The 5/27/2010 MCAT club!

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KatieRedBull

KatieRedBull

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Hey guys! I don't know if a thread has already been started for the 5/27 MCAT, though I'm pretty sure it hasn't. In any case, I'm popping my thread starting cherry with this one so hopefully I'm doing it right 🙂
I know it's still 5.5 months away, but it's never to early for anything med school related, right? 😀
 
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Isoprop said:
good luck
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IndianVercetti said:
lol, I'm not taking this date, but that made me laugh - good luck! 👍
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Thanks! 🙂 I got a 34R previously, but there's a very good chance that I'll be reapplying so I figured I might as well re-take the test and bring my application up a bit more. I hadn't taken orgo prior to my first test, so now that I've actually taken orgo I and will have finished orgo II by May, I think I stand a good chance of raising my score.
Also, I really just want to retake - I really enjoyed studying for the MCAT, and am excited to start again, can you say neurotic? lol 😀
 
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KatieRedBull said:
Thanks! 🙂 I got a 34R previously, but there's a very good chance that I'll be reapplying so I figured I might as well re-take the test and bring my application up a bit more. I hadn't taken orgo prior to my first test, so now that I've actually taken orgo I and will have finished orgo II by May, I think I stand a good chance of raising my score.
Also, I really just want to retake - I really enjoyed studying for the MCAT, and am excited to start again, can you say neurotic? lol 😀
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WHAT? why would you retake with a 34R? 😱 You sure it isn't some other aspect of your application that was your weakness?

But, I guess it's your call, so go for it!
 
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Unless it's about to expire or you scored <8 on a single section, I wouldn't retake a 34.
 
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IndianVercetti said:
WHAT? why would you retake with a 34R? 😱 You sure it isn't some other aspect of your application that was your weakness?

But, I guess it's your call, so go for it!
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Isoprop said:
Unless it's about to expire or you scored <8 on a single section, I wouldn't retake a 34.
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I want to retake it, therefore I'm retaking it. I know that I can do a lot better, so why not? Several people that I've spoken to, who are involved in the admissions process in various way, have said that although it's really not necessary to retake, I can if I want to. As for my application, yes of course it was a different aspect of my app which prevented me from being admitted. However, that "aspect" is something from my past and which I can do nothing about, so I'm taking this year to amp up my app more and squeeze into admission. I'm also lacking research and clinical experience which I'm guessing heavily affected me, so I'm starting that in a few weeks.
Anyhoo, I felt that I needed to address that since you guys mentioned it *but* I really don't want to hijack this thread :luck: I'm starting MCAT prep Dec 18 and whenever anyone else begins to prep as well, I'd love to use the thread for helpful tips and motivation 🙂
 
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KatieRedBull said:
Thanks! 🙂 I got a 34R previously, but there's a very good chance that I'll be reapplying so I figured I might as well re-take the test and bring my application up a bit more. I hadn't taken orgo prior to my first test, so now that I've actually taken orgo I and will have finished orgo II by May, I think I stand a good chance of raising my score.
Also, I really just want to retake - I really enjoyed studying for the MCAT, and am excited to start again, can you say neurotic? lol 😀
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Screw you for messing up the curve! I'm taking it 5/27... but seriously why put yourself through it lol
 
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JP2740 said:
Screw you for messing up the curve! I'm taking it 5/27... but seriously why put yourself through it lol
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lol sorry! 🙂

Because if a 34 didn't get me in once, why would I expect it to get me in the second time? Granted, I'll have research and clinical exp. this time around but still, I don't want to take any chances. I have extenuating circumstances where I need all the "oomph" I can get to get admission people to look past some stuff on my app, so I figured if I increase my score it can only help. 🙂
Aside from that, I actually enjoyed the MCAT and can't wait for finals to end so I can start studying for it again .. it's weird, I know lol

I'm not sure what to do though, I'm using Kaplan again but I'm considering supplementing it with Princeton Review or Examcrackers but I don't know which one is better 🙁 I don't take classes, so I'd prefer something that allows the best at-home studying. Any advice would be much appreciated! 😀
 
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SN2ed said:
Your 34 isn't what's holding you back; retaking a 34 and not doing significantly better (+3), will.
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Yes, I think it's already been established that my 34 isn't what's holding me back. Obviously if I'm retaking I'm expecting to do more than 3 points better. I did not know orgo prior to my last test and half of my BS was orgo. I have since then learned orgo, so just that in-and-of-itself will raise my score several points. Add to that 5 months of studying and I think I'll be fine.

