Re-taking Classes & Prep for the MCAT

[arc5005]

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HI there.

So, I'd like to take the MCAT August/September 2015.

The problem is I went to a quarter school (so the sequence involved 3 quarters & 3 separate classes, I, II, and III). I took Gen Chem I, & II (not III) & College Physics I & II (not III). I also took a full year of Biology. However, I took these classes back in 2010/2011, so it has been a long time. Also, except for Gen Chem I which was an A, the rest are all grades of B.

I need to fulfill the full year sequence so I need to take College Physics II and General Chemistry II at a semester community college. I am really going to try to get A's in both.

1) However for, Bio I & II, Gen Chem I, and Physics I, is it sufficient enough to just review these subjects in review books/Khan Academy for MCAT prep or should I retake the courses? (I don't feel as though my knowledge of physics is strong - should I retake physics I and try to get an A?)

2) Is there a lot of physics on the MCAT?

I'm currently taking classes for a year & maybe the summer at a community college.
Fall: Orgo I, Human Anatomy, Development Psych, Abnormal Psych
Spring: Orgo II, Gen Chem II... Trying to decide on the other classes - I was thinking Physics II, Physics I, or Human Physiology
Summer: Both College Physics I & II, or maybe just Physics II or just Physics I, or Physiology.

I also wanted to replace grades, I got a D in Spanish 101 my freshman year at a semester college, and was hoping I can maybe retake that course online or something.

I currently have a 3.0 cGPA and a 3.2 sGPA... using the calculator with projected A's and B's for future classes, I should be able to obtain a 3.2cGPA and a 3.4sGPA.

 

[karling]

As I'm sure you're aware, the new MCAT also has psychology, sociology, and biochemistry on it. Schools are probably going to start requiring them as well, so you should add sociology and biochemistry to your schedule. (MUCOM originally required sociology this cycle, but changed their requirements after a bit of a backlash from pre-meds. Still, it's clear that they will require it soon, probably by next cycle, and I'm sure they're not the only one.)

Yes, physics is a big part of the MCAT. It accounts for approx. half of the PS section. Maybe more.

 

[arc5005]

I'll probably take a Sociology course in the summer or during this upcoming winter intersession. Biochemistry on the other hand I will not be able to fit in by MCAT 2015. I plan to study biochemistry on my own after Orgo II, and before the MCAT exam.

My main concern is if I should retake courses I got B's in to get A's and to refresh my memory on the subjects, or if studying from Khan academy/on my own/review books will be sufficient enough for courses like Physics I, Gen Chem I, and Bio I & II. Re-taking would also boost my GPA if I perform well and all goes according to plan, but I also don't want to waste my time if it isn't really necessary.

 

[karling]

Depends on how good you are at self-study. I had yet to take physiology or physics II when I took the MCAT and still did well. I just used The Berkeley Review supplemented by Youtube / Khan / other online videos. One advantage I had is that I already had a strong foundation in biology (cell, genetics, biochemistry, basically everything on the MCAT except physiology) and chemistry. This allowed me to focus more intently on my weaknesses (physics and physiology). I didn't study a single second for orgo or verbal reasoning (outside of reviewing my AAMC practice exams) and barely reviewed cell bio, genetics, and gen chem. Almost my entire focus was on physics and physio from TBR and the internet. I wouldn't necessarily recommend this method of studying, but it worked for me. If you're the kind of person who can learn well studying on your own, it may work for you as well. But it's a risk.

 

[arc5005]

Hmm.. my best friend wasn't a science major and took the bare minimum requirements for courses and got into medical school without classes in genetics, cell bio, anatomy, physiology, etc... so I'm not really worried about those subjects. I'm more worried about physics, orgo, and basic biology. I feel pretty confident that I could review Gen Chem I on my own and do well.

I'd have a full summer to study for the MCAT, so I'd most likely go over everything necessary in the review books and khan academy/youtube.

 

[karling]

I didn't take specific courses for cell bio or genetics either. That's the information you learn in basic biology courses. Like, you may get a question about the likelihood of a son inheriting a recessive disorder if his parents had so-and-so alleles/traits. Basic cell bio, basic genetics. My MCAT exam was actually pretty heavy on physiology, though. I was really, really glad I put a lot of focus on that while studying. For what it's worth, TBR has two books for biology. One of them is entirely devoted to physiology. That kind of hinted to me to study the heck out of it, and it paid off.

