When should I take my MCAT?

[IL Pre Med]

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Need some advice on when to schedule my MCAT. I want to apply next cycle but I'm currently in grad school so I can either take it in spring around May, but I have a full course load and research during this time. Or I can take it summer, early August, which gives me 2-3 months to study for it. Also I'm planning on taking a Kaplan course to help me. I would obviously prefer to do it over summer so I can focus 100% on it but am I shooting myself in the foot by doing it late? Realistically I would have everything complete by early September if I take it early August.
If Its really bad to wait till August I'll study during Spring and take it then because I don't want to lose an opportunity of getting in because I was late

 

[cheechootrain]

Need some advice on when to schedule my MCAT. I want to apply next cycle but I'm currently in grad school so I can either take it in spring around May, but I have a full course load and research during this time. Or I can take it summer, early August, which gives me 2-3 months to study for it. Also I'm planning on taking a Kaplan course to help me. I would obviously prefer to do it over summer so I can focus 100% on it but am I shooting myself in the foot by doing it late? Realistically I would have everything complete by early September if I take it early August.
If Its really bad to wait till August I'll study during Spring and take it then because I don't want to lose an opportunity of getting in because I was late

Take it when you're consistently scoring 30+ on your practice tests.

 

[wtlax11]

I was in a similar situation and ended up taking it late July. I took a PR review course but only attended the first two weeks of class because I realized I was much more efficient when studying on my own. Something to consider is how fast you can turn the secondaries around. I got my MCAT back August 28 and made sure to get all my secondaries done within a week so my apps were complete in early September. Relatively speaking, this is still somewhat early. Sure, people are submitting their AMCAS app in early June and will start getting interviews in September but I've managed to get three interviews so far for November and my stats are completely average.

Everyone says applying early is paramount and I agree, but I just wanted to share my situation to show that though a later MCAT is not ideal, it is doable. I also think if you really commit yourself, 1.5-2 months is a sufficient amount of study time which would bring you to early Julyish.

 

[IL Pre Med]

Do you guys recommend Kaplan courses? Most of the people I've talked to say they're a waste if money and people learn better studying alone. I don't know what to do, I don't have a lot of money, but I don't know if I have the discipline to study on my own

 

[cheechootrain]

Do you guys recommend Kaplan courses? Most of the people I've talked to say they're a waste if money and people learn better studying alone. I don't know what to do, I don't have a lot of money, but I don't know if I have the discipline to study on my own

It's up to you. Some need it to make sure they study. But if you can't, then buying books and following Sn2 plan and you'll be fine!!

 

[Narmerguy]

It's up to you. Some need it to make sure they study. But if you can't, then buying books and following Sn2 plan and you'll be fine!!

Though the Sn2 plan is fine (I basically used it with a few modifications), don't feel like your options are Kaplan or SN2ed's plan. Plenty of people do fine with 2ish months of light but focused study going through one of the sets of books (EK, BR, etc). Kaplan is an incredible monetary investment and I really think people should avoid it unless they think there's absolutely no way that they can stay on a schedule otherwise.