Prerecs before MCAT?

[Anastasis]

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I already posted this in Pre-Allo but I thought maybe it was more of a nontrad question:

I finished up my ugrad in May of 2004 but I just recently decided to go to med school and I have to go back and take most of the prerec classes.
I already have Gen Chem I & II, Physics I and I had taken Bio I but I decided to retake it because I got a C and I don't remember much.
The schedule I had worked out for myself was this:
Fall 2005:
Org Chem I
Bio I
Physics II

Spring:
Org Chem II
Bio II
A&P I

(Because of prerecs I can't add anymore upper level Bio or Biochem to these semesters)

But the only problem is that I won't have my upper level Bios done in time for the April MCAT and since my university doesn't offer any over the summer I will have to take them both in the fall while I am applying.

So my question is: Am I rushing applying for med school? Should I wait til all my prerecs are done and then take the MCAT knowing that will put off my applying another year?

Another option would be to move A&P up to the fall and try to force my way into Microbiology before I have intro to bio done. But that still leaves me one upper level bio short (A&P is a 200 level class at this university).

 

[Law2Doc]

I already posted this in Pre-Allo but I thought maybe it was more of a nontrad question:

I finished up my ugrad in May of 2004 but I just recently decided to go to med school and I have to go back and take most of the prerec classes.
I already have Gen Chem I & II, Physics I and I had taken Bio I but I decided to retake it because I got a C and I don't remember much.
The schedule I had worked out for myself was this:
Fall 2005:
Org Chem I
Bio I
Physics II

Spring:
Org Chem II
Bio II
A&P I

(Because of prerecs I can't add anymore upper level Bio or Biochem to these semesters)

But the only problem is that I won't have my upper level Bios done in time for the April MCAT and since my university doesn't offer any over the summer I will have to take them both in the fall while I am applying.

So my question is: Am I rushing applying for med school? Should I wait til all my prerecs are done and then take the MCAT knowing that will put off my applying another year?

Another option would be to move A&P up to the fall and try to force my way into Microbiology before I have intro to bio done. But that still leaves me one upper level bio short (A&P is a 200 level class at this university).

First, A&P isn't a prereq and not on the MCAT, so you definitely don't want to take that earlier at the expense of bio - Take it later if at all.
With respect to whether you are rushing, my personal opinion is yes. If you are going to take three sciences courses and prepare for the MCAT it's going to be rough. I know many people who have done it, but know far more who ended up not doing nearly as well as they would have liked. Unless you are a really strong science person (and your previous C suggests perhaps not), you will want to give all these subjects adequate time. If you want to get into med school, you are far better off applying a year later with all A's and a good MCAT score, than with a handful of rushed B's and a mediocre MCAT score.
I note that, in my opinion, Organic Chem is the same kind of memorization intensive science course as bio (and less similar to gen chem - that's why the MCAT groups Orgo and bio), so since that type of course hasn't been your forte, you probably will want to give it adequate time.
If you spread things out, you will also be able to work in biochem in a later semester if you want it (not a prereq for most schools, but will perhaps give you a leg up in the first year of med school if you can remember any of it). And the extra year will give you a chance to bulk up your ECs if that's needed. Hope that helps.

 

[Anastasis]

Thanks for the response. I do feel like I am rushing it a bit.

I actually am a science person - the C is because I NEVER went to class (I even had to take a test late because I slept thru that class), basically I was just a 19 year old *****. Other than that C my science GPA was 3.8 (I spent 2 years as a Meteorology major). I have no doubt in my ability to take that schedule and get all As (it's only 12 hours). And if I didn't take A&P in the spring semester I wouldn't have the prerecs I need to take any other bios at my school - plus I'll need A&P to get into Microbiology (I'm not sure why).
I think I'm going to do a good old fashioned wait and see - if I feel prepared for the MCAT next April I will take it but if not I'll slow down and take another year.

Thanks for the help!