Pre-MCAT Interviews?

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kent, scholl, temple, cspm maybe a few others.
 
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dudestheman90 said:
Thank you. In regards to preparing for the MCAT, how much studying is required to prepare to get a decent score? How did you study, how many hours/months and for how long? What books did you use? I would like to score at least a 20-25. Thanks Again.
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I think a better question is how much you remember from your biology/physics/chemistry/organic classes. If you remember almost everything, then don't bother with content books and dive into trying to crack the questions. If you don't, make sure your bases are solid before venturing into the questions. Buy AAMC tests at the minimum and always go over your mistakes.

I did the Kaplan course and it was alright, was great with their online content and practice tests were ample.
 
dudestheman90 said:
Thank you. In regards to preparing for the MCAT, how much studying is required to prepare to get a decent score? How did you study, how many hours/months and for how long? What books did you use? I would like to score at least a 20-25. Thanks Again.
Click to expand...

Took Kaplan, usually studied 2 hours most nights, Saturday was about 6 hours of studying in the start then full lenght practice tests, Sunday's were an hour or so to see what I need to work on more. I also had flash cards always on me, even if you have a minute. Finally check out wiki premed for links to sites with articles to read for verbal practice, it helps to read outside of your comfort zone, I will say to the theatlantic.com has very mcat esque articles. When you read these on your own try to analyze the arguments, think of what questions the mcat would ask if this was on a test. Finally there is the mcat audio osmosis mp3 lectures, it is really expensive but can easily be torrented.
 
rushrhees said:
Took Kaplan, usually studied 2 hours most nights, Saturday was about 6 hours of studying in the start then full lenght practice tests, Sunday's were an hour or so to see what I need to work on more. I also had flash cards always on me, even if you have a minute. Finally check out wiki premed for links to sites with articles to read for verbal practice, it helps to read outside of your comfort zone, I will say to the theatlantic.com has very mcat esque articles. When you read these on your own try to analyze the arguments, think of what questions the mcat would ask if this was on a test. Finally there is the mcat audio osmosis mp3 lectures, it is really expensive but can easily be torrented.
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How long did you study for with that particular method?
What was your score? (if you don't mind me asking).
 
ilovefeet said:
How long did you study for with that particular method?
What was your score? (if you don't mind me asking).
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9V, 11Bio, 11Phys, Q writing. I took the class summer of 2011, so during then a lot of the time was keeping up with the class and was taking bio2. I started that regiment around september of 2011, got side tracked oct-late NOV as due to me having to fill in for a striking plant at my company (90-100 hour weeks of work.) I got back to that regiment early Dec until I took the test in march. Basically I stuck to that schedule about 4 months. Whether you take Kaplan or not is your choice, if money is tight then I would not take the class, libraries have some of the MCAT books, and you can torrent all the exam prep materials (Princeton review, Kaplan, ExamKrackers).
Finally for the writing, I did not invest much time into studying and practicing for it, try a few of the essay prompts (the AAMC has about essay 20 prompts for free) just to be sure you can actually do the essay in the manner they ask for. All you have to do is make a coherent essay with a firm argument and you will get a P or better; aditionally it is mostly the top tier med schools who actually look at the writing score, so it really does not matter too much unless you get an N or an L.
Best of luck, feel free to PM me for any other questions. My final piece of advice is a lot of the MCAT is just wading through the BS in the passages or the questions, the science is not hard at all. They just present the material in a convulted manner, if you can sift the "good stuff" out of a passage, you will do fine.
 
rushrhees said:
9V, 11Bio, 11Phys, Q writing. I took the class summer of 2011, so during then a lot of the time was keeping up with the class and was taking bio2. I started that regiment around september of 2011, got side tracked oct-late NOV as due to me having to fill in for a striking plant at my company (90-100 hour weeks of work.) I got back to that regiment early Dec until I took the test in march. Basically I stuck to that schedule about 4 months. Whether you take Kaplan or not is your choice, if money is tight then I would not take the class, libraries have some of the MCAT books, and you can torrent all the exam prep materials (Princeton review, Kaplan, ExamKrackers).
Finally for the writing, I did not invest much time into studying and practicing for it, try a few of the essay prompts (the AAMC has about essay 20 prompts for free) just to be sure you can actually do the essay in the manner they ask for. All you have to do is make a coherent essay with a firm argument and you will get a P or better; aditionally it is mostly the top tier med schools who actually look at the writing score, so it really does not matter too much unless you get an N or an L.
Best of luck, feel free to PM me for any other questions. My final piece of advice is a lot of the MCAT is just wading through the BS in the passages or the questions, the science is not hard at all. They just present the material in a convulted manner, if you can sift the "good stuff" out of a passage, you will do fine.
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I'm currently taking the KAPLAN class right now.
It's pretty helpful, the main thing for me is the structure and the online resources.
I didn't start as early as you did however. I started studying full throttle (5-8 hrs a day) mid October, and I signed up for the January 24th exam. I planned my schedule so that I would be taking AAMC practice exams (twice a week) starting mid December. Do you think that's overkill?

