weird order to take classes?

[Nvr Ending Jrny]

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at my university freshman year people take bio1&2/chem1&2/english101, sophmore year is orgo1&2/physics1&2/english200 and most people throw in a math or two during those two years. I did not go pre-med until after my first year so i am "behind" on these prereqs compared to my peers here at school. anyways i'm taking chem 101 right now, plan to take chem 102 in summer, and probably also bio 152. i took bio 101 and 102 my 1st semester and last semester and the only reason im taking 152 is for more practice.

anyways my question is this: is taking physics/orgo possible while keeping in mind that I have to work VERY hard to get an A in my science classes and none of the material comes easy to me.
i want to take the mcat the april of my junior year but i don't see how it's possible to have physics/orgo and study for the mcat at the same time. so then my other option would be take it in august but i've heard how it helps BIG TIME to get the application in early with MCAT grades and everything. so i'm just confused on what to do. i guess another option would be take it in august and then just matriculate one year later then my peers?

premed counselor is no help here so some advice from people that are going through this process would be nice.

 

[TRUE]

I personally took physics and orgo simultaenously during junior year and studied for the mcat during the second semester of that year and did pretty well in physics and the mcat, though orgo I struggled a little bit. that's not to say that I didn't have time to study enough or anything like that. Plus, I think having physics and orgo right before you take the mcat helps you remember a lot of the stuff for the mcat and you won't need to be putting in too much extra time for those sections on the test.

In short, you can do it.

 

[ATPase]

It's possible, but I wouldn't recommend it, especially if you have to work hard to do well in science classes. I was in a similar position my junior year (taking physics and three upper-level bio classes at the same time - all of which were easier than orgo), and I opted to wait until the next year to take the MCAT because I didn't feel I had enough time to prepare (I was also working two jobs at the time!). To avoid the August MCAT problem, I just waited until the following April to take it, and then I took a year off after graduation. Everything worked out well for me, and I was very glad I did it this way. I think orgo and physics plus studying for the MCAT at the same time is something you should think long and hard about, especially if you have any hesitations already.

 

[Nvr Ending Jrny]

hey ATPase, why didn't you take the MCAT in august and then if you did poorly you would still have a chance to take it in april of your senior year? also what did u in that year after ugrad but before med school?

 

[ATPase]

I didn't take it in August because I knew the disadvantage that August MCAT-ers face in the application process. It's just better to do it in April and get all your application materials in as soon as possible.

I've been working in my year off. I was a history major, so I'm actually working in a federal government agency this year (not medically related at all). I'm glad I took the year off, because I was tired of school and needed a break, and now I'm ready and excited about starting med school in the fall. I've also been able to make money and pay off some undergrad loans and other bills, and I've had time to do a large amount of community service that I wouldn't otherwise have the opportunity to do. As long as you demonstrate that you haven't just used the year to screw around, med schools don't mind (and often look favorably upon) your taking a year off.

Hope that helps. Feel free to PM me if you want to.

 

[jlee9531]

if you dont feel the greatest of needs to enter medical school quickly....maybe i might suggest taking the mcat senior year like i did after i finished all of the required courses in my jr year. that way you dont have to worry about cramming all your classes in for the jr year mcat. in the year off you can always do things to help you prepare for your journey into medicine...working, volunteering, research etc...

 

[Nvr Ending Jrny]

hey jlee. what about if i took the mcat in august after my junior year and then if i don't do really well i can retake it in april? either way though i'd be applying for one year after graduation (taking a year off).

 

[jlee9531]

Originally posted by Nvr Ending Jrny
hey jlee. what about if i took the mcat in august after my junior year and then if i don't do really well i can retake it in april? either way though i'd be applying for one year after graduation (taking a year off).

well if you are gonna take that year off then this is a great idea. since you wont be at disadvantage for taking the august mcat since you arent even applying that cycle. if you do well then you can chill senior year and just worry about doing well on the rest of your classes 🙂.