MCAT tips from those of you who took it 10+ years after college?

[Lagniappe]

Hi, everyone. I graduated from college 12 years ago, which means it has been 15-16 years ago since I had basic Biology/Chemistry/Physics classes. For those of you who dealt with similar timeframes, what MCAT study tips, guides, etc., seemed to work best for you? I'm a full-time hospital pharmacist with two kids & a husband, so I would prefer not to have to take a Kaplan-type class (not yet, anyway). Plus, I'm a good at independent study, so if I can just come up with a plan of what works and what doesn't, I really don't think a classroom course would be necessary. I plan to take the April MCAT, so come May, I may be beating down the door to my local Kaplan office!🙂 By the way, I need to rock the MCAT to offset a <3.0 GPA, but the school I'm applying to is a state U, so I don't think a 45 is necessary. Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

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[MtnGntx]

Hello Mrs. L,

I took the MCAT for the first time this year, some 20 years after having started undergrad. I studied appreciably hard, but not obsessively and got (10,10,10). I also signed up for Kaplan and put thoses resources to marginal use. I think the Kaplan course is OK, but there are a couple of things I wish I had known ahead of time. First, the stratagies they offer will work but the teachers are a mixed bag and the classes come fast and furious. I am an independent studier, so I ended up utilizing the study resources far more than I did the classroom time or the practice tests. secondly, the resources and tests are valuable, however they tend to be precipitously more convoluted and difficult than I found the actual test to be. I think their strategy is to scare the tar out of thier students by making the challenges so difficult, that when the real day comes, the challenges seem a lot less daunting. I do not respond well to such strategies. Show me the hoop in all of its actuall glory and let me get through it on my own merits, dont keep moving the hoop around "for my benefit." In actuality that is what happened in the end anyway; I was so fed up with Kaplan's moving target that I left the arena to teach myself the basics. There is value in Kaplan;I did use their study outline and they do attempt to identify weak areas for you to concentrate on. And those who have taught Kaplan MCAT courses typically do very well on the MCAT.... much better than I. But in retrospect, I would have spent much more time and energy to obtain and practice actual old tests in preparation rather than adhering to Kaplan's ridiculously difficult materials. For those whose style is more akin to my own, I would suggest trying to find another source for a good study outline and study schedule. And then I would suggest ad-nauseum repetition of actual tests under timed conditions.

Hope this helps. Good luck.

 

[mamadoc]

To the OP, your post does not address the question of whether you are academically prepared with current coursework. You can self-study and probably do fine on the MCAT, but many medical schools have an "expiration date" for the prerequisites and it would seem that you're well beyond it.

Plus, you indicate that you've got a substantially sub-par GPA. I suggest that you look into how you can do some new coursework BEFORE you go jumping into the MCAT, because I think you are going to need it. Schools want to know that they're taking a risk on a solid student who's recently shown that she or he can do the job... that takes a lot more than just a great score on a test; some of us are just good test-takers.

You sound like you know where you'd like to apply. I suggest you call them NOW and schedule a look-see appointment where you bring in your old transcripts, your current resume, and your anticipated plans, and discuss what they'd suggest to make your application a competitive one. My gut feeling from your post is that it will take much more than a good MCAT score. Good luck!

 

[runningmom]

I bought both the ExamKrackers study guides (boxed set of all the subjects from Amazon.com) and the Audio osmosis (I think I got that one from Ebay). Those formed the base of my study. I used their website published classroom prep schedule and followed that for my study allocation time. I didn't have as much time to study as they published, but I allocated the time I did have into a similar %age.

I think the most important thing I did though was to sign up for the AAMC practice test prep program. I think it was something like $80 for full access to all their tests for two exam cycles... but that was 2 years ago. I'm not sure what they do now. I did all those practice tests and then studied above and beyond on the areas (OK - the BIOLOGY!!!)I needed help in.

And no - I don't get a kickback from either of these programs. 🙂

Good luck.

 

[spicedmanna]

To the OP, your post does not address the question of whether you are academically prepared with current coursework. You can self-study and probably do fine on the MCAT, but many medical schools have an "expiration date" for the prerequisites and it would seem that you're well beyond it.

Plus, you indicate that you've got a substantially sub-par GPA. I suggest that you look into how you can do some new coursework BEFORE you go jumping into the MCAT, because I think you are going to need it. Schools want to know that they're taking a risk on a solid student who's recently shown that she or he can do the job... that takes a lot more than just a great score on a test; some of us are just good test-takers.

You sound like you know where you'd like to apply. I suggest you call them NOW and schedule a look-see appointment where you bring in your old transcripts, your current resume, and your anticipated plans, and discuss what they'd suggest to make your application a competitive one. My gut feeling from your post is that it will take much more than a good MCAT score. Good luck!

