Writing Secondaries while taking summer classes

[LuminatorMan]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hi, I really need some guidance with this one.
My question is, how feasible would it be to pre-write secondaries while taking summer classes? Specifically, my MCAT is May 27th (late, but I feel like I'll do much better with the extra month of prep) and then I'll be retaking orgo 1 and chem 2, back to back (I won't be taking them at the same time) at my local state school. That said, how difficult would it be to pull all of this off in the summer?

Although I'll be graduating this May, would it be wiser to hold off on those courses until the regular academic school year starts and just take one class per semester at my local state school? I'd really prefer to take them in the summer but if it's going to shoot me in the foot, I can't risk it. I've maintained an upward trend in the last two years after doing horribly in my first 2 so I need to get A's. I'm also at a top 20 and my advisor said it would be wiser to take the courses after I graduated because my university essentially terminates kids with those two as weed-out classes.

Sorry for the long post. If there's any more info I can give to help answer this question, please let me know. Thanks in advance.

 

[proudofmykids]

I believe quite feasible to do with summer school.
I’ll ask, why are you retaking those classes, what would 2 A’s do to your application? The original grades still factor into both goals reported.

And, maybe someone else can answer, but I would think you would want to delay your application submitted until you can submit all final GPAs you want the schools to see rather tha. Relying on an update to adjust gpas.

 

[LuminatorMan]

I believe quite feasible to do with summer school.
I’ll ask, why are you retaking those classes, what would 2 A’s do to your application? The original grades still factor into both goals reported.

And, maybe someone else can answer, but I would think you would want to delay your application submitted until you can submit all final GPAs you want the schools to see rather tha. Relying on an update to adjust gpas.

Thanks for the speedy reply!
I would be retaking those courses because I received a C- and D in them, respectively. I would need at least a C in both to meet the minimum requirements for most med schools I'm applying to.
I took orgo 2 and biochem and did well in both but from my understanding, I still have to have at least C's in those first two prereqs.

 

[proudofmykids]

Realize that expectations for retaking classes are to receive no less than an A.
Work hard, do well. Still feasible with secondaries.

 

[LuminatorMan]

Realize that expectations for retaking classes are to receive no less than an A.
Work hard, do well. Still feasible with secondaries.

Ok, thanks a lot! I'm definitely aiming for A's only.

 

[LuminatorMan]

^ Any other insight from anyone else on this would be appreciated, especially if you had to make this decision yourself.

 

[KnightDoc]

Thanks for the speedy reply!
I would be retaking those courses because I received a C- and D in them, respectively. I would need at least a C in both to meet the minimum requirements for most med schools I'm applying to.
I took orgo 2 and biochem and did well in both but from my understanding, I still have to have at least C's in those first two prereqs.

In this case, @proudofmykids is spot on.

Your desire to not lose another year is very understandable, but if you apply with the C- and D on your transcript without the As on the retake, you might very well find yourself reapplying in 2 years anyway.

Adcoms on SDN are fond of saying med schools aren't going anywhere. They are correct.

Between the MCAT, secondaries, your primary, and retaking two important prereqs where your existing grades are subpar, it looks like you are trying to do too much in too short a period of time between next May and August. Please consider giving yourself a break by pushing the MCAT back until next winter, after you have mastered orgo and chem 2, and then focus on your application during summer 2023, after you have a MCAT score (and an opportunity to retake that if necessary) as well as your prereq retakes on the transcript that is going to be verified by AMCAS and sent to your schools. Good luck.

 

[LizzyM]

Slow down. Don't retake the MCAT until after you repeat o-chem. Don't apply until after you have those grades for o-chem. Applying with the o-chem grades you have will be like shooting yourself in the foot at the start of a marathon. Be smarter than that.

 

[LuminatorMan]

Slow down. Don't retake the MCAT until after you repeat o-chem. Don't apply until after you have those grades for o-chem. Applying with the o-chem grades you have will be like shooting yourself in the foot at the start of a marathon. Be smarter than that.

Thank you for the advice! Just so I can fully understand, can you please explain how it would be shooting myself in the foot especially if over the past two years I've already taken upper-level classes that surpass Chem 2 and Orgo 1? (I thought that I could submit those grades by email or some other method once the summer was over) Also, what if, hypothetically, my MCAT was stellar in the Chem/Phys section, would it still be shooting myself in the foot?

I agree that I'm trying really hard to apply this cycle, and it's a lot. I am completely willing to delay my app especially if my MCAT isn't good enough. All in all, I'm just trying to understand the logic so I can carry that mindset with my future decisions as well. I'm definitely not questioning your response, I just want to understand the wisdom behind it.
Thank you!

