Planning for the 2019 application cycle

[Son of Zeus]

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Hello, first post here . Just looking for some advice/ people's opinion on my current plan for the 2019 application cycle for 2020 matriculation.

Background:
Undergrad GPA: 3.83 (business degree)
Post bacc student, finishing my first semester right now
Currently volunteering in ER
Will start internship/ shadowing at some point in the fall

At the moment I will be finished with my post bacc program next summer in mid June, with the final class being Biochem. I have found a professor that teaches MCAT prep for everything EXCEPT the biochem portion, which is done by a separate professor. I plan on taking this prep course spring of '19 while I take Orgo 2. Orgo 2 will be my only class that semester. Up to that point I will be finished with the Bio, Physics and Gen Chem pre reqs, with only Orgo 2 and Biochem to go.

I plan on taking the MCAT sometime shortly after finishing Biochem which will end in June. I figure by early to mid August I will have had enough time to prepare for the MCAT and depending on my practice test scores I will either chose to take the exam or wait a little bit longer (I know at some point I would have to wait for the next application cycle, which is not an option). Because my course load will only be 4 credits in the Spring, and 4 credits over the summer I know that I will have plenty of time to work on my application and study for the MCAT. I also plan on applying to schools that interview into March and April 2020, which would allow me more time to complete the MCAT if I need to study more.

If all goes well on the MCAT, during Fall '19 and Spring '20 I will be volunteering and shadowing as much as I can.

Does this sound like a good plan? Of course I am getting a pre-med advisor's take on this, as well as from faculty but I would like to hear it from others as well!

Thanks!

 

[jazzmetal]

I plan on taking the MCAT sometime shortly after finishing Biochem which will end in June. I figure by early to mid August I will have had enough time to prepare for the MCAT and depending on my practice test scores I will either chose to take the exam or wait a little bit longer (I know at some point I would have to wait for the next application cycle, which is not an option). Because my course load will only be 4 credits in the Spring, and 4 credits over the summer I know that I will have plenty of time to work on my application and study for the MCAT. I also plan on applying to schools that interview into March and April 2020, which would allow me more time to complete the MCAT if I need to study more.

I would not wait until August 2019 to take the MCAT unless you're confident that your score is going to be so high (520+) that your application would leapfrog those who submitted months before you. Schools will not review your application until your scores are in, your scores would not be back until September, and September is generally too late to be submitting your primary unless you are a super rockstar or have a Top 1% compelling life story. There's also an MCAT score deadline, usually whatever is the last testing date of that year. You couldn't apply somewhere in Fall 2019 and have that school consider an MCAT score from Spring 2020, for example, no matter how late in the cycle they interview.

Your 4-unit course load would be light enough to study for the MCAT at the same time, but don't underestimate how much time writing your application takes: your personal statement and activities descriptions, ordering transcripts, making sure your LoRs are in, etc. could well be a full-time job for 3-4 weeks, not even counting your secondary essays which you want to turn around as quickly as you can and which will also require your full attention. I personally could not have done my primary or secondaries at the same time as studying for the MCAT.

Your ECs as they are now seem too light to make up for applying late. Remember that your activities from Fall 2019-Spring 2020 wouldn't show up on a Fall 2019 primary application, so they wouldn't be useful in getting you past the initial screening.

It might feel like you've been a premed long enough and you want to get going, etc., but you have to find a way to make yourself wait another cycle. Waiting another cycle will be far, far less painful than applying before you're competitive and not getting in.

 

[Son of Zeus]

We are currently in the 2019 cycle (ie matriculation in 2019) which starts tomorrow May 1st, 2018
you are talking about the 2020 cycle which starts May, 2019

If I understand you correctly, you will be finishing Biochem in June 2019 and will take the MCAT June 2019 with results out in July 2019?

You are already behind the curve in timing as applications open up May, can be submitted in June, and transmitted to schools before July.
You say that waiting until the next cycle isnt an option which means you assume you will get in? And if you dont, then what?


You assume that later interview dates are for later application where in fact that are schedule very much in advanced in most cases


You strategy is seriously flawed. Please explain why waiting a cycle isnt an option then explain what you will do if you dont get into medical school

June or July for taking the MCAT

I will continue with my shadowing/ volunteer work and possibly take on a research position. Of course I don't know if I will get in, that is why I am planning this out and trying to weigh all of my options.