👍 Agreed.

 

[1Path]

Anything less than a "B" in your preqs, retake them, then take the MCAT.

 

[QofQuimica]

To the OP, your post does not address the question of whether you are academically prepared with current coursework. You can self-study and probably do fine on the MCAT, but many medical schools have an "expiration date" for the prerequisites and it would seem that you're well beyond it.

Plus, you indicate that you've got a substantially sub-par GPA. I suggest that you look into how you can do some new coursework BEFORE you go jumping into the MCAT, because I think you are going to need it. Schools want to know that they're taking a risk on a solid student who's recently shown that she or he can do the job... that takes a lot more than just a great score on a test; some of us are just good test-takers.

You sound like you know where you'd like to apply. I suggest you call them NOW and schedule a look-see appointment where you bring in your old transcripts, your current resume, and your anticipated plans, and discuss what they'd suggest to make your application a competitive one. My gut feeling from your post is that it will take much more than a good MCAT score. Good luck!

I third this.

OP, don't take the real MCAT for practice. You don't want to have to overcome a subpar MCAT score along with your subpar UG GPA. I think your first order of business is to call your state school, and yes, you will probably need to repeat your pre-reqs. You should do that BEFORE you take the MCAT. Good luck to you. 🙂

 

[ExtremeUnderdog]

I agree with the above posters... retaking classes will help you in several ways: a) MCAT, b) boosting your GPA, c) demonstrating the ability to handle the courses (recently!).

I took gen chem and bio in 92/93 and orgo in 93/94, then took the MCAT in 2004 and got a [10,10,11], with help from Kaplan. My undergraduate GPA was seriously dented... <<3.0. In 2003 I was completely "stupid" (for lack of a better word) about the admissions process and I had mistakenly thought that pursuing a master's instead of retaking/taking a bunch of undergrad science courses was a better path to med school (lots of bad advice and not enough reliable information). Had I taken/retaken the courses, I know I would have scored better on the MCAT, I would have improved my GPA (even a stellar graduate GPA will do absolutely nothing to offset the undergrad record... as I have discovered through painful first-hand experience), and I would have had tangible evidence that I am capable of carrying the continuous, extended, heavy science courseload (recently) that the adcoms love to see. So... 3 years and a whole bunch of rejections later, I am on that path. While losing 3 years isn't the end of the world (I repeat to myself), choosing the right path from the beginning will save you from a lot of future angst and pain.

Best of luck to you...

 

[Non-TradTulsa]

Lagniappe - I'll chime in with the choir. I think you need to discuss your specific situation with your state school's admissions office. Your pre-reqs are quite old and you're definitely going to need some current work in the sciences. Finishing pharmacy school is no small accomplishment and I'm sure that will receive due consideration; however, a sub-3.0 GPA is a non-starter at nearly any U.S. school, even if you're a state resident. I certainly wish you all the best and hate to sound discouraging - but you need a strategy to get that GPA up with current coursework before you get too concerned about the MCAT. Keep us posted!

 

[Lagniappe]

So, it looks like I'll be setting up a meeting with my admissions guy in the near future!🙂

I took the free online MCAT last month when I really decided to take a go at this, just to get an idea of how far I had to go, my weakest areas, etc. Yeah, I've heard that that test is pretty easy since it's so old, but for taking it out of the blue without having cracked a textbook in over 10 years, I was somewhat relieved (18 - 4PS, 5BS, 9VR). I know an 18 is nothing to get excited about and I've got a long way to go to get my PS & BS up, but I was thrilled to be in double digits!

Anyway, y'all have given me some good advice and I really appreciate it, especially the honesty - I know I've got an uphill mountain to climb! At least I've decided once and for all to give it a shot. I'll work my butt off and do what I need to do in order to give myself the best chance that I can, and if I get in I'll be thrilled, but if not then at least I'll know that I tried and that I won't be wondering "what if" when I'm 50 years old.😀

 

[Flopotomist]

I would take a moment and REALLY consider your motivations. You state that you don't want to do Kaplan because of family and current career obligations. That is fine - but if you can't take 3 months out of your life now, what makes you think you can take 7+ YEARS out of your life?

There are other noble proffessions that allow you to treat patients, care for the sick, make a decent living WITHOUT having to spend so many years in school (such as NP, PA CRNA etc). Have you considered these?

I would say if you are STILL serious about going the MD route, look into a post-bac program. With a sub 3.0 GPA, it is almost impossible to get in (pick up an MSAR and look at the actual numbers). The post-bac may help you boost the GPA a bit, and get you ready for the MCAT at the same time.

Good luck!

 

[HippocratesX]

All of you get a 6 in verbal for not reading her post clearly😛 , lol...she already said she is a pharmacist in a hospital.

