Retaking the MCAT + courseload + work

[D44]

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I've spoken with a few deans who recommended taking more science courses or retaking the MCAT (I took it in 2005 and got 28Q; P8V10B10; sci gpa is around 3.4 and cumulative around 3.58).

I'm definitely retaking the MCAT this coming January (and taking Kaplan prep beginning in October), and I KNOW that I can definitely get at least a 30 this time around. Basically all of the schools say that if I retake the MCAT, I need to BE SURE that IT INCREASES significantly, so I'm definitely pressured to focus on this and do well on the test. Currently I am working part-time and volunteering a few hours a month at a shelter.

Here's my dilemma...
Should I take an upper level genetics course this Fall or is that too much? I feel as though it's added pressure (because I would need to ace this class) but that I need to take science courses to enhance my AMCAS. If I don't take this class, I will increase my volunteer hours, continue working part-time, and focus on the MCAT. But is that enough? I've heard of people working fulltime, studying for the MCAT, taking classes, raising kids, etc...

Another thing to mention, I plan to take science courses in Spring (if my schedule allows). (A)Would a higher MCAT cancel the need for this, (B) would one class next semester be good enough, because my PT job schedule won't allow me to take the daytime classes I want or (C) should I quit my part-time job and take more classes?

Sorry this is long and sounds like a rambling. Advice is appreciated!

 

[nontrdgsbuiucmd]

This isn't really a yes/no issue; given average matriculant gpas (they're on msar & on aamc's web site) it would be better to continue taking science classes.. and score higher on the mcat.. each school will be a bit different about this, but in general if you can take maybe 2 classes at a time, get As in both, preferably including some advanced bio courses as you'd mentioned that would likely be best. but that 8 in PS indicates the need for more physics/chem classes to bring that up a point or two..

the mcat at 28 is not bad at all, if it was coupled with a 3.8 gpa I'd doubt deans would mention it as an issue, at least at most schools. Higher is always better, but we all have to eat, too (i.e. you may need to keep that job)

 

[dragonfly99]

I took Princeton Review's MCAT course while working full time. I didn't take a class that semester, but took one the next semester.

If you are only working part time and not volunteering that much, I don't really see why you couldn't study for the MCAT and also take one science course. If you think genetics will be too hard, is there an easier upper level science course you can take, maybe one that doesn't have a lab? I hate to advise someone to take a weeny kind of course, but this admissions process is a little bit of a game in some ways and you don't want to screw yourself over.

I'm going to disagree a little with the poster immediately above. I think the med schools care about the MCAT score more than they admit (particularly some of the MD schools, particularly private ones) and if the OP could raise the score to a 32 or so, or even higher, that would be helpful. Rightly or not, a high MCAT score kind of forces the adcom's hand about considering your application. They might be quicker to forgive a lower GPA if they saw someone with a 36 MCAT or something...not that it happens often that they see such an application. Raising the science GPA is important also, but I don't think it will get you that far unless you bump the MCAT up also. I feel like the physics part of the MCAT is "studyable" also, and that's the part the OP needs to up the most.