Too many PROBLEMS!

[burningsoul]

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Im so glad I found this site!!
I just graduated with a Psychology Major from the University of Toronto with a 3.5 CGPA but thats only because I really messed up first year. I got 3.8's in my last 3 years. I never wanted to do Medicine so I never took any pre-med courses. NOW, suddenly my parents want me to do medicine and there is no way I can give the MCAT without the required courses. I come from a very collectivistic, traditional family, where the girl needs to get married at an appropriate age etc. and if I tell them I want to do pre-med NOW they will freak out. But I can not think of any way to give the MCAT with the basic knowledge of the sciences I have from Highschool. My parents do not understand that the MCAT is not just BASIC. I bought the Kaplan Prep Book and looking at that they think I am creating a fuss out of nothing, but the questions on the MCAT go beyond whats taught in those books. And Furthermore, I CANNOT SELF-STUDY for chemistry and physics. THEY JUST DONT GET IT!! I efficiently registered to write the MCAT in September without realizing how complex it really is and now my parents are pressurizing me to give it, when I know I will not be able to. Or wil I? will I really be able to do well or even pass decently by self-studying for the MCAT? WHAT DO I DO??

(P.S I will be applying to the medical schools in Canada, Australia etc that ONLY need the MCAT without any pre-req's.)

 

[greatnt249]

Wait...is it you who wants to go into medicine, or is it your parents who want you to go into medicine?

 

[burningsoul]

Wait...is it you who wants to go into medicine, or is it your parents who want you to go into medicine?

I do, but only after taking pre-med, which to them is a waste of time. They want me to give the MCAT now, by studying the material myself, becuase they are not understanding the fact that the material is complex and I defintiely need some sort of instruction.

 

[Orthodoc40]

Try finding a copy of any guide to med school applications at the library. It will show to your parents what the pre-requisites are in black and white. They can not argue with that! If you can't find one, you could buy a copy of the MSAR from the www.aamc.org website, which lists requirements for all med schools, including Canada's. There is also an MCAT section on there (the website) listing what materials the MCAT examines, which could help them 'get it'. This is an exam you want to take ONE time, if possible (you can take it more, but there are reasons to avoid that). Another option might be to take your parents to the school's web site, and look up their pre requisites on-line. You have to SHOW them that it is not just what you prefer to do - it is required of you. They will be wasting your time and money (or theirs) making you take that exam, and apply without meeting those requirements first.
I really hope that helps you.

 

[ArkansasRanger]

I do, but only after taking pre-med, which to them is a waste of time. They want me to give the MCAT now, by studying the material myself, becuase they are not understanding the fact that the material is complex and I defintiely need some sort of instruction.

Phooey on them. I have pretty traditional, conservative views of life as well, but do what you need to do short of snorting dope.

 

[burningsoul]

Thanks guys!!

If you don't mind, what are the disadvantages of taking the MCAT more than once? Don't Universities just look at your best overall score??

 

[KingstonPre]

I don't think the MCAT is passable without taking at least... half... of the pre-req's, and that's being generous.

 

[spicedmanna]

I do, but only after taking pre-med, which to them is a waste of time. They want me to give the MCAT now, by studying the material myself, becuase they are not understanding the fact that the material is complex and I defintiely need some sort of instruction.

With all due respect to your parents, they need to take a chill-pill. They know NOTHING about what they are talking about. This isn't about them, this is about you and your success. Reaffirm the well-known appropriate course of action for medical school application. If they don't believe you, then maybe they'll listen to a 3rd year medical student. Tell them I said it is irresponsible to take the MCAT without having at least taken all of the pre-medical prerequisites and given yourself four months to review the material. Tell them that to do otherwise would be setting yourself up for failure and the medical school admissions process is terribly intolerant. This is not a trivial matter. This is a process you only want to do ONCE and do it RIGHT. You want to take the MCAT once and apply once. Your parents want you to succeed, right? Well, then you have to complete the appropriate steps before taking the MCAT and applying. If they still don't believe you, then I guess you'll have to do what you need to do on your own. It's your future; don't let them hold you back.

Good luck.

