Non-trads and August MCAT

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.

2bkiddoc

Senior Member
7+ Year Member
15+ Year Member
Joined
Nov 3, 2003
Messages
104
Reaction score
0
Hi all!!

Any non-trads taking the August MCAT (for the first time or repeat) and applying this summer for Fall 06 matriculation?? Thought I'd start a thread so we can get some support since our apps will be complete a little later...

And everyone who feels inclined to tell us what a bad sitution that puts us in, I'd (we'd) appreciate it if you could keep it to yourself since thats not the kind of post I was hoping to start. (not to be rude, we've just heard it already on this forum before).
 
Hi

Its about time to start an August MCAT thread 🙂. I am a non trad and I will be repeating MCAT this august. Good luck to you.
:luck:
 
2bkiddoc said:
Hi all!!

Any non-trads taking the August MCAT (for the first time or repeat) and applying this summer for Fall 06 matriculation?? Thought I'd start a thread so we can get some support since our apps will be complete a little later...

And everyone who feels inclined to tell us what a bad sitution that puts us in, I'd (we'd) appreciate it if you could keep it to yourself since thats not the kind of post I was hoping to start. (not to be rude, we've just heard it already on this forum before).

I am a non traditional student and I am finishing up my coursework this semester and will only need to take Orgo I and II after this. I plan on taking Orgo I first summer session which lasts until middle or end of June and study for the MCATs all of July. Put in 8 to 9 hours per day of studying and hope for the best for August.

Yes, many people will tell you that you are at a disadvantage, and, honestly, we probably are. HOWEVER, what's the worst that could happen, you not get in this year and re apply next year. At least, if you took the August MCAT and did well, then you dont have to retake it again in April, or if you didnt do well in August, at least now you know what you have to do to get a better score for Aprils test.

Your pre med advisor will definitelly tell you otherwise, since they are all against August MCATers, but screw them. Always think, what is the worst that can happen? I know that for me, I would rather take it in August (now, while everything that I have learned is fresh in my head, especially organic chem), then have to wait until April of 06 and try to remember millions of facts again. Yes, the MCAT has its own system on how to attack each question, nevertheless, the information doesnt change, a carboxyl group will be a carboxyl group in August and in April. Just some food for thought.
 
2bkiddoc said:
Hi all!!

Any non-trads taking the August MCAT (for the first time or repeat) and applying this summer for Fall 06 matriculation?? Thought I'd start a thread so we can get some support since our apps will be complete a little later...

And everyone who feels inclined to tell us what a bad sitution that puts us in, I'd (we'd) appreciate it if you could keep it to yourself since thats not the kind of post I was hoping to start. (not to be rude, we've just heard it already on this forum before).


Hiya! Yeppers! I am in that boat. Will be taking the MCAT in Aug for the first time and a Non-Trad. The time is what the timing is and know if its meant to be, than its meant to be. So in that respects, I am resigned on the time of Aug rather than April.

Rob
 
I'm in this club too...I agree with the OP, instead of thinking about which ways in which we're hurt by applying "late" (doesn't it seem silly that "late" is nearly a year before matriculation?) I say instead let's focus on what we can do to overcome this and make our applications shine. :luck:
 
I am in the same boat as everyone else here. I am a real non-traditional premed student. I am an auto mechanic with an IT degree and now trying to get into med school.

I am going to retake the test this weekend. 👍
I have to do better then I did last year. I ended up with a 13, but only had taken a Biology and Anatomy class. Now I have had all my classes but Org 2.
 
Hey all!

Another non-trad here! Good luck to all and let's study like mad for this test!

Dganaden, g'luck on Saturday!!!
 
Hey!

I'm also a non-trad - I was preparing to take the test in April but didn't quite make it in time! But that's ok coz now we have the time to really make this happen the right way!!!

I will be taking it for the first time - and it's been a looooooong time since I did the pre-req's but just means I'm going to have to work that much harder.

Good Luck to us all!!!! Let's be there for each other since if most of us are working, we are probably not surrounded by other pre-meds - and it gets hard to stay motivated and tuned in if you don't talk to others with the same aspirations as you! (talk about a run-on sentence)

Anyways - good luck studying! :luck:
 
Hi guys! I'm in the same boat (career changer that fell in love with medicine). In many ways, too "old" to be premed -- heehee -- but I'm a believer that determination prevails.

