Post Bacc Course Advice

[QuentinT88]

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I am currently finishing up Orgo 1, Physics 1, and Biology 1 this fall semester in my post bacc. Spring 2015 I will be taking Orgo 2, Physics 2, and Biology 2.

My original plan was to take Biochemistry in the summer of 2015 and take the MCAT in the fall of 2015. However, I would like to gather some advice on further course work.

An adviser at my post bacc has instructed me to take that fall 2015 semester and complete Molecular Cell Biology, Genetics, and Anatomy & Physiology courses. She mentioned that they will be beneficial for the MCAT.

However, my brother, who has taken the MCAT and is in med school, has told me that these courses are not needed for the MCAT. (mind you, he took the soon to be old version.)

So my question is this: do you guys think I should take the extra courses in the fall? Or do you think I should be fine with the basic 1 year of Chemistry, 1 year of Organic Chem, 1 year of Biology, 1 year of Physics and 1 semester of Biochemistry?

* I will be taking the 2015 MCAT, so I don't know if that will influence your responses. And I have already taken Sociology and Psychology*

Thanks in advance for your advice!

 

[DrMidlife]

Well, first things first: what's your thinking on that fall MCAT? I hope you're aware that a fall MCAT is too late for the MD app year in progress.

So the way you've laid it out looks like you're getting ready to apply June 2016, which affects the answer about coursework. Yes? No?

 

[Prncssbuttercup]

I second what Midlife said.
Additionally, A&P while not necessary for the MCAT, are required by a lot of medical schools, and there's no reason not to take the MCAT after you've taken them...

 

[QuentinT88]

Well, first things first: what's your thinking on that fall MCAT? I hope you're aware that a fall MCAT is too late for the MD app year in progress.

So the way you've laid it out looks like you're getting ready to apply June 2016, which affects the answer about coursework. Yes? No?

Ideally, I would like to apply for the 2015 cycle, but I am realistic and understand that I might have to push back for the 2016 cycle. I understand that it is best to apply early to medical school. However, @DrMidlife, if I take an October 2015 or early November MCAT, are you saying that I will be too late for the 2015 cycle? Would I be best served just waiting for the 2016 cycle?


@Prncssbuttercup so you would advice that I take A&P while in my post bacc. Would you all recommend any additional classes?

I guess my point is that I'm trying to structure my schedule so that I can be done by the summer of 2015. I need to think about things like school fees and bills, and ideally would like to get a clinical job that not only helps me support myself, but also provides good clinical experience.

 

[DrMidlife]

if I take an October 2015 or early November MCAT, are you saying that I will be too late for the 2015 cycle?

Yes.

Total waste of time, effort and money to apply that late.

 

[QuentinT88]

So if the 2015 cycle is too late, what would you advise? Instead of taking the fall of 2015 to study for and take the MCAT, should I take additional courses? A&P, Genetics, Microbiology...?

 

[DrMidlife]

This is how it works: Gather the strongest academic assets you possibly can, and compile the most compelling med school app you possibly can, and then apply once, early and broadly, to carefully-researched schools.

If taking more classes will improve your MCAT preparedness, then take more classes. Personally I thought genetics, cell bio and biochem were helpful for the MCAT, because they solidified the foundation of the prereqs. Personally I am concerned that people are depending way too much on MCAT practice tests to predict their scores, instead of doing thorough, rigorous, lengthy content review (such as doing all the problems in the Examkracker 1001 books).

You can find good advice on MCAT preparedness in the MCAT forum.

 

[Prncssbuttercup]

I'm saying that while you don't have to take the classes the advisor recommended for the MCAT, they are helpful for medical school & there's no reason to take the MCAT in the fall, as midlife said, because it's too late to apply.