When to take the MCAT

[stephster416]

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I wanted to get some advice on when people think is the best time to take the MCAT with the layout of how I'm doing my post-bacc program. I'm in Harvard's HCP program, and just completed my first year (gen chem/physics) and since I also work, I'm not taking a summer class and am taking bio/orgo next spring and fall. Ideally for whatever cycle I apply, I'd like to submit my apps as early as possible, and I'm concerned that next spring since I'll be taking bio 2, orgo 2, and working, I won't really have much time to prep for the MCAT till AFTER the semester is over (mid-May) if I wanted to take a summer MCAT. I guess I could take an August test next summer, but then I'd have to have everything else for my applications ready to go before taking the test and knowing my score.

The other option would just be taking it later (September/January) and delaying a whole cycle to apply. In that case, however, I'd have 2 gap years. I would definitely try to work in a medicine-related field and take some upper level sciences during that time, but I don't know if that is drawing things out too long and if I should just bite the bullet and decide to shoot for the earlier cycle. Any thoughts?

 

[jjf2139]

I'm in the Columbia Postbacc Program and I'm doing the same thing as you. I have signed up to take the MCATs in mid-June, leaving me a month to study for them after classes are completely over. If I do poorly, I will get my score back in time to retake them in July/August if need be, while still applying during this cycle.

 

[premad]

Heya! I did the postbac thing, and took mine May 28th 2009, having finished classes May 14 and having worked full-time while taking Orgo II/Bio II/Orgo Lab. Didn't take a prep course, just blocked out time to study each weekend and some during the week from about Feb onward. Then, took intensive study time from May 14 thru test day. Did well, didn't have to retake. A slightly saner option would definitely be the mid-June test date, but it all depends on how comfortable you are with the material and test-taking.

Personally, I think it's best to aim to take it once. At many schools, they will average your scores, so it's hard to get maximum benefit out of a retake. Further, you'll have probably to register for the retake before you know your scores if you're doing that kind of tight summer timeline. If it turns out you don't have to retake, you can cancel and get some of your money back. But, if you do have to retake, you won't have too much time to study from the time that scores are in hand to the next test date.

Goodluck!

 

[conrad123]

Last year:

I finished classes around May 10. I was planning on taking it in June, but didn't feel comfortable, so I pushed it back to July 17. I did well so I didn't have to take it again, but my apps weren't in until beginning of Sept. If I were to do it again, I would have taken an early June test.

I think it is possible to take 3 sciences and still study for it...two sciences and full-time work may be difficult, but I think do-able.

Only take it when you are comfortable with it though.

Also--I felt my pre-reqs prepared me very well for the test, except for all of the anatomy and physiology which we didn't go over in my basic bio classes.

Good luck,
Conrad

 

[wooki]

wow all you insane HCP'ers in here! if you talk to fixsen he will tell you that it's really hard to study for the MCATs right after your spring semester. i can attest to this because i felt really dead after a semester of ass kicking. you just don't feel like doing anything.

the BEST advice i ever got for the MCATs was "do not take it until you are ready." this advice is best for a multitude of reasons, but the biggest one was already mentioned: the averaging of the scores.

i would vote to give yourself a little more time and take it in late august or even dec and just app next cycle. whatever you do, don't give yourself too long of a break and then forget everything. from what i hear, HCP does an excellent job prepping you for the MCAT.

 

[Doctopus]

May 27.

Your coursework will (hopefully) be done by May 5, giving you 3 weeks of absolutely dedicated 8-hour-a-day studying before test day (my coursework was done may 1 and i took the mcat may 21). You will then have 4 days to finalize your AMCAS before the first day it is open, June 1.

During feb-march-april you should have your AMCAS mostly done and--if you feel necessary--also be doing your content review for your mcat. (Personally, I was enrolled in a kaplan class during this time but didn't take it seriously. Basically just studied for the final 3 weeks and was OK.) As mentioned, the last 3 weeks are your time to really pound it home. Your AMCAS won't be fully complete until a month after your MCAT test day, so June 27--but you're still very early in the process.

My friends and me all signed up for April tests but ended up putting them off because it's just plain hard to take the MCAT while you're doing your coursework. It's hard to balance a long-term goal (MCAT) with a short-term goal like an upcoming physics test.

That was my experience and is my recommendation, n = 1