<p>
i love this analogy :)</p>
<p>curm:</p>
<p>I really thought you would get my analogy using real ponies: plodders vs. thoroughbreds. 
</p>
<p>Or a better one: if you personally come built-in with slow-twitch muscle fibers, you’ll never, ever be able to catch up to Reggie Bush (which requires fast-twitch for SPEED). OTOH, slow-twitchers can run marathons, and finish strong, whereas the fast-twitchers can (barely) finish. In either case, practice running and track work is required, just to get to the starting line.</p>
<p>btw: You can drop a hemi into a Kia, but you cannot transplant muscle fibers – or I don’t think you can!</p>
<p>ACT is taken by students when they are in Jr year of HS, anywhere between ~ 16-17 years of age while MCAT can be taken by students at a much later age, generally >= 20+.</p>
<p>At age 16-17, the prefrontal cortex (PFC) is not completely grown. It’s still going through the 2nd wave of growth and neuronal pruning. PFC is more or less “the CEO of the brain” and is involved in planning, working memory, modulation of mood, and reasoning - all factors critical in test success.</p>
<p>As teenagers mature, the cortex matures as well and retains more critical neuronal connections while pruning away the unnecessary connections…a process, which is responsible for better judgements in later life.</p>
<p>Therefore, it’s not just a matter of having the “horsepower” but also having the “appropriate navigational tools/GPS” of a more developed brain that plays a key role in channeling and motivating one to achieve a particular objective.</p>
<p>So, I believe that ACT score alone do not correlate to your MCAT scores. The ‘habits’ you have acquired between the age when you took ACT and MCAT are critically responsible in laying down the neuronal tracts during these in-between years, and therefore, your reasoning, your speed of reasoning, and your performance.</p>
<p>Bravo. Let me guess, current medical student? :D</p>
<p>^If you’re talking about Pharmagal, her son is. I think Pharmagal herself is a pharmacist.</p>
<p>atomom,
“Miami–was that a “practice MCAT” your D took, and what year is she in college?” </p>
<p>I was referring to the very first practice MCAT test which was part of D’s Kaplan prep class. It was very low. Since then, she took practice MCAT second time and improved by 4 points, which gave her enough to stay in her program (she is in combined program). She is thinking about applying out if she gets it in mid 30s, otherwise she will continue in her program. She is junior in senior standing. She is taking physics currently, so most physics questions she just marked without knowing answer. She is taking MCAT in May. She does not worry too much, since mcat=27 will guarantee her a spot. </p>
<p>But the point was that high ACT/SAT (D’s ACT=33 on first try) with the highest possible HS and college GPA (no “B” so far) will not quarantee high MCAT score, at least in D’s case. She needs to work very hard and she knows that.</p>
<p>Why not encourage the guy to become a nurse anesthetist? Sounds far more realistic w/7 kids at home.</p>
<p>Yes–Nurse anesthetist may be a better possibility. H thought of suggesting that to him–a good income, but the training would not be as difficult/long, and hours may be more controllable/family friendly than medicine. </p>
<p>I think this man would be limited to applying to only 2 med schools if he goes that route–there is one MD school (he works at their hospital), and also a DO school, where his chances may be better.</p>
<p>Reg post #44 - No. I am not an MD track student. I am a Clinical Researcher working in Pharma in the area of Neurology.</p>