My advisor is setting me up for failure...

[hopefulpsychiatrist]

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Today was just a really bad day, I don't think I've ever been so upset in my life. I am in the pre-health/pre-medical program and it is promoted as if they will help you step by step getting into medical school. My advisor informs me today, 3 weeks left of school that I cannot take the MCAT without completing my pre-reqs, I've taken biology, general chemistry, physics and organic chemistry, sociology, psychology, etc. But I have not taken biochemistry, he says I would be setting myself up for failure if I don't take the course and doesn't understand why Im so "pressed" to take the MCAT. Well..I AM A JUNIOR and would like to apply to medical school this cycle. He tells me there is a 4-8 week biochemistry course I could take this summer, 4 weeks per semester. Do I need both semesters of biochemistry to do well on that MCAT? Basically he's suggesting I take the full 2 semesters of biochem, while studying for the MCAT, take the MCAT in August and apply to medical school in August. I suggested, should I fill out the application when it opens up without my scores, he said no. Ive had admission committees tell me that your application is time stamped, and betters your chances.

Ive taken a MCAT diagnostic before prepping, did not do too bad, I want to increase each section by 2-3 points.

I honestly am so lost right now, I pay so much in tuition and I feel like I'm not getting any guidance whatsoever.

How does what my advisor said sound? Is it unreasonable? And is two semesters needed? I could take the 4 week course and be done by June.

 

[deleted802724]

Today was just a really bad day, I don't think I've ever been so upset in my life. I am in the pre-health/pre-medical program and it is promoted as if they will help you step by step getting into medical school. My advisor informs me today, 3 weeks left of school that I cannot take the MCAT without completing my pre-reqs, I've taken biology, general chemistry, physics and organic chemistry, sociology, psychology, etc. But I have not taken biochemistry, he says I would be setting myself up for failure if I don't take the course and doesn't understand why Im so "pressed" to take the MCAT. Well..I AM A JUNIOR and would like to apply to medical school this cycle. He tells me there is a 4-8 week biochemistry course I could take this summer, 4 weeks per semester. Do I need both semesters of biochemistry to do well on that MCAT? Basically he's suggesting I take the full 2 semesters of biochem, while studying for the MCAT, take the MCAT in August and apply to medical school in August. I suggested, should I fill out the application when it opens up without my scores, he said no. Ive had admission committees tell me that your application is time stamped, and betters your chances.

Ive taken a MCAT diagnostic before prepping, did not do too bad, I want to increase each section by 2-3 points.

I honestly am so lost right now, I pay so much in tuition and I feel like I'm not getting any guidance whatsoever.

How does what my advisor said sound? Is it unreasonable? And is two semesters needed? I could take the 4 week course and be done by June.

Biochem is actually considered very important. Advisor would be wrong if he didn't emphasize the importance of it

 

[candbgirl]

So when did you plan to take the MCAT? It sounds, from what you said, you haven't even started hard core studying. I agree with your advisor. Why rush the MCAT? It doesn't seem like you are prepared to apply this cycle, even though you are a junior.


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[Lawpy]

Today was just a really bad day, I don't think I've ever been so upset in my life. I am in the pre-health/pre-medical program and it is promoted as if they will help you step by step getting into medical school. My advisor informs me today, 3 weeks left of school that I cannot take the MCAT without completing my pre-reqs, I've taken biology, general chemistry, physics and organic chemistry, sociology, psychology, etc. But I have not taken biochemistry, he says I would be setting myself up for failure if I don't take the course and doesn't understand why Im so "pressed" to take the MCAT. Well..I AM A JUNIOR and would like to apply to medical school this cycle. He tells me there is a 4-8 week biochemistry course I could take this summer, 4 weeks per semester. Do I need both semesters of biochemistry to do well on that MCAT? Basically he's suggesting I take the full 2 semesters of biochem, while studying for the MCAT, take the MCAT in August and apply to medical school in August. I suggested, should I fill out the application when it opens up without my scores, he said no. Ive had admission committees tell me that your application is time stamped, and betters your chances.

Ive taken a MCAT diagnostic before prepping, did not do too bad, I want to increase each section by 2-3 points.

