My 15 Month Preparation Schedule. Input needed!

[txlonghorn2314]

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Ok, so first off I understand many of the initial responses I will receive from this thread at first glance is "15 months?! You're too far away to worry about any prep!" Although I agree I shouldn't be cramming in test prep books or taking AAMC practice exams, I strongly disagree that I should not be doing ANYTHING to prepare.

That being said, any helpful advice to my situation would be incredibly valued! I've learned a lot just by reading other posts/responses on SDN concerning MCAT, and now I would like some help on my own.

The reason I am so concerned about the MCAT is that I plan on applying next May, but cannot take the MCAT until August (I have another post regarding this: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=999905)

Basically, I know that I am at a disadvantage because of me being late submitting my MCAT score, but as of now I'm sitting with a 3.65cGPA and a 4.00 sGPA (18 months ago, before taking any sciences I had a 3.17cGPA as a Business Management major, and now only have Phys I&2, Orgo 2, and Biochem left on my prereqs) with strong EC's and 2 yrs research

I want to get AT LEAST a 32 on this test to optimize my chances of still getting in (I want to go to Texas Tech med school). The problem is, I feel like I am very weak at VR. I apologize for the long intro...here is my schedule 😀

15 Month MCAT Preparation​

VERBAL REASONING PREP:

May13,2013 - May 1, 2014: Minimum 2 intellectual readings per day, 5 days/week and writing a quick paragraph after each reading to:

• Summarize the passage
• Describe the author's tone
• Discuss purpose of article
• Elaborate on the key points

May 1, 2014 - Late August: SN2'ds 120 day program

BS/PS Review

*Taking physics I and II this summer

*August-December- Gen Chem/BIO I and II reviews (I will be working as a Gen Chem I and II and BIO I and II tutor)

*August-December- Orgo II Lecture

*Dec-Jan- MCAT Chemistry content review course (provided by the University)

*Jan-May - Taking Biochem and Microbiology lecture

*Feb-March: Physics content review

*March-May: Review of all major organ systems (1 a week or so).

*May-Late August: SN2'ds 120 day schedule.


*Side note: During the 120 day program, I have no classes in May or in August, but have Plant Sci in June and Genetics in July.


Thanks for taking the time to read this, and if you can, please hit me up with some advice/critiques on it. 🙂

 

[brood910]

Reading passages = good

Doing content review before doing the 120 days schedule = it wont help you much. But if you really wanna do it, take CONCISE NOTES so that you wont have to read all again when you do 120 days schedule.

 

[txlonghorn2314]

Reading passages = good

Doing content review before doing the 120 days schedule = it wont help you much. But if you really wanna do it, take CONCISE NOTES so that you wont have to read all again when you do 120 days schedule.

Yeah I planned on making detailed notecards throughout the process to have handy once I begin the SN2d program. I am curious though why content review before the 120 day schedule wouldn't help much. Wouldn't that just keep the content more relevant/current in my brain for faster retrieval during the 120 days?

 

[brood910]

Yeah I planned on making detailed notecards throughout the process to have handy once I begin the SN2d program. I am curious though why content review before the 120 day schedule wouldn't help much. Wouldn't that just keep the content more relevant/current in my brain for faster retrieval during the 120 days?

You will forget most of them unless you are a genius.
Also, MCAT is not about memorization

 

[mcloaf]

Studying that long probably won't help much, but more importantly it seems to me a huge waste of time that would be better spent improving your application through ECs. If you're set on doing this it can't hurt you I guess but 15 months is just so much...

 

[Newlanders]

Hey OP, I noticed you are still taking the pre reqs. I think you should print out the AAMC MCAT outline and focus on the tested material while taking the classes. Your time would be better spent this way. For verbal, I feel you could start doing a couple of passages every now and then provided you have enough prep material to last you. I think this would be better than reading a passage and writing that paragraph because you will be answering questions.

But overall it's a good schedule.

Btw did you say youre going to take your MCAT in late august but submit your app for that cycle in may?

 

[txlonghorn2314]

Hey OP, I noticed you are still taking the pre reqs. I think you should print out the AAMC MCAT outline and focus on the tested material while taking the classes. Your time would be better spent this way. For verbal, I feel you could start doing a couple of passages every now and then provided you have enough prep material to last you. I think this would be better than reading a passage and writing that paragraph because you will be answering questions.

But overall it's a good schedule.

Btw did you say youre going to take your MCAT in late august but submit your app for that cycle in may?

Yes I am, simply because it is my only option if I want to reach my goal of beginning medical school in the fall of 2015. The reason being is that I'm 23, engaged to my high school sweetheart, and simply ready to move on to the next step. I'm fully OK with waiting an extra year if needed, but that would be 2 YEARS between the time I graduate and the time I begin medical school which is way to long 🙁

I discussed this situation with the admissions director of TTUHSC and she basically said that although it is doable to apply next spring before taking the MCAT, that I am at a disadvantage because they would not review the application until my MCAT score was in in late September. She basically told me that if I take the chance and make a competitive MCAT score (average for Tech matriculates is 30), then it might be worthwhile, but if I take the chance and make a sub 30, I'll likely have to retake/reapply. So I decided I wanted to take the chance which is why I'm gunning it so early.

