Which would you suggest?

[87138]

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I was originally planning on taking Orgo II and Physics II for the second summer session and then take the August MCAT. Recently I was considering taking an MCAT course (probably Kaplan) over the summer, and then taking Orgo II later next year (I'm graduating college this May, I only have PhysII and OrgoII left as prereqs, which is why I'm taking them over the summer). Basically, I had planned on finishing those two courses up over the summer, then working during the following fall and spring while waiting on interviews and such (I'm submitting my AMCAS this June/July).

So basically, my two choices are:

1. Take OrgoII and PhysII in July/August, MCAT in August, no prep course (I'm currently studying EK materials).

2. Take PhysII in July August, take a Kaplan MCAT course from May-August, take the MCAT in August, and then probably have to take OrgoII in the spring semester of next year.


Would that be a problem with me getting accepted? Like would schools look at me not having completed OrgoII at the time they would presumably accept me as a bad thing?

The reasoning behind me considering option number 2 is that I feel like the amount of OrgoII on the MCAT might not be so huge that my time might be better spent taking an actual MCAT review class, which should in theory help drill in concepts from all the disciplines, and will eventually touch on the few concepts from OrgoII that would be necessary for the MCAT . . . does that seem logical or is it severely flawed?

By the way, I realize this is a heavy workload either way for the summer, but I am set on banging this stuff out and studying for the MCAT simultaneously (either on my own or via a Kaplan course). I've planned it out and I know in advance that I'll pretty much be doing nothing but studying for four months. And that's ok with me.

 

[87138]

Bump.

I don't mean to sound too annoying, but does anyone have any solid input on this decision? I need to decide really soon.

 

[ND2005]

In all honesty, it sounds like you're trying to do too much in too little time.

Your choices are either:

Take two semesters of two different pre-reqs at once, while studying for the MCAT on your own, while filling out your AMCAS

or

Take one semester of pre-reqs, while studying for the MCAT with the aid of a review course, while filling out your AMCAS, taking the MCAT without one pre-req, and applying without one pre-req


Neither of these are ideal. Can it be done? Of course. Either option is possible, and if you are very dedicated you can get it done and get accepted this year. That said, either option would be hard. Have you thought of other paths that might allow you to take a year off, and apply in 2007 after taking the April 2007 MCAT?

If you must pick between the two, I would say the first option is better -- if and only if you are getting acceptable practice MCAT scores.

Taking the MCAT without a pre-req is not advisable (even orgo). Applying to med school without all of your pre-reqs completed is not advisable. A Kaplan course is not that beneficial to put yourself so at risk in two other areas of your application.

 

[87138]

Thanks ND, I appreciate the input.

Any others?

Again, I'm looking for which of these two situations you'd recommend. I know neither one is ideal, so you don't have to reiterate that.

 

[deleted92121]

This really is not advice exactly but it is to let you know I am in the same boat with you. I have to take O-Chem II, Physics II, Genetics all next spring and study for the MCAT using EK but it can be done from what I understand. I know I am one of those people that the more you throw at me at one time, the more info I absorb.

good luck!

dxu

 

[87138]

Have you thought of other paths that might allow you to take a year off, and apply in 2007 after taking the April 2007 MCAT?

Well, I've considered that (especially after reading this thread: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=273666 ) . . . I'm actually taking a year off already technically. I'm graduating in May, and then working for a year while I'd be waiting to hear from schools (if I applied this upcoming cycle). I suppose it's the thought of being out of school for TWO full years before starting med school (were I to take the April '07 MCAT) that bothers me. I'm just so torn right now. I've been studying with EK since February and am about 4/5 of the way through the bio and chem books, and maybe 1/2 way through physics. I can't seem to make up my mind on whether I should put my nose to the grindstone and take the August MCAT this year, or put it off for a whole extra year . . .

 

[Saluki]

Could you take Orgo II over the summer, Physics II in the fall, and then take the MCAT next April and just wait a year to apply? I'm not saying that your system can't work, but I think it's a lot for one summer.... I think you'll do better on the MCAT if you can focus a little more on it...

 

[87138]

Could you take Orgo II over the summer, Physics II in the fall, and then take the MCAT next April and just wait a year to apply? I'm not saying that your system can't work, but I think it's a lot for one summer.... I think you'll do better on the MCAT if you can focus a little more on it...

Yeah, in theory I could. Well, actually, I'd probably have to take Physics II either in the summer second session (while taking Orgo II), or else take Physics II next spring, since the place where I'll be taking classes doesn't offer Physics II in the fall I don't believe.

By the way, I took Kaplan's free "MCAT Testdrive" in February (a half-length practice test administered on our campus), and scored a 25 with no Orgo and only half a semester of Physics I (no Physics II obviously). Not that I'm saying that's impressive at all, just mentioning it as part of my situation. Not sure how to view that score really.

 

[NapeSpikes]

My first Kaplan full-length test was a 25, too, with only half my prereqs done. After finishing all my prereqs and studying all friggin' summer 40 hours a week, I boosted my score a whopping two points.

Don't underestimate the mcat. Don't rush this process. I know it's not what you want to hear, but it's the truth. Do it once and do it right.

Good luck!