I will continue with my shadowing/ volunteer work and possibly take on a research position. Of course I don't know if I will get in, that is why I am planning this out and trying to weigh all of my options.

Some schools that I have been looking into claim that they will accept MCAT exams as late as January, whether I chose to believe that or not is another thing.

I am a post-bacc student and I am not getting any younger. While my current plan is to matriculate in 2020 I am not wed to the idea. Yes, I want to be in medical school as soon as I can, but I understand the importance of being a strong first-time applicant. The more opinions that I get on my situation the better, because it will better help me understand all of my options and what I am up against.

I would not wait until August 2019 to take the MCAT unless you're confident that your score is going to be so high (520+) that your application would leapfrog those who submitted months before you. Schools will not review your application until your scores are in, your scores would not be back until September, and September is generally too late to be submitting your primary unless you are a super rockstar or have a Top 1% compelling life story. There's also an MCAT score deadline, usually whatever is the last testing date of that year. You couldn't apply somewhere in Fall 2019 and have that school consider an MCAT score from Spring 2020, for example, no matter how late in the cycle they interview.



Your 4-unit course load would be light enough to study for the MCAT at the same time, but don't underestimate how much time writing your application takes: your personal statement and activities descriptions, ordering transcripts, making sure your LoRs are in, etc. could well be a full-time job for 3-4 weeks, not even counting your secondary essays which you want to turn around as quickly as you can and which will also require your full attention. I personally could not have done my primary or secondaries at the same time as studying for the MCAT.

Your ECs as they are now seem too light to make up for applying late. Remember that your activities from Fall 2019-Spring 2020 wouldn't show up on a Fall 2019 primary application, so they wouldn't be useful in getting you past the initial screening.

It might feel like you've been a premed long enough and you want to get going, etc., but you have to find a way to make yourself wait another cycle. Waiting another cycle will be far, far less painful than applying before you're competitive and not getting in.

Would it be a bad idea to take the MCAT in May shortly after finishing Orgo 2, and before taking Biochem? Once I have finished Gen Chem and Bio this summer I plan on beginning test prep on these areas (or is this way too early?). Being a post bacc student I have a lot of free time on my hands, time that I am trying to fill with as much stuff as possible without suffocating myself. I have no problem dedicating a part of my schedule to MCAT prep even from now as long as it will be helpful.

I will also have the time to dedicate to my application (some elements I have already started as crazy as it sounds). During these 2 semesters in question I will only be taking 4 credit hours, which in theory allows me to dedicate 8 hours a day, 4 days a week to MCAT prep and my application. In addition I will be volunteering/ shadowing.

The bottom line is this; I am willing to take the MCAT in say March or April of '19, but only if it is possible for me to do well without having taken Biochem. I know doing well on the MCAT is highly personal, but if it is unheard of for someone to do well (I'm targeting a 515) without having taken biochem, then at a minimum I will be waiting until the end of June, after I finish Biochem, to take the exam.

 

[DubbiDoctor]

Biochem is essential to the MCAT, far more than any other subject. I was asked an insane amount of questions on amino acids, and several my passages focused on enzymes and other biochem topics. My very strong preparation in biochem was crucial for achieving a competitive score.

 

[Son of Zeus]

Either quote correctly or dont; answering within a quoted statement with red is inappropriate as your answers are attributed to me and do represent my opinion. Please edit or delete.

Simply because a school will accept an MCAT score up to a late dare, does not make in any way, shape or form, as competitive as an earlier applicant. 75-80% of applicants are complete (primary, secondary, MCAT, LOR) by end of August or early Sept. with a finite number of interview slots, and with at least 80% of applicants rejected at each school prior to interview, your timing is very weak

As for your age, see my many posts on the subject. Rushing to get in on a weak strategy from a weak candidate (ie one in a postbacc) because of your self-imposed age ideas is one destined for failure and make you a weaker candidate by being a reapplicant with possible multiple MCAT scores. Do you want to be a doctor or do you want to worry about your age?

