post bacc question re: when to take the MCATs

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bluehamster

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hi, i am currently a post-bacc at a large state school. i have already taken gen chem, animal bio, cell bio & the first half of physics.

This semester I am taking the second half of physics, Genetics and the first half of Ochem. I'll be done with the Math/Physics/Chem/Bio requirements to apply to med school after the Spring 2007 semester.

My question is that I don't know when to take the MCATs. My counselor told me that the best time to apply to medical schools would be June 2007 but this would require me to study for the MCATs sometime in the Spring 2007 which I don't know if I could do b/c I'll be taking Ochem, Ochem lab and possibly biochemistry.

I just wanted to know your opinion, do you think I could take a prep course as well as go to school at the same time? Or should I pare down my Spring 2007 courses to just Ochem and Ochem lab in order to have more time to study for the MCATs? I don't know if I should take the MCATs when I haven't finished learning Ochem yet.


The MCAT will be a clincher for me b/c I have an undergrad gpa of 3.0. Thanks for any advice you could offer.

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if you dont mind having the possibility of waiting an additional year, i'd recommend the august mcat (or one that is offered after your biochem). why? the more courses you have under your belt, the better off you'll be for the test. also, your ug gpa needs to have as much A's as possible. risking grades in order to study for the mcat doesn't sound like a smart move. you want to be able to demonstrate to the adcomms that you can succeed in medschool by excelling in these courses.

not only that, i just took the august mcat and am feeling like i'm "falling behind" most applicants, since my application will be on hold until scores come out in october, which is pretty late in the game. not only are most schools filled up by this time, i'm nervous that my scores won't be good enough to pull me through and may have to end up re-taking it again, which would really really suck. don't get me wrong, i'm actually in the same boat as you (not so great ug gpa and have had to "make up" for the past few years). it's going to be a long tough road for folks like us but it's totally doable! so definitely wait until summer, but whether you want to apply and take the mcat simultaneously is up to you!

gluck!
 
i'm sorry I can't provide the exact link, but since registration for the first computerized MCAT has opened, your (and all of our) timing for taking it and when you apply will change significantly for the better. My "rough" advice would be finish all your pre reqs....start studying....and then register when you feel ready....they are now offering it 22 times per year!....hold on lemme find the link for you. ha....HERE IT IS:


Official MCAT websites:
www.aamc.org/mcat
www.e-mcat.org


====================== MCAT Announcement from AAMC (Sept 8, 2006)
===========================

MCAT® Registration for January 2007 Opens in November 2006

The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) is pleased to
announce the first
round of registration for the 2007 computerized MCAT will open on
November 15,
2006. Instead of only two paper-and-pencil MCAT administrations per
year, AAMC is
proud to offer students 22 fully computerized MCAT administrations per
year at
hundreds of Thomson Prometric testing labs throughout North America and
select sites
in Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa and the Middle East.

On November 15, 2006, students can register for January test dates at
www.aamc.org/mcat/cbt.htm.

2007 MCAT Registration
Registration for 2007 computerized MCAT dates will typically begin four
to five months
prior to the actual test dates – with the exception of January 2007 test
dates.
Registration opening dates for the corresponding 2007 computerized MCAT
test dates
are as follows:

=============================================================
Registration Opening Dates 2007 Test Dates
=============================================================
November 15, 2006 January 27, 29
-------------------------------------------------------------
December 13, 2006 April 7, 12, 16
May 11, 16, 25, 31
-------------------------------------------------------------
February 14, 2007 June 15*
July 13*, 24
-------------------------------------------------------------
April 11, 2007 August 6, 9*, 14, 16, 20
September 7, 8
=============================================================

* Two administrations offered

2007 MCAT Fees
AAMC and Thomson Prometric are pleased to announce that the cost of
the 2007 MCAT will remain the same as it was in year 2006 – $210.
Regular registration runs from the published opening day until two
weeks before the test date, and late registration runs from the end
of regular registration until one week before the test date. Late
registration or any change to your testing date or location will cost
an additional $50.

Convenient Test Locations
To enhance access and availability for all MCAT examinees, Thomson
Prometric
is continuing to expand its test delivery capabilities by recruiting
academic
institutions and other organizations to join the Thomson Prometric test
center
network. Please visit www.aamc.org/mcat/cbt.htm to view the latest
listing of
MCAT testing sites. The MCAT will be offered on all of the dates shown
below
in the vast majority of the testing locations. Please note that some
testing
dates will be morning administrations; some will be afternoon
administrations;
and three test dates will include both morning and afternoon
administrations.
 
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Most will agree that you need time after you're done taking pre-reqs purely to study for the MCAT's to get a competitive score.
 
thanks a lot for the advice!
 
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