Those review classes are a waste! Save your $1400!

[Gonzo12164]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I've told this to many people and want to express this to everyone studying for the MCAT. I did not have the money to take a review course, but was lucky enough to use other people's review material which included Princeton, Kaplan, and Berkeley. I eventually bought ALL the EK books. When I was studying I went through ALL the study material and feel that Princeton teaches the material the best. I seriously read each of these books and feel that Princeton teaches it in the clearest, easy to learn format. Now don't get me wrong, some people need to sit in a classroom and be forced to study. However, I'm use to studying on my own. If I could do it again, I'd go with Princeton review, EK 1001 Bio and EK 101 verbal passages, and the past real MCATs. That's ALL you need!!!!!! If possible, take an upper division micro, virology, Bio lab, and immunology class. Then you'd be really good! If I was able to get a decent score on the verbal, I'd hit 35+ no problem on the MCAT. I'd say save that $1400 and use it to travel to Europe or somehting. Good Luck studying!

 

[woolfda]

I'm glad you posted about Princeton. I used EK exclusively the first time around and thought that they were good for the verbal and biology sections. Physics and Chem wasn't helpful for me (being that it has been a few years since I took the course). If I take again, I will use Princeton plus EK verbal and biology.

 

[Senor Fish]

I agree with you for the most part, but that is not good advice for everyone.

I agree that there is nothing you can't learn on your own from books. So, if you are a disciplined self-studier, save the cash. If you are not, take the class.

Good luck.

 

[Gonzo12164]

"Now don't get me wrong, some people need to sit in a classroom and be forced to study. However, I'm use to studying on my own." I totally understand that some people can NOT study on their own. If you have the money and need someone to push you to study then it is worth the $1400. Also, I am not saying that any of those review course tutors are not any good. I'm pretty sure many of them are outstanding. This is just my opinion with how to do well on this exam.

I agree with you for the most part, but that is not good advice for everyone.

I agree that there is nothing you can't learn on your own from books. So, if you are a disciplined self-studier, save the cash. If you are not, take the class.

Good luck.

 

[Twitch]

.. take an upper division micro, virology, Bio lab, and immunology class...

There is a combination one doesn't hear often on here. Would you care to elaborate on why you suggest these specific classes versus the chapter(s) in EK or some other review book?

 

[Gonzo12164]

There is a combination one doesn't hear often on here. Would you care to elaborate on why you suggest these specific classes versus the chapter(s) in EK or some other review book?

I did alright in my opinion in the Bio section considering that I'm not a bio major. Many of the questions I've seen either in practice tests and problems and my ACTUAL MCAT was about experiments and analyzing the results. My particular exam did NOT require memorized information to answer the quesitons. I mainly had problems understanding the material because I have a weak bio background. Practically all my passages discussed some type of disease...the cause of it, how it's formed, and the detailed reactions going on in your cell. The upper division classes will give you more exposure to the harder Bio terminology. I still got a 12 on the Bio with only an intro to bio course, biochem , genetics, and physio. I certainly feel that I could have done better if I was exposed to more upper division bio classes. Of course people will argue, but this is just my perspective. Hope it helps!

 

[Gonzo12164]

I meant the bio section did not require much memorized information to answer them. Of course there were a few, but I was pretty surprised that I almost did not use any of my physio knowledge.

 

[Twitch]

Did the genetics help? Not the basic Mendelian/Pedigree portion of it but everything else as it relates to PCR, Southern Blot, BAC, YAC and such.

How about the biochem class? Wouldn't it be sufficient to just go over the lipids, protiens, carbohydrates and such topics in your orgo text or in some review books? I'm referring specifically as it relates to the list of topics (biochem) from AAMC.

I'm in genetics right now and won't take biochem prior to the MCAT.

 

[Gonzo12164]

I think it's good in general to get exposed to that stuff. However, I do NOT think you need to know the stuff in such depth. Even the genetics class is overkill since you really only need the basics. Exposure to PCR and all the 3 different blotting techniques will certain help since it deals with lab work. The biochem is good exposure because you learn and hear about secondary messengers and cyclic AMP. I've seen many similar pathways on passages. Is this helping?

Did the genetics help? Not the basic Mendelian/Pedigree portion of it but everything else as it relates to PCR, Southern Blot, BAC, YAC and such.

How about the biochem class? Wouldn't it be sufficient to just go over the lipids, protiens, carbohydrates and such topics in your orgo text or in some review books? I'm referring specifically as it relates to the list of topics (biochem) from AAMC.

I'm in genetics right now and won't take biochem prior to the MCAT.

 

[Twitch]

I think it's good in general to get exposed to that stuff. However, I do NOT think you need to know the stuff in such depth. Even the genetics class is overkill since you really only need the basics. Exposure to PCR and all the 3 different blotting techniques will certain help since it deals with lab work. The biochem is good exposure because you learn and hear about secondary messengers and cyclic AMP. I've seen many similar pathways on passages. Is this helping?