I justed started my pre-med last Fall, have been going full-time and will be done this spring. I too feel rushed and stressed about the April MCATs since I'm still doing my prereqs. When my classes didn't cover the material (such as biochem or physiology), I just learned it on my own. I've been avging an 8-9 on my practice exams, which isn't all that bad but definitely not enough. So I'm falling back on the August MCAT -- definitely aiming higher (10-12) to make up for a late application. Anyhoo -- I try to think on the bright side. If I don't get in for 2006 b/c of the August MCAT, well, I just bought myself another year to save some money and spend time with the family. There's always something worthwhile to pursue, you know?

Anyhoo, good luck studying everyone. And keep up the spirit!
🙂
 
I'm a nontraditional taking the MCAT tomorrow. Some of my premed courses were 10 years ago but I am giving it my best shot!

One tip, you can talk to any premed advisor you want to....so find one who is willing to help you and is serious about your success. You don't have to rely on your university's staff, feel free to talk to someone at a different U or community college if you need to.
 
I thought I should chip in. I felt like I was one of the few folks in the MCAT examination hall who felt like my entire self-worth, my life, and my soul did not depend on what happened in that room last August. Be encouraged - I am a non-trad. who took this wee test without a prep. course and without having taken a single physics class in my entire life. In spite of what happens tomorrow, know assuredly that the MCAT, while important, is only one part of the massive AMCAS application and there are other parts which equally assess ones ability to becoming a caring, competent physician. Schools look closely at the other parts too so don’t fret too much.

While my MCAT score was disappointing, I honestly feel that my unusual, non-traditional, background helped me to secure three interviews out the nine allopathic schools I applied to. One of my interviewers told me that I was more open and honest than any applicant he had interviewed that year. I knew that me getting accepted on my first try ten years after I had taken the basic science subjects was a long shot so what did I have to hide? Oh…..I'll be an MSI this fall at my first-choice school and you guys will be in medical school soon too. Have a blessed, peaceful day.
 
Count me in! Also Non-Trad, taking MCAT in August, and applying for 2006. Crossing my fingers and praying really hard! Good Luck to You All!
 
I graduated undergrad almost 6 years ago with a bio degree and just completed my masters in forensic science. I have always dreamed of medical school. I took the MCAT once in 1997, but decided not to apply and followed some other pursuits and lived the "real" life. I have been working at the Institute of Medicine (at the National Academies of Sciences) for about 5 years and have decided to revive the dream.

I was supposed to take the MCAT tomorrow - registered and everything. But after a panic attack last night, serious consideration, and a talk with my pre-med counselor, I decided to hold off and take the exam in August.

By taking the MCAT in August, I know I will be at a disadvantage. It scares me - actually everything about this process scares me. I hope the October verses June AMCAS application isnt too detrimental.

Good luck to everyone else taking the August MCAT.
 
Another non-trad August MCATer here! I finish all my pre-reqs this May and will be doing Kaplan this summer (thanks to my tax return 🙂 ) I had originally planned to take the MCAT today, 4/16, but decided I wanted to finish all of my pre-reqs completely (mainly physics) before tackling the beast.

I'm applying DO for entry Fall 2006 as well! 🙂 🙂 Here's to the old folks kicking the August MCAT's butt!!!!

Roselee
 
Good to see you all!! Glad to hear we have support.

Bumping up this thread to find more like us!!
 
I'm one that is seriously considering taking it in August (wife in Nursing school and will be busy all summer so I have plenty of time to study), but I would not be looking for admission until most likely the Fall of '08, '07 if I'm lucky, as I have about 3 semesters of pre-reqs to do and cannot start until at least Spring of '06.
 
MJB said:
I'm one that is seriously considering taking it in August (wife in Nursing school and will be busy all summer so I have plenty of time to study), but I would not be looking for admission until most likely the Fall of '08, '07 if I'm lucky, as I have about 3 semesters of pre-reqs to do and cannot start until at least Spring of '06.


