For those of you that have taken the MCAT before, do you think it is too late to start studying for the April MCAT?
Too late for April MCAT?
- Thread starter justin342
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I would say it is getting pretty close to being too late. I think you have about about 7-8 weeks before the test date.
You might be an extraordinary person who would do fine with that much studying. I can only tell you my story.
I had taken the Med School pre reqs 6-9 years ago and then I decided to take the MCAT. I took a review course that met each Saturday for 6 months before the test date last April. That was the only way that I was prepared. 7-8 weeks for me would have been a disaster.
You probably are still in school and thus you do not necessarily need 6 months, but ...
Why don't you take a practice test and see how you do? You can make some educated guesses from there.
You might be an extraordinary person who would do fine with that much studying. I can only tell you my story.
I had taken the Med School pre reqs 6-9 years ago and then I decided to take the MCAT. I took a review course that met each Saturday for 6 months before the test date last April. That was the only way that I was prepared. 7-8 weeks for me would have been a disaster.
You probably are still in school and thus you do not necessarily need 6 months, but ...
Why don't you take a practice test and see how you do? You can make some educated guesses from there.
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I think you've got enough time to study IF you are willing to put enough time into it. You've got put in some intense time, though, because you're getting a late start. If you're willing to make the commitment to do it right, then I think you've got as good (or better) of a shot at doing well as anyone else. Good luck!
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I was just thinking about this question becuase I'm going home on Moday where all of my MCAT books are. My MCAT class started FEB 4th last year, but I don't think I actually started studying seriously until right about now for the April test. I did not do as well as I hoped because I couldn't study that much due to classes, and I needed a lot of review. If you are a strong student, it's definitely not too late. If you plan to take a Kaplan course, you could enroll in one that has already started, and if you feel unprepared test day, then take it in August.
As for myself, I have a feeling that I may start reading my old Kaplan books just as a precaution, and take the August MCAT (and a summer Kaplan refresher course, which is a few hundred dollars more, nit the full tuition). What do you guys think about this? I'm very optimistic that I'll get in maybe off of a wait list, but I want to be prepared. If I don't take the 2002 MCAT, I'll end up having to take 2 years off, and I don't really want or need to do that. What do you guys thibk about this plan? My statsare 3.67 gpa w/ 3.8/3.9 for the last 2 1/2 years, and MCATS were 27 P (9 x 3).
Dra Foxy <img src="http://www.minorannoyance.net/~spin/Smilies/otn/happy/wave.gif" alt="" />
As for myself, I have a feeling that I may start reading my old Kaplan books just as a precaution, and take the August MCAT (and a summer Kaplan refresher course, which is a few hundred dollars more, nit the full tuition). What do you guys think about this? I'm very optimistic that I'll get in maybe off of a wait list, but I want to be prepared. If I don't take the 2002 MCAT, I'll end up having to take 2 years off, and I don't really want or need to do that. What do you guys thibk about this plan? My statsare 3.67 gpa w/ 3.8/3.9 for the last 2 1/2 years, and MCATS were 27 P (9 x 3).
Dra Foxy <img src="http://www.minorannoyance.net/~spin/Smilies/otn/happy/wave.gif" alt="" />
Dra Foxy: Your GPA and MCAT seem to be fairly competitive as it is.
As a follow-up question, exactly how advantageous is taking the April test as opposed to taking it in August?
I figured I could try my luck in April, and if my score wasn't up to par, retake the test in August. Any opinions?
As a follow-up question, exactly how advantageous is taking the April test as opposed to taking it in August?
I figured I could try my luck in April, and if my score wasn't up to par, retake the test in August. Any opinions?
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If you take it in April, you won't know your scores until late June. That won't be enough time to improve for August if you need to. You would probabky have to keep studying, like start again right after the mcat....it all depends on what you are capable of.
I think a lot of August mcaters have been successful, but if your stats are less than you would like, applying late will put you at a disadvantage.
I applied late becuase I was unsure if I should (and lazy) and because of it, I only got 2 interviews.......but some SDNers have gotten a crazy amount, like SMW with 14!!!!! So I would say it depends on the person.
I think a lot of August mcaters have been successful, but if your stats are less than you would like, applying late will put you at a disadvantage.
I applied late becuase I was unsure if I should (and lazy) and because of it, I only got 2 interviews.......but some SDNers have gotten a crazy amount, like SMW with 14!!!!! So I would say it depends on the person.
