MCAT while still doing physics pre-req.

[LolaMD]

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The way I have my schedule planned out right now I will be taking physics next year fall, winter and finishing up Spring quarter. However, I was also planning on taking an MCAT prep course during that winter (Winter of 2011) and taking the MCAT Spring of 2012 (I'm applying Spring/Summer of 2012). Am I putting myself at a disadvantage by doing MCAT stuff before having finished physics? Feedback from people in both situations (like mine and those who got physics done before the MCAT) would be great! Any suggestions for me? Thank you guys so much!!!

 

[RogueUnicorn]

i taught a couple mcat students who hadn't taken physics 2 yet. their heads were SPINNING.

 

[FuturaDocta]

For me, physics is one of those classes that you sorta have to take before you can study it in detail for the mcat. I tend to guess the opposite of what the real answer is at times. So, it would have been insane for me to take the mcat before physics.

Perhaps just taking the first semester of physics would suffice for you. But, having no clue what physics entails while attempting to study the mcat wouldn't be worth your time. Although, I have to say, I have seen some people pull it off and making average mcat scores (30). gl🙂

 

[FirefighterDoc]

Does the same go for Orgo as well? I was planning on taking ORGO 1 next fall(2010) and ORGO 2 next spring(2011). I wanted to take an MCAT prep course that would last all of next spring and then take my MCAT early that summer(2011). Would 1 semester of Orgo be enough to have before doing a prep? Ill be doing Orgo 2 while in the prep.

 

[RogueUnicorn]

orgo is a bit limited in scope in the mcat so it might be possible. if you can get orgo 1 under your belt it can be done with relative ease. (not to say it's easy)

 

[FirefighterDoc]

I was actually thinking about this for a little bit. I always thought that if i took an MCAT prep course on a course i had yet to taken( or was in the middle of taking) it might help a little because while then taking the course i would know what to study in depth. I could also ask whatever university teacher is teaching the class(someone who specializes in that subject) to clarify questions about things I already know i will need for the MCAT. In essence I would know what subjects to pay *extra attention* to. Has anyone had any luck with this?

 

[FuturaDocta]

Does the same go for Orgo as well? I was planning on taking ORGO 1 next fall(2010) and ORGO 2 next spring(2011). I wanted to take an MCAT prep course that would last all of next spring and then take my MCAT early that summer(2011). Would 1 semester of Orgo be enough to have before doing a prep? Ill be doing Orgo 2 while in the prep.

A lot of the material is from orgo 1. So, yah, you can do that. When you study for the prep, just make sure you cover a lot of the important reactions from second semester. For me, second semester was just a bunch of memorization and following the electrons.

 

[donkeykong1]

I've seen lots of people pull it off. I'm thinking of doing the same myself next year.
Which month are you planning on taking the mcats?

 

[ILikeDrugs]

I'm taking the MCAT in mid-July '10 and am not taking physics 1 and 2 still the following school year while I'm waiting for interviews and acceptances. I've been teaching myself one chapter a week. Which means I'll be finished by March/April. Studying for MCAT for 2 months (mid-May to mid-July)

 

[FuturaDocta]

Jan seems like a good fit for me since I would have pretty much all my pre-reqs done by then and all the material would still be fresh.

 

[elyswim]

On the other hand, I didn't understand jack from physics when I took it in college still managed to get a 12 on the PS... I think the PR people taught me enough of what I needed to know that I did alright. It's all about how you learn...

 

[aggie08]

I took the MCAT twice, once before Physics II and once after. I did better on the physical science section on my first test (overall better on 2nd, though).

Go figure.


If you're going to take a review class, I don't see it as a big deal. But, that's just my personal experience talking.

 

[wanderer]

orgo is a bit limited in scope in the mcat so it might be possible. if you can get orgo 1 under your belt it can be done with relative ease. (not to say it's easy)

If you know orgo 1 + aldol reactions + a little carbonyl/carboxyl chemistry, you're pretty much set as far as orgo goes, assuming you know enough intro biochem from gen or molecular bio. Obviously it's possible to get weird stuff, but with a little luck and a lot of common sense you'll be okay even in the worst of situations.