Hey - could you elaborate why you liked TPR's material better than others for the sciences and does their verbal stuff really suck or is in the very least good practice. I'm taking TPR and they're gonna hit me with a full length diagnostic first up. I'ver heard people who take it cold typically get between 18-24 (depending on how many of the pre-reqs they've already got under their belt)

 

[PRamos]

I've told this to many people and want to express this to everyone studying for the MCAT. I did not have the money to take a review course, but was lucky enough to use other people's review material which included Princeton, Kaplan, and Berkeley. I eventually bought ALL the EK books. When I was studying I went through ALL the study material and feel that Princeton teaches the material the best. I seriously read each of these books and feel that Princeton teaches it in the clearest, easy to learn format. Now don't get me wrong, some people need to sit in a classroom and be forced to study. However, I'm use to studying on my own. If I could do it again, I'd go with Princeton review, EK 1001 Bio and EK 101 verbal passages, and the past real MCATs. That's ALL you need!!!!!! If possible, take an upper division micro, virology, Bio lab, and immunology class. Then you'd be really good! If I was able to get a decent score on the verbal, I'd hit 35+ no problem on the MCAT. I'd say save that $1400 and use it to travel to Europe or somehting. Good Luck studying!

I fully agree that some people don't need a course and should save their money. I unfortunately took two courses, including the one you promote here. It set me back quite a bit, and I don't think it was worth the money. Having the exact same combination of books you used, I disagree that PR teaches the best, but that is a matter of preference I suppose. The second course I took was worth the money to me, but that's because they taught mostly about test taking. If my score hadn't gone up, I'd probably be singing a different tune. I'd say that if you can avoid the commercial courses, you have a better chance of getting your money's worth. But they are all overpriced.

What I wish I would have known about is the free mini course offered through various volunteer programs. That is a great way to save $1400. You're in Irvine, so you could have taken the free class through CCEs. My friend did those classes at Citrus Valley and thought they were better than his $1400 commercial course. I saw his notes from that program and they were an excellent summary (they actually give free notes and passages with the free classes). If anyone is in those areas, they should look into the free classes. Save the money.

Also, there are programs at medical school where MCAT scores don't have to be as high. Right now I'm looking into to Prime at UCI and Drew at UCLA. Knowing what their standards are, my first MCAT was fine and I didn't need to spend that extra time and money. I should have looked into those things earlier.

 

[Gonzo12164]

First off I wanna say I think those initial Diags are a joke! Of course you're going to do horrible on those exams. Of course you'll jump by 10+ points. I'd expect to fail if I didn't study for the test. That's just how you try to sell the course but whatevers. Now if you increased your points 5+ after already taking the real MCAT then that's a good ass deal. This is what my friends told me who took the class and this is what I also felt after reading the material, Berkeley just gives TOO much material. It's too detailed. I did hear that Kaplan teaches more testing tactics so the other poster might be talking about Kaplan. I bought the EK stuff and thought they taught the material is a bad way. I just feel that Princeton teaches the material in a VERY simple format. Every book has it's own "tricks" as far as how to approach certain topics. This is where I think the Princeton books does the best job. I'm coming from an EE background so I don't mind the technical, complicated stuff. I actually enjoy it. But as far as learning what needed to do well on the MCAT, Princeton books teach it the best. Very clear and very good examples. Does that help? You can message me if you have more detailed questions. Hopefully this is helping.

Hey - could you elaborate why you liked TPR's material better than others for the sciences and does their verbal stuff really suck or is in the very least good practice. I'm taking TPR and they're gonna hit me with a full length diagnostic first up. I'ver heard people who take it cold typically get between 18-24 (depending on how many of the pre-reqs they've already got under their belt)

 

[PRamos]

First off I wanna say I think those initial Diags are a joke! Of course you're going to do horrible on those exams. Of course you'll jump by 10+ points. I'd expect to fail if I didn't study for the test. That's just how you try to sell the course but whatevers. Now if you increased your points 5+ after already taking the real MCAT then that's a good ass deal.

That's what I learned the hard way. They give unrealistic diags so that you improve no matter what. Anyone giving a diag on the first day is doing the same thing though, it's not just PR.

This is what my friends told me who took the class and this is what I also felt after reading the material, Berkeley just gives TOO much material.

There is a big difference here. My opinion of the class is based on having been in it. The crux of their materials are the class handouts, which you obviously didn't have. They tell you how to best use their materials. They tell you right off the bat that it is too much text material and that you are not intended to use it all. "Read only what you need" is repeated throughout the course. If you had taken the class, you would have understood this and used the materials better. I loved that they gave me "too much" stuff, because I would rather have too many passages than not enough.

