Post-bacc and August MCAT

[ataraxia7]

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Hi everyone,

I'm planning on doing a post-bacc (Bryn Mawr--fingers crossed), but I wouldn't be able to take the MCAT until August. How would this timing affect an application to medical schools? Would I be way behind on the whole process?

I ask because I've heard that applying to medical school earlier (e.g., June or July) tends to be extremely advantageous.

 

[Isoprop]

your application wouldn't be considered until september, which could be bad if you have a lackluster gpa/mcat. september is pretty late but still not a bullet wound to your application. if you make sure you get all your secondaries in by then you could possibly get interview invites in november.

 

[Isoprop]

i'm assuming august will be your first time

 

[drizzt3117]

Hi everyone,

I'm planning on doing a post-bacc (Bryn Mawr--fingers crossed), but I wouldn't be able to take the MCAT until August. How would this timing affect an application to medical schools? Would I be way behind on the whole process?

I ask because I've heard that applying to medical school earlier (e.g., June or July) tends to be extremely advantageous.

I'm assuming you're not planning to link because most programs will not allow you to take the MCAT that late. If you are applying in the open pool, it certainly wouldn't be in your best interest to take the MCAT in August. I would almost go as far to say that you would be better off waiting a year. The reason for my statement is that you would really want to submit AMCAS in June, submit secondaries, and have schools wait on your MCAT score. You could do that, but if you didn't do as well as expected, you could run into issues.

Why is it that you can't take the MCAT earlier than August? Most postbac programs encourage their students to take the MCAT in May/June or July at the latest, assuming that they are finishing the program in one year.

 

[ataraxia7]

Thanks for your comments.

Isoprop: August would be my first time. I do have a very good GPA from undergrad and some other good stats, but I've yet to take any of the science courses.

Drizzt3117: It's a timing issue for me. I'm in grad school for health econ right now, and I won't be finished with my thesis until August. Thus, I'd have to begin the postbacc in the fall, and I wouldn't be done with orgo until the following summer. My only option is an August MCAT, right? Is this timing possible in terms of MCAT prep as well? (FYI: I'm historically a good test taker -- 1500 SAT; hopefully this bodes well.)

 

[drizzt3117]

\
Drizzt3117: It's a timing issue for me. I'm in grad school for health econ right now, and I won't be finished with my thesis until August. Thus, I'd have to begin the postbacc in the fall, and I wouldn't be done with orgo until the following summer. My only option is an August MCAT, right? Is this timing possible in terms of MCAT prep as well? (FYI: I'm historically a good test taker -- 1500 SAT; hopefully this bodes well.)

I mean, you could do it, but it's going to hurt your chances just because it means you won't be complete until mid sept, most likely. Personally I'd just take the MCAT early even if you haven't finished O-chem and review the o-chem concepts on your own.

 

[Isoprop]

you didn't take ANY of the science courses? perhaps you should wait to apply until the next year.

 

[ataraxia7]

Thank you both again for your thoughts.

drizzt3117: How possible/realistic is it to review the O-Chem concepts on my own and take the MCAT? I've heard that can be difficult. Have people done it before?

Isoprop: No, I have have lots of math but none of the science courses. I've thought about applying next year--and that's an option I'm weighing since I'm still relatively young (22)--but I also want to get started on the long path to becoming a doctor.

 

[Isoprop]

ah i misunderstood.

organic is very limited on the mcat (some estimate it to be 30% of the bio section). still, the subject is certainly a different animal than any other prereq science class.

you mention that your gpa is good. therefore, i would recommend you taking the mcat in august if you do well your post-bacc year. if you apply boardly enough and get all your secondaries in by september, you should have a good shot provided have a good mcat score.

 

[drizzt3117]

you mention that your gpa is good. therefore, i would recommend you taking the mcat in august if you do well your post-bacc year. if you apply boardly enough and get all your secondaries in by september, you should have a good shot provided have a good mcat score.

I think if you have a good GPA, the pressure to do well on the MCAT is higher, if you want to matriculate into a top school. People spending $30k on a top-tier formal postbac generally want to get a good return on their investment... Personally I would wait a year to apply but that's just me. I had a similar conundrum during my own application process, and ended up taking the August MCAT and waiting a year, allowing me to drastically improve my ECs, marginally improve my GPA and have my AMCAS verified 6/6. I'd like to think it paid off, but we'll see, having a November acceptance is a good start, though!

 

[ataraxia7]

Isoprop: Thanks for the info. I get the sense that higher-ranked schools admit applicants later. Is this the case? Still, it seems like an August MCAT would reduce my admission chances at any school--if only because my application would get in late.

Drizzt3117: Congrats on an acceptance! Phenomenal. One question for you: when you took the August MCAT, when did you finish your orgo coursework? Would it be possible to finish orgo II in late July, then take the MCAT on the first August test date? And what are you doing for almost two years off?

 

[drizzt3117]

Thanks!

I finished orgo in May prior to taking the MCAT.
My test had very limited orgo on it.