MCAT without physics? And my stats...any chance?

[sleepy21]

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Overall GPA 3.4 (biology major, psychology minor)

Science GPA 3.2 (bio I, II, honors bio special topics I, II, chem I, II, orgo I, genetics, immunology, micro, ecology... physiology, physics I, II and orgo II to go)

Here's the deal with the MCAT. I NEED ADVICE. I took physics as a senior in high school and we used a college level text book. I haven't had it in college, so it's been 3.5 years, and I don't remember much. I have heard that your MCAT is similar to your ACT score. Does this seem true? I have trouble being structured, so I am considering taking the MCAT Kaplan prep course this spring to prepare, but would that be stupid before I've had physics? I am considering taking MCAT this April and going on HS physics, but physics is not my strongest subject. But, I don't want to wait on taking my MCAT and not be able to get my application in on time for this application cycle. My state school has rolling acceptance, so having my app in early with my MCATs in is very important considering I'm a borderline applicant. Not much community service- some though. What do you think?

 

[smc927]

Why not take a practice MCAT and see how you do?

 

[shekashi]

I think you can do it sleepy21 if you have strong motivation to relearn Physics and study a lot on your own. I was in a similar situation and took the MCAT before I took Physics in college. I did well on the Physical Sciences section, because I spent a whole summer studying Physics again and then I prepared for the MCAT. If you can do that and Physics is your strong point (wasn't for me) then you'll be fine.

Just remember, motivation can allow you to do many things. Getting the MCAT off your back is a great relief and will enable you to prepare early for applications and not hurt your school grades.

Good Luck,

shekashi

Edit: I am sorry, I thought you said Physics WAS your strong point. If its not, then please reconsider my suggestion. I think you probably should NOT take the MCAT before Physics. It is not like the SAT/ACT and is difficult.

 

[AlternateSome1]

Take physics first. Average accepted GPA's are around the 3.5 mark, so you have to consider that you are a below average canidate, especially with the 3.2 science GPA, and you need to make up for it with a strong MCAT score. It would not be prudent to risk your chances with a low score. You stated that you are not strong in physics, so it seems very unwise to try to wing it when physics (along with gen. chem.) makes up about one third of the exam. Before you make any choices, please consider taking a practice MCAT so you can judge how prepared you are for it without physics. If the material is overwhelming, then definitely take the time to finish the classes and not waste $200 with an MCAT retake. Good luck with your state school!

~AS1~

 

[UCLAstudent]

You really should take physics. Even though the physics covered on the MCAT is not extremely detailed, it is very conceptual. I wouldn't risk taking the MCAT without a strong physics background.

 

[AAKRAZY]

There's no doubt that physics courses will help, but you can do well on the physical sciences portion of the MCAT without them, provided you put in some supplementary work. Because MCAT physics is so conceptual, you need good materials for study aids. I hadn't taken physics in over five years when I got around to studying for the MCAT, so in essence, I was really a blank slate. Because I was pressed for time, I only studied what I had in my MCAT prep books. It was slow going at first, but I think the physical sciences (and this is just my opinion) is by far the section that yields the most dividends in terms of points with good study preparation. Whereas the verbal is kind of a crapshoot and the bio curve is pretty rigid, I think it pays to try your best to maximize your physical sciences capabilities. Anyhow, try studying for a month to see how it comes along, and definitely get into a physics class at some point.

 

[Amy B]

Originally posted by sleepy21
Overall I took physics as a senior in high school and we used a college level text book. I haven't had it in college, so it's been 3.5 years, and I don't remember much.

Perhaps I am missing something here, but was the Physics you had in HS a college level course that you got college credit? So do you have 8 hours of Physics credit and do they include lab? You have to have that much as a pre-requisite to apply to med school. So unless you got that much in HS and unless it had lab and unless it is on a college transcript you have to take it. So you would be wise to take it before you tackle the MCAT.

 

[SoulRFlare]

I took the MCAT after having had the equivalant of one semester of physics (one and a half summer sessions worth of a 3 quarter series.) Even though I studied some of the material on my own (optics for ex, which wasn't covered until the fall quarter) I think I was at somewhat of a disadvantage, and it's reflected in my PS score. In fact, a few questions that I missed were covered in class the very next Monday after the MCAT!!
I suggest very strongly that you have all of your prereq courses completed or nearly completed by the time of the MCAT.
best of luck!

