MCAT Preparation vs. Work

[Lifeisatesttta]

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Hello,

I am a non-traditional student who is having a hard time preparing for the MCAT while working. I know this was probably covered in a previous forum but who has the time (to search for the answer)? I work 40hrs per week and by the time I get home I am exhausted and I cant afford a prep course. My plan is to use Kaplan Science and Verbal review books and take AAMC exams 3-11 over a three month period in order to achieve my goal score. Does anyone who has accomplished a good MCAT score while working have any suggestions for maximizing study time? Thanks.

 

[hopefuldoc97239]

The MCAT is the only important thing right now. Don't take it unless you can get the score you need. And I would caution you that three months of low-quality studying is not going to give you the score you need.

I suggest you read this post I wrote about a friend of mine who did not put MCAT above everything else.

 

[0919mmk]

I agree - to get a good score on the MCAT, it kind of needs to be your first priority. That doesn't mean that you can't work, but you need to make accommodations. The nontrad forum is full of people who worked full time AND took classes AND studied for the MCAT and did well. Here's a couple things that might help:

1) I couldn't afford a Kaplan prep course either, but I figured out a way. If you sign up early, you get $250 off. Then, if you join AMSA (cost: $70), you get another $250 off. Then I basically made 3 payments of $500. It was really rough, but, for me, it was worth it. I don't have an MCAT score to report to you since I just took it last weekend, but I can tell you that I took the mCAT 2 years ago and scored a 32. At the end of Kaplan, my average practice test score was around 37. That's not all thanks to Kaplan (mostly I studied my ass off 🙂, but Kaplan def helped a lot - mostly its that you have access to so much good material online.

2) Check out SN2ed's MCAT study plan on the MCAT forum - its a 3 month study plan. Its really good, but you need to dedicate a lot of time for it.

3) I was working full time and taking classes at the local university while I studied. I set aside 4 hours a day from 10pm-2am, just got in to the routine of doing it. Then weekends of course you can do 6-8 hours.

Good luck. If you are determined to do this, you will do it.

 

[Lifeisatesttta]

The MCAT is the only important thing right now. Don't take it unless you can get the score you need. And I would caution you that three months of low-quality studying is not going to give you the score you need.

I suggest you read this post I wrote about a friend of mine who did not put MCAT above everything else.

I need real advice not someone who is going to berate me. How does that story in anyway help me? I am looking for someone who is going to say yes its going to be difficult but it will be possible. My plan, which I have already mentioned was to review my Kaplan science and verbal review books while taking weekly AAMC practice exams there are 10 AAMC practice exams and I plan to take them all. How is this low quality studying?
In addition, I am also looking for study tips. I would like to be able to study 3hrs per night 4X per week and 4hrs on Saturday’s and take all practice tests on Sundays.

Please someone who has had to work and study for the MCAT and was successful in achieving a great score respond to this post.

Regards.

 

[hopefuldoc97239]

I am looking for someone who is going to say yes its going to be difficult but it will be possible.

So you want someone to hold your hand? Do you want a cookie too?

The purpose of this forum isn't to support every idea anyone has. From QofQuimica's "What Is the Purpose of This Forum?" post: "if you are asking for criticism about your plans or suggestions about what you should do, you should expect to be (constructively) criticized. If you are not able to take constructive criticism, then you shouldn't post asking for people's opinions."

The criticism I gave you is that you are not giving yourself enough time to study. The advice I gave you was to read another post I had made in which I advise people to make sacrifices in their life and make the MCAT their top priority. Even in your most optimistic plan that you outlined it sounds like you're only going to be studying about 20 hours per week. If you're working 40 hours per week and studying 20 hours per week then working is obviously a higher priority than studying!

How is this low quality studying?... I would like to be able to study 3hrs per night 4X per week...

It's low-quality because you said "by the time I get home I am exhausted." If you're exhausted then you won't retain the information. That's low-quality studying. If you had said "When I get home I am mentally alert and ready to hit the books hard" I would have said something else.

If you're exhausted on weekdays then that leaves only weekend days for productive study. Two weekend days for three months = about 24 days of studying, or less than one month of full-time study.