I've yet to take the MCAT so I have no score on that. Right now my GPA is about a 3.55, but I'm hoping to bring it up to at least a 3.6 or so. I spent a little too much time fooling around when I first entered college 🙂
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hey justin. i don't know your situation/personality, etc. but i would say that if you are not in school (or have at most maybe 1 or 2 easy classes), do not have work, you could do it...
i'm basing this off of the fact that i only studied for the mcat for about 5 weeks. but i studied A TON... for those 5 weeks (i took it in august), i did nothing but study 24/7... sleep, eat, study... that's it, like 10-15 hours a day
i guess some people like to spread it out, some people like to crunch it
i'm basing this off of the fact that i only studied for the mcat for about 5 weeks. but i studied A TON... for those 5 weeks (i took it in august), i did nothing but study 24/7... sleep, eat, study... that's it, like 10-15 hours a day
i guess some people like to spread it out, some people like to crunch it
Well, my schedule is a bit more rigorous than that right now. I'm taking 15 hrs in school and I work part-time (10-15hrs a week, but fortunately I'm able to study when I'm at work).
But, I think I'm going to try and go for it. I've got the Kaplan MCAT review book and a lot of practive exams, so I think I'll just study my butt off for the next 2 months and hope for the best come test day.
Thanks for the advice everyone.
But, I think I'm going to try and go for it. I've got the Kaplan MCAT review book and a lot of practive exams, so I think I'll just study my butt off for the next 2 months and hope for the best come test day.
Thanks for the advice everyone.
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Another point - I'd recommend concentrating on the strategy when you go through the Kaplan book. Use the test to your advantage. You've got to know the info, but how you handle what you don't know matters more.
Also, for the August exam - I had been out of school for 5 years and it'd been 9 since I'd touched the prereqs (and hadn't done a great job of learning them then). I started studying lightly at the beginning of November 1999 for the August 2000 exam. I knew, though, that under no circumstances did I want to take this thing twice.
Also, for the August exam - I had been out of school for 5 years and it'd been 9 since I'd touched the prereqs (and hadn't done a great job of learning them then). I started studying lightly at the beginning of November 1999 for the August 2000 exam. I knew, though, that under no circumstances did I want to take this thing twice.
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I really would appreciate SDNers' input in this question:
Should I start studying for the April MCAT now, or take the August MCAT? Do you 2001 Aug mcaters feel you are at a great disadvantage now?....I will aim for a score of 30 (oh please Dios) from my current 27 and I have a 3.67 gpa, 3.5 science...what do you guys think?
Love,
Dra. Foxy <img src="http://www.contrabandent.com/cwm/s/otn/happy/wave.gif" alt="" />
Should I start studying for the April MCAT now, or take the August MCAT? Do you 2001 Aug mcaters feel you are at a great disadvantage now?....I will aim for a score of 30 (oh please Dios) from my current 27 and I have a 3.67 gpa, 3.5 science...what do you guys think?
Love,
Dra. Foxy <img src="http://www.contrabandent.com/cwm/s/otn/happy/wave.gif" alt="" />
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•••quote:•••Originally posted by Dra. Foxy:
•I really would appreciate SDNers' input in this question:
Should I start studying for the April MCAT now, or take the August MCAT? Do you 2001 Aug mcaters feel you are at a great disadvantage now?....I will aim for a score of 30 (oh please Dios) from my current 27 and I have a 3.67 gpa, 3.5 science...what do you guys think?
Love,
Dra. Foxy <img src="http://www.contrabandent.com/cwm/s/otn/happy/wave.gif" alt="" />•••••Hey Dra. Foxy,
It totally depends on you. Do you feel that you would be able to study enough to raise your score from now until April? If you are in school now and you start studying now for April, you may feel really overwhelmed. I am a bit biased w/respect to this question b/c if I have to retake the MCAT, I will be taking it in August. I know that I would not be able to concentrate enough on MCAT stuff in order to do well on the April exam. IMHO if you think there is a chance that you could wind up getting the same exact score (b/c not able to study enough) then I don't think it is worth it-rolling admissions or no rolling admissions-. However if you think that you could study enough to kick a$$ on the April MCAT, then go for it. I took the 2001 August MCAT and I don't feel that I am seriously disadvantaged b/c of it, but that has a lot to do with the AMCAS debacle. The one thing that I would do, that I did not do when I applied this year, would be to submit my AMCAS application in June and I would start working on secondary applications early (meaning secondary essays-you could get the topics of those essays from other people who apply, maybe even the schools, and probably good ol' SDN)!!! So when your MCAT scores are received by AMCAS-you will be pretty much ready to go. Don't give up hope yet, you had two interviews and you may still get in. Are you still waiting to hear from other schools? I'm rooting for you
!
