Taking Biochemistry WHILE studying for the MCAT.

[tommyhillfigger4]

By the end of this upcoming spring semester, I will have all pre-reqs completed except for Biochemistry. I want to take Biochemistry during this upcoming 12 week summer semester. I was wondering if it would be a bad idea to study for the MCAT while taking Biochemistry. Keep in mind, Biochemistry will be the ONLY class I will be taking and my other commitments will be kept to a minimum in order to yield the most time for studying.

My spring semester ends on April 29 and my planned test date is August 29. This gives me about 4 months to study for the MCAT. I was planning on doing content review for every other subject and then by the time I get to content review for Biochemistry, I will likely be done with the class and I will have about a month to grind full lengths and such.

Why am I doing this? If I don't take this route, I will have to be studying for the MCAT while balancing a full course load and several extracurricular commitment like research, volunteering, and clubs. Also, the pre-req courses will have been gone from my memory for ~9 months by then. If I study during the summer, not only do I get more time and less stress, but the content will be fairly fresh in my mind. My planned application cycle is 2021.

I am welcoming any sort of criticism or any other ideas. Thank you!

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[thespitfire]

You will know everything you need to know by the time you finish the course and take the MCAT. The advantage is that your Biochem knowledge will be fresh, and it's extensively tested on the MCAT. I did this and scored in the 99th percentile. I also don't recommend studying for the MCAT in parallel with maintaining other major commitments. Good luck!

 

[tommyhillfigger4]

You will know everything you need to know by the time you finish the course and take the MCAT. The advantage is that your Biochem knowledge will be fresh, and it's extensively tested on the MCAT. I did this and scored in the 99th percentile. I also don't recommend studying for the MCAT in parallel with maintaining other major commitments. Good luck!

So you're saying that my plan, which is studying for the MCAT and taking Biochemistry simultaneously, is a good idea? If so, thank you for the input.

 

[thespitfire]

So you're saying that my plan, which is studying for the MCAT and taking Biochemistry simultaneously, is a good idea? If so, thank you for the input.

Yup!

 

[tommyhillfigger4]

Yup!

Ah ok, thank you!

 

[jamaica jan sun princess]

Shouldn't be a problem. I'm studying for the MCAT while taking graduate level biochemistry I(in addition to some other courses).

 

[Shadowkeep]

Did the same and scored 100th percentile. I wouldn't sweat it.

 

[tommyhillfigger4]

Studying Biochemistry while also concurrently studying for the MCAT. What a foreign concept that no one has ever done before /s

You will be fine. 90%+ of people who take the MCAT have similar if not more responsibilities than you.

I meant taking the class, Biochemistry, for the first time while studying for the MCAT. Sorry for the confusion. Unless that’s what you meant

 

[tommyhillfigger4]

Did the same and scored 100th percentile. I wouldn't sweat it.

Did you find content review for biochemistry to be very brief/easy since you were taking the course at the time?

 

[Shadowkeep]

Did you find content review for biochemistry to be very brief/easy since you were taking the course at the time?

Yes, tbh most premed class goes deeper into the material than the MCAT requires. My biochem studying outside of class was non-existent.