You were going to take the MCAT with 3 semesters of unfinished prereqs remaining? Is there a particular reason why you wont wait until you finish them to optimize what you learn before you review?? Just curious... maybe I dont understand your situation...
 
Hi all

I am also a non-trad applicant. I took the April MCAT last Saturday. I really hope and pray I don't need to retake but in the event that I do I will. People who take August MCAT still get admitted that year so it is not impossible. Although in my personal opinion, this whole MCAT organization is lousy. Why offer only 2 administrations of the exam and then advise candidates to take it in April. Why have the August one then? :meanie: Anyway best of luck to everyone. Sometimes it is not when you get there, it is that you got there that matters.
 
I am so happy that there are others like me out there! I am preparing for the August 20th MCAT too - and I graduated from undergrad in '96. I took the MCAT in August '95 and applied to MD and PhD programs. Although I got accepted at USC Med School, I couldn't afford it - a LONG story 🙁 .

So I went for grad school which offered me a full scholarship...

Many years later I am now "reviving the dream" as someone else posted.... I felt like I was TOO old to do this now - and scared that I hadn't seen the "core" classes (i.e. physics/gchem/orgo) in over 10 years! Which is a challenge when I HAVE to retake the MCAT since my scores are too "old"..

But I figure that you can never be too "old" to go after your dreams and that the only thing that can hold you back is fear. I've gotten alot done these past 10 years and I can only hope that when I sit down to take the MCAT on August 20th, I will be even better off then I was 10 years ago!

I'm working full time now - I started my study schedule 2 weeks ago. I don't know if my schedule is too ambitious or if there's alot of "cobwebs in the ol' closet" because it seems like it is taking me a REALLY long time to cover material in my review... 😱

Anyone else feel that way? I'm using EK materials but I have to supplement them with TPR books b/c I need some more in-depth explanations for some topics....

If any non-trads are out in the LA area and want to start a supportive study group, let me know!!! 🙂
 
2bkiddoc said:
You were going to take the MCAT with 3 semesters of unfinished prereqs remaining? Is there a particular reason why you wont wait until you finish them to optimize what you learn before you review?? Just curious... maybe I dont understand your situation...


Basically, I'm going to do everything I can to prepare for August (99% sure I'm going to do this) because I can't really do coursework right now (no classes available in the evenings until Fall at the area schools and I work full time putting my wife through Nursing school) and see how I do. I know of a few who have done this (some without ever having any of the pre-reqs at all) and have been successful. I hope to score "decently" and then justify giving up my very good job (that I just can't see myself doing much longer) to go back to school full time once she finishes, and then apply to med school. I know it's not real "traditional", but I have nothing to lose but a summer of studying when I won't get to spend much time with my wife anyway, and I know this is what I want to do with my 30's!

Now, I'm just trying to figure out where to start...I'm planning to get a review book or 2, take a bunch of practice tests, and study on my weak areas...I expect Organic to be my biggest struggle in this process.

The thing that encourages me is that I know a person that is about to become a BC Anesthesiologist, and he literally decided when he was 28 to take the MCAT...got a Kaplan book, took practice tests, got a decent score, THEN took his pre-reqs, and the rest is history...
 
Good luck to you MJB! 👍

I highly recommend the EK review materials...

If you need any advice/support/help... that's what this thread is here for! And also feel free to email me directly...

TAKE CARE!
 
Thanks...I just took my first portion of my first Practice Test....Verbal...that was fun 😱 ...

Interestingly enough, I know at this point, it's my best area...scoring around 75% or so.

When do the practice exams tell you what your raw score would theoretically equate to on the 1-15 scale? I will have to assume it does that when it's all finished up.

I may have figured out today how I can start taking pre-reqs next Fall... 🙂 That would be good for me.
 
That's awesome!!! I'm just on the initial review part of my study plan... going through EK physics ch.2, bio ch. 1, and gchem ch.1 this week... I spent a helluva long time on the first chapter of physics!! I took physics in undergrad 10 years ago.... but when I took my first MCAT diagnostic (with TPR) I scored a 7 on the bio just cold turkey....

I don't know which practice tests you are taking - are the AAMC ones? You can score each section separately and convert your raw score to a 1-15 range...

