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[acbakshi]

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[0dee]

First of all, I would advise you to remove some of your personal information from your post such as your name and other identifying details as well. If you calculate your GPA and sGPA our members here can give you an idea of where to apply along with your chances, but it is very hard to predict without an actual MCAT score. Also, don't take the MCAT without finishing the classes listed above as those classes will give you a good understanding for a lot of the concepts that are tested in the MCAT. Good luck!

 

[spiffysteve]

The general consensus is that taking biochem before taking the MCAT will help your score. As to your "when to take the MCAT" question, the answer is really, "when you are ready." It will take several months of consistent studying (not including the classes you've listed) and MCAT prep in order to get a competitive score. Don't rush your studying in order to apply in a specific cycle; you will be much better served getting some extra studying/extracurricular hours in and applying the next year.

And go ahead and share your stats. I see that you have some research and EMS experience, which is good. What other volunteering or extracurricular experiences do you have?

 

[MADD!!!]

Sounds Persian to me 😛. Haha

 

[acbakshi]

First of all, I would advise you to remove some of your personal information from your post such as your name and other identifying details as well. If you calculate your GPA and sGPA our members here can give you an idea of where to apply along with your chances, but it is very hard to predict without an actual MCAT score. Also, don't take the MCAT without finishing the classes listed above as those classes will give you a good understanding for a lot of the concepts that are tested in the MCAT. Good luck!

Thank you for responding. I removed some personal details!

The general consensus is that taking biochem before taking the MCAT will help your score. As to your "when to take the MCAT" question, the answer is really, "when you are ready." It will take several months of consistent studying (not including the classes you've listed) and MCAT prep in order to get a competitive score. Don't rush your studying in order to apply in a specific cycle; you will be much better served getting some extra studying/extracurricular hours in and applying the next year.

And go ahead and share your stats. I see that you have some research and EMS experience, which is good. What other volunteering or extracurricular experiences do you have?

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[MADD!!!]

Good responses above! Take the MCAT when you're ready, and definitely take biochem before taking it! I don't think Ochem 2 is necessary for the MCAT and you can teach the physics 2 material basics to yourself through content review.

I wouldn't bother getting chanced with your GPA at this point. Focus and do well on your MCAT! Feel free to PM me any questions as well. 🙂

 

[spiffysteve]

Your timeline and plan look good to me. The main thing that I see missing right now is shadowing experience. I did several years of EMS before applying the first time and was told that I did not have enough "physician-specific experience," AKA shadowing. Also, do you know who you are going to get letters of recommendation from? It's still too early to ask for them, but thinking about who you'll ask may be a good idea.

Are you planning on applying to both MD and DO? I'm not a CA resident, but as I understand it, CA med schools are very very competitive, so if you plan on staying in state, MD may be tough.

 

[acbakshi]

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[DoctorSynthesis]

Thank you for responding!

I was looking into take a biochem for health science majors course over the summer. It isn't the full course offered by the community college, but as the title states, it's for pre health majors such as nursing majors. Thoughts?

Thank you for reaching out, I'll definitely send a PM when I have a question. I appreciate it.



I just edited, I actually shadowed three MDs. One hospitalitist, an internal/family doc (GFs father) and another family doc. PA was emergency med.

I am planning to apply everywhere. I'm not picky, and at this time I'm still in the research phase. I'm looking at competitive stats, and where I have a good chance. DO mainly though. My sister and cousin are in the carribean so I'm also considering that.

I'm thinking of asking my bio professor, my GFs father who I shadowed and one other MD I shadowed for LOR.

Don't go to the carribean students there have a very hard time getting a residency. Go DO

 

[Shotapp]

Your relatives made a bad choice going to the Caribbean. Don't fall for the same trap/scam. NO to Caribbean! BE/APPLY DO (if you want a career in medicine)!

 

[change4med]

I would wait til after you finish biochem and second part of physics before taking the MCAT. It's true you can probably self teach yourself physics (that's the case with every class right?), but I found the 2nd part of physics to be the harder part and the one more stressed on the exam (but I took it a year ago) so I think it'd help. Ochem is a lot of memorization either way, I do think if you study off a prep book it'd condense it down a good bit.

It'd be good to take the MCAT the March before the summer you plan to apply in since scores take ~month to come out. I think if your biochem class is more than 3 semester units it should be fine.

I think you have/will have a pretty good GPA/sGPA by the time you apply (3.6/3.3 or something like that?)- With those stats aim for a 506+ on the test and IMO I think you'd be competitive at every DO school you apply at. If you get higher (511+) there are some MD schools too I'd look into applying for too. But again it's very hard to tell you what your chances are w/o that score.

AI think at some point it'd be very helpful to shadow a DO and maybe get a LOR from him/her, I think that would really help as well. Your other ECs look good to me though! zotzot

Oh yeah I wouldn't recommend Carribs too

 

[acbakshi]

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[acbakshi]

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[DoctorSynthesis]

I understand that it is incredibly difficult to match for residency coming from a carribean school. Their decisions were made after all things considered, so unfortunately they will struggle later. As for me, it is by no means a top choice, but something to consider.

My top choice at this time would be Western or Touro CA.

I'm in the early stages of researching and it is overwhelming, so I truly appreciate the feedback you all are providing!

Lots of schools on the west coast. Touro CA and Western in California. RVU, BCOM, Touro Nevada, AZCOM, atsu soma, pnw etc.


Carribean shouldn't ever be a consideration. Improve your application till you get into an American school. I have family that are currently docs from there. They wouldn't go there now.

 

[acbakshi]

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[37Base]

I didn't formally take biochem and still got 510+ on mcat so I generally don't think it's necessary. It will probably help though. You will definitely need physics and o Chem though. Also I got into TouroCA (ended up going elsewhere for DO), but if you have any questions about the interview or whatever feel free to PM. Good luck!


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