Taking MCAT Early ?? Need Help

[spencer]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I have to take Biology of Organisms, Physics 2, and Orgo 2. One of these classes I won't be taking until fall 2011 but I plan to take the MCAT around Sept. Which of these classes would be the least important for taking the test?

I realize many people say don't get in a hurry and just take them all before but since it doesn't count against me, I might as well give it a shot and get an application in next year. I don't see how it would hurt.

Any opinions very appreciated.

Thanks,

 

[DirtyJustice]

I would recommend not doing this. I would sugest the Orgo if you are going to though. There weren't too many questions on my test that had Orgo.

 

[apumic]

I wouldn't say it "won't count against you."
One strong score >> a poor score & a good score. You don't want to place yourself at a disadvantage on a test where the 75th percentile (much less the 50th) is hardly competitive. Just a poor idea all around. Also, while ochem maybe the least represented, it's questions may be the deciding factor in many cases on a weak or strong (relative to other applicants) score.

 

[PiBond]

You don't really need Organic 2 as much on the MCAT. With that said, when you review make sure you know lab techniques backwards and forwards. These are a favorite of AAMC

 

[MilkmanAl]

Hmmm...if you've had the first organic, learning the critical parts of Organic 2 shouldn't be terribly hard. I agree that your plan is a bad one, though. You're essentially going to end up with an October application which means that you're going to have to submit all your stuff ahead of time and pay the money to do so. In other words, you're applying blind. Never smart. You'll also be applying very late. That is also not smart. MCAT without all the tested classes? Smart-free.

If at any point you use the words "might as well" regarding your application, you should take a step back and seriously evaluate what you're wanting to do. A bad, late MCAT score will cost you a year, hundreds of dollars, and the reapplicant tag. The last one means you cost yourself more time over that year improving your application which may have been fine in the first place. You're taking a huge gamble by applying that late without a score. I highly recommend taking all the classes you need and waiting until the next spring to take the MCAT.

 

[spencer]

Clearly there is a stong concensus here...
please help me understand this.

Albeit it a weak application, for reasons mentioned above such as late in the year and applying blind. How does a low Mcat in 2010 affect a 2011 application? From my position, getting an app in is better than not, hence the "might as well" philosophy. I'm sure I have a lot to learn (which is why I bring this question here) but I wonder what I have to lose besides the cost/time of the application process and potentially being tagged a re-applicant the next year. The ladder of which I see no other penalty besides to my pride, considering I plan to apply only to state schools in my area.

Thoughts?

 

[Tatastrophy]

I concur with the Orgo II being least important...I took my MCAT on April 24th and there were maybe 5 questions on it....what a waste of my life!

 

[MilkmanAl]

How does a low Mcat in 2010 affect a 2011 application?

It shows that you screwed up once and had to give it another shot to get it right. You want the MCAT to be a one-and-done endeavor.

From my position, getting an app in is better than not, hence the "might as well" philosophy.

Again, you want to do it right the first time. Schools will expect a substantial improvement in your subsequent application, and that does not mean only a better MCAT score. You'll need more experience, and you'll have to rewrite your personal statement. It would also be prudent to get a new rec letter or two. Reapplication is a ton of work that you wouldn't have to do if you just apply properly the first time.

 

[RogueUnicorn]

dumb plan.

 

[spencer]

dumb plan.

Thanks for the constructive advice...👍

It was mentioned earlier that this is something we want to get right the first time. But how much do admissions committees really look at Mcat scores from previous years?

 

[mgirl21]

Clearly there is a stong concensus here...
please help me understand this.

Albeit it a weak application, for reasons mentioned above such as late in the year and applying blind. How does a low Mcat in 2010 affect a 2011 application? From my position, getting an app in is better than not, hence the "might as well" philosophy. I'm sure I have a lot to learn (which is why I bring this question here) but I wonder what I have to lose besides the cost/time of the application process and potentially being tagged a re-applicant the next year. The ladder of which I see no other penalty besides to my pride, considering I plan to apply only to state schools in my area.

Thoughts?

Are you saying you're going to take the MCAT in Sept of 2010 and then send your app the following summer/fall of 2011 for 2012 matricualation? Because that negates the late application argument. Still not terribly smart to go in w/out having all the classes under your belt but if you're determined, O-chem II is definitely the one I would pick to not have.

 

[spencer]

Are you saying you're going to take the MCAT in Sept of 2010 and then send your app the following summer/fall of 2011 for 2012 matricualation? Because that negates the late application argument.

