Preparing for the MCAT with this schedule..

[MikeyDub]

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So it is about that time I start preparing for the MCAT. I want to take it before the Summer, but I have a pretty busy schedule coming up. Here are the classes I am taking in spring: Analytical Chemistry lecture, Biochemistry, Cell Bio w/ Lab. I will also be doing research ~20 hours, volunteering ~10 hours, and possibly working ~10 hours. I am a senior with a perfect GPA, and I feel fairly confident in most of the subjects thus far.

Is this too much? I am hoping all of these classes will help with the MCAT. Should I begin studying for the MCAT now and just get a decent base before I am hit with this schedule? Any advice welcome.

 

[PlaqueBuster]

You should start now. 3 classes is not bad at all maybe think about adding a psychology or sociology class if you havent taken one before. I suggest you open up 10 hours of your time either from not working or doing less research. If you already have enough volunteering hours then you can forgo those. Its important you spend atleast 1-2 hours every night reading through materials and doing practice questions/practice tests on weekends. Take the exam in May (sign up now spots are getting filled quickly).

 

[NoDakDok]

To summarize:

Analytical Chemistry (6 hrs)
Biochemistry (6 hrs)
Cell Biology + Lab (10 hrs)
Research (20 hrs)
Volunteering (10 hrs)
Work (10 hrs)

You're looking at what is probably about a 62 hr/wk schedule, assuming you spend 1 hour studying per 1 hour of lecture. This is highly variable depending on the individual, but if you have a 4.0 you are clearly doing just fine. I think you could even double the course hours I approximated for studying/lecture/lab time and be OK, if you're efficient.

I think this schedule is incredibly manageable with MCAT studying. Analytical, Biochem, and Cell Bio are also relatively very high yield for the MCAT, so studying those materials will be helpful so that is to your benefit.

I would suggest beginning studying now if you're looking to score as high as you possibly can on the MCAT. Not necessarily because you will remember all the stuff now as you take your exam early next summer, but it will give you a familiarity with a material which will significantly reduce your eventual anxiety studying and test anxiety. Set a schedule for school, work, ECs, and MCAT studying that keeps you busy and keeps you on track. Don't forgo the things that make you happy (exercise, friends, family, etc), just find a time that fits your schedule and keeps your sanity.

The right mentality going into studying for the MCAT and finishing off your courses makes all the difference. Be efficient, don't neglect yourself, and you will do excellent.

 

[Doug Underhill]

It takes the average student 180 hours or so to prepare fully for the MCAT. You want to be significantly better than average: the average score amongst all MCAT takers is a 25 and the average score for matriculants is 31.