review sprinkled in during the summer. Especially because the content will be very, very fresh.

Orgo II and Physics II are probably the only pre-reqs you can get away with not taking (if they are structured like they are at most schools topic wise) but it's a good idea to take both because there's more to the MCAT than simple content.

You're definitely right, it will be very late in the MD cycle. Luckily, I found out today that the class will be Monday-Thursday from 8:00PM - 10:00PM. That puts me in an awesome spot because I can study all day until around 4PM, take a break for a few hours and go to class at night.

I think it's good your that your first summer course is physics II, because more material on your mcat will cover that material instead of orgo II. I just looked it up, and the September MCAT dates are Sept. 4, 6, 10, 12, and 18. Do you think you'd be ready by Sept. 18th? A month and a half really isn't a long time to study... but I guess it depends on how much you're able to get done while taking your summer courses.

I don't know much about DO, but I think a September MCAT will be pretty late for this upcoming cycle. Make sure you look at the schools you're interested in to see if they have a deadline for the latest MCAT you can take. If needed, you could always take the September MCAT and apply the following cycle. That way you don't have to take the 2015 MCAT and you can apply early the next cycle. Whatever you decide, good luck!

I think, with the newfound fact that my first class is going to be at night, I will definitely be able to take the September 18th exam. Maybe even the 12th. Either way, thank you so much for your advice! I feel a lot better about this. 🙂

 

[Jepstein30]

what's more important now is how you will be structuring your studying

I'm assuming you're self studying.. what books are you using? will you be following SN2ed? etc. I know it's early but you'll want to get all the planning out of the way and have the books in the corner of your desk so that when you're ready to go, you can jump right in.

 

[AquiVoy13]

Like Jepstein30 said, make sure to have some type of plan before the summer when you start studying. Whether it's a structured course or not, you need to have some type of schedule to keep you on top of things. Also, MCAT spots fill up quickly, so make sure to sign up for a date relatively soon (next month or two?). Don't wait until you start studying to sign up!