MCAT woes

[wickl087]

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I came into college with the wrong mindset and got some average/poor grades so now I'm looking to add on a 5th year to fix some of those mistakes, finish the prereqs, and add on some interesting biology classes. I see a few potential problems with this regarding the MCAT.

I'm technically a freshman again since I'll be adding on this extra year so I have plenty of time to decide when to take the MCAT. I have a few possible scenarios I would really appreciate some advice on.

Scenario I:
If I want to matriculate right after the 5th year I would have to take the MCAT between April-July of 2012. This might be okay because in the fall of 2011 I have planned organic II, organic lab, and physics I. In the spring of 2012 I have Physics II, genetics, and 2 humanities planned - so a majority of the material will be fresh in my head. However, I still have full-time status along with MCAT studying. Because of this I probably won't get the most out of my MCAT studying and I wouldn't be applying until around July or August.

Scenario II:
I could use the summer of 2012 to study for the MCAT then take the test in September or October of 2012 at the start of the new semester (my super-senior year). However, I already put myself back a year by making stupid mistakes as a freshman and sophomore, but now I would be putting myself back another year to make sure I can focus on just the MCAT.

I think scenario II would be the best option because I want to make sure I can understand the material the best I can, but I can't stop thinking about all of the time I lost making stupid mistakes early on. I'm a very practical person so I see my current situation as money poorly spent. However, if I rock the MCAT because I decided to wait, this would be a great use of my money because I won't be retaking the MCAT and potentially avoiding round 2 of applying.

Does anyone have a similar experience with taking a 5th year and then adding more time to make sure they can do well on the MCAT? After reading SN2ed's (I believe that's the screen name...) post about when to take the MCAT I have been putting more thought into my time frame and how I can get the most out of my classes and studying rather than stressing myself out with classes, MCAT prep, and applying.

Sorry for such a long post. I'm notorious for that. I really appreciate any advice on this. I just want to make sure I'm not rushing myself and making more stupid mistakes.

Edit: I'd also like to apologize for putting this in the wrong section...

 

[shiftingmirage]

Remember the MCAT used to be offered only twice, once in April and once in Sept (?) so unless individuals were out of school, they had to fit MCAT study in with their coursework. I took the MCAT while in school. I cut back on ECs and took 1 less class than usual that term. Studying for the MCAT is going to be a pain no matter when ya do it. Do make the appropriate sacrifices, you don't want to study for the MCAT twice. So I would vote for option 1.

 

[wickl087]

Remember the MCAT used to be offered only twice, once in April and once in Sept (?) so unless individuals were out of school, they had to fit MCAT study in with their coursework. I took the MCAT while in school. I cut back on ECs and took 1 less class than usual that term. Studying for the MCAT is going to be a pain no matter when ya do it. Do make the appropriate sacrifices, you don't want to study for the MCAT twice. So I would vote for option 1.

Option 1 might not be as bad since I would have finished general biology, organic I, organic II, organic lab, and physics I within a year so the material isn't terribly old. I'm just being extra cautious about things because of those mistakes I had made early on.

Do you think that MCAT studying with physics II, genetics, and 2 humanities (likely Spanish and history of medicine) would be doable?

Maybe someone else could comment on their class schedule they had with MCAT studying? What worked, what didn't work, etc.