I honestly am so lost right now, I pay so much in tuition and I feel like I'm not getting any guidance whatsoever.

How does what my advisor said sound? Is it unreasonable? And is two semesters needed? I could take the 4 week course and be done by June.

What's the rush? Medical schools aren't going anywhere. Take the time you need to do well, and apply only once with the best possible application.

 

[Toutie]

No, if you try to rush things then YOU are setting yourself up for failure.

 

[hopefulpsychiatrist]

So when did you plan to take the MCAT? It sounds, from what you said, you haven't even started hard core studying. I agree with your advisor. Why rush the MCAT? It doesn't seem like you are prepared to apply this cycle, even though you are a junior.


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I am currently taking physics and chemistry the plan was always to begin preparation over the summer. But now I have a summer course I have to take that I was not prepared to be taken alongside studying for the MCAT

 

[TheBiologist]

did you not know biochemistry was on the MCAT?

I guess he should have told you to take biochem junior year; not sure why he set your schedule in such a way that you wouldn't, but aside from that it is a good idea to have taken biochem

 

[DrHart]

Coming from a two time MCAT taker, you should take your time. Take the full series of biochem (whether summer semester or fall/spring). Then prep for your MCAT. Biochem is literally at the core of the new MCAT. You're gonna wanna know it like the back of your hand.
It's easy to lose yourself in the rush and grind of school... hell I did. I took a gap year this year after graduation and it has been enormously beneficial. Did it set me back two years? Sure. But in the grand scheme of things I am certain it will be for the better.

My advice is to not apply this cycle. Take both biochem semesters. Take the MCAT either in the spring of your senior year or after you graduate. Will it set you back a year? Yes. Coming from a re-applicant... this is what I wish I would have done. As Lawper says above, med schools aren't going anywhere.

 

[RangerBob]

Take the MCAT only when you are ready.

I know I was in a hurry to start medical school when I was at the same point as you, except I had to pursue a post-bac program after graduating from undergrad because I had only taken one quarter each of chem and physics. I then ended up delaying my application a year and came back to work as a TA at the post-bac program, took a course for free each semester, and worked 32hrs a week. During the glide year I worked full time. I kept up my volunteering of course. It was a blast. I think I put in longer hours then than I do now as a resident...

Don't rush getting into medical school. You only get to be young once, and honestly I had more fun and learned more in medical school with a little more maturity.

As far as worrying about studying for the MCAT while taking biochem--I don't think you need to worry if you've done well in your classes. The best way to prep for the MCAT is study/get all A's in the pre-reqs. Most people don't need to study 8hrs/day for an entire summer. That would be miserable.

 

[NotYou20]

Agree that your advisor is right. You need to take responsibility for your own career though. You seem pretty uninformed about the mcat. That's whatever, you can fix that, but take that as a sign that you probably don't understand the rest of the process of applying to med school either. You'll be better off by spending a little time informing yourself. Further, you thinking you need to apply as a junior screams that you're just doing what you think you should rather than what makes sense. Inform yourself then make a new plan. Ditch whatever one you have now because it's not going to work. You've got good advice here and from your advisor, you're in good shape

 

[IlDestriero]

You should be upset that you almost screwed up your plans, not that your advisor told you that you shouldn't take the MCAT w/o biochem.


--
Il Destriero

 

[Goro]

Go seek out your school's counseling center ASAP.

Today was just a really bad day, I don't think I've ever been so upset in my life. I am in the pre-health/pre-medical program and it is promoted as if they will help you step by step getting into medical school. My advisor informs me today, 3 weeks left of school that I cannot take the MCAT without completing my pre-reqs, I've taken biology, general chemistry, physics and organic chemistry, sociology, psychology, etc. But I have not taken biochemistry, he says I would be setting myself up for failure if I don't take the course and doesn't understand why Im so "pressed" to take the MCAT. Well..I AM A JUNIOR and would like to apply to medical school this cycle. He tells me there is a 4-8 week biochemistry course I could take this summer, 4 weeks per semester. Do I need both semesters of biochemistry to do well on that MCAT? Basically he's suggesting I take the full 2 semesters of biochem, while studying for the MCAT, take the MCAT in August and apply to medical school in August. I suggested, should I fill out the application when it opens up without my scores, he said no. Ive had admission committees tell me that your application is time stamped, and betters your chances.

