June 15th

[swifteagle43]

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Oh my god....it is comming!

RUN!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[obesedude]

i can't wait until the MCAT is over. Why? So I can agressively drink away everything I've learned up to now, and hopefully kill enough brain cells to bring my thinking levels back down from their high horse. Ideally, I'd like to drink enough to take a 33R (12ps,10vr,10bs) and transform it into a demented 19L (6ps,1vr,9bs).

don't hit the bottle too soon! still gotta take the next couple of months to apply to medical school!

 

[majik1213]

don't hit the bottle too soon! still gotta take the next couple of months to apply to medical school!

yea .. and if you look closely you can see I don't know how to add 33=12+20 wtf? 19=1+6+9 okay....

 

[aanihc]

I've taken 11 full-lengths already, and I still don't really feel comfortable with my abilities. 3 DAYSSSS!!!!

I have a quick question. Why are the Kaplan full-lengths so freaking difficult - and the grading on it so skewed? I think I missed 7 questions on BS section and still managed a 15.

I'm new, btw.

 

[majik1213]

I've taken 11 full-lengths already, and I still don't really feel comfortable with my abilities. 3 DAYSSSS!!!!

I have a quick question. Why are the Kaplan full-lengths so freaking difficult - and the grading on it so skewed? I think I missed 7 questions on BS section and still managed a 15.

I'm new, btw.

don't trust kaplan. They told me my PS is a 15, and no AAMC has ever given me above 13. They're just too kind.

 

[swifteagle43]

don't trust kaplan. They told me my PS is a 15, and no AAMC has ever given me above 13. They're just too kind.

Kaplan was dead on for my scores- but AAMC is always better practice

 

[HristosKaran]

I've taken 11 full-lengths already, and I still don't really feel comfortable with my abilities. 3 DAYSSSS!!!!

I have a quick question. Why are the Kaplan full-lengths so freaking difficult - and the grading on it so skewed? I think I missed 7 questions on BS section and still managed a 15.

I'm new, btw.

Don't worry, everyone is in the same boat...but the difference of a 13 to a 15 is only 2 questions..I mean thats random error basically. Heck, the difference between a 10-13 is usually only 4-5 questions are so...

 

[majik1213]

Don't worry, everyone is in the same boat...but the difference of a 13 to a 15 is only 2 questions..I mean thats random error basically. Heck, the difference between a 10-13 is usually only 4-5 questions are so...

not so for PS .. more like 4-5 questions.

 

[starlight04]

have any of you guys submitted AMCAS yet?

im starting June 16th. wahooo!! so much for an early application.

 

[Phoenix.]

have any of you guys submitted AMCAS yet?

im starting June 16th. wahooo!! so much for an early application.

Yup, I submitted on June 5th and was verified on June 6th. Already have all of my schools added on there too. But AMCAS isn't sending the verified apps to the med schools until June 21st, so no secondaries until the end of June/early July. So, starlight, provided you get verified within a week, you'll be right on schedule with those of us that submitted on June 5th!

My theory is to put on a very broad range of schools (26 for me), and then based on my MCAT score (which we get on July 18th), I'll probably decide not to fill out some secondaries. In the meantime, there are about 16 schools I'm definitely applying to regardless of what MCAT score I get. I'll submit those secondaries as soon as I receive them (hopefully I'll get a bunch to get started on pre-MCAT score) and request my LORs from my school to be sent to those med schools (a three week process), so that when my score comes out I'll be close to complete at some schools. At least, that's my plan.

Based on my practice scores, I'm guessing I'll get somewhere between 28-32. My last four practice AAMC CBTs have all been 30-32, so I'm hoping that's where I'll end up. Although if the stars align and I get a PS section that doesn't happen to have all of my weaknesses, I should hit a 10 on PS (praying I don't get an 8), somewhere between a 10-12 on VR and somewhere between 9-11 on BS (a 9 only if it's really second-semester orgo-heavy). So I guess if I get lucky I could even hit a 33 in the best case scenario. Anyone else want to make predictions on their score/range?

