Re-taking O.Chem for MCAT

[becool5]

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Hello Everyone,
I graduated from college a few years and I have all of the pre-req's for medical school. I am taking a few upper level science courses in biology, but I also need to study for and take the MCAT. I was thinking about taking O. Chem, however I took it in 2000. I got a C so getting a better grade this time around wouldn't hurt, but I really want to take the class as a re-fresher/prep for the MCAT (I work for a college so tuition is free). Any thoughts on this? Do you think Adcoms would look upon this negatively? I'm also planning on taking Biochem right after. Any thoughts/experience in this would be helpful. O.Chem would be the only repeat class on my transcript.

 

[DrSumdae]

I don't think adcoms would look negatively on it. You took OChem many years ago. Plus, you are in a great position to take classes b/c you can take them for free! You can incorporate that into your personal statement....you have an opportunity to further your understanding of a subject and you took it.

As far as MCAT prep, start going through passages now. That was my biggest mistake. I went through college without a clue about the MCAT. So, make sure you have an understanding of how to approach the MCAT before you tackle OChem again. Also, if you can do an MCAT prep course along with your classes, that would be great. Kaplan is my fav.

 

[ashmarj]

In my opinion, retaking OChem as a 'refresher' for the MCAT would be a waste of your time. As a percentage of the Biological sciences section, it lessens each year. I also had not taken OChem for a while and had crammed myself to a B (meaning I didn't remember much of first semester organic, which is 80% of what is tested)...was concerned...but as long as you review things like E1 vs E2 and SN1 vs SN2, I really think you'll be ok. The rest is just quick stuff to memorize anyway like IR spectra peaks.