Retake organic I or self study?

[zmiller3]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

Hello,

I'm a senior still finishing up my pre-reqs. I'm taking physics II this semester. Last summer I took orgo I at my local community college. I did this because I was planning on going for PA school at the time, so it seemed like it would do the job fine. My plans changed though and now I want to go to DO school.

So here is my issue. I got an A in the class, but feel like I learned nothing. It was absurdly easy, and it didn't require me to open the textbook once. What would have a more net positive effect on my MCAT? A) Retake orgo I at my four year this semester pass/fail B) Just get MCAT review books, and use the textbook to focus on MCAT topics.

I guess a concern is that the course will contain too much extraneous information then I need, and my time would be spent better self studying?

 

[NonTrad16]

Did you take Organic II? Or Biochem? All three DO schools I've looked at require a year of organic (or half each of organic and biochem). Those courses plus one semester of 'lackluster' organic and you have more than enough foundation to self-study.

After 6 years of not taking required courses, I'm using MCAT books, I'm happy enough with the choice to do so over re-taking courses. Courses, even pass or fail, require time and money...

 

[MightBeACylon439]

I don't know if this applies to the new MCAT, but the amount of Ochem on the MCAT is negligible. I would self study only the important stuff.

 

[PlaqueBuster]

Don't take it since you have an A. If you remember nothing then go and sit in classes at your 4-year university or self study from review books for the MCAT. Don't risk the chance to get a lower grade on it.

 

[zmiller3]

Don't take it since you have an A. If you remember nothing then go and sit in classes at your 4-year university or self study from review books for the MCAT. Don't risk the chance to get a lower grade on it.

Yea the idea would be to take it pass/fail so I would have a P on the transcript. Hopefully admissions would see I was just taking it for review.

 

[zmiller3]

I don't know if this applies to the new MCAT, but the amount of Ochem on the MCAT is negligible. I would self study only the important stuff.

I do hear the odd horror story of orgo heavy exams...

 

[zmiller3]

Did you take Organic II? Or Biochem? All three DO schools I've looked at require a year of organic (or half each of organic and biochem). Those courses plus one semester of 'lackluster' organic and you have more than enough foundation to self-study.

After 6 years of not taking required courses, I'm using MCAT books, I'm happy enough with the choice to do so over re-taking courses. Courses, even pass or fail, require time and money...

Because of how the credits work, I'm going to have to take orgo 2 at that community college this may/june and study for the MCAT july/august. So there will be a big gap in my orgo knowledge. Of course this time around I will focus more on the textbook while I take orgo 2. Biochem will have to be all self study.

 

[DetectiveAlonzo]

I took both semesters of O-chem at a CC.

They were NOT easy but I actually aced them this time around because I worked my A$$ off and studied everyday before and after class.

When I compared our exams from the CC to the 4-year I graduated from... literally had similar formats but also required MORE essay-style questions and not as much multiple choice.

Then again, our teacher made us keep a journal that had every reaction and note we made during both semesters.

When it came time to study for MCAT... I actually blew off the O-chem portion.

 

[zmiller3]

I took both semesters of O-chem at a CC.

They were NOT easy but I actually aced them this time around because I worked my A$$ off and studied everyday before and after class.

When I compared our exams from the CC to the 4-year I graduated from... literally had similar formats but also required MORE essay-style questions and not as much multiple choice.

Then again, our teacher made us keep a journal that had every reaction and note we made during both semesters.

When it came time to study for MCAT... I actually blew off the O-chem portion.

For sure I don't doubt it. I wasn't trying to rag on CC's at all, I'm sure some of them are better than 4 years. It was just this one instructor that made things incredibly simple. Maybe the fact that it was in the summer compounded things.

We basically just had to memorize the mechanisms he put up on the board. There was zero need to understand anything. Looking at practice o-chem tests online now leave me clueless.

 

[ananasmed]

Because of how the credits work, I'm going to have to take orgo 2 at that community college this may/june and study for the MCAT july/august. So there will be a big gap in my orgo knowledge. Of course this time around I will focus more on the textbook while I take orgo 2. Biochem will have to be all self study.

Get a copy of "Organic Chemistry as a Second Language" and use that to make sure you know the basics. You shouldn't assume there will be a big gap in your orgo knowledge just because you perceived the class to be easy or mostly memorization. However, based on what I've heard about the new MCAT, self-study for biochem might be quite challenging.

 

[zmiller3]

Get a copy of "Organic Chemistry as a Second Language" and use that to make sure you know the basics. You shouldn't assume there will be a big gap in your orgo knowledge just because you perceived the class to be easy or mostly memorization. However, based on what I've heard about the new MCAT, self-study for biochem might be quite challenging.

