Physics 1, Orgo 1, and Bio 202 & Bio lab all in one semester?

[sbpremed]

I am currently a freshman at Stony Brook University and am in my second semester. I have have taken gen chem 1 along with its lab and now I am taking gen chem 2 with lab and the hardest intro bio class at stony, Bio 203.
Now, I would like to finish my pre-reqs in sophmore year so that I could have the summer of 2014 to study hardcore for the MCAT. I want to do this because it gives me leeway in case something goes wrong, also I don't want to take my MCAT at the end of Junior year because I want to apply as soon as the Application opens up.
Now for my real question, is it wise to do orgo physics and bio fall semester and then do orgo 2 and physics 2 in the spring? Any help would be greatly appreciated, thank you so much in advance.

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[plumhill]

I am currently a freshman at Stony Brook University and am in my second semester. I have have taken gen chem 1 along with its lab and now I am taking gen chem 2 with lab and the hardest intro bio class at stony, Bio 203.
Now, I would like to finish my pre-reqs in sophmore year so that I could have the summer of 2014 to study hardcore for the MCAT. I want to do this because it gives me leeway in case something goes wrong, also I don't want to take my MCAT at the end of Junior year because I want to apply as soon as the Application opens up.
Now for my real question, is it wise to do orgo physics and bio fall semester and then do orgo 2 and physics 2 in the spring? Any help would be greatly appreciated, thank you so much in advance.

Physics and ochem together are challenging but doable. But if you add bio onto that, it's getting to be a little rough. Remember that med schools don't care how many classes you take at once or when you take the MCAT or if you're applying as a rising senior or considering taking a gap year or whatever else....they want to see A's. So do what you need to do in order to get A's.

 

[kickster]

Both semesters of my sophomore year, I took Orgo + lab, Physics + lab, and a bio class (intro bio, then physio). It was the best decision that I made in terms of being able to take the MCAT at the end of the summer after my sophomore year. That said, my sophomore year sucked. How rigorous is this bio class that you'll be taking? That could make or break you. Taking Orgo and Physics at the same time is a lot in and of itself.

 

[sbpremed]

The bio 202 class that i mentioned is closely related to AP bio and I have spoken to people who didn't put in effort and still got a B, just by cramming the night before. Now in terms of Physics, I would be taking a Physics that is specifically made to fulfill the pre-med requirements as well as my Neurobio major requirement. I also heard that this class isn't that bad as long as one practices constantly which I plan on doing.

 

[amad01]

nobody can tell you what you are capable of but yourself.

I took ochem 2, engineering physics 2, calc 2 all at same time n 4.0'd it... every situation is different tho.

 

[SOMBound13]

You can still delay a pre-req or two until Fall of junior year and then take the MCAT in early spring.

You can still study for the MCAT during the previous summer, and then do more studying over Christmas break (to cover anything new learned during Fall semester).


You don't want to lose the forest thru the trees. Sometimes we can sabotage ourselves. If you follow thru with your suggested plan and end up with lowish grades, then your whole plan falls apart.

 

[sbpremed]

So would you suggest taking the bio class with orgo in the fall and orgo 2 with physics 1 spring semster and physics 2 the following fall semester of Junior year. Also, would med schools require the 2015 MCAT if I plan to apply for 2016 admission? Any other schedule suggestions are helpful also.

 

[SOMBound13]

So would you suggest

taking the bio class with orgo in the fall

and orgo 2 with physics 1 spring semster

and physics 2 the following fall semester of Junior year. Also, would med schools require the 2015 MCAT if I plan to apply for 2016 admission? Any other schedule suggestions are helpful also.

That sounds better. You can still study over the summer and review over Christmas break.

I don't know what the rules are for the new MCAT. Hopefully, someone will post.

 

[sbpremed]

Does anyone know when the last 2014 MCAT is given like the last month and approximate date?

 

[InsulinJunkie93]

If you are starting Med School in the fall of 2016 then you take the new, 2015 MCAT

 

[sbpremed]

If you are starting Med School in the fall of 2016 then you take the new, 2015 MCAT

Did the AAMC release this information, and if they did can you provide the link because I have not been able to find it.

 

[InsulinJunkie93]

"If you plan to apply to medical school with a goal to start in the fall of 2016, this is the exam to consider."