 

[sunflower18]

Wait, so can you explain why you have to take the test in late August as opposed to, say, June?

 

[brood910]

I do not recommend taking the exam in spring.
Take it in September/Oct so that you can study for it during the whole summer without doing anything. Studying for MCAT while studying for classes is REALLY tough.

 

[txlonghorn2314]

Wait, so can you explain why you have to take the test in late August as opposed to, say, June?

Because I am still taking a full load in the spring and then graduating in the summer, so the only time I could possibly do a highly intensified study program like SN2ds would be May-August, and taking the test either late August or early September.

 

[DNA]

I think you're setting yourself up for disaster, because you haven't taken into consideration that in 2015 the new MCAT will be implemented, and so if by some chance you need to retake fall of next year, you haven't given yourself enough time to improve. Sure you can go in with the mentality that you'll ace the exam on the first go, but ultimately, you never know what will happen and will need a back up plan just in case. Otherwise, you'll be stuck studying for another year to adjust to the changes of the new MCAT -- something everyone is trying to avoid.

 

[txlonghorn2314]

I think you're setting yourself up for disaster, because you haven't taken into consideration that in 2015 the new MCAT will be implemented, and so if by some chance you need to retake fall of next year, you haven't given yourself enough time to improve. Sure you can go in with the mentality that you'll ace the exam on the first go, but ultimately, you never know what will happen and will need a back up plan just in case. Otherwise, you'll be stuck studying for another year to adjust to the changes of the new MCAT -- something everyone is trying to avoid.

I think you are confusing being set up for disaster with taking a risk. I think if my exam was in 2 months and I was consistently getting 19s and 20s on my AAMC practice test that would be setting up for disaster. You're saying that this plan doesn't give me a solid shot to get above a 30?

The other thing is....has ANYONE followed SN2d's plan consistently, or know someone who has, and NOT received a 30 or above? I'm sure there might be but I haven't heard of it.

 

[brood910]

I think you are confusing being set up for disaster with taking a risk. I think if my exam was in 2 months and I was consistently getting 19s and 20s on my AAMC practice test that would be setting up for disaster. You're saying that this plan doesn't give me a solid shot to get above a 30?

The other thing is....has ANYONE followed SN2d's plan consistently, or know someone who has, and NOT received a 30 or above? I'm sure there might be but I haven't heard of it.

You should know that 30+ is 73th percentile...
That means MANY PEOPLE do not get above 30 even tho they follow the schedule.

I am using my own schedule as the schedule is really ineffective in many aspects.

 

[mcloaf]

I am using my own schedule as the schedule is really ineffective in many aspects.

Would be interested to hear you elaborate on this.

 

[AM4EVA]

This is a formula for BURNOUT!!!

Sent from my SGH-T989 using SDN Mobile

 

[Heisenberg1]

Apparently you're under the impression that the more content you know the better you'll do on the exam. This is not a college exam where recalling facts will help you!! It is a reasoning exam and the only way to score well on it is to actually practice it!!

 

[dartmed]

Haha. Yea, good luck with this.

 

[SaintJude]

Yes, I sympathize with you b/c I, once too, thought that "oh, yeah let me study for 10 months"....OP, please, take this advice from us SDNers who have gone through the fire...

Do NOT do this. 5 months MAX.

 

[MedOldAge]

Yes, I sympathize with you b/c I, once too, thought that "oh, yeah let me study for 10 months"....OP, please, take this advice from us SDNers who have gone through the fire...

Do NOT do this. 5 months MAX.

+1 👍

This is NOT a memorization test but an application test.

 

[txlonghorn2314]

Thank you for the helpful advice. With what you all said in mind, is there ANYTHING I can do 15 months out that can prepare me to do well? (Lumosity, puzzles, etc) to optimize my reasoning/application abilities for the exam?

 

[QrtrLifeCrisis]

Thank you for the helpful advice. With what you all said in mind, is there ANYTHING I can do 15 months out that can prepare me to do well? (Lumosity, puzzles, etc) to optimize my reasoning/application abilities for the exam?

Haven't read the other posts...but here are my $0.02.

Get off SDN and enjoy life. Your time will come and take advantage of the fact that it isn't right now. The sooner you start, the sooner you will burn out. If you want to do something, just research any format changes that will happen to the MCAT and plan accordingly. Seriously, don't start.

Also, did I read something about taking the MCAT in August and then applying? Yeah, bad idea. Take the extra year. You're not over the hill. You can afford the time.