MCAT and shadowing

[Kobethegoat24]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

So I am a senior with a 3.86 GPA and I have decided to take two gap years. The reason is because until now I wanted to be a pharmacist and was working as a pharm tech for 2 years, but I plan on getting clinical experience during my gap year.
I was planning on quiting my job, and studying for the MCAT 3 hours a day starting in January and going until August and taking the mcat in September. I’ll be shadowing and volunteering also during those 7 months, which I severely lack. I just finished taking Orgo 1 and Anatomy and Physiology 1. I’m taking Orgo 2 and Anatomy and Physiology 2 next semester. What do you guys/girls think of this plan. Any suggestions are appreciated, thank you


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

 

[ciestar]

There really is no reason for you to spend 7 months studying for the MCAT.

 

[Kobethegoat24]

How long should I study, I see some people saying they studied for a month and others saying they plan to study for many months. Is 7 months really that long?


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

 

[On_The_Way_Up]

7 months with 3 hours a Day is overkill. From what I’ve gathered on the forums 350 hours of studying and you should be ready for the MCAT. 7 months 3 hours a day though would be 630 hours. Also you might want to pick one day out of the week where you take a break. Then you can avoid burnout.

 

[Master Thinker]

I think 3 months of prep should be more than enough. Unless you forgot all your basic sciences. If you stretch it out too long, it will also be hard to remember details by exam time.

 

[HomeSkool]

I studied for five months (started the Kaplan course in November, took the test in April), which was probably overkill. I studied for a few hours every other day. If you study daily, I agree that three months should be all you need.

As you prepare, I recommend giving yourself one day per week completely free of study and schoolwork. You need time to recharge your batteries and allow your brain to transfer information from short- to long-term memory.

 

[aklvkk]

Is there a way you can set aside 2-3 months of pure study time during this upcoming summer (since you're taking two gap years)? I think studying full-time for 12~15 weeks is the most effective. If you stretch it out over too long of a period you can start to forget stuff. Further, studying during the school year can put a strain on your grades.
It's up to you and your studying style in the end though.

 

[Kobethegoat24]

So I am a senior with a 3.86 GPA and I have decided to take two gap years. The reason is because until now I wanted to be a pharmacist and was working as a pharm tech for 2 years, but I plan on getting clinical experience during my gap year.
I was planning on quiting my job, and studying for the MCAT 3 hours a day starting in January and going until August and taking the mcat in September. I’ll be shadowing and volunteering also during those 7 months, which I severely lack. I just finished taking Orgo 1 and Anatomy and Physiology 1. I’m taking Orgo 2 and Anatomy and Physiology 2 next semester. What do you guys/girls think of this plan. Any suggestions are appreciated, thank you


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

Thanks everyone for the suggestions

 

[deleted853360]

Do you plan on taking biochem? From my understanding, biochem is a big deal for the mcat.

 

[Kobethegoat24]

Do you plan on taking biochem? From my understanding, biochem is a big deal for the mcat.

Yes I do, I am taking biochemistry in may during the summer semester. I plan on taking my mcat in september after I have taken biochemistry during the summer.

 

[deleted804295]

Contrary to what others are saying I believe passively studying for about a year or so should be fine then to really build a solid study schedule 6 months prior to the exam.

I'm a year and 3 months away from my MCAT and I bought my prep books the other day. Only you know how you study and what's best for you.