MCAT Timeline

[bearded gent]

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Hello,

I need some advice regarding an MCAT timeline. I'm currently enrolled in a post-bacc program (CBioMed Certificate) beginning August 2016. I will have completed the post-bacc by May 2017. When should I begin studying for the MCAT if I want to apply next year? I was thinking the end of December 2016 through May 2017. Only issue being that I would be taking upper level biology courses while studying for the MCAT. I obviously need to maintain a high GPA throughout the program but it seems like I have no choice but to study for MCAT while taking classes. Does anyone have any other suggestions?

 

[Snorfelkack]

I'm in a similar situation, except I'm finishing my bachelors a little later than most. I became I'll during my sophomore year and took two years of medical leave. Right now, my plan is to utilize breaks to do a lot of the review. I'm doing at least one CARS passage every day. I intend to devote 2 months to studying before I take the MCAT. This might mean applying late or taking a gap year, but if I've learned anything it's that time is relative. Taking a gap year isn't the worst thing in the world. I would rather do that than submit an app I don't feel confident in.

Disclaimer is that I've never taken the MCAT. If anyone else has suggestions I would love to hear them. Hope this is at least somewhat helpful.

 

[bearded gent]

I'm in a similar situation, except I'm finishing my bachelors a little later than most. I became I'll during my sophomore year and took two years of medical leave. Right now, my plan is to utilize breaks to do a lot of the review. I'm doing at least one CARS passage every day. I intend to devote 2 months to studying before I take the MCAT. This might mean applying late or taking a gap year, but if I've learned anything it's that time is relative. Taking a gap year isn't the worst thing in the world. I would rather do that than submit an app I don't feel confident in.

Disclaimer is that I've never taken the MCAT. If anyone else has suggestions I would love to hear them. Hope this is at least somewhat helpful.

I'm working as of now but I have plenty of time to study. I feel like its too soon to start studying now if I'll be taking the MCAT in a little less than a year. I figure I'll study in small increments throughout the year I'm in post-bacc and devoting extra time during christmas break etc.. I just turned 24 and I've postponed things long enough lol. I don't want to wait any longer than the 2017-2018 cycle.

 

[Snorfelkack]

I'm working as of now but I have plenty of time to study. I feel like its too soon to start studying now if I'll be taking the MCAT in a little less than a year. I figure I'll study in small increments throughout the year I'm in post-bacc and devoting extra time during christmas break etc.. I just turned 24 and I've postponed things long enough lol. I don't want to wait any longer than the 2017-2018 cycle.

I understand completely. I'm 25, so right there with you. I definitely don't want to wait any longer. Alas, that's not an option. Too many unavoidable obstacles have come up. I was in the hospital for 18 of the 24 months I took of medical leave and my mother had an accident this spring and needed a temporary caregiver, putting me another semester behind.

Back on topic, I don't think it's ever too early to start on CARS. The rest, possibly. My main concern is not "losing" all of the early chemistry, A&P, psych, math and bio.

I wish you the best. If you need a study partner, let me know! It would be great to go through it with someone who is in a somewhat similar situation.

 

[FutureDrOcean]

I crammed for the MCAT in one month. I took the January 2016 MCAT and really didn't have time to study during my fall semester with my advanced biochem and psychology coursework. With three weeks of studying during XMAS break pretty much nonstop, I went from scoring 501 on TPR practice tests to getting a 522 on my MCAT. I think the key is, find the chunks of time that you wont be worried about your classwork. I tried to study bits here and there during my busy semester and it really didnt do anything for me, because I was constantly disengaging from that to get my real work done. Find your breaks, even if its just a month before your MCAT, and start a rigorous study schedule. I did a three day rotation: day 1, full practice test; day 2, look over practice test, read review books on parts I got wrong; day 3, do whatever, usually some extra practice or some review reading on your favorite topic. Then repeat.

Good luck!

 

[bearded gent]

I understand completely. I'm 25, so right there with you. I definitely don't want to wait any longer. Alas, that's not an option. Too many unavoidable obstacles have come up. I was in the hospital for 18 of the 24 months I took of medical leave and my mother had an accident this spring and needed a temporary caregiver, putting me another semester behind.

Back on topic, I don't think it's ever too early to start on CARS. The rest, possibly. My main concern is not "losing" all of the early chemistry, A&P, psych, math and bio.

I wish you the best. If you need a study partner, let me know! It would be great to go through it with someone who is in a somewhat similar situation.

Yes, most definitely. We should keep in touch!

 

[bearded gent]

I crammed for the MCAT in one month. I took the January 2016 MCAT and really didn't have time to study during my fall semester with my advanced biochem and psychology coursework. With three weeks of studying during XMAS break pretty much nonstop, I went from scoring 501 on TPR practice tests to getting a 522 on my MCAT. I think the key is, find the chunks of time that you wont be worried about your classwork. I tried to study bits here and there during my busy semester and it really didnt do anything for me, because I was constantly disengaging from that to get my real work done. Find your breaks, even if its just a month before your MCAT, and start a rigorous study schedule. I did a three day rotation: day 1, full practice test; day 2, look over practice test, read review books on parts I got wrong; day 3, do whatever, usually some extra practice or some review reading on your favorite topic. Then repeat.

Good luck!

Exactly what I intend on doing. I will just have to use my time wisely and improve study habits. Hopefully I'll be read early next year!

 

[wutwutwut]

I crammed for the MCAT in one month. I took the January 2016 MCAT and really didn't have time to study during my fall semester with my advanced biochem and psychology coursework. With three weeks of studying during XMAS break pretty much nonstop, I went from scoring 501 on TPR practice tests to getting a 522 on my MCAT. I think the key is, find the chunks of time that you wont be worried about your classwork. I tried to study bits here and there during my busy semester and it really didnt do anything for me, because I was constantly disengaging from that to get my real work done. Find your breaks, even if its just a month before your MCAT, and start a rigorous study schedule. I did a three day rotation: day 1, full practice test; day 2, look over practice test, read review books on parts I got wrong; day 3, do whatever, usually some extra practice or some review reading on your favorite topic. Then repeat.

Good luck!

I did the exact same! I took the MCAT in January and didn't study during the fall because I did not have time with classes and work, but just studying all day every day during the 4 weeks and I ended up getting a 517 which isn't as good as a 522 (mad props) but just another example of the fact that it can be done!