Study for MCAT and Take Classes????

[SoulinNeed]

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Hey guys, I just had a few questions. I was originally planning on taking Orgo I and Physics II this summer. Unfortunately, I got the schedules for the classes today, and I think that might have been a bad idea. The Orgo class is 6 weeks, and the Physics II class is 4 (after Orgo 1), and it comes out to like four chapters a week, and I think my grades might suffer, as a result. I planned this, because then I could take Orgo II in the fall (along with another upper Bio class), and then have December to May to do nothing but study for the MCAT (I want to take the MCAT in May).

I'm thinking about changing things and just take Orgo I and Physics II in the Fall together, and then Orgo II and an upper Bio class together in the Spring semester, along with studying for the MCAT.

Do you guys think this is a good idea, or should I stick with what I had in mind originally. Do people normally study for the MCAT, while they are taking classes? Thanks for any help.

 

[bfarn30]

There is a WEALTH of information on this very topic. Just look around at some of the older threads.

Do what you're comfortable with.

Or, you could always take the classes, then study for the MCAT over the summer and take a year off (or apply late in the cycle). That way neither one will suffer. Go do something fun in your year off. Go on a missions trip...travel Europe...learn to surf...gain some perspective on the life you are heading into.

But certainly search around for the answer to your question on one of the MANY SDN threads that cover this question.

 

[SoulinNeed]

I'm already taking a year off, lol.

 

[grt398]

It'll depend on how tough your classes are, but for whatever it's worth, I did Orgo II and Bio II this semester, while attempting to study for the MCAT, and I've ended up delaying my MCAT from 5/21 to 6/16 and I'm still worried I won't be prepared. I also work full time so that was difficult as well. It might be doable if you weren't working.

 

[bfarn30]

I'm already taking a year off, lol.

Well, shoot, take another!

 

[Chrisebril1]

It'll depend on how tough your classes are, but for whatever it's worth, I did Orgo II and Bio II this semester, while attempting to study for the MCAT, and I've ended up delaying my MCAT from 5/21 to 6/16 and I'm still worried I won't be prepared. I also work full time so that was difficult as well. It might be doable if you weren't working.

Same boat here, kind of.... mine comes with a twist. Took several advance courses while teaching Anatomy. Defiantly overextended myself. Incapable of just giving up on my classes. Several days, sometimes entire weeks, I had to put away MCAT studying to prepare for exams. Got really rough towards the end. Constantly making tests, studying for tests or taking tests. Got really delayed. I caught up on the material but did not prepare as much as I wanted to. Defiantly don't feel prepare. Tried to reschedule... in Florida, there are no seats. Didn't see a seat available till August anywhere reasonable in Florida. Power study mode right now, not looking good through. Number of seats is really getting to me though. Rescheduling wasn't/isn't even an option. Anyway.... exam is in 5 days.

 

[KaplanSam]

Great question, and I totally agree with bfarn30 in that it's important to dedicate the correct time to both the MCAT and the pre-med pre-requisites. You want your GPA to be high and you want to know the content of the MCAT (o-chem isn't that highly tested, but you should be comfortable enough with it to do well on the Bio Science section).

You're already taking a year off, which is great, but it wouldn't hurt to take another one too. More and more medical schools are looking for maturity and wide-ranging experiences. When you're 45 and a practicing physician the two years you took off not only will not be a bad thing but you'll probably be wishing that you took another year or two off as well.

You can always study for the MCAT and take classes and push back the MCAT accordingly as needed. Just remember that the MCAT score (one 5-6 hour test) is as important to medical schools as your GPA (about 4 years of effort) so don't skimp on the MCAT at the expense of the classes. 😀

 

[Ismet]

Hey guys, I just had a few questions. I was originally planning on taking Orgo I and Physics II this summer. Unfortunately, I got the schedules for the classes today, and I think that might have been a bad idea. The Orgo class is 6 weeks, and the Physics II class is 4 (after Orgo 1), and it comes out to like four chapters a week, and I think my grades might suffer, as a result. I planned this, because then I could take Orgo II in the fall (along with another upper Bio class), and then have December to May to do nothing but study for the MCAT (I want to take the MCAT in May).

I'm thinking about changing things and just take Orgo I and Physics II in the Fall together, and then Orgo II and an upper Bio class together in the Spring semester, along with studying for the MCAT.

Do you guys think this is a good idea, or should I stick with what I had in mind originally. Do people normally study for the MCAT, while they are taking classes? Thanks for any help.

What else are you doing this summer besides taking those classes? Are you working? If not, four chapters a week isn't horrible when you have nothing else to do. My friend took both Bio 1 and Bio 2 over one summer. Yes, it was tedious, but she did well because the only other thing she had to focus on was a part time job. Keep in mind that in med school, at least at the one I know inside and out, you'll be learning the entire anatomy of the human body, all the ligaments, nerves, muscles, etc in less than 7 weeks, and you have other classes and clinicals on top of that! Think of it as practice 🙂

If I were in your position, I'd stick with the summer plan, take orgo II in the fall, and then you can devote the spring to review. I finished all my pre-reqs sophomore year, then junior year I took physiology, neuroscience, and biochemistry, which help on the MCAT IMMENSELY, so if you have a chance to throw one of those in during the spring, definitely do it.

Orgo II is quite hard, and you don't want to be battling through it while learning/reviewing for the MCAT. But that's just my 2 cents. Both of your options are very feasible, and even taking another year off to travel (highly recommended) or volunteer won't be horrible.

 

[SoulinNeed]

Well, I decided to drop it. I just didn't think (and the prof agreed) that I would be able to learn this stuff well in 6 weeks at the rate he was proposing. A lot of people I know did classes and studied for the MCAT (it's the norm for people in college, afaik). It'll be tough taking Orgo II and an upper level bio course in the spring, but that's all the classes I'll be doing, and I won't be working.

I'm thinking about taking a prep course too, to really concentrate my studying habits, and follow a structure. I want to get into a DO school, and hopefully I'll get the 27-30 needed for it.