Understandable, I am trying to do this once and correctly. As I have already stated, I am not wed to the idea of a 2020 matriculation. I am trying to weigh all of my options.

Biochem is essential to the MCAT, far more than any other subject. I was asked an insane amount of questions on amino acids, and several my passages focused on enzymes and other biochem topics. My very strong preparation in biochem was crucial for achieving a competitive score.

This is the reaction that I have had from most people, which would put me in the late June/ early July test date.

 

[Teriyakifan15]

Hi, welcome! 🙂

I agree with the above posters. Your timeline seems a bit rushed. Biochemistry is super important, so I wouldn't recommend taking the MCAT until you've completed that course. Taking the July MCAT is probably a bit late... Perhaps you can pre-write secondary essays during the time you're waiting, but without an MCAT score, it'll be hard for you to create a school list that fits with your GPA/MCAT ranges. Beyond grades and tests score, your ECs will also be really critical in setting your apart from the hundreds/thousands of applicants with similar stats. Clinical volunteering, shadowing, and research are all great, though they can be quite generic on their own. Having compelling ECs where you've shown a lot of commitment over time will be important as well as having a theme/narrative weaved into your experiences.

As a non-traditional applicant myself, I can totally relate to the feeling of wanting to do things as soon as possible. Having said that, it's getting harder and harder to get into medical school. So many people every year reapply, and it's a pretty terrible experience. Definitely start preparing for your MCAT and see how well you score. Definitely take all the steps you need to apply as if you're applying in 2019. But as the time gets closer, I'm sure you'll have a more realistic idea of what is possible.

Good luck!

 

[shapley]

How are you doing with you first semester as a post bacc?

I think everyone in this thread is right. How would you feel about taking the MCAT a few months after taking Biochem and applying the cycle after? You could use the extra time to crush the MCAT and also determine if you need to retake (hopefully not), and the extra time would help ensure that your MCAT score is as high as possible. You can also use this extra time to work on whatever EC's and things to make your application better. Doing MCAT prep while taking orgo 2 may not be fun as some students including myself have found orgo and MCAT To be a separate beasts within themselves.

Getting older can be difficult, especially with the cycles going by, but you can take solace in that there are many people who are older who apply and do get in with time and dedication.

 

[jazzmetal]

Would it be a bad idea to take the MCAT in May shortly after finishing Orgo 2, and before taking Biochem? Once I have finished Gen Chem and Bio this summer I plan on beginning test prep on these areas (or is this way too early?). Being a post bacc student I have a lot of free time on my hands, time that I am trying to fill with as much stuff as possible without suffocating myself. I have no problem dedicating a part of my schedule to MCAT prep even from now as long as it will be helpful.

I will also have the time to dedicate to my application (some elements I have already started as crazy as it sounds). During these 2 semesters in question I will only be taking 4 credit hours, which in theory allows me to dedicate 8 hours a day, 4 days a week to MCAT prep and my application. In addition I will be volunteering/ shadowing.

The bottom line is this; I am willing to take the MCAT in say March or April of '19, but only if it is possible for me to do well without having taken Biochem. I know doing well on the MCAT is highly personal, but if it is unheard of for someone to do well (I'm targeting a 515) without having taken biochem, then at a minimum I will be waiting until the end of June, after I finish Biochem, to take the exam.

May MCAT is not too late and starting early is smart. Just be sure that your practice scores are solidly in range of where you want to be and preferably 3-4 points higher, because you never know what might happen on test day. With the schedule you've mapped out, you won't have much room for re-taking.

Re: Biochem - I did take it before the MCAT and it's a heavily-tested subject. That said, my particular test had far less biochem than I expected. If you think you can teach it to yourself, then it could work. It sounds like you'd have at least a few weeks of it under your belt so that would help. The MCAT is generally an inch deep and a mile wide, so you don't have to know more than the basics, but there are a lot of basics. You'll know if it's a gap once you start taking practice exams. Personally, I would take Biochem before O'Chem II. Biochem is waaaaay higher yield than O'Chem II, for MCAT purposes. Also, more and more schools are dropping O'Chem II as a requirement. Many ask for "a semester of O'Chem and a semester of Biochem" for example.