Good luck!! Hope everyone has a good study day! 😀

MJB said:
Thanks...I just took my first portion of my first Practice Test....Verbal...that was fun 😱 ...

Interestingly enough, I know at this point, it's my best area...scoring around 75% or so.

When do the practice exams tell you what your raw score would theoretically equate to on the 1-15 scale? I will have to assume it does that when it's all finished up.

I may have figured out today how I can start taking pre-reqs next Fall... 🙂 That would be good for me.
 
Well I am in the same boat as all of you. i am taking my MCAT again in august. 😱 I am a bit discouraged and worried about it though. I have been teaching for the last two years; I have my Masters' in biology. I know the only thing detering me from medical school is my MCAT score. 😡
 
hey there doctorjoy!!

we can all relate to feeling discouraged and worried. at this point though, it is about the MENTAL attitude - we all have to take control of the MCAT and not let the exam control us....

i know that i oftentimes will just look at all the stuff i have to review and just get totally overwhelmed; but then think about all the other things in life that you have accomplished - we can't let this one test contol us.

teaching and getting a Master's in bio takes a lot of work and dedication... the same as for scoring well on the MCAT....

look, not all of us have the privilege of being able to shell out a couple of thousand dollars for a review course but if we plan well enough in advance, get a good set of review books (or have friends/family help get them too!), and stay positive we can all make it through august 20th and beyond...

do you have your study books yet? have you put your study schedule together?

an idea i wanted to share with all of those who are on a tight budget is to start your own private "Med school fundraising" - for my bday, i asked that people donate to my "get into med school foundation" so friends gave me checks in lieu of gifts - i got enough money to be able to look into buying the audio osmosis CDs from EK... 🙂

now, i'm going to think of other ways to fundraise: baking for friends!

let us know how we can help!! feel free to email me directly too...

take care!

doctorjoy said:
Well I am in the same boat as all of you. i am taking my MCAT again in august. 😱 I am a bit discouraged and worried about it though. I have been teaching for the last two years; I have my Masters' in biology. I know the only thing detering me from medical school is my MCAT score. 😡
 
Hey all,

I posted this somewhere else but thought I'd post here too. My husband and I don't have the money for prep courses or books so I got them all from the library. I was able to get the Kaplan books, AAMC practice tests 3R-7 and ExamKrackers books and 1001 questions series and others from the library. Of course, this costs nothing! This worked great for me..plus it gives you a chance to find the company whose prep material is best for you.
 
cornflake_girl said:
I am so happy that there are others like me out there! I am preparing for the August 20th MCAT too - and I graduated from undergrad in '96. I took the MCAT in August '95 and applied to MD and PhD programs. Although I got accepted at USC Med School, I couldn't afford it - a LONG story 🙁 .

So I went for grad school which offered me a full scholarship...

Many years later I am now "reviving the dream" as someone else posted.... I felt like I was TOO old to do this now - and scared that I hadn't seen the "core" classes (i.e. physics/gchem/orgo) in over 10 years! Which is a challenge when I HAVE to retake the MCAT since my scores are too "old"..

But I figure that you can never be too "old" to go after your dreams and that the only thing that can hold you back is fear. I've gotten alot done these past 10 years and I can only hope that when I sit down to take the MCAT on August 20th, I will be even better off then I was 10 years ago!

I'm working full time now - I started my study schedule 2 weeks ago. I don't know if my schedule is too ambitious or if there's alot of "cobwebs in the ol' closet" because it seems like it is taking me a REALLY long time to cover material in my review... 😱

Anyone else feel that way? I'm using EK materials but I have to supplement them with TPR books b/c I need some more in-depth explanations for some topics....