I'm trying hard now to concentrate on reviewing waves, capacitors, optics, acid/base, and electrochem - my PS weaknesses. But it's hard to focus on content at this point. At least I've got all day left tomorrow to review....

 

[starlight04]

yeah. im trying to review my weaknesses as well right now, but the more i review, the more i realize i dont know/dont remember and its really starting to freak me out. i'm also compulsively checking SDN...

as for AMCAS, I hope to start June 16th and be done with it in ~a week. luckily for me, my undergrad forced us to go through the whole committee thing super early (like march...), so all of my LoR's are already in along with our committee interview + composite rec. we were forced to write a PS and a list of ECs as well. my PS was pretty crappy, so i probably need to rework that, but it definitely helped me get my life in order relatively early. anyway, the committee refuses to send out our composite "packages" until early-mid August, so there is really no reason to finish secondaries too soon before then.

i guess my biggest weakness is my GPA, which isnt horrible, but isnt great. i did a lot of major jumping at the beginning and took a bunch of (hard) random engineering classes that really killed me (C-'s, etc). I have the whole "upward trend" thing going, but my cumulative is still not stellar (3.6). i guess i'm counting on my MCAT scores (35+ *crosses fingers*) to make me more competitive, which is why im freaking out so much. basically all the med schools in my state are 1st or 2nd tier, so it makes it hard to have true safeties...

i feel like ALL of this is just one big game of luck, from MCAT topics to interviews and acceptances.

 

[Jatt]

i feel like ALL of this is just one big game of luck, from MCAT topics to interviews and acceptances.

Couldn't agree more, I feel like depending on what topics are covered I could go from a 40 to a 28, I guess in the end you just have to have confidence that you worked as hard as you possibly could and if for some reason it doesn't work out you'll just have to do it all over again if it's really what you want to do with your life. As for me, I am having a little cram session for PS trying to sure up my weak areas, even so it's gonna come down to the topics covered. As for my app, I am all but done except for a final draft of my personal statement. Well back to gen. chem. review....

 

[MystA RavE]

For those that didn't submit yet...did you do a transcript request for AMCAS yet? I'm thinking if I should do this before I submit or after.

 

[aanihc]

definitely submit your transcripts now. the schools take so long to verify your grades. haha, you might say, it's the "rate limiting step" - i need mcat to be over with... i sent mine in already without spring quarter grades, my school is still in finals week

where does everyone go to school by the way?

 

[MystA RavE]

Long Island University here

 

[BeatrixKiddo]

dude why dont u all just piss off man seriosuly wtf

 

[SaLeeNS7TT]

i'm also compulsively checking SDN...

as for AMCAS, I hope to start June 16th and be done with it in ~a week.
i guess my biggest weakness is my GPA, which isnt horrible, but isnt great. i did a lot of major jumping at the beginning and took a bunch of (hard) random engineering classes that really killed me (C-'s, etc). I have the whole "upward trend" thing going, but my cumulative is still not stellar (3.6). i guess i'm counting on my MCAT scores (35+ *crosses fingers*) to make me more competitive, which is why im freaking out so much. basically all the med schools in my state are 1st or 2nd tier, so it makes it hard to have true safeties...

i feel like ALL of this is just one big game of luck, from MCAT topics to interviews and acceptances.

Exactly what I'm doing, starting June 16th! I think the only part of the application process that will take the most time is writing my personal statement. I haven't even started it! But in the end should be all done ~1 week.
I think I'm going to stop checking SDN starting tonight, so I can stay calm! Tonight is going to be some of the most important sleep for the test.
A 3.6 isn't bad I don't think. Upward trend is a BIG plus.

 

[SaLeeNS7TT]

How about a checklist for everyone for test day! (Most from Kaplan Lesson Book)

admission ticket
mcat id card
personal identification (2)
snacks (granola bars) / sports drink (gatorade)
extra jacket or sweatshirt
tissues
cough drops
analgesics
antacid
pens / pencils
40+ scoring mcat brain 😀

and NO STUDY MATERIAL heh

Do you get items 1 and 2 from aamc.org?
Anything else to put on the list?