Last thought: don't worry about your age until you're late 40s or 50+. A friend of mine applied this year in her early 30s - with a 515, GPAs in the 3.6-3.8 range - and had a fantastic cycle with multiple acceptances. Focus on getting your app as strong as it can be with amazing ECs and leadership and clinical experience, then take the MCAT only when you're ready and turn your secondaries as fast as you can. It wouldn't be impossible to pull off the schedule you've laid out and it sounds like you have the energy to try to make it happen, but don't force it. Let your MCAT practice scores be your guide. If your grades start to slip at any point or you realize that trying to do everything at once is driving you nuts, give yourself permission to take another year.

Best wishes!

 

[jazzmetal]

without an MCAT score, it'll be hard for you to create a school list that fits with your GPA/MCAT ranges

Key point!

 

[Son of Zeus]

Hi, welcome! 🙂

I agree with the above posters. Your timeline seems a bit rushed. Biochemistry is super important, so I wouldn't recommend taking the MCAT until you've completed that course. Taking the July MCAT is probably a bit late... Perhaps you can pre-write secondary essays during the time you're waiting, but without an MCAT score, it'll be hard for you to create a school list that fits with your GPA/MCAT ranges. Beyond grades and tests score, your ECs will also be really critical in setting your apart from the hundreds/thousands of applicants with similar stats. Clinical volunteering, shadowing, and research are all great, though they can be quite generic on their own. Having compelling ECs where you've shown a lot of commitment over time will be important as well as having a theme/narrative weaved into your experiences.

As a non-traditional applicant myself, I can totally relate to the feeling of wanting to do things as soon as possible. Having said that, it's getting harder and harder to get into medical school. So many people every year reapply, and it's a pretty terrible experience. Definitely start preparing for your MCAT and see how well you score. Definitely take all the steps you need to apply as if you're applying in 2019. But as the time gets closer, I'm sure you'll have a more realistic idea of what is possible.

Good luck!

When people reference "compelling EC's" are you referring to something like a mission trip or a big brother big sister program? I know it's important to stand out.

How are you doing with you first semester as a post bacc?

I think everyone in this thread is right. How would you feel about taking the MCAT a few months after taking Biochem and applying the cycle after? You could use the extra time to crush the MCAT and also determine if you need to retake (hopefully not), and the extra time would help ensure that your MCAT score is as high as possible. You can also use this extra time to work on whatever EC's and things to make your application better. Doing MCAT prep while taking orgo 2 may not be fun as some students including myself have found orgo and MCAT To be a separate beasts within themselves.

Getting older can be difficult, especially with the cycles going by, but you can take solace in that there are many people who are older who apply and do get in with time and dedication.

My post bacc is going as well as it possibly can go. I took Gen Chem 1 with lab and Bio 1 with lab this semester and got an A in all 4 of them.

As for taking the MCAT later, if it is in my best interests to apply for 2021 matriculation, then I would take the MCAT in either late '19 or early '20. This would allow me plenty of time to study for every subject.

May MCAT is not too late and starting early is smart. Just be sure that your practice scores are solidly in range of where you want to be and preferably 3-4 points higher, because you never know what might happen on test day. With the schedule you've mapped out, you won't have much room for re-taking.

Re: Biochem - I did take it before the MCAT and it's a heavily-tested subject. That said, my particular test had far less biochem than I expected. If you think you can teach it to yourself, then it could work. It sounds like you'd have at least a few weeks of it under your belt so that would help. The MCAT is generally an inch deep and a mile wide, so you don't have to know more than the basics, but there are a lot of basics. You'll know if it's a gap once you start taking practice exams. Personally, I would take Biochem before O'Chem II. Biochem is waaaaay higher yield than O'Chem II, for MCAT purposes. Also, more and more schools are dropping O'Chem II as a requirement. Many ask for "a semester of O'Chem and a semester of Biochem" for example.