-----

You say you want study tips. The bottom line is that there's no amount of study tips that are going to help you if you're not willing to put the time in and really study. Even if you follow through with your plan, 20 hours a week just isn't enough time for most people to do really well on the MCAT.

I'm going to admit that I don't know you. Maybe you're sitting on a 3.95 science GPA (3.99 cumulative), and you have 1,000+ of shadowing, you speak three languages, you used to work for the Peace Corps, and you come from an under-represented ethnicity. Or maybe you're planning to apply only to DO and Caribbean schools, and you're happy to apply for more than one year if you have to. Okay, if you meet those conditions... fine, go ahead, stick to the plan you proposed.

As for me, a white guy who didn't have a perfect GPA, didn't build any orphanages in Kenya, doesn't want to work on his sun tan, and really wanted to get in this year... I studied for the MCAT about 40 hours per week for two months, and this was right after I finished O-Chem, Physics, and General Biology (so arguably I had been studying for a full year).

I hope you'll come back and let us know how your score turns out!

 

[katiemaude]

I've been studying for the MCAT for two months with Kaplan and plan to take the MCAT in two more months. My class ends in a couple weeks. I do not feel anywhere close to ready to taking it. My score hasn't improved much on Kaplan's practice exams (have yet to take a full lenth AAMC) and with taking two prereq classes, volunteering and working 10 hrs a week, I am lucky to fit in 2-4 hrs of MCAT studying a day on week days and 4-6 on weekends. It is nowhere near enough.

I agree with the people who responded earlier who cautioned you not to underestimate the MCAT. Is it possible to study for the MCAT effectively while working 40 hrs a week? Yes. Will it be insanely hard? Yes. Since you asked for advice, here is some... I would get up early and do your studying before work while your brain is fresh. If you can fit in four hours in the morning and another two when you get home, plus 8 hrs a day on the weekends, I think you could pull it off in three months.

I'm not finding Kaplan at all useful at this point and I've done all the review homework and quizzes but it is possible I would be doing better if I had 8 hrs a day to study, which I won't for a few more weeks when school ends.

As for you, I would look for the SDN three-month study program and use just the books recommended if I could do it over again. Right now I feel like I threw $1,800 out the window. I'm still sticking with Kaplan because I paid for it, but if I don't improve on my first two AAMC tests, I'm pushing back my MCAT date into July, ordering the Berkeley Review and whatnot, and chucking my Kaplan books at the recycling bin.

 

[jd221b]

The Anki idea I posted about still on the front page may or may not aid you. You would use it a little different than me though. I'm trying to achieve a total pre-req review since it has been 13 years since some of my pre-reqs (damn I'm getting old). I could see you using it or another SRS system to supplement what your doing now if any of your weaknesses are related to raw memory it could be a life saver.

Here's a post (a really long one) about somebody's use on the DAT, which in my understanding is more fact recall than MCAT.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/archive/index.php/t-697147.html

While not as useful as for the DAT I am really loving how confident it makes me in my situation. It also helps make studying more relaxed since you know that there is a system in place that will insure that you absorb what you input. Another benefit is that frequent interruptions from the kids don't phase me nearly as much as with my normal mode of studying.

I think you should take a look at it and see if it may help you.

FYI, there is a public ANKI MCAT deck that was made by someone else. I'm not using it since I wanted more control, but it may be helpful to you. I can't vouch for its quality though. There are small decks for things like Amino Acid Structure that I plan on using though.

Good luck.

 

[Reno]

Here are my two cents but first some background. I took the test in 2005 (Also took the TPR course) and graduated in 2006 with the plan of taking a year or two (currently on 5) off and retaking and applying. So I can't say I've successfully mastered the working full time and studying and getting a good score (not yet anyways).

Anyways, I am taking a bit of a non traditional studying method and so far it is working. It is non traditional in the sense that it is taking a bit longer then the 3-4 months outlined in SN2's plan and others. This directly due to like you said, after a long day's of work the last thing I want to do is grind out some physics and O chem problems. So my approach is to take a longer period of time and go slower with hopes that I don't burn out and as time goes on, I can build my confidence, endurance and enthusiasm and perhaps increase that studying time, although life does get in the way.