Ive taken a MCAT diagnostic before prepping, did not do too bad, I want to increase each section by 2-3 points.

I honestly am so lost right now, I pay so much in tuition and I feel like I'm not getting any guidance whatsoever.

How does what my advisor said sound? Is it unreasonable? And is two semesters needed? I could take the 4 week course and be done by June.

 

[You're My Boy Blue]

Listen to your advisor. Biochem is at the heart of both the chem/phys and biochem/bio sections. I know it can feel rough setting yourself back a year, but if you take the MCAT and don't do well you'll still be setting yourself back PLUS thousands from applying and having an possibly bad MCAT score that will stay on your application permanently

Also lol how did Goro get probationary status?

 

[aymar]

Biochem is the single most important course for the new MCAT, imo. I would definitely caution you from trying to take the test without it.

Also I'm sorry if this sounds harsh, but you are a college student. Sure advising should have better explained that you needed biochem, but you should always do your own research and stay informed. No one is going to hold your hand through life.


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[aprilfools]

This is so ridiculous. Take some responsibility for yourself.

Biochem is the single most important course/material for the MCAT.

 

[Goro]

Being from NY, Goro doesn't suffer fools lightly, and the even longer suffering moderator had enough....hence, my spot on the Bad Boy list.

Also lol how did Goro get probationary status?

 

[Domepiece]

The AAMC numbers under the section content PDFs on the linked page state that 25% of content from the B/B section and 25% of the C/P section are representative of a first-semester Biochemistry course. Each of those sections comprises 25% of the MCAT exam. (.25)x(.25) + (.25)x(.25) = .625 + .625 = 12.50%

An entire eighth of the questions on the MCAT fall under biochemistry.

 

[mwsapphire]

Being from NY, Goro doesn't suffer fools lightly, and the even longer suffering moderator had enough....hence, my spot on the Bad Boy list.

The bad boy list XD
Also- @DrHart, both semester of Biochem? I thought Biochem II was unnecesary? The advisors at my school say Biochem II is more prepping yourself for med school, but Biochem I is enough for the MCAT ( the new one) ? I think schools do it differently ( for example, at my school, Orgo II is the pre req to Biochem, at some schools , it's orgo I)

 

[Domepiece]

The bad boy list XD
Also- @DrHart, both semester of Biochem? I thought Biochem II was unnecesary? The advisors at my school say Biochem II is more prepping yourself for med school, but Biochem I is enough for the MCAT ( the new one) ? I think schools do it differently ( for example, at my school, Orgo II is the pre req to Biochem, at some schools , it's orgo I)

I also think there is a shift in medical school reqs away from a full year sequence of orgo and allowing one semester of orgo and one semester of biochemistry, which will hopefully be reflected in degree reqs for undergrad

 

[mwsapphire]

I also think there is a shift in medical school reqs away from a full year sequence of orgo and allowing one semester of orgo and one semester of biochemistry, which will hopefully be reflected in degree reqs for undergrad

But BiochemII isn't needed, right? B/c I'm taking two full semester of Orgo and then Biochem my junior year, and my advisor said that's more than enough......
Biochem II is mainly for Biochem majors.....you can take it if you want, but its like histology or immunology , where it preps you for med school but is not needed for the MCAT.

 

[partypantss]

But BiochemII isn't needed, right? B/c I'm taking two full semester of Orgo and then Biochem my junior year, and my advisor said that's more than enough......
Biochem II is mainly for Biochem majors.....you can take it if you want, but its like histology or immunology , where it preps you for med school but is not needed for the MCAT.

Yes you don't need biochem "2" assuming your biochem 1/2 sequence are similar to the ones that were offered at my school (called 404 and 405 I think.) I didn't take Biochem 2 and you can see by my signature that I did fine. Biochem 1 you absolutely should take though. Those Amino Acids are everywhere on that test from what I remember...