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Thank you for the advice! Just so I can fully understand, can you please explain how it would be shooting myself in the foot especially if over the past two years I've already taken upper-level classes that surpass Chem 2 and Orgo 1? (I thought that I could submit those grades by email or some other method once the summer was over) Also, what if, hypothetically, my MCAT was stellar in the Chem/Phys section, would it still be shooting myself in the foot?

I agree that I'm trying really hard to apply this cycle, and it's a lot. I am completely willing to delay my app especially if my MCAT isn't good enough. All in all, I'm just trying to understand the logic so I can carry that mindset with my future decisions as well. I'm definitely not questioning your response, I just want to understand the wisdom behind it.
Thank you!

There is no logic... only process.

It's about timing and sending your BEST and COMPLETED application as early as possible. Rolling admissions is not kind, and the picture you take when you press Submit and pay for your primary application sets the tone for everything.

1) submit with a pending MCAT (not yet your situation unless you postpone or must retake). some schools could pre-screen you based on your old MCAT, but more likely will put your file on hold until your new scores come in. Early on in the application cycle, each day over 300+ applications can hit my screening queue to triage (as one of many screeners). It doesn't give me much time to go back and look to see if a new MCAT or letters have come in if they were missing in the first place. Often I get a reminder to check. Note this includes checking on secondaries and things like CASPer when applicable.

2) submit without your repeated grades. Your application GPA will be based on the transcripts and course entries you had at the time you pressed Submit. Unless you applied to a CAS that allows academic updates, your application GPA will be calculated on those grades only. If you have two unsatisfactory prerequisite grades, I have ways to filter you out if that was your most recent attempt (admissions policy says you must pass your prereqs so your upper-level classes don't help you), and you will be queued up to be rejected when the time is appropriate (which is dependent on admissions process and policy but usually not within the month after you submitted).

If you wait until after your new grades are in after the summer term, you will likely submit in mid-August (transcripts verified by September or October). First rounds of interviews will have been scheduled for those who we reviewed in late June or early July.

By the way my school doesn't accept any unsolicited grade updates and transcripts (and most won't either).

There are hundreds of applicants you will be compared against (in the computer) who took an extra year to post passing grades in repeated prerequisites and have a satisfying MCAT that is in the pool. It is not hard to screen you out early if your don't recognize this.

 

[LuminatorMan]

There is no logic... only process.

It's about timing and sending your BEST and COMPLETED application as early as possible. Rolling admissions is not kind, and the picture you take when you press Submit and pay for your primary application sets the tone for everything.

1) submit with a pending MCAT (not yet your situation unless you postpone or must retake). some schools could pre-screen you based on your old MCAT, but more likely will put your file on hold until your new scores come in. Early on in the application cycle, each day over 300+ applications can hit my screening queue to triage (as one of many screeners). It doesn't give me much time to go back and look to see if a new MCAT or letters have come in if they were missing in the first place. Often I get a reminder to check. Note this includes checking in secondaries and things like CASPer when applicable.

2) submit without your repeated grades. Your application GPA will be based on the transcripts and course entries you had at the time you pressed Submit. Unless you applied to a CAS that allows academic updates, your application GPA will be calculated on those grades only. If you have two unsatisfactory prerequisite grades, I have ways to filter you out if that was your most recent attempt (admissions policy says you must pass your prereqs so your upper-level classes don't help you), and you will be queued up to be rejected when the time is appropriate (which is dependent on admissions process and policy but usually not within the month after you submitted).

If you wait until after your new grades are in after the summer term, you will likely submit in mid-August (transcripts verified by September or October). First rounds of interviews will have been scheduled for those who we reviewed in late June or early July.

By the way my school doesn't accept any unsolicited grade updates and transcripts (and most won't either).

There are hundreds of applicants you will be compared against (in the computer) who took an extra year to post passing grades in repeated prerequisites and have a satisfying MCAT that is in the pool. It is not hard to screen you out early if your don't recognize this.

I see. Thank you kindly for your response. It's unfortunate because I was supposed to take these courses two summers ago but the pandemic ruined my plans and pushed everything back. If I was able to get it done then, we wouldn't even be having this conversation and I'd be ready to apply right after my MCAT. However, it is what it is and from your explanation, I DEFINITELY don't want to waste my time on an incomplete application.
All in all, thank you very much. You and everyone else have given me much-needed wisdom and insight into the application process.

 

[LuminatorMan]

I have a follow-up question. I have accepted you all's advice and I am very appreciative of it but now I'm wondering what to do next! My entire plan was to apply this cycle. I understand I should instead focus on taking the MCAT for the first time and Acing my summer courses (chem 2 and orgo 1). However, what next during the meantime while I wait to apply in 2023? Personally, I'd love to do a special master's program, which would give me an additional year of reinvention because my first few years of undergrad were bad. However, almost every SMP requires the MCAT and these two courses just like the medical schools do. I've already racked up hundreds of hours of clinical experience and I don't particularly want to do research (already done ~ 2 years).