I think my advice is there are a ton of strategies out there, find something that works for you. Like I said lots of people love the SN2 schedule but wouldn't work for me. Doesn't mean I can take parts of it and and gain from it. In the past I've tried starting out studying every possible hour outside of work and giving up on my social life and going cold turkey 100% MCAT and a lot of people make that work and excel with it but for me I just burnt out and quit. I took me a few times of trying this studying method to realize. I kind of equate it as someone starting to exercise for the first time after a lay away, they hit the gym 7X a week for a week or so (hell maybe even twice on some days) but then never go again cuz they've over trained. Thus, I still like to have some sort of life (although I do cut out going out as often as I did) but try to hold a steady pace.

Anyways, is it tough, of course but find a way to make it worth if you are really interested. Some suggested waking up early, some staying late etc. I just think there are a ton of non trads, who are taking pre-reqs, have families, do volunteering etc etc and I have none of that (although I do have a somewhat demanding job) so if they can do it, why can't I?

Now back to my physics...

 

[Mindscrew]

its been 15 years since in took the pre reqs. It took me 6 months of review of the sciences then I took the Kaplan course that is the online version (5 more months) to get a decent 33 score. Well balanced. Also I read a lot during this time from three key sources at the public library where I did most of my studying.

verbal was always my weak spot; I read from

1. scientific american (for science passages)
2. the economist (world issues/economic passages)
3. the newyorker magazine (humanities passages)

mornings were the best time to study for me right when I woke up. first 4-6 hours. afternoon was more for passages/reading.

 

[dougmd]

I think that balance is important so reserve an hour a day to have fun or just veg, and a few hours on the weekends. BUT as a nontrad with a 40hr/wk job you basically need to go full court press on the MCAT. It's clear you have to find some productive hours during the week or you won't be able to put in enough time. I think the best advice so far has been to reserve some hours in the morning. Wake up at 5am, drink some coffee, and review for 3 hours before work. That way you're keeping your best and most productive thinking time for yourself. Let your work have the leftover cycles when you're tired.

During your work breaks study some more. In the car listen to audio osmosis if you can find a copy. This also works at night when you're a bit too tired to actually read. Another good activity at night is to take practice sections. I found "structured" activities were better than reading which just put me to sleep at night.

Weekends are good times for those full lengths. 1-2 FLs each weekend, and make sure you review them carefully, right and wrong answers. Study some more too in the spare chunks of time over the weekend as well, especially targeting weak areas from your testing.

I know from experience that the MCAT plus a full-time job basically sucks but at least it's only for a few months, and then hopefully you're done with it forever!

 

[Northwesterly]

First off, I'd listen to what hopefuldoc said. Second, you want to hear from nontrads who took the MCAT while working and taking classes? You can find any anecdote you want if you look hard enough, but that doesn't make it useful.
I took it last May while finishing Bio/Physics/Chem, working 30 hours/week, and after 6 months of self-study (SN2's plan) with TBR books. It worked out fine for me (36R) but I think that says more about my aptitude for standardized testing (not "intelligence") than it does about the righteousness of my study process. The most specific advice you can get is straight from the horse's mouth: take the AAMC 3 this weekend. If you score in your desired range go ahead and limp through a part-time study schedule. If not, you're probably going to need more time. Good luck.

 

[arcin220]

HopefulDoc, given your work/study MCAT prep, what did you get on the MCAT? I am going to be in a similar situation and wanted to see how you did. Thanks!

 

[hopefuldoc97239]

HopefulDoc, given your work/study MCAT prep, what did you get on the MCAT? I am going to be in a similar situation and wanted to see how you did. Thanks!

I scored 34Q my first/only try after studying for two months (but like I said, this was right at the end of taking some key classes).

My score was fairly unbalanced. I only had 9 on verbal, with 12 and 13 on the other sections. I did almost nothing to prepare for the verbal section, so I think if I'd had more time and prepped for verbal I could have made 36 or higher total.

I should add that I did also take a prep course. It was alright but I don't attribute my success to the course necessarily, except in the sense that it was provided some useful structure. I really think that other study plans, on average, should be just as successful if they provide structure to make sure that you cover all of the topics. Which is precisely why I would recommend to anyone that they do take a class if they can afford it (any class... Kaplan, Princeton, whatever).

