Time away from core classes?

[ITtoMD]

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So it's been over 10 years since I took bio and chem. In the next 3 semesters I will be taking oChem1/2, physics 1/2, analytical chemistry and biochem. I expect to get A's in all of the classes.

Given I do that, how bad will it hurt me that bio and chem were so long ago, especially if coupled with a decent (32+) MCAT score?

My plan is to go through with it as detailed above, take the MCAT in May of 09, and see where I stand. Attempt to apply to the 6 FL MD programs as well as a few of the DO's. I can schedule bio/chem for fall of 09 if things aren't looking well and try again in 2010 as a fall back.

Sound reasonable?

 

[LauraDO]

I had not ever taken any hard core science classes and had been away from school altogether for 6 years when I started. I had to work but was able to get very good grades in a very competitive program.

I don't think you should have problems if you are committed, tenacious and ok with dropping your 'life' at the doorstep and focusing on one goal

 

[DrMidlife]

So it's been over 10 years since I took bio and chem. In the next 3 semesters I will be taking oChem1/2, physics 1/2, analytical chemistry and biochem. I expect to get A's in all of the classes.

Given I do that, how bad will it hurt me that bio and chem were so long ago, especially if coupled with a decent (32+) MCAT score?

My plan is to go through with it as detailed above, take the MCAT in May of 09, and see where I stand. Attempt to apply to the 6 FL MD programs as well as a few of the DO's. I can schedule bio/chem for fall of 09 if things aren't looking well and try again in 2010 as a fall back.

Sound reasonable?

I took physics in 1988. I was fine leaving that in the past. But I retook genchem to get ready for ochem. Probably helped, but ochem chewed me a new one anyway. I'll throw some advice here, but really, you're the best judge of what you need, if you're honest with yourself.

Some schools put an expiration date on prereqs. None of the 45 schools that I applied to do this, but you have to look into it to know for sure. One example, for comparison, is UMass, which requires prereqs to be done within the last 6 years.

You can take a practice MCAT anytime. Now would be a great time. www.e-mcat.com. Figure out how far you are from where you want to be. In particular, find out where you are in verbal, and use that as a barometer until you've taken the rest of your prereqs. Bio is half the BS section, and genchem is half the PS section, so you're in an unfortunate no-mans-land for predicting those scores. But take a practice test anyway. It kills the mystery.

I strongly recommend against taking the MCAT until you're consistently scoring above your goal on practice tests.

I think in your shoes I would look for some upper div bio to take, to backfill those 10 years. Plus, any physiology, anatomy, cell/molecular bio, microbio, immunology et al that you can take can't hurt, and it can certainly help. I'm not saying take all of these, but cherry pick some if you can.

Best of luck to you.

 

[ITtoMD]

GRR, I meant to put this in the Non-Trad forum. Sorry folks (really, I used to run web servers in the early 90's, can't you tell my web saviness?) 😕

But thanks for the advice. I don't mean to be arrogant or over confident, I really test well, and it is amazing what going to class, reading the book and studying did for me (again, sarcasm here). I'm lucky to retain what I read well and I test very well. I'm 2 years removed from grad school and about 6 from undergrad, but I expect to do just as well as I did once I found a passion for school (4.0 for the last 25+ classes, sadly it was a 2.8 prior to "figuring it out")

I know the MCAT forums don't think it is a huge help, but I'm about 1/4 through Campbell's biology text book and will go through my general chemistry text before starting organic chem in 2 months.

I've decided to do as you said, take a ton of practice tests. I am in a good position now, and have bought (or already have): Campbells bio text, Z's general Chem, Wades Ochem, Klein's thinking O chem 1 and 2, pushing electrons, ExamKrackers latest review books plus all of the 1001 series questions, and an old Silver's princeton review MCAT book. For each of the texts I also have the solutions guide. I have a previously recommended physics text, but am just waiting for the ones my class require.

So yes, I am devoted to this (and I will put to use all of those books, call me odd but I do enjoy them, always have). I've been putting off taking any online exams yet until I at least have a good review again. Bit of a perfectionist later in life, I like to go in confident. But I'm very curious on verbal so I may use up one of the free online ones to see how I do.

Anyways, thanks for the advice, and sorry for my long windedness plus screw up in which forum I thought I was posting in.

 

[CorpusERdoc]

GRR, I meant to put this in the Non-Trad forum. Sorry folks (really, I used to run web servers in the early 90's, can't you tell my web saviness?) 😕

But thanks for the advice. I don't mean to be arrogant or over confident, I really test well, and it is amazing what going to class, reading the book and studying did for me (again, sarcasm here). I'm lucky to retain what I read well and I test very well. I'm 2 years removed from grad school and about 6 from undergrad, but I expect to do just as well as I did once I found a passion for school (4.0 for the last 25+ classes, sadly it was a 2.8 prior to "figuring it out")

I know the MCAT forums don't think it is a huge help, but I'm about 1/4 through Campbell's biology text book and will go through my general chemistry text before starting organic chem in 2 months.

I've decided to do as you said, take a ton of practice tests. I am in a good position now, and have bought (or already have): Campbells bio text, Z's general Chem, Wades Ochem, Klein's thinking O chem 1 and 2, pushing electrons, ExamKrackers latest review books plus all of the 1001 series questions, and an old Silver's princeton review MCAT book. For each of the texts I also have the solutions guide. I have a previously recommended physics text, but am just waiting for the ones my class require.

So yes, I am devoted to this (and I will put to use all of those books, call me odd but I do enjoy them, always have). I've been putting off taking any online exams yet until I at least have a good review again. Bit of a perfectionist later in life, I like to go in confident. But I'm very curious on verbal so I may use up one of the free online ones to see how I do.

Anyways, thanks for the advice, and sorry for my long windedness plus screw up in which forum I thought I was posting in.

Take the Princeton review or at least Kaplan. Don't just go at it on your own. Apply to many more schools than you mentioned before.

Don't really on getting an unrealistic MCAT score. Make sure you GPA is on the up and up, and get some medical experience where you can get a DO and MD both to write you a letter.

 

[Gnugs2130]

Take the Princeton review or at least Kaplan. Don't just go at it on your own. Apply to many more schools than you mentioned before.

Don't really on getting an unrealistic MCAT score. Make sure you GPA is on the up and up, and get some medical experience where you can get a DO and MD both to write you a letter.

I agree, an MCAT will not carry you alone, but a good MCAT does help. I would look into applying more broadly and collecting some good LORs from the teachers you are about to have. Kaplan or Princeton will definitely help since you took some of your pre-reqs so long ago. I was in a similar situation to you and just went through this process and got accepted. PM if you have any questions and I can give you more thoughts on my experience.