That is from this link
https://www.aamc.org/students/applying/mcat/mcat2015/

*Quote is about MCAT2015*

 

[487806]

"If you plan to apply to medical school with a goal to start in the fall of 2016, this is the exam to consider."

That is from this link
https://www.aamc.org/students/applying/mcat/mcat2015/

*Quote is about MCAT2015*

Interesting. Now, what's the answer to this question? If someone were to initially apply for Fall 2015 class (so took the 2014 MCAT and did well), but at the end he decided to take a gap year, is he required to take the 2015 MCAT?

 

[sbpremed]

"If you plan to apply to medical school with a goal to start in the fall of 2016, this is the exam to consider."

That is from this link
https://www.aamc.org/students/applying/mcat/mcat2015/

*Quote is about MCAT2015*

This is taken from this set of powerpoint slides put out by the AAMC. https://www.aamc.org/.../mcat2015presentationstudents.ppt

Applicants who want to start medical school in 2014 and 2015 will take the current MCAT.

Most applicants who want to start medical school in 2016 and 2017 will take the new MCAT, MCAT2015.
Note: medical schools will also accept current MCAT scores for 2016 and 2017 admission.

So from this information, the 2015 MCAT is not required for 2016 admission.

 

[InsulinJunkie93]

This is taken from this set of powerpoint slides put out by the AAMC. https://www.aamc.org/.../mcat2015presentationstudents.ppt

Applicants who want to start medical school in 2014 and 2015 will take the current MCAT.

Most applicants who want to start medical school in 2016 and 2017 will take the new MCAT, MCAT2015.
Note: medical schools will also accept current MCAT scores for 2016 and 2017 admission.

So from this information, the 2015 MCAT is not required for 2016 admission.

So are you wanting to take the current MCAT, and then just go to medical school in 2016?

 

[InsulinJunkie93]

Interesting. Now, what's the answer to this question? If someone were to initially apply for Fall 2015 class (so took the 2014 MCAT and did well), but at the end he decided to take a gap year, is he required to take the 2015 MCAT?

I am not sure about this, I think that you would be able to use your 2014 MCAT considering it is good for 3 years. I think that they are just saying that the first 2015 MCAT will be for the 2016 admissions...?

 

[sbpremed]

So are you wanting to take the current MCAT, and then just go to medical school in 2016?

Yes, I just want to take the current one because there are more practice materials and I would also have mpre time to prepare for it instead of taking it during the summer of 2015.

 

[InsulinJunkie93]

Oic.. have you tried asking your adviser? I am not sure when they will no longer give the current MCAT, or if you could take that one early and be fine. I read somewhere that they are releasing a couple practice tests early 2014 so that would give you something to look at after sophomore year if you have to take the 2015. I know how you feel with the 2015 MCAT tho. I feel like we aren't going to have access to as many preparation resources, but you also have to remember that everyone in our situation is under the same circumstances..

 

[deleted303591]

Yes, I just want to take the current one because there are more practice materials and I would also have mpre time to prepare for it instead of taking it during the summer of 2015.

I initially thought this was a good idea for myself.

However, unless you are a university super-star, this is not going to work out too well. TAs often teach these courses during the summer, rather than actual professors.

You are taking weed-out courses. Your GPA will likely go down.

Instead use the time to get in some research and develop your ECs.

In the end, whether you chose to take the MCAT before or after 2015--you either have what it takes or you don't. AMCAS publishes every topic being covered on the MCAT prior to the exam. You can make your own review for the material. I already started making my own review. Don't sweat it so much.

 

[sbpremed]

I initially thought this was a good idea for myself.

However, unless you are a university super-star, this is not going to work out too well. TAs often teach these courses during the summer, rather than actual professors.

You are taking weed-out courses. Your GPA will likely go down.

Instead use the time to get in some research and develop your ECs.

I am already in research and have EC's already.

 

[Mushtaq ahmed]

You are right ! !

 

[sbpremed]

So let me just clarify. I should take orgo 1 with bio and bio lab in the fall then take orgo 2 with physics 1 in the spring and then take physics 2 in the fall of junior year then take the last 2014 MCAT which is offered in January?? Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[SOMBound13]

You might want to make a new thread that deals with the current MCAT/new MCAT issue. Since an MCAT score is usually good for 3 years, does that mean if you take the last current MCAT it will be good for 3 years?

Include which app cycle you're considering and which MCAT date you're considering.