 

[pseud0]

If i were you id take the biochem thru the summer/fall, take mcat towards the end of your senior year, apply that summer while looking for a gap year job or something and then get in after 1 gapyear. Youre a youngling that can afford an extra year

 

[DrHart]

The bad boy list XD
Also- @DrHart, both semester of Biochem? I thought Biochem II was unnecesary? The advisors at my school say Biochem II is more prepping yourself for med school, but Biochem I is enough for the MCAT ( the new one) ? I think schools do it differently ( for example, at my school, Orgo II is the pre req to Biochem, at some schools , it's orgo I)

Depends on how your school does it. One semester is enough if it covers all the material needed. Honestly, two semesters wouldn't hurt though. Biochem seriously is so important for the new MCAT

 

[Eleithyia]

Honestly, take your time. Your advisor sounds like they are giving you pretty good advice--an MCAT score sticks with you, so you want to be as ready as you can be when you take it.
The only part of your advisor's instructions I would take issue with is them telling you to apply in August. Generally, it's considered a better strategy to submit your application in June if you can (which might be another reason to take your time and wait a cycle).

 

[TRPMinus]

Wait to take it, one year longer is a small price to pay if it increases your chances of success. BTW, increasing 2-3 points PER SECTION is a huge jump in score. That's like going from a 500 to a 512. Don't underestimate the difficulty of that feat. Good luck and study hard!

 

[Lucca]

But BiochemII isn't needed, right? B/c I'm taking two full semester of Orgo and then Biochem my junior year, and my advisor said that's more than enough......
Biochem II is mainly for Biochem majors.....you can take it if you want, but its like histology or immunology , where it preps you for med school but is not needed for the MCAT.

FWIW one semester of introductory Biochemistry was sufficient to be familiar with all of the content on the MCAT. At least my university, all biochem courses beyond the first semester are way too specific to be all that much more helpful for the MCAT.

 

[MusicDOc124]

(this may have been said).. If your advisor is advising you to take biochemistry, how's that bad advising? Biochemistry is heavy in the first year of med school (at least where I am), and there are certainly things on the MCAT that [should] be a little easier having taken biochemistry before taking it, even if only to solidify aspects of orgo through undergrad bchem. I'd also recommend taking it before matriculating/graduating to even be able to metric anyway. If you're advisor isn't putting you down, or telling you to take it blindly, or saying you won't get in, etc, and the extend of you considering them being a bad advisor is that they want you to take biochemistry first, I think you have bad judgement lol.

 

[Eleithyia]

If you're really going to limit this decision to whether you can get away with only taking the first biochem, check in with an instructor for the class/series or a student who's already taken them before you decide. Most med schools only recommend a semester of biochem, but I found when I took my biochem series, my school didn't offer a one-semester intro. Instead their two-semester Intro to Biochem series went into much greater detail and didn't cover as wide a variety of topics within the first semester. If I had only taken the first semester I would have only had about half the information that was fair game for the MCAT.

 

[stickgirl390]

I did not take Biochem before the MCAT. I scored decent enough that I was able to earn to interviews this cycle. Only you know if you're prepared enough to take the MCAT. The scores on your practice exams will help you know if you're ready. You are the one applying to medical school; make the decision that is best for you.

 

[jcorpsmanMD]

You seem to be very young, waiting to apply and maturing a little on your gap year seems like it would be great for you. As was suggested multiple times above. It's for the best.

 

[Domepiece]

But BiochemII isn't needed, right? B/c I'm taking two full semester of Orgo and then Biochem my junior year, and my advisor said that's more than enough......
Biochem II is mainly for Biochem majors.....you can take it if you want, but its like histology or immunology , where it preps you for med school but is not needed for the MCAT.

Can't speak for your school's specific sequence, but according to the AAMC, the biochemistry topics emphasized on the MCAT are from a first-semester biochemistry course.

Students studying for the MCAT may find this MCAT Essentials document and the Whats on the MCAT publications from the AAMC quite helpful. They're dry and long (phrasing), but worthwhile information.

I also made this word outline from the online AAMC outline, so feel free to use it as well.