So new to this... it hurts :(

[SheLiBeLi55]

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Hey everyone! 🙂

I am probably like a lot of people on here reading this, in that I have become addicted to this website. I discovered SDN while researching tips on medical school and MCATS, etc.. Anyways to get the point, I NEED HELP! This world is so new to me Im feeling overwhelmed and Im still a sophmore . It's been about a year and half since I decideed that I wanted to be a doctor and now I can't fathom myself doing anything else. However, I am worried that I may not be cut out for it. I know my potential but from reading people's post over and over again about great MCAT scores and amazingly high G.P.A's, I feel like now I am kidding myself. Did anyone else out there feel this sort of way when they were first starting out? I am by no means even considering giving anything up but I was wondering if I could get a couple pointers from people on how exactly my pre-med/med school path should go. For example, when in the world do I take the MCATS?! How much do I study? What is the best company to use? What classes should I have under my belt before hand? Or anything else of that nature. Wow I didnt realize I was gonna write this much. 😀.. Hopefully someone out there can help me, I would really appreciate it.

-Michelle

 

[SunDevilDoc]

If you want to apply without taking a year off after school you should take the mcat in April or may of Junior year. I took kaplan, but I've heard princeton review is better. I studied for about a month full time before the test, but I would suggest probably 2 months or more (I've heard that some people do like 6 months or something crazy like that). The pre reqs are a full year of gen chem, o chem, physics, and biology. You should also take genetics, biochem, cell biology and a few others that med schools recommend

 

[Mattabet]

Try not to get psyched out reading SDN. You've got to remember that some of the stats you'll read here are a) from consummated gunners or b) pretend (or 'creatively rounded').

As far as the MCAT, the 'traditional' approach is to take it in April of your Junior year. Recently, however, with computer based testing (CBT) there's more flexibility. So some people will take it in January, or you can put it off later and take a year off to apply. You'll want to be done with a year of general/physical chemistry, one year of organic chemistry, one of physics, and one of biology (which you'll need as prerequisites anywhere you'll apply).

Studying is a personal thing, and you'll have to tailor it to your schedule. I started in January before my April test, ramping up the hours as the test got closer.

And remember, the MCAT is just one part of a successful application. It's just as important to start looking at extracurriculars, shadowing, and volunteering now, as they can impact your application in a big way. Oh, and don't forget the coursework that they make you take either...

 

[runrunrudolph1]

Hey everyone! 🙂

I am probably like a lot of people on here reading this, in that I have become addicted to this website. I discovered SDN while researching tips on medical school and MCATS, etc.. Anyways to get the point, I NEED HELP! This world is so new to me Im feeling overwhelmed and Im still a sophmore . It's been about a year and half since I decideed that I wanted to be a doctor and now I can't fathom myself doing anything else. However, I am worried that I may not be cut out for it. I know my potential but from reading people's post over and over again about great MCAT scores and amazingly high G.P.A's, I feel like now I am kidding myself. Did anyone else out there feel this sort of way when they were first starting out? I am by no means even considering giving anything up but I was wondering if I could get a couple pointers from people on how exactly my pre-med/med school path should go. For example, when in the world do I take the MCATS?! How much do I study? What is the best company to use? What classes should I have under my belt before hand? Or anything else of that nature. Wow I didnt realize I was gonna write this much. 😀.. Hopefully someone out there can help me, I would really appreciate it.

-Michelle

hey I'm a sophomore too and I am with you 100%. SDN can be overwhelming since 99% of people on here are the top pre-meds. I look at their starts too and I'm like should I even apply if this is who I'm up against? (but again keep in mind that this is the top of all the applicants to med school so if we don't have their exact stats dosen't mean we wont get in!) MCATs are usually junior summer, most people take it at the end of their sophomore year and than again at the end of the summer. Med schools take the best of both scores. You pretty much study every day all day all summer from what I have read. Some really good companies are kaplan, princeton review and A LOT of people vouch for examkrackers. Especially to get you though the verbal part of the MCAT which is the hardest for most people. You should have all your pre-reqs done by then (your basic bios and basic chems, organic chems and physics. Also if you can have calc done and english that can't hurt.

Any more question please do ask! I hope this helped!!! and don't stress... we all feel the same way

 

[Wheee]

You're not alone in worrying about that. I'm applying now, I've got a good GPA and MCAT, and I'm still worried I won't make it in. And even if I do get in, I still worry sometimes that I won't be able to adjust to that level of work.

For the MCAT, I didn't take a prep course, because I don't learn well that way. I studied on my own from the Exam Krackers set and the Princeton Review CBT book, and took only 3 AAMC exams (I was too cheap to fork over the $35 for each of the other ones, and fortunately it didn't come back to bite me). Talk to people at your school to find out what test companies even have classes in your area, and how they are. They vary greatly from one site to another. And don't feel pressured to take a course if you don't think it would benefit you, because if you can make yourself stick to a schedule, it's very doable to study on your own. I took mine at the end of May after my junior year, and took a pretty easy courseload the semester I was studying. I still didn't study as much as I should have, but I couldn't imagine studying for the MCAT the same semester I took physiology and p-chem. Make it as easy on yourself to study as possible, don't try to do too much. I found May to be a good time for me because I had 1.5 weeks after classes ended to do hardcore studying, along with the less intense stuff during the year.