If any non-trads are out in the LA area and want to start a supportive study group, let me know!!! 🙂




for you non trads i was wondering how you are going about studying, i also feel like its taking me yonks to review..
 
cornflake_girl said:
hey there doctorjoy!!

we can all relate to feeling discouraged and worried. at this point though, it is about the MENTAL attitude - we all have to take control of the MCAT and not let the exam control us....

i know that i oftentimes will just look at all the stuff i have to review and just get totally overwhelmed; but then think about all the other things in life that you have accomplished - we can't let this one test contol us.

teaching and getting a Master's in bio takes a lot of work and dedication... the same as for scoring well on the MCAT....

look, not all of us have the privilege of being able to shell out a couple of thousand dollars for a review course but if we plan well enough in advance, get a good set of review books (or have friends/family help get them too!), and stay positive we can all make it through august 20th and beyond...

do you have your study books yet? have you put your study schedule together?

an idea i wanted to share with all of those who are on a tight budget is to start your own private "Med school fundraising" - for my bday, i asked that people donate to my "get into med school foundation" so friends gave me checks in lieu of gifts - i got enough money to be able to look into buying the audio osmosis CDs from EK... 🙂

now, i'm going to think of other ways to fundraise: baking for friends!

let us know how we can help!! feel free to email me directly too...

take care!

Thanks for the encouragment. 😀 I am working on my study schedule now. The only bad thing I have to teach courses this summer. As far as study material I have the examkrackers audio osmosis and AAMC practice material and some topical, subject tests from kaplan. I really want to move on to the purpose that I have been given. I will try to keep in touch
 
hotdawg said:
for you non trads i was wondering how you are going about studying, i also feel like its taking me yonks to review..

hey there! i've realized that i need to get in about 30 hours/week of studying which means that my saturday is a "work day" studying from 9-5; and sundays i do about 5 hours from 10-3; and then try to squeeze in 3-4 hours during the week...

but it's definitely been going slow... but i have to stop obsessing on how slow the review is and just get it done; i've got to play major catch up this week but i'm just squeezing reading in at about every free moment... like tonight at work while i'm covering the legal clinic!

are you trying to cover several chapters a week? what is your strategy?
 
cornflake_girl said:
hey there! i've realized that i need to get in about 30 hours/week of studying which means that my saturday is a "work day" studying from 9-5; and sundays i do about 5 hours from 10-3; and then try to squeeze in 3-4 hours during the week...

but it's definitely been going slow... but i have to stop obsessing on how slow the review is and just get it done; i've got to play major catch up this week but i'm just squeezing reading in at about every free moment... like tonight at work while i'm covering the legal clinic!

are you trying to cover several chapters a week? what is your strategy?


Not to sound too Cliche-ish, Stick as close to the schedule as realistic but invariably things will come up. Worse, it might take longer than expected to re-pick things up and that can be just as bad, particularly if ya start to beat yourself up over it.

This test is as much about mental stamina as well as knowledge and ability to apply that knowledge. However, if your not if the right frame of mind.....

My plan is to fit as much studying as I can around classe (only one next semester), work (normal 40hr/wk job), volunteer work (Lab research/Hospice) I can. I know its not easy but will manage. I did sign up for TPR and have already started studying/preparing last feb when I decided to go this path.

Good Luck to you!

Rob
 
That is the biggest challenge - keeping things going while life keeps happening. I got out of work earlier than expected so I'm heading home to get some reading done.... The mindset is really the most important; it is just as important to be positive as it is to stick to a schedule...

Best of luck! Gotta go and get a chapter of physics done tonight...



bottles999 said:
Not to sound too Cliche-ish, Stick as close to the schedule as realistic but invariably things will come up. Worse, it might take longer than expected to re-pick things up and that can be just as bad, particularly if ya start to beat yourself up over it.

This test is as much about mental stamina as well as knowledge and ability to apply that knowledge. However, if your not if the right frame of mind.....

My plan is to fit as much studying as I can around classe (only one next semester), work (normal 40hr/wk job), volunteer work (Lab research/Hospice) I can. I know its not easy but will manage. I did sign up for TPR and have already started studying/preparing last feb when I decided to go this path.

Good Luck to you!

