Ochem Advice Pleaseeee.

[ClaytonB543]

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🙂

 

[DrEnderW]

Have you been taking AAMC timed practice MCAT tests?

If you're not scoring around 30 on those consistently, you may need to take some time off/ push the MCAT to mid-summer. You can't gamble with this test and walk out with a below average score. Even if you drop the class now, it is unclear if you'd be ready by the date anyways.

 

[IniestaDeMiVida]

I didn't take O-Chem 2 until after I applied, so that's not something to worry about. But I also waiting until July to take the MCAT and submitted early August. It's not ideal, but the amount of prep I got done in those few months after the semester made a huge difference.

 

[GUH]

postpone the mcat

 

[NontradCA]

postpone the mcat

This

 

[DrMeows]

postpone the mcat

Agreed. Definitely postpone.

1. You don't sound like you're ready for the test (not sure if even dropping ochem would help that)
2. You talked about financial issues and only wanting to take it once. If that's the case you should really take the extra time to focus solely on that.

Take it from someone who was taking ochem2 during a spring semester while also applying to med schools/studying for their first MCAT. And guess what? I ended up taking it 2 more times after that first test, doing bad in ochem 2/retaking the course, and getting into medical school 2 years later than planned. Don't rush things unnecessarily. Give yourself enough time to make everything as successful as possible. 👍

 

[Colorado1989]

I took a W my first time taking physics. If you take a W You should do WELL in the class when you retake it... like B+ at least if you want them to disregard the W Your first time taking the course.

 

[Colorado1989]

Also, be careful saying that you "needed time to study" because they might think you'll be overwhelmed in med school. Because it will be a lot harder and a lot more work intensive than what you're currently doing.

 

[JGimpel]

Don't drop OChem 2 and nobody should take OChem or Biochem during summer; there just is no time to get all of the mechanisms down. That and Biochem are looked at closely by adcoms. OChem 2 is light on the MCAT and you can make up for lost time on that fairly quickly, but you're already enrolled in it, so you've gotta finish it.

Put off the MCAT. Adcoms will not be sympathetic to you telling them that you put off X to have more time to study.

 

[coolingglasses]

Let me give you a piece of advice: don't take any Ochem during the summer session.

Is your class not graded on a curve? If you're hitting above the average, that should put you in B territory.

 

[Kahuku Monkey]

If you take the W be prepared to explain why during interviews. I had to take two Ws the spring before I applied and I was asked about it during an interview. I had a really good reason for it, so they didn't seem to care at all after my explanation. But I don't think you have a good enough reason from what I read. I agree that you should delay your MCAT as well, it doesn't sound like you're setting yourself up for success.

 

[backsideattack1]

Alright, so here goes.

I didn't do too well on my first two Ochem II tests. I passed and scored higher than the average, but I do not want C's - I got a B in Ochem 1. I'm planning on taking the MCAT on May 11th. It will be my first attempt for the official thing and I've had noooo time to study since I've began this semester. Physics 2 + Lab, Biology 2 + Lab, Ochem 2 + Lab, and precalculus. The course load is not too much, but I have no extra time for studying for the MCAT.

My dilemma:

I want to drop Ochem 2 in order to have more time to study for the MCAT. However, I would have to take Ochem 2 this summer - after applying to med school. Will it look bad on my transcripts if I choose to receive a W? I would explain to the admission folks that I needed time to study for my MCAT and Ochem 2 was taking all of my extra free time (in addition to my other classes).

Ochem 2 can be taken at a later date, but I only have 1 chance for the MCAT. Money/time before June/finishing my prereqs now.

Any and all advice welcome. Overall, I'm worried that if I stay in Ochem2 I'll end up with a "C" or even a "B" in Ochem2 and a bad MCAT score because of no studying time.

orgo2 was very helpful to me when I studied for the MCAT. Because of the difficulty of orgo2 that compounded on top of the orgo1 material, i did not have to study AT ALL for the MCAT orgo section. Being proficient in orgo and then physiology allowed me to basically avoid intense studying of the bio section of the MCAT.

People are saying to postpone and for the most part, I agree, but only postpone so that you have about a solid month-month and a half, no later. Because you will have just taken 3 core MCAT courses and really won't need to intensely study like some others who had not seen that material in years, like me. Do yourself a favor and supplement the courses you are in now with the TPR MCAT books. This will allow you to get an understanding of what the MCAT material is like and the degree of difficulty, which is slim compared to the university coursework. I think that the TPR teaches physics in a simpler manner than the university. I am sure other can vouch for what I am saying. I took the mid-June MCAT, but wished I could take the May 31st. If you feel comfortable, I would wait til May 31st, that should give you a couple days of break and then you go straight into MCAT studies where you should be grinding out 8 hour days with some breaks to maintain sanity.

Oh, and I know a lot of schools allow cheat sheets for physics. See if you can do enough practice where you won't need those cheat sheets. Seriously, after taking the MCAT, I was almost pissed that university professors allowed you to have cheat sheets or notecards with equations because most people that take those courses will see it later in life without a cheat sheet.

 

[ClaytonB543]

🙂

 

[wehttamrrek]

Definitely postpone, I was in a similar situation and was advised to postpone and not waste an attempt by taking it too early. Take organic 2 if you can before, a prep course if financially viable, and go in prepared. I didn't regret it. 32 on the first shot. Best of luck!

 

[NontradCA]

If you're gonna postpone the MCAT, don't drop Ochem. You're probably stressing yourself out over the application process. Don't. Stay off SDN, forget about applying for a couple months and focus on your courses.