Classes before the MCAT...it's said that the MCAT only tests on stuff from introductory courses (gen chem, o-chem, gen bio, and physics). However, there are classes that can definitely be helpful--I'm thinking genetics, physiology, and maybe some more abstract-thinking type classes to help with verbal reasoning, like literature or philosophy or the like.

It sounds like you have your heart set on medicine, which is good, but I'm also going to be a killjoy and say don't say you absolutely can't do anything else. Be pragmatic. They'll probably ask you either on secondaries or at interviews what you'll do if you don't get in, or what job you'd have if you couldn't go into medicine. Research? Teaching? Another health field? I've got a backup that, while it's really not my first choice, I don't think I'd be miserable if I never get into med school.

SDN is full of gunners, but there's also a lot of friendly, helpful people willing to give advice when you ask for it. If you'd like my opinion on anything else (I can't tell you how to get in or anything, since I'm applying now, but I'll do what I can) feel free to PM me.

 

[Jli]

For example, when in the world do I take the MCATS?! How much do I study? What is the best company to use? What classes should I have under my belt before hand? Or anything else of that nature. Wow I didnt realize I was gonna write this much. 😀.. Hopefully someone out there can help me, I would really appreciate it.

-Michelle

This is from my on knowledge, not quite sure but just stating it for you anyway, hope it helps.
-you usually take MCATS during spring of junior year
-Start studying now, sooner the better, keep praticing, everything takes pratice in life anyways, if you keep doing it and doing it you'll be good at it eventually right?
-Best company, im guessing you mean the study book? all of them! Barrons,kaplan,etc if you finish one in month, buy another one and start again, its worth the money.
-Anatomy and physiology, you don't necessarily need it but it helps, warning: it isn't easy.
-Volunteer hospital, build up your EC and resume while your at it.

-Jli

 

[SheLiBeLi55]

wow you guys are freaking awesome.. why cant i meet people so helpful in real life!.. I have a small other question. I will be starting my junior year this january, I decided to wait and take all my upper level sciences and maths till then because I am attending a community college and I dont believe the classes are that rigorous for me to push myself. Anyway, my junior year is next year... so should I take a year off so that I dont rush myself with the MCATS and stuff, because I will only be 4 months into my junior year which isnt enough time to even be close to prepared for MCATS... any thoughts?

 

[mvenus929]

wow you guys are freaking awesome.. why cant i meet people so helpful in real life!.. I have a small other question. I will be starting my junior year this january, I decided to wait and take all my upper level sciences and maths till then because I am attending a community college and I dont believe the classes are that rigorous for me to push myself. Anyway, my junior year is next year... so should I take a year off so that I dont rush myself with the MCATS and stuff, because I will only be 4 months into my junior year which isnt enough time to even be close to prepared for MCATS... any thoughts?

I studied for the MCAT while I was still taking organic chemistry, as well as genetics and human physiology. Of course, I also didn't take gen bio and physics in college, I got AP credit for them. I took the MCAT after 2 full years in college. If you study well for it, you'll be fine. And I'm a self-studier, so I just used the ExamKrackers books and Audio Osmosis, and bought 10 GS tests on ebay.

That being said, if you're not starting your junior year until January, you'll probably want to wait until your senior year to take the MCAT, because you won't graduate until December, and you have to have graduated by matriculation. You can rather easily take it in September during your junior year, though, and be ready to apply to following April in the middle of your senior year.

 

[medstar21]

I would agree with mvenus that if you aren't starting your junior year until january, that it would be best to wait and take it the following fall or so. And if you feel you need more time, you can always push it back to spring. As for courses, like others have said, gen bio, chem, orgo and physics of course, and I would agree that physiology is VERY helpful for the MCAT. I took a course through The Princeton Review, and found it to be very helpful. They take all of the useful stuff you learned in the general classes and put them into a nutshell. The course I took started in january and ended in April. I found this to be a good amount of time.

Just tried to be prepared enough to take it only once... A lot of med schools will look at the best score, but they will see the other one as well, and will probably ask about it come interviews. So the goal is only to take it once and do really well.

Also, the tests are taken at testing centers that have a room full of computers in cubicles. If you are like me, I would try and go see one of these rooms before hand, just so there are no surprises come test-day. The name of the company that puts on the MCAT is prometrics, so see if you can find a testing center to check out.

Best of luck! Its a long and grueling process, but once you get that first acceptance, its worth it!