 

[Phoenix.]

How about a checklist for everyone for test day! (Most from Kaplan Lesson Book)

admission ticket
mcat id card
personal identification (2)
snacks (granola bars) / sports drink (gatorade)
extra jacket or sweatshirt
tissues
cough drops
analgesics
antacid
pens / pencils
40+ scoring mcat brain 😀

and NO STUDY MATERIAL heh

Do you get items 1 and 2 from aamc.org?
Anything else to put on the list?

You're going to freak people out! The first two aren't required. In your MCAT registration confirmation email from AAMC you should have received the following info about what to bring:

"DOCUMENT TO BRING: One valid government issued ID with photo and signature (i.e. Driver's License, Passport). You
will NOT be receiving an Admission Ticket. Simply report to the testing site on the examination day with the proper identification.
FINGERPRINTS: As with the traditional paper examination, the MCAT program also requires fingerprints when registering
on test day. These measures help to prevent fraud and protect the integrity of the examination. Sites using
computer-based testing will capture these data electronically, allowing rapid identification and re-entry to the
testing facility during breaks. These data will be retained by MCAT and will be available for future MCAT
administrations, if applicable, or for future identity verification purposes."

 

[pingouin]

How about a checklist for everyone for test day! (Most from Kaplan Lesson Book)

admission ticket
mcat id card
personal identification (2)
snacks (granola bars) / sports drink (gatorade)
extra jacket or sweatshirt
tissues
cough drops
analgesics
antacid
pens / pencils
40+ scoring mcat brain 😀

and NO STUDY MATERIAL heh

Do you get items 1 and 2 from aamc.org?
Anything else to put on the list?

As phoenix pointed out, the first two are not required. Regarding personal ID, I brought my passport but my center preferred I use my driver's license instead because you'll be carrying it with you and showing it every time you check in/out for breaks.

Our proctors told people wearing a sweater/sweatshirt that if they wanted to bring it in, they had to be wearing it and they would not be able to take it off during testing.

They will give you scratch paper and pencils to use. You will not be allowed to bring in your own.

 

[SaLeeNS7TT]

Our proctors told people wearing a sweater/sweatshirt that if they wanted to bring it in, they had to be wearing it and they would not be able to take it off during testing.

Thanks guys, hooray for kaplan...

Wow I guess I'll get a feel for the room weather wise and get the sweater during breaks if needed. Sucks you can't take it off, they afraid of a cheat sheet?

 

[Phoenix.]

Thanks guys, hooray for kaplan...

Wow I guess I'll get a feel for the room weather wise and get the sweater during breaks if needed. Sucks you can't take it off, they afraid of a cheat sheet?

I'm definitely going with something that zips now. If they say a zipped sweatshirt isn't allowed I guess I'll just leave it in my locker and hope the A/C isn't up too high. It's supposed to be 86 degrees here on Friday.

Also, just an FYI, but I remember reading about someone who took the MCAT a month or two ago who went to her locker during a break and took out her cell phone to check her txt messages and/or email (don't remember which). A proctor caught her and wrote her up and reported her. No idea what happened, but I'm definitely not taking my cellphone out of my locker during a break!!!

 

[pingouin]

I'm definitely going with something that zips now. If they say a zipped sweatshirt isn't allowed I guess I'll just leave it in my locker and hope the A/C isn't up too high. It's supposed to be 86 degrees here on Friday.

Also, just an FYI, but I remember reading about someone who took the MCAT a month or two ago who went to her locker during a break and took out her cell phone to check her txt messages and/or email (don't remember which). A proctor caught her and wrote her up and reported her. No idea what happened, but I'm definitely not taking my cellphone out of my locker during a break!!!