Can we let this go now? I don't understand why I need to be defending my choice of retaking, I feel as if people are offended/bothered by this and I don't understand why. I appreciate the concern, but I know what I'm doing. I consulted people somewhat more knowledgeable about this decision (as you can see in my previous post) and I'm ok with this choice, and that's all that really matters.
 
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People are bothered because some people take this exam 3 times and can't hit the mid 20's. You have a more than competitive score... one that people would kill for. And now you want to waste 5 months of your life just to do a few points better. You don't have to defend yourself, go for it I hope you get a 45 but it's like the kid who has a 100% in a class and can drop the last exam but studies more than everyone else to get another 100 (ok maybe this is a bad example). It's almost like, hey you gotta have fun or relax at some point in your life, right? Oh well maybe not 👍

I'm done with this now, good luck to everyone taking it.
 
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KatieRedBull said:
lol sorry! 🙂

Because if a 34 didn't get me in once, why would I expect it to get me in the second time? Granted, I'll have research and clinical exp. this time around but still, I don't want to take any chances. I have extenuating circumstances where I need all the "oomph" I can get to get admission people to look past some stuff on my app, so I figured if I increase my score it can only help. 🙂
Aside from that, I actually enjoyed the MCAT and can't wait for finals to end so I can start studying for it again .. it's weird, I know lol

I'm not sure what to do though, I'm using Kaplan again but I'm considering supplementing it with Princeton Review or Examcrackers but I don't know which one is better 🙁 I don't take classes, so I'd prefer something that allows the best at-home studying. Any advice would be much appreciated! 😀
Click to expand...


The Berkeley Review- organic, general chem, physics, biology (for detailed)
Princeton Review - biology (for detailed, if you don't want berkeley's), TPR hyperlearning verbal workbook and science workbook.
Examkrackers 101 - verbal

That's what I've gathered from reading this website.
 
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I'm not offended by it. I simply think you're making a very poor choice that's a complete and utter waste of time and one that could easily hurt your chances for admission, so I'm telling you that. Your time should be spent fixing your actual weaknesses. This will be my last comment in here.
 
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I know I already said my views, and I too am shocked you would retake - but even so, I feel she is an autonomous person and we should support her in her choice to retake. It might only be for personal satisfaction (they believe they can do a few points better), but what's wrong with that? Where's BennieBlanco? I'm sure he'd some quotes about wanting to better one's condition rather than simply comparing oneself to the standard (a.k.a achieving a 30).

I still don't think you should retake though... I commend you though!

Just making sure, do you realize how hard it is to raise your score past 35... and you're aiming for 3+?? A lot of it is luck... Like SN2ed said, if you don't get a significantly higher score, it will look pointless, and may even hurt.
 
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JP2740 said:
The Berkeley Review- organic, general chem, physics, biology (for detailed)
Princeton Review - biology (for detailed, if you don't want berkeley's), TPR hyperlearning verbal workbook and science workbook.
Examkrackers 101 - verbal

That's what I've gathered from reading this website.
Click to expand...

Thanks! I just ordered some EK and Princeton books a few minutes ago 🙂

SN2ed said:
I'm not offended by it. I simply think you're making a very poor choice that's a complete and utter waste of time and one that could easily hurt your chances for admission, so I'm telling you that. Your time should be spent fixing your actual weaknesses. This will be my last comment in here.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your input 🙂 Seeing as how I'm already fixing my actual weaknesses, seems like I'm all right.

IndianVercetti said:
I know I already said my views, and I too am shocked you would retake - but even so, I feel she is an autonomous person and we should support her in her choice to retake. It might only be for personal satisfaction (they believe they can do a few points better), but what's wrong with that? Where's BennieBlanco? I'm sure he'd some quotes about wanting to better one's condition rather than simply comparing oneself to the standard (a.k.a achieving a 30).

I still don't think you should retake though... I commend you though!

Just making sure, do you realize how hard it is to raise your score past 35... and you're aiming for 3+?? A lot of it is luck... Like SN2ed said, if you don't get a significantly higher score, it will look pointless, and may even hurt.
Click to expand...

Thank you, I really appreciate that. 🙂 Yes, I expect to go up at least 3 points. Orgo is a huge chunk of the test and I did not know it at all when I took the MCAT so that gives me a huge leg up now. Believe me, if I had even the tiniest doubt, I would not do this, I know full well the repercussions of not improving significantly on a retake. :scared:
 
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Good luck. Anyone else taking this date? Is registration open already?
 