 

[spicedmanna]

Oh, and while I'm on the subject, you don't STUDY for the MCAT, meaning you aren't supposed to be learning very many new things when you are preparing for the exam. You are supposed to be REVIEWING for the MCAT, which means you have already LEARNED what you need for the MCAT from school and are now REFRESHING yourself on the material as you prepare for the exam. This implies that you have already taken the proper pre-medical prerequisites.

 

[Orthodoc40]

Thanks guys!!

If you don't mind, what are the disadvantages of taking the MCAT more than once? Don't Universities just look at your best overall score??

So, if you search around this site you'll probably find tons of views and advice about taking the MCAT more than once. It will depend on the school, but no, they won't just take your best overall score if you have taken it 7 times! A few take the average you have for each individual section. This is NOT a test you want to take just to see how you can do, and then plan on doing it again!

 

[burningsoul]

So, if you search around this site you'll probably find tons of views and advice about taking the MCAT more than once. It will depend on the school, but no, they won't just take your best overall score if you have taken it 7 times! A few take the average you have for each individual section. This is NOT a test you want to take just to see how you can do, and then plan on doing it again!

Thanks!

 

[Orthodoc40]

Well I just hope it helps you out!
Whatever happens....

 

[Krisss17]

Im so glad I found this site!!
I just graduated with a Psychology Major from the University of Toronto with a 3.5 CGPA but thats only because I really messed up first year. I got 3.8's in my last 3 years. I never wanted to do Medicine so I never took any pre-med courses. NOW, suddenly my parents want me to do medicine and there is no way I can give the MCAT without the required courses. I come from a very collectivistic, traditional family, where the girl needs to get married at an appropriate age etc. and if I tell them I want to do pre-med NOW they will freak out. But I can not think of any way to give the MCAT with the basic knowledge of the sciences I have from Highschool. My parents do not understand that the MCAT is not just BASIC. I bought the Kaplan Prep Book and looking at that they think I am creating a fuss out of nothing, but the questions on the MCAT go beyond whats taught in those books. And Furthermore, I CANNOT SELF-STUDY for chemistry and physics. THEY JUST DONT GET IT!! I efficiently registered to write the MCAT in September without realizing how complex it really is and now my parents are pressurizing me to give it, when I know I will not be able to. Or wil I? will I really be able to do well or even pass decently by self-studying for the MCAT? WHAT DO I DO??

(P.S I will be applying to the medical schools in Canada, Australia etc that ONLY need the MCAT without any pre-req's.)

Okay, first...the first two underlined and bolded remarks totally contradict each other.

For the second, how in the heck are you going to take the MCAT without having the pre-reqs...applicants taking the MCAT have difficulties with having taken the prereqs, and they expect you to take the test cold? Maybe instead of it being a "pre-req,' it's expected that you will take these courses anyway. If your folks do want you to go to school, both you and them have to realize that you are going to have to do a minimum of four semesters before you can even sit for the MCAT and be expected to do relatively well. Consider the competitiveness in Canada, anything less than a 30 (and that is low) will not be seriously considered. If you look through some of the threads here on SDN, you will see a number of your countrymen trying to get into a US school because at a 36 or so MCAT, they can't get into a Canadian med school.

Even the Caribbean schools require pre-reqs unless you plan on going to their prep program.

Do you have any friends or acquaintances that are trying to get (or got) into a Canadian med school? Maybe they can shed more light on what a competitive process it really is, from the need of excellent grades, to a great MCAT, etc.

 

[punkiedad]

Wait...is it you who wants to go into medicine, or is it your parents who want you to go into medicine?

LOL...I was thinking the exact same thing before I read your reply.

In any event, it is not the pre req thing that is the big deal. I took them without all the pre reqs. I really do not recommend this. It worked for me, but I really dont recommend it. Although when I actually took my BIO pre reqs and OCHEM II, they made a lot of sense.

To the point though, I have to agree with most of the other posters here. Good time to cut the cord with the rents.

 

[Birdeee]

You could have them proctor you on a sample exam and that will make all things clear, and give you a clear idea of the test situation.

Best of Luck!