Rob
 
hey all,
just thought i'd chip in, since i was in exactly your position at this time last year (in the days before i had discovered sdn!). i decided in mid april (04) that i was going to apply for fall '05 matriculation. i had luckily taken all of my prerequisites, but it was obviously too late for the april mcat. basically i was told this. if you get your applications in EARLY (start working on those personal statements now so they're done by june, and request your transcripts soon too!), and you're fairly confident that you have the potential to do well, go for the august mcat. your application, if you get it in early (like, early to mid june) will be held anyway, waiting for your august mcat. you want to get it in as EARLY AS POSSIBLE, so that you can get your secondary AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE, which you will then submit with your fee AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE (sense a theme here?) so that basically the only thing missing will be your mcat scores. once they arrive in october, your application will be complete (don't be a ******* like me and forget to send your photo to columbia -- i got an email in the fall saying my application was incomplete because of this!) and will go promptly to the committee who will decide whether or not to invite you for an interview.

the other really big problem is that you only have one shot for this year. basically you'll already have spent at least $1000 (probably more like $2000 if you apply to lots of schools) in primary and secondary apps, which, if you really blow the mcat, will be wasted since you'll wind up having to do it again next year. this might be something you want to take into consideration.

now, about the mcat, i studied my butt off from april to august of last year (really killed my summer), worked with a study partner, took 9 practice tests, built up my stamina, and went in and scored a 32. so if you start in time, it's definitely possible.

so, you're all asking, does it hurt you to take the august? probably. it's a disadvantage, but not an insurmountable one if the rest of your application is strong. my friend had amazing grades, amazing recs, amazing non traditional story and got interviews and acceptances at a bunch of top schools with a really really really good august mcat. myself? i had a decent gpa, (though not stellar - you can see mdapplicants for my stats) fairly good mcat, what i thought were pretty good recs, and lots of really interesting extra currics and post-bac experiences (though not much clinical). out of 20 schools i only got 4 interview invites (one of which i declined) starting in december (when the april people start getting invites in september or thereabouts), one waitlist, and one acceptance. it's definitely frustrating when the april people are starting to get acceptances from the rolling schools and you haven't even gotten an interview invite yet! the first invites for the august people will probably come in late october or early november (since scores are released in mid october). yes, it's hard and the whole process is stressful and terrible. but work your butt off and you can do it. feel free to send any questions my way. good luck!!!
 
cornflake_girl said:
That is the biggest challenge - keeping things going while life keeps happening. I got out of work earlier than expected so I'm heading home to get some reading done.... The mindset is really the most important; it is just as important to be positive as it is to stick to a schedule...

Best of luck! Gotta go and get a chapter of physics done tonight...

I feel the same way. HAving to work all day, then come home to a house full of things to do (dinner, kids, etc...) and trying to study for the MCAT 😱 It is going to be tough, but I am going to do it
 
doctorjoy said:
I feel the same way. HAving to work all day, then come home to a house full of things to do (dinner, kids, etc...) and trying to study for the MCAT 😱 It is going to be tough, but I am going to do it

dj, just know there are others in your boat...

Got off work yesterday, had to go get some parts for a window in the house...but didn't know what to get, got home, took the part off, so now I'm ready to head back to the Pella store today...then mowed the lawn, then grabbed some dinner about 7:30 and sat down to try to do some review...

FUN..

But hey, at least I got to talk to my wife for a couple of minutes! (She's got a test today)


The best part of this whole process is hopefully going to be that I will have a "purpose" in life again...or shall I say..."something to look forward to"...I have zero passion for my job, so life has been pretty mundane for quite a while now...nice to have something to care about again, hopefully.
 
I'll be taking it in August as well and applying for Fall '06 if all goes well. We shall see...good luck.
 
hey everyone!! i just freaked out today thinking that i am going to be applying to approximately 30 schools which comes out to about a little over $1000 dollars. now, i'm thinking to myself, my MCAT scores won't be out until October...

what is the difference between submitting my AMCAS in June versus October? my application is going to be on hold with schools until my MCAT scores are released.... am I at any advantage with having an incomplete app submitted in the summer versus a complete app in October?

in the remote chance that i don't get my double digit score on the MCAT, i will have spent over a $1000 by submitting in July.... is it better to just wait till my MCAT scores arrive?? HELP!!! 😕 😱