 

[Lifeisatesttta]

So you want someone to hold your hand? Do you want a cookie too?

The purpose of this forum isn't to support every idea anyone has. From QofQuimica's "What Is the Purpose of This Forum?" post: "if you are asking for criticism about your plans or suggestions about what you should do, you should expect to be (constructively) criticized. If you are not able to take constructive criticism, then you shouldn't post asking for people's opinions."

The criticism I gave you is that you are not giving yourself enough time to study. The advice I gave you was to read another post I had made in which I advise people to make sacrifices in their life and make the MCAT their top priority. Even in your most optimistic plan that you outlined it sounds like you're only going to be studying about 20 hours per week. If you're working 40 hours per week and studying 20 hours per week then working is obviously a higher priority than studying!

It's low-quality because you said "by the time I get home I am exhausted." If you're exhausted then you won't retain the information. That's low-quality studying. If you had said "When I get home I am mentally alert and ready to hit the books hard" I would have said something else.

If you're exhausted on weekdays then that leaves only weekend days for productive study. Two weekend days for three months = about 24 days of studying, or less than one month of full-time study.

-----

You say you want study tips. The bottom line is that there's no amount of study tips that are going to help you if you're not willing to put the time in and really study. Even if you follow through with your plan, 20 hours a week just isn't enough time for most people to do really well on the MCAT.

I'm going to admit that I don't know you. Maybe you're sitting on a 3.95 science GPA (3.99 cumulative), and you have 1,000+ of shadowing, you speak three languages, you used to work for the Peace Corps, and you come from an under-represented ethnicity. Or maybe you're planning to apply only to DO and Caribbean schools, and you're happy to apply for more than one year if you have to. Okay, if you meet those conditions... fine, go ahead, stick to the plan you proposed.

As for me, a white guy who didn't have a perfect GPA, didn't build any orphanages in Kenya, doesn't want to work on his sun tan, and really wanted to get in this year... I studied for the MCAT about 40 hours per week for two months, and this was right after I finished O-Chem, Physics, and General Biology (so arguably I had been studying for a full year).

I hope you'll come back and let us know how your score turns out!

No, I am not looking for someone to hold my hand. I am hoping for quality advice.

I post asking for people's opinion's because I know there are other's out there that have been in my shoes. I am able to take constructive criticism but there is a difference between constructive criticism and being arrogant and rude.

And yes my job is important. Do you watch the news? Have you seen the amount people that are unemployed and or underemployed? Do you know how expensive applying to medical school is? I need shelter, food and transportation. These things cost money.

I will agree with you maybe I am not giving myself enough time to study but I don't want to be burnt out. I think one day off a week, between my job, volunteering and my part-time enrollment in school is more than fair.

Bottom line you don't know me. Have you guys ever noticed that when people believe their own hype they fall?

Congrats on your score, your attitude needs work.

I like the other poster's advice who had suggested getting up in the morning to study. That's how you give advice.

 

[katiemaude]

Lifeisatesttta, I also found some of the advice given here a bit harsh when I joined about a year ago. You get used to it. It's actually much nicer here than over on the pre-allo boards. There are some people who give advice by being very direct, bordering on harsh. It's not worth getting offended because there is usually a good nugget of truth in there, if you look around the wording. Best of luck to you in studying for the MCAT. As I said earlier, I'm struggling with the time juggling as well. You have a lot of company. 🙂

 

[Prncssbuttercup]

Ok, here goes:
1. you come home from working 40hrs a week and you're exhausted? What happens when you're in med school and residency? I work 50 hours a week, plus FT school, and I still get in a least 2-4 hours per week day of studying just for the MCAT, and 5-6 Sat/Sun which is a min of 20 hrs per week and a max of ~30. You need to put on your game face and fight the ?? depression, stress, etc that is dragging you down after work.

2. I have taken AAMC test 3 and 8 (so far) and plan on taking ALL the remaining tests plus the kaplan questions before my test on May 21st. My score from 8 (1st attempt) to 3 was 6 pts higher. Taking the practice tests help, but you have to get the knowledge up to speed. I am not taking a prep-course unless I have to, I am not spending 2k unless I HAVE to spend it, that's app and travel money...