Also, are you applying this cycle? Or are you already a pod student? 🙂
 
rushrhees said:
9V, 11Bio, 11Phys, Q writing. I took the class summer of 2011, so during then a lot of the time was keeping up with the class and was taking bio2. I started that regiment around september of 2011, got side tracked oct-late NOV as due to me having to fill in for a striking plant at my company (90-100 hour weeks of work.) I got back to that regiment early Dec until I took the test in march. Basically I stuck to that schedule about 4 months. Whether you take Kaplan or not is your choice, if money is tight then I would not take the class, libraries have some of the MCAT books, and you can torrent all the exam prep materials (Princeton review, Kaplan, ExamKrackers).
Finally for the writing, I did not invest much time into studying and practicing for it, try a few of the essay prompts (the AAMC has about essay 20 prompts for free) just to be sure you can actually do the essay in the manner they ask for. All you have to do is make a coherent essay with a firm argument and you will get a P or better; aditionally it is mostly the top tier med schools who actually look at the writing score, so it really does not matter too much unless you get an N or an L.
Best of luck, feel free to PM me for any other questions. My final piece of advice is a lot of the MCAT is just wading through the BS in the passages or the questions, the science is not hard at all. They just present the material in a convulted manner, if you can sift the "good stuff" out of a passage, you will do fine.
Click to expand...

thanks for the detailed response, by the way.
it is much appreciated 👍
 
ilovefeet said:
I'm currently taking the KAPLAN class right now.
It's pretty helpful, the main thing for me is the structure and the online resources.
I didn't start as early as you did however. I started studying full throttle (5-8 hrs a day) mid October, and I signed up for the January 24th exam. I planned my schedule so that I would be taking AAMC practice exams (twice a week) starting mid December. Do you think that's overkill?

Also, are you applying this cycle? Or are you already a pod student? 🙂
Click to expand...

I got the impression that most in my Kaplan class took the last test of 2011 which was end of October or nov. I was hoping to take that last one of the year, but that strike put those plans off. Timing wise you are probably fine, just make sure you are hitting your target scores on the aamc practice, there is no sense in dropping the $200 or do to take mcat if your practice indicates that you won't get the score you will get (from my experience and others your practice will be a 1-3 points higher than your real score).
I am applying this cycle, fired off the apps oct 23, hopefully will get in somewhere
 
For those who haven't taken the MCAT but want to know what it looks like from someone who has taken a MCAT but got a very low score, and wrote in my app that I'm planning on taking it in January. this is what's happening....

I applied to all 9 mid October. I attended interviews for NYCPM and Barry. Got one for CSPM on Nov 28. Got rejected off the bat from Temple and eventually Scholl and DMU. AZPOD and Western put me on hold until they see my new MCAT score. Just found out today that Barry wants me to improve my score by 1 point, so I'm on hold. Got an interview invite for Kent today.

I'm hesitate to even travel to interview at Kent because it'll cost over $600 in traveling expenses just to be told "we want your MCAT score before we interview you."

I'm going to attend the CSPM interview because I live 15 miles away from the campus, but this feeling sucks. I get to believe that I'm alright with my current package w/ these interview invites.

AZPOD and Western made the most fiscally responsible choices, put me on hold until my new MCAT score comes out.

sigh* my two cents.
 
laureelee07 said:
For those who haven't taken the MCAT but want to know what it looks like from someone who has taken a MCAT but got a very low score, and wrote in my app that I'm planning on taking it in January. this is what's happening....

I applied to all 9 mid October. I attended interviews for NYCPM and Barry. Got one for CSPM on Nov 28. Got rejected off the bat from Temple and eventually Scholl and DMU. AZPOD and Western put me on hold until they see my new MCAT score. Just found out today that Barry wants me to improve my score by 1 point, so I'm on hold. Got an interview invite for Kent today.