 

[buffywannabe]

hey I'm a sophomore too and I am with you 100%. SDN can be overwhelming since 99% of people on here are the top pre-meds. I look at their starts too and I'm like should I even apply if this is who I'm up against? (but again keep in mind that this is the top of all the applicants to med school so if we don't have their exact stats dosen't mean we wont get in!) MCATs are usually junior summer, most people take it at the end of their sophomore year and than again at the end of the summer. Med schools take the best of both scores. You pretty much study every day all day all summer from what I have read. Some really good companies are kaplan, princeton review and A LOT of people vouch for examkrackers. Especially to get you though the verbal part of the MCAT which is the hardest for most people. You should have all your pre-reqs done by then (your basic bios and basic chems, organic chems and physics. Also if you can have calc done and english that can't hurt.

Any more question please do ask! I hope this helped!!! and don't stress... we all feel the same way

You said you are a sophomore. You are applying to medical school already????

 

[rockaction]

Rule #1: It's MCAT, not MCATS

 

[ninetynine]

I spent most of my freshman year freaking out about this topic and feeling like a loser. I definitely know what you mean... you can improve!

 

[jryan21]

Good thing I found this thread! I'm a sophomore too and will also start my junior year this January! I'm actually going to ask the same questions that you asked. Hahaha!

Though I'm not the thread starter, I really want to thank you guys for the advice! It's really helpful especially to the people like me who are extremely overwhelmed by all of this stuff!

 

[slowbutsteady]

wow you guys are freaking awesome.. why cant i meet people so helpful in real life!.. I have a small other question. I will be starting my junior year this january, I decided to wait and take all my upper level sciences and maths till then because I am attending a community college and I dont believe the classes are that rigorous for me to push myself. Anyway, my junior year is next year... so should I take a year off so that I dont rush myself with the MCATS and stuff, because I will only be 4 months into my junior year which isnt enough time to even be close to prepared for MCATS... any thoughts?

Taking the MCAT spring of your senior year and taking the year off while applying is a great option if you are open to taking it a bit slower. You will have more time to do clinical and research activities which are very important to your app. and you will have finished all the prereqs.

junior and senior year grades are very imp for your GPA and you don't want to be distracted my MCAT studying, though obvi there is overlap.

I am a big fan of taking one or even 2 years off before med school. no one ever regrets doing so.

 

[Premed Worrier]

wow you guys are freaking awesome.. why cant i meet people so helpful in real life!.. I have a small other question. I will be starting my junior year this january, I decided to wait and take all my upper level sciences and maths till then because I am attending a community college and I dont believe the classes are that rigorous for me to push myself. Anyway, my junior year is next year... so should I take a year off so that I dont rush myself with the MCATS and stuff, because I will only be 4 months into my junior year which isnt enough time to even be close to prepared for MCATS... any thoughts?

I second the motion of taking your MCAT the summer of your 'junior' year as long as you have taken the prereqs. This gives you ample time to retake the test if you need to and also to have a super early application in.
As far as other things go, one of the best pieces of advice I ever received was to take classes in college that you enjoy (besides the prereqs.) as you will do better and get more out of them. Don't worry about what everyone else is doing. Also, as was mentioned you should start your volunteering, clinical time, research, shadowing, etc. You want to do these things long enough to get something out of them besides a LOR. Also, take all advice on here, including mine, with a grain of salt as we don't know much more about anything than you do. But you should be able to tell the good from the bad. Good Luck

 

[SheLiBeLi55]

Taking the MCAT spring of your senior year and taking the year off while applying is a great option if you are open to taking it a bit slower. You will have more time to do clinical and research activities which are very important to your app. and you will have finished all the prereqs.

junior and senior year grades are very imp for your GPA and you don't want to be distracted my MCAT studying, though obvi there is overlap.

I am a big fan of taking one or even 2 years off before med school. no one ever regrets doing so.

To be quite honest, I was hoping that I could find an alternative to having to take a year off because you know, I'm one of those types who thinks "Ill be 24 starting my first year! ah!"... 😀... but then again I dont wanna be irrational and mess up my chances. I have accepted that taking a year off might be the best option for me because then Ill have a chance to live a little and of course study a lot more. So I will probably most likely go with that option.. Thanx so much for you help!

 

[longhorn09]

Buddies, don't let all the overachievers here in sdn scare your butts off. 🙂

 

[Hextra]

If you're willing to shell out a few bucks for a book with some useful information, try http://www.amazon.com/Med-School-Confidential-Complete-Experience/dp/0312330081

I received it as a gift a couple of years ago and it's almost like a small instruction manual. It takes you from thinking about becoming a doctor to applying to a residency position and beyond, and there's even a section for your significant other, should this apply to you. I wouldn't call it an all-encompassing resource for starting this journey, but I would call it a solid foundation on which to build your knowledge to prepare for the tough future ahead.

There's no doubt you can pull a load of information from this forum if you're patient enough to wade through the nonsense and do a little background research on the topics being discussed. The search function is your friend! I wish you the best of luck.

As everyone will tell you, study hard for the MCAT--getting a good score will save you a boatload of stress in the future!