I remember seeing that, too. I left mine in the car to avoid temptation. 😳

 

[starlight04]

i almost had a heart attack when i thought i never received an admissions ticket. thanks a LOT guys 😉

so my inability to sleep started last night, when despite my best efforts, i couldnt' fall asleep until 4:30 AM, and started waking up every 20 min at 8AM... oh boy...

my test center is moderately far away, so i think i'm going to try and con one of my parents to drive me there, so i don't freak out or get lost (or into a car accident) on the way there.

happy last day of studying guys!

 

[SaLeeNS7TT]

I think my phone would be the least of my worries in between sections. My test center is about 40 min away with no traffic, don't think it'll be that clear at 6am! Esp with a tunnel.

starlight04 - when I start to get antsy/nervous about the mcat I just close my eyes and picture the color blue, as I was told to by my anatomy teacher. He told me to use this technique during the test.
***supposedly only works for those who dream in color (hope you do to help!)

 

[SaLeeNS7TT]

^ take it today and relax all day tomorrow

 

[ilovemcats86]

.

 

[corbis11]

I'm just doing a light review now, but all this morning I was at the park with my dogs relaxing

 

[Phoenix.]

hi everyone! what are your plans for today and tomorrow? studying or just relaxing?

Today: review.

Tomorrow: sleep in, take dog on a long walk, go for a massage (my mom's idea), relax, possibly hit Old Navy if I find myself stressing (to take my mind off of it), and watch some Law & Order in the evening (again, to keep from thinking of the dire deed to be done on Friday).

Friday: sleep in late, take dog to dog park, have lunch, take taxi to test center, take MCAT, DRINK and try to forget the whole ordeal until July 18th.

 

[aanihc]

is it useful to take anymore full-lengths at this point? today, I think I'll just do some final reviewing.

Thursday - full relaxation and going over some notecards
Friday - take the exam
Friday night - get drunk
Saturday - get drunk
Sunday - get drunk

 

[acurax]

Well, I've pretty much finished reviewing I think. My last practice test was a 12/9/11 (PS/VR/BS) on AAMC 10. Freakin' verbal has officially ticked me off, it is the wild card of this MCAT game...I just hope we get something interesting to read on Friday, and hold the philosophy passages please.

 

[swifteagle43]

Well, I've pretty much finished reviewing I think. My last practice test was a 12/9/11 (PS/VR/BS) on AAMC 10. Freakin' verbal has officially ticked me off, it is the wild card of this MCAT game...I just hope we get something interesting to read on Friday, and hold the philosophy passages please.

You, me and everyone else thinks the MCAT verbal is a wild card...i am scoring int he same region you are...

 

[corbis11]

...I think it just it hit me that there's only a little over 24hr's until the MCAT; not sure how I really feel right now...hmpff. Off to watch some futurama

 

[EmiliaC]

How about a checklist for everyone for test day! (Most from Kaplan Lesson Book)

tissues

This cracks me up!

I'm officially super-nervous...I just got my lowest practice score in months on AAMC 6 =(. Probably 1/3 of my mistakes were out of carelessness/not reading the passage....hopefully adrenaline and intuition will kick in on test day!

Question for those of you who have time before you have to apply - are you going into the MCAT thinking that you'll retake it if you don't get above a [insert specific score here]? I won't be applying till next May, so I have that opportunity, but I don't want to get myself into a it's-ok-to-screw-up-this-time mentality....

 

[BeatrixKiddo]

i almost had a heart attack when i thought i never received an admissions ticket. thanks a LOT guys 😉

so my inability to sleep started last night, when despite my best efforts, i couldnt' fall asleep until 4:30 AM, and started waking up every 20 min at 8AM... oh boy...

my test center is moderately far away, so i think i'm going to try and con one of my parents to drive me there, so i don't freak out or get lost (or into a car accident) on the way there.

happy last day of studying guys!

wait what, what do u take to the exam??

i thought just two IDs..................................

 

[FlowLimited]

wait what, what do u take to the exam??

i thought just two IDs..................................

All you need is a driver's license.

 

[aanihc]

This cracks me up!

