study for MCAT in freshman year??

[wblack]

Because my pre-med adviser suggests we start studying for MCAT now as freshmans.

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[almo88]

No way! I would say to start 6 months before you plan to take it! If you start studying now, you wont remember anything in 2+ years. In my opinion, it's a waste of time. But, if you're up to it, go for it! There's no way I could spend 2-3 years studying for 1 test. Sorry. I would end up forgetting a LOAD of crap!

 

[Rotinaj]

Disclaimer: I'm a freshman in college right now, so I'm no expert. My opinion however is this:

The MCAT will require a lot of general knowledge you pick up from your pre-med courses. Studying before you've been introduced to a lot of the information would take more time than it's worth. Assuming you've got a four-year college plan, you should have your highest level courses (Organic Chem2 and Physics 2) done by the fall of your Junior Year. If you get it done by your Sophomore year, it'll afford you a lot more time to study so you can really get an edge. Take a lighter semester for that Spring so you can reserve about an hour or two (whatever works for you) a night to study for the MCAT. Make sure you study a little each day and not all at once. The April of your Junior year is about when you'll be taking your MCAT. Once you get your results in, you should begin applying to schools as soon as possible.

That's pretty much a compedium of the advice I've recieved so far. Your pre-med advisor has probably never taken an MCAT in his life if he thinks you should start studying 3 years in advance. 1 year to 6 months is the general consensus.

 

[Instatewaiter]

Because my pre-med adviser suggests we start studying for MCAT now as freshmans.

Don't start studying now. You will just stress yourself out and waste your time. Don't even bother keeping much from your pre-rec classes. The depth of the MCAT is going to be nowhere near the depth of your pre-rec classes.

Relax and do well in your pre-recs. When it gets time to study for the MCAT, buy the books or take a prep course (I took Kaplan and it worked out for me). They will provide you with all the information that you need to know.

I took it in the spring of my 3rd year (junior) which seems to be pretty standard. I began studying in January but didnt really get into gear until Febuary.

 

[Blade28]

I took it early, summer after sophomore year. I wouldn't advise starting to study any earlier than 4-8 months before.

 

[bkmonkey]

for all you freshmen out there...

spend some time enjoying college!!!

you have plenty of time to study for your MCAT's later on!!!

Right now is the time to start meeting some professors for future LOR's and beginning volunteer work.

 

[wblack]

Also, what i meant to say was should you buy a mcat book from bookstore and review things as you go along your courses. Meaning, when you take biology, review the biology section as you go along, chemistry - review chemistry section, and so on...

 

[RoadRunner17]

Relax, focus on your pre-requisite courses (Chem, Physics, Bio and Orgo) and make sure you do well in those classes. Doing well in those classes will help you when you begin studying for the MCAT later on.

 

[RaVen777]

NO! sheesh. the classes you will be taking for the next 2 years will be preparing you for the MCAT anyways.

depending on who you are, study 6-2 months before the test.

 

[meowkat444]

good lord, how do you even know you want to go to med school for sure? definitely wait.

 

[thecalccobra]

I am a high school senior and I was just wondering whether I should start studying bio and chem right now because I took AP Bio last year and slacked off so didn't learn much...haven't taken AP Chem so not really good at chem....or should I just wait till I take these classes in college and hardcore learn them then?

 

[Isoprop]

my suggestion to "start" early is to rock your prereq classes. seriously, this is the best thing you can do. don't just get A's, strive to really really understand the material. don't just try to memorize formulas, understand the dynamics of what's going on.

oh, and start reading. 🙂

 

[ChubbyChaser]

Find a new advisor, and have your current one admitted to a psych ward.

 

[Food]

just wait till college...it'll probably kick your ass anyway, so just brace for impact. Just kidding, just be ready to put in some serious time for bio, though. I thought chem was pretty easy, but then again, i had AP chem and am a chem major...

either way, better to relax a bit now, and pwn in feshman year...(unlike me...)

 

[calvin1987]

those who suggested that it would be wise to enjoy college life, what about if u have some spare time after studing? what if you are a bookworm and like to read a lot? what would be your suggestions on that?

i usually take time off for reading off topic subjects, and the university library has some books about medicine and the health care related topics, should i stay away from those books or read them all?? i'm currently reading "medical thinking" "complication...surgery a imperfect science" and a recent study outlining the psychological aspects of medical school students during the 80's. it's really interesting and i enjoy reading about history of modern medicine and the books on medical ethics...

there are also some books about human physiology, immunology, endocrinology, anatomy epidermology and medical ethics along with some examcracker MCAT prep books...do u guys recommend reading those during spare time or just not touching on the subjects relating to medical until before the test?

 

[halekulani]

while books regarding healthcare like complications can be entertaining, you're better off reading stuff from the economist or something (which can also be entertaining)

 

[bkmonkey]

those who suggested that it would be wise to enjoy college life, what about if u have some spare time after studing? what if you are a bookworm and like to read a lot? what would be your suggestions on that?

i usually take time off for reading off topic subjects, and the university library has some books about medicine and the health care related topics, should i stay away from those books or read them all?? i'm currently reading "medical thinking" "complication...surgery a imperfect science" and a recent study outlining the psychological aspects of medical school students during the 80's. it's really interesting and i enjoy reading about history of modern medicine and the books on medical ethics...

there are also some books about human physiology, immunology, endocrinology, anatomy epidermology and medical ethics along with some examcracker MCAT prep books...do u guys recommend reading those during spare time or just not touching on the subjects relating to medical until before the test?

Then get a girlfriend or boyfriend...or perhaps learn to knit...

 

[acurax]

As someone already suggested, go get review books to go along with your courses. Use them to supplement your studying and to get a feel for what and how the MCAT will test you.

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