When should I start MCAT prep course?

[Boogy'sChick15]

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So I need some advice.

Pre-med Classes finished:
3 quarters of general BIO (3 A's)
3 quarters of general Physics (+more, Physics major) (2 B+'s, 1 B-)
3 quarters of general CHEM (3 A's)
1 quarters of organic CHEM (currently in my 2nd quarter) (B+)
highschool AP transfer credit for psychology

Upcoming classes:
Spring quarter(2016): sociology, and last quarter of ochem
Fall(2016): biochem, genetics, microbiology
Winter(2017) Physiology

My question is, when should I plan on taking the MCAT? which then leads to my next question, when should I begin my MCAT prep-courses? Is it okay to take an MCAT prep course at the same time that you take your pre-med classes, or is it better to take the prep course after you have completed them already?

I am expected to graduate in Spring of 18, which means my applications should be out by Spring of 17. I would like to have enough time to take the MCAT more than once if necessary.

Thank you!!

 

[PremedHELPME]

So I need some advice.

Pre-med Classes finished:
3 quarters of general BIO (3 A's)
3 quarters of general Physics (+more, Physics major) (2 B+'s, 1 B-)
3 quarters of general CHEM (3 A's)
1 quarters of organic CHEM (currently in my 2nd quarter) (B+)
highschool AP transfer credit for psychology

Upcoming classes:
Spring quarter(2016): sociology, and last quarter of ochem
Fall(2016): biochem, genetics, microbiology
Winter(2017) Physiology

My question is, when should I plan on taking the MCAT? which then leads to my next question, when should I begin my MCAT prep-courses? Is it okay to take an MCAT prep course at the same time that you take your pre-med classes, or is it better to take the prep course after you have completed them already?

I am expected to graduate in Spring of 18, which means my applications should be out by Spring of 17. I would like to have enough time to take the MCAT more than once if necessary.

Thank you!!

If you are expected to graduate Spring of 18 then you are a sophomore currently correct?
With your schedule above you should be ok to take a course in the Fall 2016 (this coming fall) although you are correct - you would be doing biochem at the same time and this may or may not be OK. By taking in the Fall you would be leaving yourself open to test in Jan and then if you needed you could test again in March or April and still be on track for the start of the application cycle. If you wanted to wait until you finished biochem then you would be on track with the majority of Juniors who would be taking a class in the Spring (February 2017) to test in April.

A couple of notes though:
*Most Prep classes ( I can speak for Examkrackers Course cause this is what I took, but I understand this is a common theme for all of them) move at a VERY fast pace and they are reviewing the concepts but not always reteaching them. Cause there just is not enough time. You really need to be just refreshing most of the content/material and not trying to learn it to get the most out of a prep class.
*Don't take the MCAT until you are ready. If you need to wait a year to apply by you needed more time to study - IT IS OK. It is only 1 year and there are plenty of amazing opportunities that can fill 365 days while you wait for the Med School of your dreams.

Hope that helps.....

 

[Boogy'sChick15]

If you are expected to graduate Spring of 18 then you are a sophomore currently correct?
With your schedule above you should be ok to take a course in the Fall 2016 (this coming fall) although you are correct - you would be doing biochem at the same time and this may or may not be OK. By taking in the Fall you would be leaving yourself open to test in Jan and then if you needed you could test again in March or April and still be on track for the start of the application cycle. If you wanted to wait until you finished biochem then you would be on track with the majority of Juniors who would be taking a class in the Spring (February 2017) to test in April.

A couple of notes though:
*Most Prep classes ( I can speak for Examkrackers Course cause this is what I took, but I understand this is a common theme for all of them) move at a VERY fast pace and they are reviewing the concepts but not always reteaching them. Cause there just is not enough time. You really need to be just refreshing most of the content/material and not trying to learn it to get the most out of a prep class.
*Don't take the MCAT until you are ready. If you need to wait a year to apply by you needed more time to study - IT IS OK. It is only 1 year and there are plenty of amazing opportunities that can fill 365 days while you wait for the Med School of your dreams.

Hope that helps.....

Thank you so much for the advice! It really helps! I am actually a Junior, but with my Physics course load AND pre-med classes, it will take 5 years to graduate instead of 4. This is because Physics does not cover any pre-med classes like chemistry or biology majors do, and that is without retaking any classes (which I hope I won't have to do!)

And I am starting to lean towards waiting a year. If the prep courses are as fast as you say, then I would rather not rush into it without taking the classes first.
Quick question: would you recommend Examcrackers over Kaplan or Princeton Review? Have you already taken your MCAT?

Again, thanks for responding and the great advice!

 

[PremedHELPME]

Thank you so much for the advice! It really helps! I am actually a Junior, but with my Physics course load AND pre-med classes, it will take 5 years to graduate instead of 4. This is because Physics does not cover any pre-med classes like chemistry or biology majors do, and that is without retaking any classes (which I hope I won't have to do!)

And I am starting to lean towards waiting a year. If the prep courses are as fast as you say, then I would rather not rush into it without taking the classes first.
Quick question: would you recommend Examcrackers over Kaplan or Princeton Review? Have you already taken your MCAT?

Again, thanks for responding and the great advice!

I have and scored a 518.

I took the Examkrackers Online Comprehensive Course (only bc there was not a live class near me) and I was really pleased, I have another post on here where I talked about the course itself if you want to look at my posts. I can't speak to the courses for Kaplan or TPR bc I I didn't use them. I chose EK after looking at all 3 sets of study materials and was really impressed with how EK approached the MCAT and delivered the information in their books. They are MUCH more concise, interactive, and to the point than the others and really focused on making sure that you were learning the MCAT all the way through - not just the concepts. This was big for me bc I really felt good with the sciences overall (for the most part) and needed to focus my attention on the MCAT itself. And while I know I could have studied it myself, I chose the course bc I KNEW I needed a schedule and someone holding me accountable to get my studying done - that's just me!

 

[Boogy'sChick15]

congratulations! I think I am going to take a look into Examcrackers then, if it is as great as you say it is 🙂
thanks so much for the info! Are you applying this spring? And was that your first attempt at the MCAT?