 

[arc5005]

I was thinking of doing either one of these schedules for Spring & Summer 2015

Spring:
Organic Chem II
General Chemistry II
College Physics II
College Physics I (if the course load isn't too heavy, but this class would be completely review)

Summer:
Possibly Physiology, and then the rest of the time devoted to MCAT prep.

or....

Spring:
Organic Chem II
Gen Chem II
Physiology
College Physics I (if not too much again)

Summer:
College Physics I & College Physics II, or just 1 of them, but this would take away from MCAT prep

 

[PlaqueBuster]

Question 1: Do not retake classes with A's and B's. You can get all that material from review books.
Question 2: Physics is huge on the mcat. Not sure how much it will change int he new mcat but be prepared for 50% physics and 50% chemistry on the PS section

Your course work for the next two semesters seems fine. I would recommend you take Social psychology, genetics and biochemistry if you havent taken those yet. Do not take sociology.....review that from a book...its a really easy class and probably going to be a waste of time spent elsewhere. Also, your gpa is low so if you have any grades B- or lower then consider retaking those later for grade replacement

Seeing your course schedule above I recommend not taking physics I and II at same time since one builds off another. Also you really dont need physiology. Take genetics or biochemistry instead.

My suggestion ( are you aware that these science courses have lab?)

Spring:
Organic Chem II
Gen Chem II
Social psychology
Physics I

Summer:
Physics II
Genetics
Biochemistry

Shoot me any questions you may have

 

[arc5005]

Seeing your course schedule above I recommend not taking physics I and II at same time since one builds off another. Also you really dont need physiology. Take genetics or biochemistry instead.

Shoot me any questions you may have

I won't be able to take genetics or biochemistry before the MCAT unfortunately.

Why Social Psychology? I already have Psych 101, Abnormal, and Developmental (lifespan).

 

[PlaqueBuster]

Oh ok then you should be fine. I have heard from others on the forum social psych is helpful. Honestly, all the material will be covered in review books so just make sure you give yourself 2 hours every single night to go through the material and answer questions. Books I recommend are: The Berkeley review, Princeton Review, and Examkrackers.

Also don't take the mcat in September if you want to apply for matriculation in 2016. Applying early is key so I suggest taking the May/June MCAT. that gives you 6-7 months of time to study which is plenty. This means taking Organic Chem II, Physics I and II and GenChem II in the Spring semester. Studying mcat material will supplement in what you are learning in the classes and this material will stay fresh in your head. You just have to sit yourself down and spend 2 hours to study every day. If you took the test in September your scores come back in October and with your low gpa you may have difficulty in the app process if schools saw your aplication in early November.

 

[arc5005]

Oh ok then you should be fine. I have heard from others on the forum social psych is helpful. Honestly, all the material will be covered in review books so just make sure you give yourself 2 hours every single night to go through the material and answer questions. Books I recommend are: The Berkeley review, Princeton Review, and Examkrackers.

Also don't take the mcat in September if you want to apply for matriculation in 2016. Applying early is key so I suggest taking the May/June MCAT. that gives you 6-7 months of time to study which is plenty. This means taking Organic Chem II, Physics I and II and GenChem II in the Spring semester. Studying mcat material will supplement in what you are learning in the classes and this material will stay fresh in your head. You just have to sit yourself down and spend 2 hours to study every day. If you took the test in September your scores come back in October and with your low gpa you may have difficulty in the app process if schools saw your aplication in early November.

Ahhh... okay. Applications tend to open up in late august, right? Maybe I can take the test in July? I want to give myself enough time to review everything. It also isn't necessary that I apply for matriculation for 2016. I wouldn't mind waiting until 2017, that way I can take additional classes to boost my GPA, take the MCAT twice if needed, and get some EC/experience.

 

[PlaqueBuster]

You can submit apps in June. So May mcat is the best one to take. However June is very early so submitting apps through August is good enough. Past August becomes a bit late, and past November is late. If you do not mind matriculating in 2017 then I suggest taking the MCAT in January 2016 and if you need to retake then May 2016. Submit apps June/July 2016 and matriculate in 2017.

 

[arc5005]

You can submit apps in June. So May mcat is the best one to take. However June is very early so submitting apps through August is good enough. Past August becomes a bit late, and past November is late. If you do not mind matriculating in 2017 then I suggest taking the MCAT in January 2016 and if you need to retake then May 2016. Submit apps June/July 2016 and matriculate in 2017.

I think the MCAT is only offered April-Sept https://www.aamc.org/students/download/398880/data/mcat2015calendar.pdf

 

[PlaqueBuster]

ok guess they changed it for the new mcat. Maybe they will have earlier dates for 2016.