Junior year, studying for MCAT during first semester

[chaii]

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Hey guys, thanks for any replies and advice in advance.

I'll be starting my junior in August and I want to start studying for the MCAT ASAP so I can take it before the new MCAT begins being administered and also so I can submit everything June 1st next summer. Using this summer to study would have have been ideal but things came up that made it impossible to start studying until now.

My course load for the fall is Orgo 2 and lab, Genetics, Ecology and Physics 2. I will also be doing clinical volunteer work 3hrs a week, and shadowing here and there.

My question is, is it doable to study during the semester and all of winter break (1 month) and then take the MCAT? or is this a recipe for disaster? I really do not want to take the new mcat but more importantly I want to apply for medical school next summer.

Also does anyone know of any study plans students have successfully used who were in a similar situation to me?

thanks again

 

[hulk2015]

hi! i actually tried to study the spring semester of my junior year , in order to free up summer time to do other work, but despite creating a schedule for myself, i really wasn't able to dedicate the time the MCAT needs. so here i am, studying for it during the summer. i would advise really trying to study for the MCAT with as few obligations as possible. you don't want your semester grades to suffer for your MCAT score, and vice versa. what could end up happening is only having enough time to half-a** both. doing really well in my classes was just as important to me as studying effectively enough to only have to take the MCAT once. it's not impossible, but from personal experience i would really advise against it! best of luck!

 

[davefan13]

Are the January test dates the 2014 or 2015 version?

 

[chaii]

hi! i actually tried to study the spring semester of my junior year , in order to free up summer time to do other work, but despite creating a schedule for myself, i really wasn't able to dedicate the time the MCAT needs. so here i am, studying for it during the summer. i would advise really trying to study for the MCAT with as few obligations as possible. you don't want your semester grades to suffer for your MCAT score, and vice versa. what could end up happening is only having enough time to half-a** both. doing really well in my classes was just as important to me as studying effectively enough to only have to take the MCAT once. it's not impossible, but from personal experience i would really advise against it! best of luck!

Hey! thanks for the insight. I see what you're saying. I dont want that to be the case for me obviously but I dont know what other options I have besides delaying my app. I really want to submit next summer and avoid the new mcat =/

Are the January test dates the 2014 or 2015 version?

I believe the new MCAT first starts being administered in april

 

[orangetea]

I think it's important to ask yourself what's more important to keep up your GPA or MCAT score. If you feel like you can handle your class work and have RETAINED the knowledge in your pre-reqs I think you can also do MCAT. If you feel pretty comfortable with the content then all you really need to do is brush up on your weak points and take practice tests to improve your test taking skills.

However, if you're not as knowledgeable in a lot of the topics I feel like your grades will suffer because you will have to study for a beast of an exam as well. Honestly, I think that you still have time if you start studying now to take the MCAT at least twice before it's changed. You can do a month of content review and then 3-4 weeks of testing and take the test in early Oct. late Sept. Then if you feel like you need a better score you can study during winter break and brush up on weak areas for a test date in Jan.

I know a few people that are doing that(granted they started studying a mid June) but nonetheless it's doable.

 

[lNVlNClBLE]

Your schedule + volunteering + shadowing + MCAT studying = a recipe for disaster.

I'm sure it can be done, but it's gonna be tough.