Good question - I should have better explained. I plan to take the Mcat in Sept '10 in order to get an app in before the Oct 15th deadline. Thus making it possible to save a year and enter school Fall '11. Otherwise I would not be applying until July '11 and entering school Aug '12.

 

[mgirl21]

Good question - I should have better explained. I plan to take the Mcat in Sept '10 in order to get an app in before the Oct 15th deadline. Thus making it possible to save a year and enter school Fall '11. Otherwise I would not be applying until July '11 and entering school Aug '12.

ok sorry I was confused from your first post you said you wouldn't take one of the classes until fall of 2011. since you clarified, i also wouldn't recommend doing what you're suggesting, just because it makes your application SO late and you don't know what your MCAT score will be.

the big deal with your 'why not' attitude is, if you don't get in, the adcoms will expect some sort of big change for the better in your re-application aside from your MCAT. if your MCAT is the only thing that's bad in an otherwise good application, you're only hurting yourself and making your life harder for the next cycle.

EDIT: I realize Al said basically the exact same thing I did but I wasn't sure you understood what he was saying. the bigger deal isn't re-taking the MCAT, it's the reapplication.

 

[dru2002]

Thanks for the constructive advice...👍

It was mentioned earlier that this is something we want to get right the first time. But how much do admissions committees really look at Mcat scores from previous years?

Depends on the school. Some take the average, others take the highest from each section, others take the highest, others take the most recent. So if you take the MCAT without the prereqs and do poorly you will need to do your research to see which schools will be friendly to your previous MCAT.

Saving a year isn't worth the risk of having to be a reapp. If you are really hell bent on applying next year. It is advisable to take a June or July MCAT so you can wait for results before you apply. That way if the MCAT doesn't go your way you don't have deal with being a reapplicant on top of it.

And as the others have said OChem II is def the one not to take in your scenario. But, make sure you really know ochem lab techniques because they test it quite often, as already mentioned.

Good luck and if you can't tell I share Bleargh's sentiments.

 

[spencer]

EDIT: I realize Al said basically the exact same thing I did but I wasn't sure you understood what he was saying. the bigger deal isn't re-taking the MCAT, it's the reapplication.

It seems like the big risk here is the reapplication process. Which I guess I was under the impression that if that the only thing I am putting at risk is possibly getting a poor first score. Is this possiblity so bad that I would forfeit an opportunity to get in an entire year early? I'm sure i can't be the only person who has been in this situation but I haven't heard from anyone that has capitalized on it. That in itself maybe the sign I'm looking for.

Still... I feel like a poor score on a late app at the end of next year could be overcome with a strong score in the spring? Nobody has positive reviews of this?

 

[mgirl21]

If you're really confident about getting a decent score then go for it, but none of us can tell you how you're going to do. In all honesty, I sucked it up in Ochem II cause I didn't try and I still did fine on the MCAT. As long as you do a lot of prep for it you'll probably be okay, but I agree with the other poster that it would be smarter to take it in June or July, just because that would make your app earlier anyways and that always helps. Seriously though, you want to avoid being a reapplicant if at all possible.

I'm pretty sure none of us will tell you what you're planning is a good idea but best of luck no matter what you decide!

 

[spencer]

"I recommend finishing core general biology, organic chemistry and physics courses before taking the MCAT. Additional biology can be helpful, but isn't necessary. Often, the biggest challenge is remembering what you learned in earlier courses."

This quote above is taken from my school of choice's pre-med website. They recommend taking the Mcat at the end of your sophmore year and retaking if you don't do well.

 

[dru2002]

"I recommend finishing core general biology, organic chemistry and physics courses before taking the MCAT. Additional biology can be helpful, but isn't necessary. Often, the biggest challenge is remembering what you learned in earlier courses."

This quote above is taken from my school of choice's pre-med website. They recommend taking the Mcat at the end of your sophmore year and retaking if you don't do well.

I'm confused. The quote agrees with what we are saying. Complete Prereqs take MCAT. Am I missing something?

 

[txprodigal]

you should take bio I/II, chem I/II, ochem I/II, physics I/II, and all accompanying labs before you take the mcat.

i had no choice but to take it before ochem II and biology lab. a lot of people on here say it's fine because they didn't get that much ochem on their BS section, but my BS section was 1/2 ochem II and had a lot of stuff i'm learning in biology lab now - my BS section score suffered accordingly.

you should take all those courses if you want the best chance at getting a high score.