MCAT prep courses - worth it?

[mac_kin]

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[SN2ed]

Since this isn't one of the big companies, you'd get a much better idea about your specific university's program by asking people that have taken it. They could run the course very differently from something Kaplan or TPRH would provide.

That said it's good to keep this in mind:

Is a prep course necessary to do well?

No one needs to spend thousands for a prep course. Yes, a great teacher and the camaraderie with your fellow students can help, but they aren't necessary. Courses are also good for providing a schedule, but I hope I've helped in that category. Beyond that, it's important to keep in mind that everyone basically studies on their own. When you're signed up for a course, you'll attend classes and maybe some 1-1 review sessions with the teacher, yet the bulk of your studying is by yourself.

 

[anon747]

Since this isn't one of the big companies, you'd get a much better idea about your specific university's program by asking people that have taken it. They could run the course very differently from something Kaplan or TPRH would provide.

That said it's good to keep this in mind:

Is a prep course necessary to do well?

No one needs to spend thousands for a prep course. Yes, a great teacher and the camaraderie with your fellow students can help, but they aren't necessary. Courses are also good for providing a schedule, but I hope I've helped in that category. Beyond that, it's important to keep in mind that everyone basically studies on their own. When you're signed up for a course, you'll attend classes and maybe some 1-1 review sessions with the teacher, yet the bulk of your studying is by yourself.

If you're disciplined and can stick to a schedule, you'll do fine. I used SNDed's schedule (stretched over 5 months) and managed a 39R (PS 14, VR 11, BS 14). And that was with not even having the pre-reqs done and with those that I had taken being from 11 or 12 years ago (which effectively means I was pretty much teaching myself everything).

 

[flodhi1]

Are the MCAT prep courses worth it?
There is one at the university in my city, it is over $800 for 40 hours (over 2 weekends). That is a lot of money.

Do the courses basically just follow the MCAT prep books? Do the instructors actually explain concepts - i.e. will the instructor give you a review of organic chem. I mean it is a 40 hour course only, so I can't see the instructor reviewing every concept that everyone in the class wants to re-learn (like physics, organic chemistry, etc....simply not enough time)

so what does the course cover? If it is just someone reading out a Kaplan book - I can do that for less than $800.
And if it is someone who is going to give the same old "strategies" i.e. find the obviously wrong answer to narrow it down, when in doubt pick C, etc. etc. again that's not worth it for me.

So what do they cover/do in the courses? Is it worth $800? Is it really going to guarantee a higher score??

You do not need a prep course, I took Kaplan and to be honest the books and tests were great but the class I physically attended was a total waste of time. You'd be much better off getting Kaplan practice exams/ books from a buddy that took the course before. Same goes for Princeton or any other prep company. People that think that going to a class is going to do wonders need a serious reality check. You obviously don't seem like the type that believes these fairy tales so stick to a disciplined self studying with massive amounts of practice.

 

[PolIV]

No way. Spend your money on AAMC exams. Study with friends 🙂

 

[Grayson Baer]

You know how important the MCAT is: A good score is an entry to medical school interviews; a bad score can sink even a great GPA and extracurriculars. While the MCAT is not the most important part of medicine. It is a necessary evil. Preparing thoroughly for the test can really pay off. In the long run an investment of $1,000 to $2,000 for an MCAT test prep course – if it improves your score well worth it.

 

[DoctorRock25]

A bad score can sink even a great GPA and extracurriculars.

Hmm, I slightly disagree on that. There's people who have okay MCAT scores and still managed to get in, even with an average/low GPA or high GPA. I guess it's what schools want? This can be a funny process, but I don't believe medical schools will look at applicants who have extremely low MCAT scores (below 20). I in no means am condoning not to aim high to get a great MCAT score, just stating what I have seen from my friends. I think people should work really hard to get at least a 30+ though, I agree on that.

As for the prep courses, I think it depends on you and your schedule. I've signed up for the Kaplan because I work-full time and am taking classes. The online materials are fantastic! But, I will not be going to class as often. Going to the class is not working as good for me (study-plan wise) as compared to me looking over 1001 EK questions, books, Kaplan online, and AAMC practice test. But, it might work for you. If you are willing to spend the money, go for it. If you love to study on your own, then I would just do that.

 

[Swagster]

Personally I can't afford a course so I have no choice but to study on my own. TBH I'm not sure I'd take one if I could afford it. A course should keep you motivated and organized and the lectures should give you strategies you couldn't get otherwise. If the teaching isn't excellent and the tricks aren't useful, then why take a classroom course? I don't mean to pick on anyone in particular, but I read a post from someone at SDN who has the title of "elite instructor" below their username. They got something really basic wrong in a the Q&A forum and then tried to cover up their mistake. I'm sure she's a nice teacher, but $2000 is a lotta dough. Why would I want to spend $2K and risk getting a teacher who doesn't know the material well?

So next I thought about an online course. Much to my surprise, they cost about the same as a live course. I was shocked that they want about $1700 for access to a website. I was thinking they'd run maybe $500, but I was way wrong. For about $700 I can get books from EK, TBR, and TPRH, get exams from AAMC and TBR, and get the AAMC MCAT strategy book. I have everything I need to study for $1000 less than an online course. It seems absurd to buy an online course with so much better stuff available for less money.

So while I'm sure a live course has something to offer if you get the right teacher, I believe you can do well without a class. You can definitely do well without a $1700 cyberclass.

 

[kehlsh]

If you are constantly going to have "I need course to succeed" mindset, you might as well give it a try.

For me, this "omg, I need it" mindset forced me to take the course and it wasn't that helpful and lectures were pretty much worthless.

 

[epsilonprodigy]

My main problem with courses is that they usually teach that it's their way or the highway. Even the better ones like EK pretty much tell you, "this is what you MUST do to succeed. Any deviation from our method will result in suboptimal results."

In all actuality, everyone is different. Some folks prefer mental math, some don't, some like to read the questions first, some don't, some like to take notes and highlight, others don't do either...

I think that if you take a prep company's recommendation's too literally, you can end up convincing yourself that what feels natural is "the wrong way" and trying to adopt a testing or studying style that isn't best for you. Plus, with the possible exception of BR, I think most folks would agree that there really isn't any one prep company that's the best for ALL MCAT sections. Usually best to utilize specific materials from multiple different companies. I'd recommend browsing SN2ed's or LostInStudy's thread, both have excellent assessments of content and passage sources.