Yes I've read half of the first semester topics book and found it to be incredibly to the point and very clear. For what its worth, it seemed to be the consensus of a lot of the people in the class. And the Biochem is not ideal, but I simply don't have time to take it. I figured my only option is to print out the topic list and read the book for those parts.

 

[DetectiveAlonzo]

For sure I don't doubt it. I wasn't trying to rag on CC's at all, I'm sure some of them are better than 4 years. It was just this one instructor that made things incredibly simple. Maybe the fact that it was in the summer compounded things.

We basically just had to memorize the mechanisms he put up on the board. There was zero need to understand anything. Looking at practice o-chem tests online now leave me clueless.

I didn't take it that way so no biggie. 🙂

I was just pointing out that you definitely want to study and actually memorize this stuff and most importantly actually PRACTICE the material. Once bio-chem rolls around, you'll be able to understand it much better. We touched on biochem towards the end of the second semester and were tested on material regarding it and I believe that was my highest scoring exam ever. It just made a lot more sense having taken O-chem and knowing the basics. That's just my experience.

For you, you have already had the basics covered. Just take whatever course you need and ace it. 🙂 You'll be aight.

 

[ananasmed]

Yes I've read half of the first semester topics book and found it to be incredibly to the point and very clear. For what its worth, it seemed to be the consensus of a lot of the people in the class. And the Biochem is not ideal, but I simply don't have time to take it. I figured my only option is to print out the topic list and read the book for those parts.

If you're reading/working through that book and not feeling confused, then you're gonna be fine. The MCAT (at least, the old version... but I don't think they've added more orgo to the new one) doesn't test a lot of complex/obscure organic chem. I used that book as a refresher personally because I had a few years gap between orgo 1 and orgo 2, and found that I was more prepared for orgo 2 than people in my class who had just finished orgo 1 the week prior 😛 You'll be okay. Wish you had time to take biochem though. I don't mean to be pushy or anything, but if you are only going to be taking the MCAT in August or so, maybe you should consider applying in the next cycle so you can apply early and have time to take the class. Don't rush in without your best possible application and score. Just a friendly suggestion.

 

[zmiller3]

If you're reading/working through that book and not feeling confused, then you're gonna be fine. The MCAT (at least, the old version... but I don't think they've added more orgo to the new one) doesn't test a lot of complex/obscure organic chem. I used that book as a refresher personally because I had a few years gap between orgo 1 and orgo 2, and found that I was more prepared for orgo 2 than people in my class who had just finished orgo 1 the week prior 😛 You'll be okay. Wish you had time to take biochem though. I don't mean to be pushy or anything, but if you are only going to be taking the MCAT in August or so, maybe you should consider applying in the next cycle so you can apply early and have time to take the class. Don't rush in without your best possible application and score. Just a friendly suggestion.

Yea, I definitely see what your saying with biochem and I hope its not detrimental. And I understand I'll be applying late in the cycle. I just cant stress how much the idea of taking 2 years between undergrad and med school is just so incredibly unattractive to me personally. I don't want to drag out the process any longer. I'm going to be taking my chances, for sure, but I think its worth it if I have even the smallest chance of getting in somewhere. And if I don't, at least I gave it a shot. Knowing that would make those 2 years a little more bearable.

 

[ananasmed]

Yea, I definitely see what your saying with biochem and I hope its not detrimental. And I understand I'll be applying late in the cycle. I just cant stress how much the idea of taking 2 years between undergrad and med school is just so incredibly unattractive to me personally. I don't want to drag out the process any longer. I'm going to be taking my chances, for sure, but I think its worth it if I have even the smallest chance of getting in somewhere. And if I don't, at least I gave it a shot. Knowing that would make those 2 years a little more bearable.

Applying in August isn't considered to be super late for DO schools, but the "apply early" mantra really does prove effective, and might make the difference between accept/reject at certain schools. Personally I have taken three years off and have no regrets, but I do understand that the idea of extra years off can be unnerving for some.

 

[zmiller3]

Applying in August isn't considered to be super late for DO schools, but the "apply early" mantra really does prove effective, and might make the difference between accept/reject at certain schools. Personally I have taken three years off and have no regrets, but I do understand that the idea of extra years off can be unnerving for some.

Yea, its just that personal things in my life make taking years of less desirable. But I guess you do what you have to do and make the best of it. Cross that bridge when I get there. Mind me asking what you spent the years doing?

 

[ananasmed]

Yea, its just that personal things in my life make taking years of less desirable. But I guess you do what you have to do and make the best of it. Cross that bridge when I get there. Mind me asking what you spent the years doing?

I understand - everyone's situation is different, figured I'd just put it out there for you to consider. I worked in healthcare, shadowed a lot, and finished pre-reqs. I didn't decide on medicine until after I graduated, so I had to do some backtracking and exploring to decide what career was right for me. I also volunteered and of course, studied for the MCAT 🙂 I'm in my third year "off" now and will be matriculating this summer.