 

[Lorae]

i took the MCAT without any physics (even in highschool) and scored a 9

I took princeton review and studied my ass off

also, my general chemistry is very strong (I was scoring between 85%-95% on practice exams), so that's what pulled me up I'm sure.

Basically it can be done, but I would tell you to take physics if you can. Besides, you need physics to apply to most med schools anyway, so you're most likely going to have to take it sometime.

 

[omarsaleh66]

i took mcat w/o physics and got a 10 on the physics/chem section. overall 30. I was not brilliant by any means just an average premed student, and if i can do it, i am sure many could get much better. but anyways, princeton review physics section and alot of princeton review practice problems helped me out. im sure physics in college can help but its not that big of a deal.

later

Omar

 

[NE_Cornhusker1]

i got an 8 on the ps section the first time i took [after i taught myself physics over the summer (i was also way over-amped when i took it and i think my nerves might have cost me a point or two)] and an 11 after taking physics i & ii and p-chem.

is it that you can't fit physics into your schedule or have too many credits already or what? some physics will be better than no physics. try taking a distance-ed course [usually you get a year to complete these] or internet based physics class [if not at your school try some school in your area] to free up time [heavy course load] or accomadate your schedule.

 

[DrBodacious]

Physics would be the easiest class to omit, in my opinion. But, you would have to be quite motivated to learn all the MCAT material before April. Plus, you'll want to be studying for the other sections as well. You'd have to have a pretty lax class schedual to allow that. You're just going to have to think about how quickly the physics will come to you and make your own call. Sorry to bring it up but I'd consider taking a year off as a possibility because you would undoubtedly do better on the MCAT and you could bring up your GPA as well. Since med schools are now considering all past MCAT scores and many schools average the two scores straight up.

 

[DD214_DOC]

For the record, the national matriculant average GPA for 2003 was a 3.62. It's going up.

 

[BerkeleyPremed]

The most important question to ask is ...is that GPA just the BCPM GPA or is it the overall, composite GPA??

 

[Amy B]

Why would anyone take the MCAT without the necessary classes. After all these classes are required courses for med school. What benefit is there? I mean, you have to take the course to get into a US med school MD and DO.

Why did some of you take Physics after the MCAT? Was it a schedule problem?

 

[Lorae]

Amy,

in my case I am applying to 7 Canadian schools that do not require physics as a pre-requisite.

physics makes me want to poke sharp sticks into my eyes (at a velocity of 3.2 m/s and and angle of 30 degrees to the north east)

so if I can get into med school without it - I'll take that!!!

😛

 

[Amy B]

Originally posted by Lorae
Amy,

in my case I am applying to 7 Canadian schools that do not require physics as a pre-requisite.

physics makes me want to poke sharp sticks into my eyes (at a velocity of 3.2 m/s and and angle of 30 degrees to the north east)

so if I can get into med school without it - I'll take that!!!

😛

I so know what you mean. Physics almost kept me out of med school. I HATED PHYSICS. I could care less what the speed of a train passsing point A and in relation to person A, B, and C is when traveling 3000 mph going up hill with an incline plane track at the angle 30 degrees..............................................🙄 🙄

 

[smc927]

Originally posted by Amy B
Why would anyone take the MCAT without the necessary classes. After all these classes are required courses for med school. What benefit is there? I mean, you have to take the course to get into a US med school MD and DO.

Why did some of you take Physics after the MCAT? Was it a schedule problem?

Well, in my case I decided to go to med school after starting college. So for me I'll have all the pre-reqs done in time for the MCAT except for the second physics requirement. So I can either take that course and delay the MCAT another full year or do self-study and hopefully be starting med school when I would have only been applying. Being slightly older, that year matters more to me. Of course, I will still take the needed course, just not until after the MCAT. And yes, I realize that will leave me at a disadvantage taking the MCAT.

 

[Chrisobean]

kaplan just reviews the basic concepts, and quickly. there are 3 physics lessons, which cover a full year's worth of topics. and theres like 14 chapters in their book, like 5 per lesson. its not easy if you dont know any physics, its not easy even if you do.