THANKS!!! best of luck to all the night-owls studying tonight like me!! 😉
 
I took last year's August MCAT, studied half-assed, took Kaplan, and got a 25. Then I studied my ass off for 3 months for the April test last week, and hopefully improved. However, studying for the MCAT, in my case, really didn't seem to change my scores. I took Kaplan again, and I never once broke a 7 in the PS (which I got in August) on any Kaplan or AAMC practice test this spring. I don't know what the deal was, I spent nearly all my 3 months' study time studying the PS. Hopefully, I'll get an 8 or 9 on the real deal so I can close the book on the MCAT. I was getting 8s in BS and 12 in V on my practice tests. So I feel that good, honest studying (in my case around 6 hours per day, every day for 3 months) is no guarantee of a good score.
 
cornflake_girl said:
hey everyone!! i just freaked out today thinking that i am going to be applying to approximately 30 schools which comes out to about a little over $1000 dollars. now, i'm thinking to myself, my MCAT scores won't be out until October...

what is the difference between submitting my AMCAS in June versus October? my application is going to be on hold with schools until my MCAT scores are released.... am I at any advantage with having an incomplete app submitted in the summer versus a complete app in October?

in the remote chance that i don't get my double digit score on the MCAT, i will have spent over a $1000 by submitting in July.... is it better to just wait till my MCAT scores arrive?? HELP!!! 😕 😱

THANKS!!! best of luck to all the night-owls studying tonight like me!! 😉

that's the gamble you take. i did the same thing. you only have one shot for this year if you take it in august. the good part is, you don't have to wait a whole year if you can do well (and remember, it's only april now, so you do have almost 4 months to study!). i would get your AMCAS in as EARLY as you can - because then in case you're missing something (LOR, transcript, etc) it won't delay you even further. my friend and i submitted our AMCAS in june, and took the mcat in august, and he received interviews IMMEDIATELY after his scores are released. basically, you can think of it this way. if you submit early, you go into a hold pile, but you're right at the top of the hold pile so when your scores come in, they look at you pretty soon. if you submit in october, you're buried deep in the pile, and they may not get to you until they've already done some accepting (rolling schools start accepting in the fall) and they have fewer spots available.
it's your gamble, but if you think you can do well in the summer, i would go for it. if you're REALLY unsure, wait. but don't submit late, i think it's a waste of money.
 
Thanks Myodana...

I wondered what advantage I would have by going with submitting my AMCAS in June... what you said totally makes sense.

How many schools do people usually apply to? I was thinking that 30 sounds a bit on the high side... but I guess it's also about the cost too... I may have to go for less b/c of the cost although I'm always thinking about creative fundraising for the apps...

I'm FINALLY leaving work so I'm going home to study for a while... I hope that everyone has had a good day!

Take care!
 
I'm a non-traditional student. I will be taking the MCAT again in August. I will be using, EK, Kaplan, and anything else I can get my hands on!! 🙂
 
I too am feeling the pressures of the August 20, D-Day. The last time I saw any of this material was almost 10 years ago. While I've only done bio so far, I find that some of it comes back quickly while some I'm still trying to wrap my brain around. I'm hoping that Chem and physics will be ok because I know that Org Chem will be challenging.
My biggest hurdle is making myself sit down and study. I work until 5, come home from they gym around 6:30, eat, and all I want to do is sit infront of the boob tube and relax, but visions of NAD+ and NADH keep smacking me in the head making it almost impossible to enjoy my vegetative state.
Sometimes I rationalize it. Watching Discover Health IS studying, right?? 🙂

At least we all seem to be in the same boat, and misery loves company.
 
I, too, was a non-trad applicant last year and took the August MCAT. While I had most of my stuff done early, some of my LOR writers didn't send stuff in until November! As a result my files weren't complete until almost December. While I had four schools that had me in the "to interview" pile they didn't "get around to me". I'm reapplying.

Also, I don't know how old you all are, but be prepared: I called a few schools that rejected me to ask what I could do better, and I was told I was "not in the normal age range" for a med school applicant. Basically, they said I was too old. Discrimination? yes. Worth fighting? no. Instead I did research into DO school philosophy, found I liked it a LOT, and will be applying to some DO schools this year as well. It seems they are also more forgiving of students not in the "normal age range". I mention this not as a deterrant for MD applications (I'll also be applying to MD again, especially those four from the interview piles!, but I will also expand to DO schools) but as a mental preparation for you all. Not all MD schools are happy to see older applicants (their loss).