Last thought: don't worry about your age until you're late 40s or 50+. A friend of mine applied this year in her early 30s - with a 515, GPAs in the 3.6-3.8 range - and had a fantastic cycle with multiple acceptances. Focus on getting your app as strong as it can be with amazing ECs and leadership and clinical experience, then take the MCAT only when you're ready and turn your secondaries as fast as you can. It wouldn't be impossible to pull off the schedule you've laid out and it sounds like you have the energy to try to make it happen, but don't force it. Let your MCAT practice scores be your guide. If your grades start to slip at any point or you realize that trying to do everything at once is driving you nuts, give yourself permission to take another year.

Best wishes!

I know that many schools are dropping the Orgo 2 requirements, but the post bacc program that I am in requires me to take Orgo 1 and Orgo 2 before I can take Biochem, otherwise I would switch Orgo 2 and Biochem. Orgo doesn't concern me as much as Biochem potentially does, because regardless I will have had exposure to Orgo, but if I took the MCAT in May I would have hardly any exposure to Biochem. I can speak to my advisors in the pre-med office about this and see what they can do. How critical is Orgo 2 for the MCAT and for Biochem?

 

[jazzmetal]

I know that many schools are dropping the Orgo 2 requirements, but the post bacc program that I am in requires me to take Orgo 1 and Orgo 2 before I can take Biochem, otherwise I would switch Orgo 2 and Biochem. Orgo doesn't concern me as much as Biochem potentially does, because regardless I will have had exposure to Orgo, but if I took the MCAT in May I would have hardly any exposure to Biochem. I can speak to my advisors in the pre-med office about this and see what they can do. How critical is Orgo 2 for the MCAT and for Biochem?

Ah, ok. You don't need Orgo 2 for Biochem. For MCAT, I think only the spectroscopy topics are on the official list (download that list from the AAMC site if you haven't already). Most of Orgo 2 is synthesis of specific compounds and you won't need to know that for the MCAT. Maybe see if your program would let you take both courses at the same time? At the least, get the Kaplan Biochem book (or similar from another publisher) and start self-studying for biochem. There are a number of high-yield biochem biochem topics, e.g., kinetics, thermodynamics. Take a spin through this site to get an idea: https://www.mcat-prep.com/mcat-biochemistry-review-summary/

 

[jazzmetal]

ps - can you afford a biochem tutor? Might be an alternative to get a head start. Also, do an SDN search for "amazing ECs" - there's a thread somewhere about ECs that stand out. Leadership is important, as is commitment to the underserved, clinical experience, sticking with an activity for at least a year and growing in your role or getting promoted.

 

[Son of Zeus]

Ah, ok. You don't need Orgo 2 for Biochem. For MCAT, I think only the spectroscopy topics are on the official list (download that list from the AAMC site if you haven't already). Most of Orgo 2 is synthesis of specific compounds and you won't need to know that for the MCAT. Maybe see if your program would let you take both courses at the same time? At the least, get the Kaplan Biochem book (or similar from another publisher) and start self-studying for biochem. There are a number of high-yield biochem biochem topics, e.g., kinetics, thermodynamics. Take a spin through this site to get an idea:

I've asked about taking both at the same time and so far the answer has been no, maybe in the future they will allow if after seeing how I've done with my post bacc to that point.

ps - can you afford a biochem tutor? Might be an alternative to get a head start. Also, do an SDN search for "amazing ECs" - there's a thread somewhere about ECs that stand out. Leadership is important, as is commitment to the underserved, clinical experience, sticking with an activity for at least a year and growing in your role or getting promoted.

I could get a tutor, when would it be a good idea to get one? After finishing Orgo 1?

 

[jazzmetal]

I've asked about taking both at the same time and so far the answer has been no, maybe in the future they will allow if after seeing how I've done with my post bacc to that point... I could get a tutor, when would it be a good idea to get one? After finishing Orgo 1?

Yeah, many postbac programs/advisors are still catching up to the new MCAT format and the trend in school requirements that really downplay Orgo 2. I personally didn't use much orgo at all in my biochem course, but Orgo 1 can help in a general way. I'd schedule your biochem tutor for whenever works best for you time- and money-wise. Post-Orgo I makes sense, so you can concentrate more on each. You could also give yourself a few weeks to start reading through a biochem prep book and see what questions come up for you, to make the most of your time with your tutor. And you can always adjust your schedule as you go. Best wishes on it all! It's exciting to see the end of the pre-med tunnel.