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JP2740 said:
People are bothered because some people take this exam 3 times and can't hit the mid 20's. You have a more than competitive score... one that people would kill for. And now you want to waste 5 months of your life just to do a few points better. You don't have to defend yourself, go for it I hope you get a 45 but it's like the kid who has a 100% in a class and can drop the last exam but studies more than everyone else to get another 100 (ok maybe this is a bad example). It's almost like, hey you gotta have fun or relax at some point in your life, right? Oh well maybe not 👍

I'm done with this now, good luck to everyone taking it.
Click to expand...

thanks! I didn't see your post earlier, sorry! Yes, I think that's exactly it.
I know I don't need to defend myself, but I've been very stressed out lately (for other reasons) so I think I may have reacted off that stress and defended myself a bit more vigorously than was really necessary - if so, I apologize! 🙂

At the end of the day, we're all just doing our best, so let's support each other in our individual goals and just be happy 😀

As an aside, no one else is taking this test? I can't imagine that I'm jumping the gun here - I may be a super nerd, but I'm usually late by SDN standards lol
 
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Hey, I am planning to take the MCAT on this day too! You guys think if I register for the test in February, I will still have my choice of test location?
 
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MT2MD said:
Hey, I am planning to take the MCAT on this day too! You guys think if I register for the test in February, I will still have my choice of test location?
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I don't know, you should be ok but I think if you can register earlier you'll be safer. I registered a week or so ago and there were no 8am slots available around my location, but I don't know if that's because they were all already taken up or if they just weren't being offered in the first place.
 
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May 27ther here. I'm actually guessing there wasn't an 8am session as I signed up the day after it opened and was only offered a 1pm. My thinking is usually clearer in the morning, oh well.
 
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MLT2MT2DO said:
May 27ther here. I'm actually guessing there wasn't an 8am session as I signed up the day after it opened and was only offered a 1pm. My thinking is usually clearer in the morning, oh well.
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yeah, it's definitely a bit of a bummer. I'm more clearheaded in the morning too, plus - taking the test at 1pm gives you a few hours of pre-exam worry 👎 oh well, it is what it is, might as well just make the best of it :luck:
 
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Hey, I'm also taking it on May 27th. Good luck to everyone - hopefully we can share some good tips as the date gets closer!
 
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What's everyone's advice on balancing finals/MCAT/AMCAS submission?

I'll be done with finals May 12th if not earlier which would give me just over 2 weeks of practice exams leading up to the 27th... but I also know that it takes a month to get scores back and I want to submit AMCAS as soon as possible 😕

Anyone else in this position?
 
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Mayssy said:
What's everyone's advice on balancing finals/MCAT/AMCAS submission?

I'll be done with finals May 12th if not earlier which would give me just over 2 weeks of practice exams leading up to the 27th... but I also know that it takes a month to get scores back and I want to submit AMCAS as soon as possible 😕

Anyone else in this position?
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Why not consider April then? If you're still taking physics 2 or something, I think you'd be done with the bulk of your material by then anyway, and if you wanted to retake, you'd still be applying relatively early.

Also, taking in April may also allow you to take it coinciding with your spring break, so you'll have time focused just for MCAT.
 
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Any advice on how you studied.. especially for the writing section?!
I am currently enrolled in the kaplan?!
Any suggestions on how to use their resources?!
 
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Ahsan said:
Any advice on how you studied.. especially for the writing section?!
I am currently enrolled in the kaplan?!
Any suggestions on how to use their resources?!
Click to expand...

I just studied Kaplan last time. They give you an online program when you sign up with them, where everything is broken down into sections. I just went through those sections, took all the section tests and quizzes, as well as all of the practice MCAT's available from them. I just did basically everything that they offered to me (the textbooks too). I don't know how helpful that is, but it's really all that you can do. Just practice, practice, practice. 🙂
 
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How are you guys doing!? how is the studying coming along?! i feel like my nails are faster then my scores.. haha lol
 
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I'm planning on taking the exam this test date as well! I will be registering in early Feb so hopefully I will have a location close to me. But anyhow, good luck everyone!

BTW, yes, there is only the 1p time slot. I also work better at 8am but oh well. I'm going to practice test taking at that time and things will all work out. Back 2 studying....
 
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MT2MD said:
What's wrong with taking it May 22?
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I guess its just what day of the week you prefer and how soon u want ur scores...

Your scores will be released on June 22 if you take the exam on the 22nd and June 29th if you take the exam on the 27th. Both tests dates are offered at 1p still.

Personal preference I guess....May 21st is the only 8am time slot for the May exam dates.
 
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Jumping ship from 5/1 to 5/27! My prep class will be done in early May and I want to maximize my chances of taking this beast of a test once and only once.

How is the prepping coming along for everyone?

GL.
 
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sigle said:
Jumping ship from 5/1 to 5/27! My prep class will be done in early May and I want to maximize my chances of taking this beast of a test once and only once.

