<p>My advisors at UGA want me to follow this guideline: OVPI</a> - Premedical Studies Program</p>
<p>Taking both Physics and Genetics WHILE studying for MCAT sounds like suicide cause it'll be hard balancing everything. An MCAT is almost like a full time job and requires a lot of studying and it's the make it or break it point for medical schools. With students planning to enroll to med school after their senior year, they need to do exceptionally well on the Spring MCAT cause they won't have a second chance to retake the exam without delaying their application. </p>
<p>So I'm thinking about doing this:
Fall 2011 (freshman)
Gen Chem I</p>
<p>Spring 2012 (freshman)
Gen Chem II
Principles Bio I</p>
<p>Fall 2012 (sophomore)
Principles Bio II
Orgo I</p>
<p>Spring 2013 (sophomore)
Orgo II
Physics I</p>
<p>Fall 2013 (junior)
Physics II
Cell Bio or Biochem</p>
<p>Spring 2014 (junior)
take an easy load --> take MCATs in spring</p>
<p>What do you guys think?</p>
<p>Any advice will be much appreciated!</p>
<p>
- There’s never a “good” time to take the MCAT.
- Med school’s pretty tough, so I think there’s something to be said for getting used to it (eg: my first few weeks of med school are devoted to embryology, histology, biochemistry, genetics, cell biology, gross anatomy, the doctor/patient relationship, and interviewing skills. And I’m probably forgetting something.)</p>
<p>
- Shouldn’t be a full time job. Might be the equivalent of another 3-hour (or 3-unit or whatever) semester class if you’re preparing adequately. Certainly not full-time though (assuming by full-time you legitimately mean approximately 40h/week)</p>
<p>2) It’s probably not the make or break point on your application unless your score is so low you don’t make it past the screening stages of the application process (because it seems like many schools initially screen applicants with GPA/MCAT), although it is a very important part of it. Ideally, you should not have any glaring deficiencies in any area (academic, clinical, volunteer, leadership, research, etc). </p>
<p>
If you’re really that worried, take it after sophomore year in August or September, which gives you plenty of time to retake it in January or April. I’d shoot for an April date if you think there’s any chance you might want to retake it. And I agree that delaying your application is, generally speaking, a bad move.</p>
<p>"Taking both Physics and Genetics WHILE studying for MCAT sounds like suicide cause "</p>
<p>-D. did just that, or maybe it was physiology (according to her about the same level of challenge). It was very helpful to have 2 very important for MCAT classes rignt before MCAT. She took MCAT 2 weeks after spring finals and the only regret she had was that she took 2 week breather between finals and MCAT. She said that she wasted 2 weeks of her summer, should have taken right after finals. She got decent score, was enough to get into 2 top 20. She was extremely busy, at least according to her pre-med committee she had insane number of EC’s that she was doing during school year.</p>
<p>Miami DAP,</p>
<p>I am interested in U. of Cinci’s bs/md…can you please share the stats that helped you get in?? Thank you so much. I am very, very interested in this program.</p>
<p>Is physics II a required or recommended course for Premeds? I have a similar schedule however, I would rather take physics I in the fall of junior year and not take physics II at all if it isn’t neccesary.</p>
<p>Jay,
I believe you need one year of each:</p>
<p>General Biology
General Chemistry with Laboratory
Physics
Organic Chemistry with Laboratory
English
Math</p>
<p>You decide how you take and what qulify for these requirements. Some Med. School have additional requirements like Anatomy, Biochem. You need to check each Med. School on your list.</p>