NEED help with my MCAT STUDIES

[Az1698]

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Hey,

I am going to be taking the MCAT's in January 2011. For this, I want to have a solid plan.

Background: I go to a tier 3 school thats not really well known. My goal is to get into a medical school that gives decent scholarships (all these schools are really hard to get into...). Thus, the MCAT score I am shooting for is a 37-40.

In order to achieve this score, I can make limited mistakes. As such, I want to have the best plan in terms of preparing me to succeed. Can you guys help me?




Course Recommendation: For the fall semester before the MCAT's, I have the choice of taking 1 upper level biology class. Which one of these four would you guys choose as MOST helpful for the MCAT BS section?

• Genetics
• biochemistry
• molecular and cell biology
• general physiology

Book Recommendations: What books do you guys recommend? I am very weak in physics and average in chemistry, above average in bio, and good in verbal. Could you guys tell me what books I should buy? I've the barron review and Nova are good for physics. I've also heard good things about the EK 1001 series. Could you guys tell me which ones to go with? Money isn't a problem.


I really want to get into a good medical school, and one major roadblock is the MCAT. Could you guys help me get around it?

 

[JonSwan]

I would say physiology helped me on the MCAT the most, but if you haven't taken cell biology, that's really bread and butter stuff. Of all the courses you listed I'd say cell bio has the most testable material. As for study strategies, try looking up the 30+ MCAT study strategy thread. IMO, however, the best overall strategy is to start studying as early as possible.

 

[SN2ed]

First off, ONLY TAKE THE MCAT AFTER YOU'VE FINISHED ALL OF YOUR PRE-REQS.

You might find my MCAT schedule thread helpful.

Out of those four classes I'd probably pick either physiology or genetics. I would lean towards genetics since that's usually one of the weaker areas in content review books. Still, there is plenty of physiology on the MCAT. Either class will help.

Here's the book list:

Biology: 1. EK Bio + EK 1001 Bio, non-detail oriented 1. BR/TPR Hyperlearning, detail oriented 3. Kaplan

Physics: 1. BR 2. Nova 3. TPR Hyperlearning 4. Kaplan

Verbal: 1. EK Verbal + EK 101 Verbal 2. TPR Hyperlearning 3. BR 4. Kaplan (Avoid if possible)

Organic Chemistry: 1. BR, by far 2. TPR Hyperlearning 3. EK/Kaplan

General Chemistry: 1. BR, by far 2. TPR Hyperlearning 3. EK/Kaplan

Extra Practice Material: 1. TPR Hyperlearning Verbal Workbook + TPR Hyperlearing Science Workbook, good source of practice passages 2. EK 1001 series, helps nail down basics

 

[Az1698]

First off, ONLY TAKE THE MCAT AFTER YOU'VE FINISHED ALL OF YOUR PRE-REQS.

You might find my MCAT schedule thread helpful.

Out of those four classes I'd probably pick either physiology or genetics. I would lean towards genetics since that's usually one of the weaker areas in content review books. Still, there is plenty of physiology on the MCAT. Either class will help.

Here's the book list:

Biology: 1. EK Bio + EK 1001 Bio, non-detail oriented 1. BR/TPR Hyperlearning, detail oriented 3. Kaplan

Physics: 1. BR 2. Nova 3. TPR Hyperlearning 4. Kaplan

Verbal: 1. EK Verbal + EK 101 Verbal 2. TPR Hyperlearning 3. BR 4. Kaplan (Avoid if possible)

Organic Chemistry: 1. BR, by far 2. TPR Hyperlearning 3. EK/Kaplan

General Chemistry: 1. BR, by far 2. TPR Hyperlearning 3. EK/Kaplan

Extra Practice Material: 1. TPR Hyperlearning Verbal Workbook + TPR Hyperlearing Science Workbook, good source of practice passages 2. EK 1001 series, helps nail down basics

Hey,
I have taken into to cell bio, but lets just say that class wasn't all that intense. Would you still suggest genetics or would you say I should take a upper level cell bio class?

 

[SN2ed]

Hey,
I have taken into to cell bio, but lets just say that class wasn't all that intense. Would you still suggest genetics or would you say I should take a upper level cell bio class?

Genetics, definitely take genetics.

 

[Az1698]

Here's the book list:

Biology: 1. EK Bio + EK 1001 Bio, non-detail oriented 1. BR/TPR Hyperlearning, detail oriented 3. Kaplan

Physics: 1. BR 2. Nova 3. TPR Hyperlearning 4. Kaplan

Verbal: 1. EK Verbal + EK 101 Verbal 2. TPR Hyperlearning 3. BR 4. Kaplan (Avoid if possible)

Organic Chemistry: 1. BR, by far 2. TPR Hyperlearning 3. EK/Kaplan

General Chemistry: 1. BR, by far 2. TPR Hyperlearning 3. EK/Kaplan

Extra Practice Material: 1. TPR Hyperlearning Verbal Workbook + TPR Hyperlearing Science Workbook, good source of practice passages 2. EK 1001 series, helps nail down basics

Are those all the books I would need? are there any other ones that are good?

 

[Xaden60]

just ordered EK Verbal on Amazon. I feel like I need a boost from Kaplans stuff. Hope it can make a difference by my Jan 29th test!

 

[Az1698]

Good luck Xaden! Any other advice?

 

[Longshanks]

Are those all the books I would need? are there any other ones that are good?

Don't get all of those books. He's just listing his opinion on which books are the best for each subject.

Definitely get TBR for PS - great review and practice. I don't have experience with TBR BS, but TPR did the job for me. Definitely get your hands on TPR & EK VR.

My advice is just do it.

I spent too much time on my game plan and ended up not doing much for a week. It's a stupid waste of time after a certain point.

He's taking in January 2011; he has plenty of time to plan this out.

OP, finish your pre-reqs, and adding in Cell & Molec Bio, Physio, and either Biochem or Genetics these next two semesters and you should be in great shape (especially for the direction BS has been taking).