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- Jan 9, 2014
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I am in my junior year of college and plan on applying to medical school this summer, therefore I need to take and prep for the MCAT, but I don't know when. I currently have two plans.
A) I originally planned on taking an MCAT prep course from April-July, take the test in July, have my scores by august and sent to the schools by august (even though this is a little late). With this plan I would be given more time to ace my spring semester courses, get my GPA up, do some extracurriculars, and work my 20 hours a week job. However I would be a bit late in the cycle and this will hurt my chances for acceptance.
Or.........
B) Now, because I feel I will be too far behind in the application cycle, I may prep for the MCAT now, while juggling my pre-med courses, working a 20 hour week job (this is a must I got to eat somehow), and doing some EC's, take the exam in May get the results in June and apply in June instead of August. Honestly it will be tough but I plan on doing this for about 4 months, so I will study little by little.
My questions for you are:
1. Which choice A or B? Maybe you could give some compromise but please try not to deviate from these 2 options.
2. How long does it take to properly study for the MCAT's? Choice A would ~7 weeks but more hours in the week, choice B would be less hours a week but more time span. How many hours per week do you suggest for choice B (keep in mind I'm taking 18 credits as well).
3. Do most pre-meds typically prep for the MCAT as they are taking spring semester courses (if so I better stop complaining)?
A) I originally planned on taking an MCAT prep course from April-July, take the test in July, have my scores by august and sent to the schools by august (even though this is a little late). With this plan I would be given more time to ace my spring semester courses, get my GPA up, do some extracurriculars, and work my 20 hours a week job. However I would be a bit late in the cycle and this will hurt my chances for acceptance.
Or.........
B) Now, because I feel I will be too far behind in the application cycle, I may prep for the MCAT now, while juggling my pre-med courses, working a 20 hour week job (this is a must I got to eat somehow), and doing some EC's, take the exam in May get the results in June and apply in June instead of August. Honestly it will be tough but I plan on doing this for about 4 months, so I will study little by little.
My questions for you are:
1. Which choice A or B? Maybe you could give some compromise but please try not to deviate from these 2 options.
2. How long does it take to properly study for the MCAT's? Choice A would ~7 weeks but more hours in the week, choice B would be less hours a week but more time span. How many hours per week do you suggest for choice B (keep in mind I'm taking 18 credits as well).
3. Do most pre-meds typically prep for the MCAT as they are taking spring semester courses (if so I better stop complaining)?