 

[Flopotomist]

All of you get a 6 in verbal for not reading her post clearly😛 , lol...she already said she is a pharmacist in a hospital.

so?

 

[Lagniappe]

I would take a moment and REALLY consider your motivations. You state that you don't want to do Kaplan because of family and current career obligations. That is fine - but if you can't take 3 months out of your life now, what makes you think you can take 7+ YEARS out of your life?

There are other noble proffessions that allow you to treat patients, care for the sick, make a decent living WITHOUT having to spend so many years in school (such as NP, PA CRNA etc). Have you considered these?

You think I just woke up one morning and decided that I would try to get into medical school? The fact that you would recommend that I "take a moment to consider my motivations" borders on patronizing, as this has been a decision I have wrestled with for more than a decade. Also, I never said that I couldn't take 3 months out of my life to do Kaplan. What I did say was that I would PREFER not to at this point but did leave open the future possibility by stating "not yet, anyway." And when I'm in medical school, I'll hardly be working full time, right? School will become my "career obligation" so I have no doubt that I will be able to manage taking "7+ YEARS out of my life."

BTW, I already have a noble profession that allows me to treat patients, care for the sick, and make more $ than 2 of the 3 professions you listed, so no, I have not - and do not intend to - considered those.

Forget "borders" on patronizing - 2/3 of your entire post is blatantly so, whether intentional or not.

 

[HippocratesX]

My point exactly...well said.

 

[Flopotomist]

I apologise if I came across as patronizing - it certainly was not my intention. You asked for advice - so I gave mine. I think anybody with a sub 3.0 GPA that is scoring an 18 on practice MCATs is going to need to make some dramatic extremely difficult choices and sacrifices in order to get into medical school - I think it is perfectly reasonable to make extra extra sure that this is a road you want to go down.

WRT being a pharmacist - I did not mean to suggest that it was not a noble, well-paying profession. What I meant to suggest by suggesting other professions was that if a different relationship with patients is what you are interested in, there are other non-MD like roles that you could pursue.

I wish you nothing but the best of luck, and again - certainly did not mean to sound patronizing.

 

[Non-TradTulsa]

I apologise if I came across as patronizing - it certainly was not my intention. You asked for advice - so I gave mine. I think anybody with a sub 3.0 GPA that is scoring an 18 on practice MCATs is going to need to make some dramatic extremely difficult choices and sacrifices in order to get into medical school - I think it is perfectly reasonable to make extra extra sure that this is a road you want to go down.

That's really not unfair at all. Flop and I both were adults who went back to medical school as a second career - so, if Flop will permit me to say so, we can be a very good resource.

Getting into medical school as an adult is no small task. I did my pre-reqs at night while I was still working full-time and it was a very, very hard road to go down. As a pharmacist, you have a much better science background than I did, but I suspect that you will have to update a number of your pre-reqs in order to take the MCAT and to apply to medical school. It is not easy - it's the hardest thing I ever did (until I survived my first semester of medical school) and it's perfectly reasonable to caution you to make sure you want medical school with a real passion. That passion is the only thing that will carry you through - there is a lot of heartbreak and exhaustion before you even get in. Then the real heartbreak and exhaustion starts. I have no doubt that you got many of the same feelings in pharmacy school, but medical school is incredibly intense.

Personal note: hey Flop, good to see you back on. I hadn't been on SDN since school started. You surviving a winter in the Windy City? I worked harder first semester than I ever have in my life - thank heaven for three weeks off - I needed it bad!!

 

[Flopotomist]

That's really not unfair at all. Flop and I both were adults who went back to medical school as a second career - so, if Flop will permit me to say so, we can be a very good resource.

Getting into medical school as an adult is no small task. I did my pre-reqs at night while I was still working full-time and it was a very, very hard road to go down. As a pharmacist, you have a much better science background than I did, but I suspect that you will have to update a number of your pre-reqs in order to take the MCAT and to apply to medical school. It is not easy - it's the hardest thing I ever did (until I survived my first semester of medical school) and it's perfectly reasonable to caution you to make sure you want medical school with a real passion. That passion is the only thing that will carry you through - there is a lot of heartbreak and exhaustion before you even get in. Then the real heartbreak and exhaustion starts. I have no doubt that you got many of the same feelings in pharmacy school, but medical school is incredibly intense.

Personal note: hey Flop, good to see you back on. I hadn't been on SDN since school started. You surviving a winter in the Windy City? I worked harder first semester than I ever have in my life - thank heaven for three weeks off - I needed it bad!!

hey non-trad.. good to see you again. Thanks for helping reenforce my opinion about this posters situation. To give the poster an example of the types of challenges us non-trads face, I was working full time, taking night classes to update my prereqs, did Kaplan on the weekends. It was a ridiculous schedule that has not really changed now that I am in medical school.