I have to agree with Myodana: make SURE all your stuff is in EARLY. You don't want to be finding out in November that your LORs aren't there yet!
 
You aren't in their age range? That's a load of bullsh*t. If you have the desire and ability to study and practice medicine, who are they to say you're too old? I would be livid if I were you, hell, I'm livid right now!
 
Well I have actually started my august MCAT preparation :clap: :clap: I t has been a long time since I have looked at physics and chemistry 😱 Once my students are out of school I will be able devote all time needed to the Monster that I must slay to get into medical school.
 
Hello my NonTrad Friends! I am now at my official week 4 of my August MCAT prep. And I'm totally behind on my schedule!! I am two chapters behind in Physics. That is the only subject I have touched - I was supposed to get to Bio and GChem but, alas, Physics is all I've been able to cover.

This makes me quite nervous because although I am actually doing well on my Physics problems once I have studied the material and I am doing well on the EK passages, it is going SLOW. And this week isn't making it any better.

I have a mid year grant report due in Sacramento on Friday and a data report due on Friday as well. Which means I'm writing to you from my office getting work done and not getting my study time in.

So, friends, I am seriously considering whether I will have covered all the necessary material to do well this August. This exam is the only thing between me and getting into medical school - but it may not follow the timeline I have put forth.

I am just feeling really disappointed in myself that I am not covering and retaining the material as fast as I would like... 🙁

I decided to give myself until July 1st to determine whether I can still take it in August.... it just REALLY sucks that I may need to wait until April. Oh if only I was to come into an inheritance of some sort and not have to work full time.... that would be so lovely.... 🙄
 
I am also taking the MCATs for the second time in August.

From what I learned this year, MCAT score is still critical to a nontrad, even with stellar graduate school grades. For studying, I would suggest Berkeley Review. They are harder than the actual exams which means the real thing will be a piece of cake (right!)

I would also suggest aiming for a minimum 30.
 
Nontraditional here as well. August seems impossible yet reading this thread is encouraging. I work in a county hospital as an Intensive Care nurse, surrounded by doctors everynight. Most nights I laugh because the quality of doctors is not always what one expects so I think to myself .."If they can do it , I should be able to."

Yet the process is difficult, working 50 hours a week to pay for my wife's school and to keep us going takes a lot out of me each week. Then finding time to study, finding energy to attend my classes, and trying to exercise is always a battle.

I plan on taking the MCAT in August and wish all of you the best of luck! If i have learned anything working in a teaching hospital about doctors is this.... The hardest thing we will face, is getting in to medical school. Once in, every doctor I talk to states the same thing... you are only four years away.

Good Luck and thanks for this thread
Semper FI
 
cornflake_girl said:
Hello my NonTrad Friends! I am now at my official week 4 of my August MCAT prep. And I'm totally behind on my schedule!! I am two chapters behind in Physics. That is the only subject I have touched - I was supposed to get to Bio and GChem but, alas, Physics is all I've been able to cover.

This makes me quite nervous because although I am actually doing well on my Physics problems once I have studied the material and I am doing well on the EK passages, it is going SLOW. And this week isn't making it any better.

I have a mid year grant report due in Sacramento on Friday and a data report due on Friday as well. Which means I'm writing to you from my office getting work done and not getting my study time in.

So, friends, I am seriously considering whether I will have covered all the necessary material to do well this August. This exam is the only thing between me and getting into medical school - but it may not follow the timeline I have put forth.

I am just feeling really disappointed in myself that I am not covering and retaining the material as fast as I would like... 🙁

I decided to give myself until July 1st to determine whether I can still take it in August.... it just REALLY sucks that I may need to wait until April. Oh if only I was to come into an inheritance of some sort and not have to work full time.... that would be so lovely.... 🙄
You sound just like my twin. :laugh: As you can see from my post you are 3 weeks ahead of me. Any way, I myself know that I cannot wait until April to take this exam. That means another year of waiting. 😱 But Things happen for a reason. Being a full time instructor, plus having to write grant reports and proposals is time consuming. From the first time I posted to this thread you gave me inspiration that I can do what I need to do and think you can do the same.
Good luck 😛
 
Top