I'm hesitate to even travel to interview at Kent because it'll cost over $600 in traveling expenses just to be told "we want your MCAT score before we interview you."

I'm going to attend the CSPM interview because I live 15 miles away from the campus, but this feeling sucks. I get to believe that I'm alright with my current package w/ these interview invites.

AZPOD and Western made the most fiscally responsible choices, put me on hold until my new MCAT score comes out.

sigh* my two cents.
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Hey good luck with everything.

What was your score/GPA? If you don't mind.
 
I'm seriously mopping around these forums like a debbie downer, yikes! haha If you want some info, PM me!
 
l
 
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dudestheman90 said:
Thank you. In regards to preparing for the MCAT, how much studying is required to prepare to get a decent score? How did you study, how many hours/months and for how long? What books did you use? I would like to score at least a 20-25. Thanks Again.
Click to expand...

I got a 26 and studied for about 3 months. I did a few hours every day because I was doing extracurriculars and was taking summer school. I have a 3.2 science/cum, with a strong upward trend average 3.8 gpa all throughout junior year. my chem/physics/verbal were really weak. I got a 8V 10B 8P. I kind of choked on Verbal but that was my expected P score. I realized my weaknesses and focused on things I knew I would do well on because I was not shooting for 30+ just a mid to high 20's. I had the exam cracker books. I also had ek 1001 chem, physics, and ochem but I literally only did about half to a quarter of the problems because they were too difficult. I used examcracker 101 passages and Berkeley review verbal. I also took aamc test 3,8,9,10, and 11.

Word of advice when taking the MCAT utilize the breaks I was stupid and only took one break throughout the entire exam....I would have gotten a higher score if I didn't but o wells.

I got invites at all 9 schools I interviewed at Western and DMU. I got accepted to Western and am still waiting on a response from DMU.

I didn't go to any of the pre-mcat interviews because no one really accepts you without a score.
 
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n
 
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Before studying I took the practice AAMC test #3, and got a 27 (in October). I'm hoping for a higher score, because my GPA is not too high.

Are you all taking your MCAT in January?
 
k
 
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I have a quick question to all you that are much further along than me...

I am doing intro level bio and chem right now just to build a solid structure (plus gpa boost will be nice). Anyway as of right now I feel so overwhelmed even thinking about the MCAT because I don't have any clue what will be on it and I know I have not learned any of it yet. Having to learn that much info in such a short amount of time scares me. Did you guys ever feel like this? I am sure I will be prepared when the time comes, it is just overwhelming to think about right now!
 
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BTR1208 said:
I have a quick question to all you that are much further along than me...

I am doing intro level bio and chem right now just to build a solid structure (plus gpa boost will be nice). Anyway as of right now I feel so overwhelmed even thinking about the MCAT because I don't have any clue what will be on it and I know I have not learned any of it yet. Having to learn that much info in such a short amount of time scares me. Did you guys ever feel like this? I am sure I will be prepared when the time comes, it is just overwhelming to think about right now!
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dont even think about the MCAT focus on your classes. instead of just memorizing everything make sure you are understanding the concepts. it will help you when you are reviewing for the mcat
 
BTR1208 said:
I have a quick question to all you that are much further along than me...

I am doing intro level bio and chem right now just to build a solid structure (plus gpa boost will be nice). Anyway as of right now I feel so overwhelmed even thinking about the MCAT because I don't have any clue what will be on it and I know I have not learned any of it yet. Having to learn that much info in such a short amount of time scares me. Did you guys ever feel like this? I am sure I will be prepared when the time comes, it is just overwhelming to think about right now!
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I thought the GCHEM section is relatively straight forward, so I think the intro level class that you are taking should be fine. PHYSICS however, is another story for me. I hated the class and I hate it even more on the MCAT, but that's just me. Taking physio really helped set a foundation for the BIO section. For BIO, imagine taking a survey class of the digestive system, cardio system, etc. There's a lot of stuff for the bio section, but given time, it's def doable. OCHEM, just know the functional groups and how they react. From my MCAT teacher, there's not too much of the OCHEM portion on the BS section, he said something along the lines of 70% Bio, 10% Ochem, and 20% BioChem.

This is all based on the KAPLAN books that I have been reviewing, I haven't taken the exam yet. && I am going out of state for my January test too!
 
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