3. Unless you have very few volunteer hours, or it's only ~2hrs/week, I'd put that on the shelf for now. You can pick it up after you take the MCAT. The MCAT >> Volunteering. MCAT > GPA (depending on who you ask because its standardized)

4. I am using Kaplan premier. I also hope to squeeze in the 'advanced' questions as well. I like the books a lot, and really a great deal of this is practice. The more test questions you do, the more prepared you are, IF you have the science taken care of behind it.

Best of luck, and yes we can come off as harsh in here, but it's usually just brutal honesty, you should see the initial feedback I was given on my personal statement.

 

[hopefuldoc97239]

Congrats on your score, your attitude needs work.

Meh... my attitude got me into med school. Let me know how your attitude works out for you!

(And in case you haven't noticed, most of the people here have agreed that my advice is not so bad!)

 

[EdLongshanks]

No, I am not looking for someone to hold my hand. I am hoping for quality advice.

I post asking for people's opinion's because I know there are other's out there that have been in my shoes. I am able to take constructive criticism but there is a difference between constructive criticism and being arrogant and rude.

And yes my job is important. Do you watch the news? Have you seen the amount people that are unemployed and or underemployed? Do you know how expensive applying to medical school is? I need shelter, food and transportation. These things cost money.

I will agree with you maybe I am not giving myself enough time to study but I don't want to be burnt out. I think one day off a week, between my job, volunteering and my part-time enrollment in school is more than fair.

Bottom line you don't know me. Have you guys ever noticed that when people believe their own hype they fall?

Congrats on your score, your attitude needs work.

I like the other poster's advice who had suggested getting up in the morning to study. That's how you give advice.

It's rarely the first bit of advice that comes with an attitude here. It's almost always the second. The people who got into medical school and who still post in this forum are trying to give back a little to those who are following. They get a little miffed (sometimes too quickly) when their good advice is thrown back in their face.

Let me give you a good example of a typical exchange in this forum. (I realize that you didn't do this, I'm just giving an example of what we are used to)

---------------------------

OP) I have a 2.75 GPA and still want to go to medical school. What should I do?

Medical Student) If you will retake your C's and D's then you can get into osteopathic school.

OP) But I don't want to become a DO. I want to graduate from Hopkins and get an MD

MS) That's not going to happen.

OP) How dare you destroy my dream?

MS) That's not a dream, it's a delusion and you're an idiot

OP) I just come here and ask a simple question and you all have a bad attitude!

----------------

Now, after 3 threads a week like this, some of the posters get a little testy. This is how some saw this thread. You asked how to study for the MCAT. A poster who got a high score told you how to do this. You replied that you didn't want to do it that way, you needed an easier way. He then got sarcastic and told you sharply that there are no shortcuts and you got offended at his meanness.

I realize that you don't think that this was fair, and maybe it wasn't. But if you had been willing to research a little, and possibly read the sticky's at the top of the MCAT forum, you would have seen that there are tons of advice like you are looking for.

 

[Prncssbuttercup]

If the path to med school was a cake-walk, there wouldn't be a shortage of physicians. Medical schools are particular because they don't want to have stats like the Caribbean with ~50% attrition rates. They don't WANT people to fail, it makes them look bad. You have to put in more time to get a decent score, unless to you a decent score is a 26.

 

[Lifeisatesttta]

Okay. Tonight is my last night of freedom. I changed my hours at work. Will return to the Gym. Will devote 4 hrs a night to studying. Saturday's I will study for 6hrs with full lengths on Sunday's. This is my pledge. I will not stop volunteering because I have direct patient contact and classes will be over soon. I will not stop until I see/read/hear the words accepted.

 

[Prncssbuttercup]

Okay. Tonight is my last night of freedom. I changed my hours at work. Will return to the Gym. Will devote 4 hrs a night to studying. Saturday's I will study for 6hrs with full lengths on Sunday's. This is my pledge. I will not stop volunteering because I have direct patient contact and classes will be over soon. I will not stop until I see/read/hear the words accepted.

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