I'm officially super-nervous...I just got my lowest practice score in months on AAMC 6 =(. Probably 1/3 of my mistakes were out of carelessness/not reading the passage....hopefully adrenaline and intuition will kick in on test day!

Question for those of you who have time before you have to apply - are you going into the MCAT thinking that you'll retake it if you don't get above a [insert specific score here]? I won't be applying till next May, so I have that opportunity, but I don't want to get myself into a it's-ok-to-screw-up-this-time mentality....

I'm going into the test hoping not to score too low. I have a certain set score: if i score lower than that, I will definitely retake the test as soon as possible.

 

[quintessence]

Just finished my last mock exam (AAMC9), and this is how my scores have been:

AAMC3 - 35 - 13, 11, 11
AAMC5 - 39 - 13, 14, 12
AAMC6 - 37 - 12, 13, 12
AAMC7 - 33 - 10, 12, 11
AAMC8 - 31 - 11, 9, 11
AAMC9 - 40 - 13, 13, 14 (tonights scores =)!!!)
AAMC10 - 34 - 12, 11, 11

With only 24 hours left, I'm going to try to relax and do some light review....and keep my fingers crossed that we get an orgo-light, thermo-light exam come Friday!!!

 

[Surf Rx]

Just finished my last mock exam (AAMC9), and this is how my scores have been:

AAMC3 - 35 - 13, 11, 11
AAMC5 - 39 - 13, 14, 12
AAMC6 - 37 - 12, 13, 12
AAMC7 - 33 - 10, 12, 11
AAMC8 - 31 - 11, 9, 11
AAMC9 - 40 - 13, 13, 14 (tonights scores =)!!!)
AAMC10 - 34 - 12, 11, 11

With only 24 hours left, I'm going to try to relax and do some light review....and keep my fingers crossed that we get an orgo-light, thermo-light exam come Friday!!!

Awesome job! Just do that on Friday and you'll be golden. 👍

 

[artaxerxes]

Oh snap, haven't looked at the writing sample section yet, guess I do that between now and the tomorrow.

quick question, does polidity(sp?) depend on the number chromosomes period or their identity.

For example, is it correct to say in spermatogenesis, it goes, primary(diploid)-->secondary(haploid, 46chromosome)-->spermatid(haploid, 23 chromosomes)?

 

[dabiophyz]

We've studied more than we would like to remember, and here it is! Good luck everyone - time to show 'em what we've got!

 

[starlight04]

good luck guys and gals of June 15th! relax today and party it up tomorrow night! and may the MCAT gods be with us, blessing us with a minimal orgo and easy, interesting verbal passages! 👍

 

[spicedmanna]

Good luck, June 15th folks.

 

[AWhitehair]

Oh snap, haven't looked at the writing sample section yet, guess I do that between now and the tomorrow.

quick question, does polidity(sp?) depend on the number chromosomes period or their identity.

For example, is it correct to say in spermatogenesis, it goes, primary(diploid)-->secondary(haploid, 46chromosome)-->spermatid(haploid, 23 chromosomes)?

Do you mean ploidy? 😕

 

[AWhitehair]

good luck guys and gals of June 15th! relax today and party it up tomorrow night! and may the MCAT gods be with us, blessing us with a minimal orgo and easy, interesting verbal passages! 👍

I second that!

 

[endureIT]

Let's all keep our fingers crossed that our release won't have the same "technical difficulties" that the May 11th score release had. That would suck. I'm getting so nervous!!!

 

[dayumgina]

It's the number of different chromosome sets, not number of chromosomes. Yeah, that confused me too. So for meiosis, it could potentially be 4n if we're talking about how many chromosomes in number.

good luck!

 

[Surf Rx]

Best of luck tomorrow!

 

[jade1013]

Good luck to everyone taking the test tomorrow!

 

[raptors]

Good luck folks!

MIght be a dumb question...
but are you guys skipping the turtorial section?

 

[majik1213]

good luck guys .. we're all going to do just fine!