•I really would appreciate SDNers' input in this question:
Should I start studying for the April MCAT now, or take the August MCAT? Do you 2001 Aug mcaters feel you are at a great disadvantage now?....I will aim for a score of 30 (oh please Dios) from my current 27 and I have a 3.67 gpa, 3.5 science...what do you guys think?
Love,
Dra. Foxy <img src="http://www.contrabandent.com/cwm/s/otn/happy/wave.gif" alt="" />•••••Hey Dra. Foxy,
It totally depends on you. Do you feel that you would be able to study enough to raise your score from now until April? If you are in school now and you start studying now for April, you may feel really overwhelmed. I am a bit biased w/respect to this question b/c if I have to retake the MCAT, I will be taking it in August. I know that I would not be able to concentrate enough on MCAT stuff in order to do well on the April exam. IMHO if you think there is a chance that you could wind up getting the same exact score (b/c not able to study enough) then I don't think it is worth it-rolling admissions or no rolling admissions-. However if you think that you could study enough to kick a$$ on the April MCAT, then go for it. I took the 2001 August MCAT and I don't feel that I am seriously disadvantaged b/c of it, but that has a lot to do with the AMCAS debacle. The one thing that I would do, that I did not do when I applied this year, would be to submit my AMCAS application in June and I would start working on secondary applications early (meaning secondary essays-you could get the topics of those essays from other people who apply, maybe even the schools, and probably good ol' SDN)!!! So when your MCAT scores are received by AMCAS-you will be pretty much ready to go. Don't give up hope yet, you had two interviews and you may still get in. Are you still waiting to hear from other schools? I'm rooting for you
!
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Thaks for the good advice daisygirl, I really appreciate it. I think if I have to reatke it, I'll do so in August. That way if I get in off a waitlist I'll just stop studying 🙂
To answer your last question, I intervied at BU on 12/4 and I'm still waiting to hear from them (it may be in the mail right now), and I'm interviewing at GW on 3/7. I actually have still heard nothing from 11 schools, I am on pre-interview hold at 2 schools, and have been rejected from 3.
Thanks for your help <img src="http://www.theunholytrinity.org/cracks_smileys/contrib/legionxs/wavey.gif" alt="" />
To answer your last question, I intervied at BU on 12/4 and I'm still waiting to hear from them (it may be in the mail right now), and I'm interviewing at GW on 3/7. I actually have still heard nothing from 11 schools, I am on pre-interview hold at 2 schools, and have been rejected from 3.
Thanks for your help <img src="http://www.theunholytrinity.org/cracks_smileys/contrib/legionxs/wavey.gif" alt="" />
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Dr. Foxy,
I agree with you that you should wait till August, you may very well get in before then, and you wouldn't want to waste your time studying if you don't have to🙂 Plus you won't be as motivated now because of the hope you may still get in.
Just to give you some hope, your stats are pretty similar to mine. I have a 3.5 with a 3.8/3.9 the past 2 years and a 28 MCAT. I got into one of my state schools and NYMC. I think it'll work out for you🙂 Good luck, we're all rooting for you
I agree with you that you should wait till August, you may very well get in before then, and you wouldn't want to waste your time studying if you don't have to🙂 Plus you won't be as motivated now because of the hope you may still get in.
Just to give you some hope, your stats are pretty similar to mine. I have a 3.5 with a 3.8/3.9 the past 2 years and a 28 MCAT. I got into one of my state schools and NYMC. I think it'll work out for you🙂 Good luck, we're all rooting for you
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For anyone thinking about the Aug MCAT or for people not enrolled in an MCAT course, but are taking it in April:
Go to Kaptest.com and call the princeton review (18002review) to see if they have any free practice tests near you. They are coming up soon, like 2/24, 3/3 and 3/18 in my area.
I just signed up for the kaplan one online and i'm about to sign up for the princeton one. It's good practice for the time being. <img border="0" alt="[Pity]" title="" src="graemlins/pity.gif" />
They are short 3 hour tests.
Go to Kaptest.com and call the princeton review (18002review) to see if they have any free practice tests near you. They are coming up soon, like 2/24, 3/3 and 3/18 in my area.
I just signed up for the kaplan one online and i'm about to sign up for the princeton one. It's good practice for the time being. <img border="0" alt="[Pity]" title="" src="graemlins/pity.gif" />
They are short 3 hour tests.
