Spending Sophomore year summer taking summer class vs studying for MCAT

[deleted421268]

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Say one is in a situation where they have to take summer class to graduate on time and everything. Is it possible to prep for MCAT while taking summer classes. I doubt it. Should one take summer class or stay home and study for MCAT that summer in order to take MCAT sometime 3rd year to be ready to apply summer of end of 3rd year?

 

[NotAnotherPreMed]

Well it does depend on when the summer class is and how hard it would be. I wouldn't recommend lets say..taking orgo over the summer a month before the MCAT..but lets say you're taking the MCAT around the end of August- it would be ok to take a summer class in June as long as it didn't take up too much time I feel. I did something like that and had enough time to study for the MCAT.

 

[deleted421268]

Well it does depend on when the summer class is and how hard it would be. I wouldn't recommend lets say..taking orgo over the summer a month before the MCAT..but lets say you're taking the MCAT around the end of August- it would be ok to take a summer class in June as long as it didn't take up too much time I feel. I did something like that and had enough time to study for the MCAT.

My plan was to take Orgo 1 and 2 lecture and lab over the summer. first series is six week and second series is six weeks. It would be from end of April to Beginning of August.

 

[NotAnotherPreMed]

Hmph then I don't think I would recommend it unless you're freakishly smart and can manage orgo without studying much. Also orgo is actually on the MCAT and learning the material for the first time so close to the date of the exam might not be the best idea. I took the MCAT end summer after sophomore year since I'd already completed the pre-reqs and it made sense to finish off the work there and have junior summer free for internships/taking the MCAT again if required.

 

[deleted421268]

Hmph then I don't think I would recommend it unless you're freakishly smart and can manage orgo without studying much. Also orgo is actually on the MCAT and learning the material for the first time so close to the date of the exam might not be the best idea. I took the MCAT end summer after sophomore year since I'd already completed the pre-reqs and it made sense to finish off the work there and have junior summer free for internships/taking the MCAT again if required.

Than when do you recommend me studying for mcat and taking it? Studying for MCAT summer of Junior year and taking it sometime in fall or spring after that?

 

[bee17]

Why not study during spring semester of junior year and take the MCAT in May? You could take orgo over the summer, biochem in the fall, and have a lighter schedule while studying in the spring. Then you could apply the summer after junior year.

 

[deleted421268]

Why not study during spring semester of junior year and take the MCAT in May? You could take orgo over the summer, biochem in the fall, and have a lighter schedule while studying in the spring. Then you could apply the summer after junior year.

An option to consider

 

[Citygirl44]

orgo is on the MCAT. Should try to take it beforehand.

 

[Bermie]

I took orgo 1 and 2 the summer between sophomore and junior year. Then biochem fall of junior year so I could take the MCAT April of my junior year and apply after my junior year. It all went well and I had plenty of time to study for the MCAT during the winter and during spring break. I ultimately ended up taking a gap year for unrelated reasons. This path works well for those that come to the game late and don't take gen chem until sophomore year and still want to apply without a gap year. Orgo over the summer was actually pretty fun I thought. We had basically unlimited time for labs so nothing was rushed and we didn't have to worry about other classes. Just my experience. I would suggest you hold off on the MCAT til the winter or spring of junior year.

 

[Citygirl44]

I took the MCAT May of junior year. Took physics 1 and2 with lab in summer school between sophomore and junior year.

 

[deleted393595]

Say one is in a situation where they have to take summer class to graduate on time and everything. Is it possible to prep for MCAT while taking summer classes. I doubt it. Should one take summer class or stay home and study for MCAT that summer in order to take MCAT sometime 3rd year to be ready to apply summer of end of 3rd year?

Take no classes, and study for the MCAT. I did that and scored a 37+ on my MCAT.

 

[deleted421268]

Take no classes, and study for the MCAT. I did that and scored a 37+ on my MCAT.

Ya but isn't orgo and taking it important? Unless you think I cam study the concepts from books without having taken all pre reqs.

 

[deleted393595]

Ya but isn't orgo and taking it important? Unless you think I cam study the concepts from books without having taken all pre reqs.

Whoops. Didn't see that you need to take Orgo 1 + 2. Take it over this summer, but also do consider taking a gap year so you can use the next summer to study for your MCAT. Remember that the most important metrics at any school is your MCAT. It must be your first priority before anything else - even if that means the cost of a year

 

[dreamadream]

Taking summer classes every summer until I graduate...taking the MCAT in the beginning of 2017.

 

[deleted421268]

Whoops. Didn't see that you need to take Orgo 1 + 2. Take it over this summer, but also do consider taking a gap year so you can use the next summer to study for your MCAT. Remember that the most important metrics at any school is your MCAT. It must be your first priority before anything else - even if that means the cost of a year

Gap year meaning? Not too familiar with what gap year means?

 

[dreamadream]

Gap year meaning? Not too familiar with what gap year means?

Taking a year off after college to gain experience through clinical, volunteer, research and study abroad experiences.

 

[deleted393595]

Ya but isn't orgo and taking it important? Unless you think I cam study the concepts from books without having taken all pre reqs.

If you have any questions, feel free to PM me (since there's some stuff I don't wish to reveal in public)