I did hear that Kaplan teaches more testing tactics so the other poster might be talking about Kaplan. I bought the EK stuff and thought they taught the material is a bad way. I just feel that Princeton teaches the material in a VERY simple format. Every book has it's own "tricks" as far as how to approach certain topics. This is where I think the Princeton books does the best job. I'm coming from an EE background so I don't mind the technical, complicated stuff. I actually enjoy it. But as far as learning what needed to do well on the MCAT, Princeton books teach it the best.

I'm definitely not talking about Kaplan, and I suspect you know that since you've PMed me twice so far. I just disagree with your opinion of PR materials, and that's fine. I also disagree with your opinion of EK materials. I found the textbooks to be very useful. If I have any complaint about EK it's that the passages are unrealistic and the answer explanations are weak. But they teach the material in a great way. I think most posters here who have used EK text would agree. Everyone has their opinion, because we all learn differently. Maybe coming from an EE background is what makes your opinion so different from nearly everyone else here.

If you ask me, and nearly everyone at SDN who has used either BR or EK, you will find they agree that BR is the best class, EK has the best text, and BR has the best passage explanations.

 

[Gonzo12164]

So whoever checks out this thread, forget it. I'm sorry if I wasted your time. I was just trying to help people out. I am wrong and those classes are worth the money. Maybe if I took one of those classes I could have done much better. Is there any way I can erase this thread? Maybe I should stop caring about helping others perform better on this exam and be the typical competitive med school applicant trying to do better than everyone else.

 

[PRamos]

So whoever checks out this thread, forget it. I'm sorry if I wasted your time. I am wrong and those classes are worth the money. Maybe if I took one of those classes I could have done much better.

I think you are overreacting a bit. I just disagree, that's all. You say EK books suck and I disagree. I think their text is very good. You say the BR course sucks, even though you never took it, and I disagree. Having taken it, I think they are very good. You say PR books are the greatest ever, and having been in their class, I disagree.

We are both helping people by posting our opinions. I apologize if I've hurt your feelings. My feelings aren't hurt by your opinions. We just disagree.

As far as taking a course goes, I completely agree that it can be a big waste of money for some people. Then again, I found one of my courses to be worth the money. I had to earn the money myself, so I am very critical. I am glad I took my second class. You mentioned being in a fraternity in another thread. That's a luxury I can't afford, but I'm not going to tell you or anyone else it's a waste. You have the resources to join, so good for you. You recommend people save the money and go to Europe. I think they should save the money to help with the expensive application process. We just value money differently.

People are helped by reading both of our opinions. I am done with this thread, because everything of value has been stated already. I again apologize if I have hurt your feelings.

 

[Gonzo12164]

It's all good, no feelings hurt.

 

[Gonzo12164]

Oh yea, about the fraternity, I paid and will continue paying for my my entire college experience. My broke ass parents didn't pay a cent for my UCI degree which I totally understand. Joining a fraternity is some other discussion though. I was President of a social fraternity and love talking about my experiences. Joining a fraternity, in my opinion, was the best decision of my college career.

 

[Gonzo12164]

Lastly, my fraternity experience is one of my reasons for pursuing a career in medicine. Phi Alpha!

 

[Lindyhopper]

All my life I have found that it is helpful to learn material from a variety of methods. One can pretty much learn anything strictly from books without ever attending any classes. But I don't think that isthe best approach. After spending all day banging my head against the books, I find it helpful to have someone explain it in spoken language.
After all we evolved adapt at spoken language, & then invented the written word. Both are helpful. The interplay is helpful.

 

[Kimka83]

😀 Hey all,
I took Kaplan's classroom course, and I really know that they had a lot to do with my score. I was very pleased with Kaplan, the teachers, the materials, and ultimately the results. I think that if you can afford it, you should take a review course. Even if you are a self-motivated studier, it cannot hurt to have the whole class helping you along. The people in my class were a real resourse when I was studying. Since we were all basically at the same point in our studies, we would meet to discuss any questions or problems that we had. And the five proctored exams were great. They really helped me to prepare for test day, and they motivated me to keep taking practice tests on Saturday mornings. It helped to read the material on my own, then have it reinforced in class. Overall, it was a very worthwhile experience.

 

[Saluki]

I thought Kaplan helped a lot. The classroom part was crap, and my teachers didn't know any more than I did (and that's not much) But the structure of it was great, and most of all, I liked the practice tests. Sitting down by yourself and taking an AAMC practice test isn't the same thing as having a big room of people with directions being read and the whole bit. For those of us with test anxiety issues it's a big plus. And who wouldn't be anxious about a test that decides so much of your future?
Moreover, the practice materials online, if you start studying early enough to make use of them (I sure wish I had- I ended up still trying to cram stuff in the night before) would be worth the money even without the classroom portion...