How is the prepping coming along for everyone?

GL.
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That's a good idea, more study time = better grade 🙂

Prepping is chugging along. I'm taking Princeton Review and actually ENJOYING every minute of it (unlike Kaplan, which I - in retrospect - felt very "meh" about)

Good luck!! 😀
 
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scorpiobeauty6 said:
I'M IN! JUST REGISTERED. Was debating btwn 5/21 and 5/27. But that extra week I know that extra wk will make a diff!
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woo hoo! welcome to the club! Let the neuroses begin! :soexcited:

P.S. in our world, every day makes a difference! Kudos to you for making that choice 🙂 I know it's tempting to have it be over sooner, but that week will be well worth in its potential benefits for your grade 😎
 
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By the way, has anyone had a chance to take a practice test yet? I keep promising myself I'll take it each weekend, but then keep pushing it off a week to study just a little more 'cause I get nervous. 👎 This weekend, I promise!!
 
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My diagnostic was Kaplans freebie and I scored a 23

After studying for ~3weeks I got tired of studying without knowing how my studying was truly going so I snuck in and took AAMC 3 before I finished my content review. I had a balanced 30, AAMC3 seemed really easy and mostly just concept based.
 
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Nice score MLT2MT2DO. I have yet to take AAMC 3 so when I do I'll post my score breakdown.

Katie thanks for the warm welcome. Lets rock this test. I'll probably be more active on this board in March. Right now I'm just reviewing.

-S
 
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MLT2MT2DO said:
My diagnostic was Kaplans freebie and I scored a 23

After studying for ~3weeks I got tired of studying without knowing how my studying was truly going so I snuck in and took AAMC 3 before I finished my content review. I had a balanced 30, AAMC3 seemed really easy and mostly just concept based.
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nice! A 30 this early in the game is awesome!! :highfive:
AAMC 3 does feel a little on the easier side, but it's mainly because Kaplan (as well as Princeton Review) tend to make their study questions harder in order to get you prepared for the test - it's a great approach, imo. I forget which exactly, but I think it's AAMC 7 (or somewhere around there) which is a killer - if you do well on that one, you're good to go. The score that I got on it was the same score that I got on the actual test so it's a good marker. 🙂

sigle said:
Nice score MLT2MT2DO. I have yet to take AAMC 3 so when I do I'll post my score breakdown.

Katie thanks for the warm welcome. Lets rock this test. I'll probably be more active on this board in March. Right now I'm just reviewing.

-S
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Thanks! 😀 We are totally going to rock the socks off this test! Good luck reviewing :prof:
 
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Does Kaplan really make their questions harder? I've met people who took the class and scored 30+ on the practice exams in class but only made it to mid-20's on the actual exam. They all said the Kaplan ones are much easier than the real exam.

I was wondering what your opinions are on that.
 
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Hi Guys,

I guess I'll go ahead and have my cherry popped too, everyone else is doing it 😛 Project MCAT is underway and in full swing. Let's do it!!!
EK is my drug of choice. I am in the zone, hopefully I don't get burned out.

Here's to the Class of 2015!:xf:
 
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twocentnews said:
Does Kaplan really make their questions harder? I've met people who took the class and scored 30+ on the practice exams in class but only made it to mid-20's on the actual exam. They all said the Kaplan ones are much easier than the real exam.

I was wondering what your opinions are on that.
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I personally found the real test to be easier than the Kaplan questions, because I felt that Kaplan went into greater detail. If you take the AAMC practice tests though, you'll get a good idea of what the real test is like. Though the first few are a bit easier, the tests after #5 or 6 are pretty representative of the real exam. (They are previously administered exams after all!) 😀

Scorpiomd said:
Hi Guys,

I guess I'll go ahead and have my cherry popped too, everyone else is doing it 😛 Project MCAT is underway and in full swing. Let's do it!!!
EK is my drug of choice. I am in the zone, hopefully I don't get burned out.

Here's to the Class of 2015!:xf:
Click to expand...

Hooray for cherry popping! :soexcited:
I've gotten the EK books too, but I'm waiting to finish with my Princeton Review stuff before I attack them. They're a gold mine though! 1001 questions is ridiculously awesome, how much more practice can you get? 🙂
 
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I will soon be signing up for this date. I am planning on using strictly EK for content, and EK 1001 Bio/Phys/Chem/Orgo and 101 for verbal practice. In addition, I will do some Kaplan practice FLs and all the AAMC practice FL.

Is anyone else using EK only?

I originally started to study for the MCAT last year with Kaplan, but unfortunately, never really went ahead with it.

This time I feel more focused and really like using EK.
 
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