<p>Hi everyone:</p>
<p>I just finished my freshman yr of Biology and Chem. Next yr I am taking Orgo and Physics. </p>
<p>The thing is, my general Bio class covered NO physiology/anatomy at all and looking at some MCAT books, phys/anatomy seem to be a hefty section of the test. Should I wait to take the MCATs until I finish a semester of Human Phys during junior yr or would a prep class be enough?</p>
<p>(I'd like to take the MCAT august next summer just to get it out of the way and then have a 2nd opportunity Jan. 2008)</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>Nah. My intro bio class didn't cover much of anatomy/physiology either but I was fine for the test. Any good prep book/course will teach you all you need to know. There's not much anatomy on the MCAT, just some physiology.</p>
<p>Thanks thats good to know.
Also, I had planned on doing research next summer fulltime (8-5) and taking MCAT classes at night while self-studying a lot. Is that adequate prep or would a whole summer devoted to the MCATs entirely or waiting until late Jan. to take it be a better idea? </p>
<p>Also, just to make sure, taking the MCATs twice has no disadvantages right? (assuming you improve your score)</p>
<p>I can't tell you what to do because I don't know what level you'll start off at. If on your diagnostic you get a really low score (in the teens) you'll probably need to study full-time for the test. If you start off relatively high (high 20's-low 30's), then you can probably get away with working PART-TIME and studying. Your current plan of working full-time, taking MCAT classes, and self-studying sounds extremely tiring. </p>
<p>And of course there are disadvantages to taking the MCATs twice. It is a tremondous monetary and time investment each time you take it not to mention it won't look great to adcoms to take the MCAT 2-3 times. You should never take the MCAT with the plan of having to retake it.</p>
<p>Generally, you would recommend taking the MCAT right after you have taken all the pre-reqs right... Thus it would be a disadv. for me to wait until Jan. of Junior yr to take it (even tho that would allow more time for studying...but on the flipside, I have to worry about my courses) ? </p>
<p>I will probably need extensive time to study for it, however I have already made a commitment to my mentor for next summer, so its either next summer while working part-time or waiting until mid-Jr year.</p>
<p>
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a whole summer devoted to the MCATs
[/quote]
This is a very bad idea. You need important EC's.</p>
<p>I'll be doing research doing the school yr for at least 2 yrs and I did a research program this summer...so one summer off won't be such a bad thing would it?
Also, I plan on volunteering at some point and getting clinical experience. </p>
<p>BUT my main worry now is finding the right time to take the MCATs so that I have enough (ideally more than enough) time to prepare for it. (see previous post)</p>