I truly want to do some sort of academic enhancement program but the application deadlines are too early. That said, I could really use some guidance in this department because I don't know what to do next. I'm currently doing great in my 1 year, DIY postbacc but I won't be able to continue at my university after this year. Should I just go to my local state school and take more classes (and more loans)? Get a master's in biology or something? I don't know which direction to go in.

Thanks in advance.

 

[LindaAccepted]

I'm not sure we have enough information to reply, but you could work in a clinical setting and get valuable experience if you do not need additional academic enhancement (or student loans).

 

[LuminatorMan]

I'm not sure we have enough information to reply, but you could work in a clinical setting and get valuable experience if you do not need additional academic enhancement (or student loans).

Right, as I said I've already amassed hundreds of clinical hours, but yea I guess I could continue with my clinical job and just work full time. I don't prefer it but that's an option.

 

[LuminatorMan]

I have a follow-up question. I have accepted you all's advice and I am very appreciative of it but now I'm wondering what to do next! My entire plan was to apply this cycle. I understand I should instead focus on taking the MCAT for the first time and Acing my summer courses (chem 2 and orgo 1). However, what next during the meantime while I wait to apply in 2023? Personally, I'd love to do a special master's program, which would give me an additional year of reinvention because my first few years of undergrad were bad. However, almost every SMP requires the MCAT and these two courses just like the medical schools do. I've already racked up hundreds of hours of clinical experience and I don't particularly want to do research (already done ~ 2 years).

I truly want to do some sort of academic enhancement program but the application deadlines are too early. That said, I could really use some guidance in this department because I don't know what to do next. I'm currently doing great in my 1 year, DIY postbacc but I won't be able to continue at my university after this year. Should I just go to my local state school and take more classes (and more loans)? Get a master's in biology or something? I don't know which direction to go in.

Thanks in advance.

Any other replies to this? @LizzyM @Goro @gonnif @Mr.Smile12 @KnightDoc
I feel f****d right now and it's a horrible horrible feeling.

 

[Goro]

Any other replies to this? @LizzyM @Goro @gonnif @Mr.Smile12 @KnightDoc
I feel f****d right now and it's a horrible horrible feeling.

Marathon now, not sprint.

As you have plenty of clinical hours, work on boning up your nonclinical service hours. It appears that you are a reinventor, and many of the schools that reward reinvention (Drexel, Albany, Tufts, Netter, for example) are all service loving schools.

Do what you love and love what you do.

Shadow a DO and get LOR from same...you're going need to have DO schools on your list.

 

[KnightDoc]

Any other replies to this? @LizzyM @Goro @gonnif @Mr.Smile12 @KnightDoc
I feel f****d right now and it's a horrible horrible feeling.

You are not screwed at all. You're just a year behind where you want to be. I stand by my post #7 in this thread.

My honest advice is to slow down and take a deep breath. You're at a T20 with an upward trend, and have an advisor who sounds like they know what they are talking about. You should listen to them.

I think you should be more worried about wasting time, effort and money by applying before you are ready, and then having to deal with all of the BS that goes along with being a reapplicant, than saving a year that is already gone, even though you apparently don't realize it yet. It is spring of your senior year and you are missing a few prereqs and don't yet have a MCAT score.

You are simply not ready to apply next cycle. You can engage in anything productive during your additional gap year if you have enough clinical experience. Make some money. Take additional post-bacc work to further enhance your GPA. Travel. Get a public service job. The list is literally endless, depending on your interests.

 

[LizzyM]

Yes, get a job. Fortunately, the job market is wide open right now. It can be a clinical job but it doesn't have to be. Public service as @KnightDoc mentioned, teacher or substitute teacher, tutoring.

Do some volunteering, even just 2 hours per week will help you and those you help.

 

[LeeSin]

Any other replies to this? @LizzyM @Goro @gonnif @Mr.Smile12 @KnightDoc
I feel f****d right now and it's a horrible horrible feeling.

I know it sucks to have your plans changed, but you have to try to view this positively. You feel "f****d" right now but just imagine how you'd feel in a year if you were in the exact same position, but this time after spending several thousands of dollars to apply and getting no where.

Take your time, retake your classes and do well. Trust your process and don't arbitrarily set deadlines for yourself. Good luck

 

[LindaAccepted]

Right, as I said I've already amassed hundreds of clinical hours, but yea I guess I could continue with my clinical job and just work full time. I don't prefer it but that's an option.

Or as others have suggested, pursue something more community service oriented.