<p>I'll be done with all my Pre-Med courses by Spring 2014, if I took an August or Sept. MCAT in 2014 would I be okay applying to med schools in 2015? Or will applying to a school in 2015 require the new MCAT? If I took a gap year and applied in 2016 would the 2014 MCAT score still work? Should I just save myself the trouble and take an early 2015 MCAT that gives me time to apply in early June?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>D, said that upper Bio like genetics and physiology were the most useful for MCAT, you did not mentione if you took them.
Other than this, D. took MCAT right after junior spring finals in a mid - socend part of May, while material was still fresh and it worked for her. But everybody is different. You have to consider your own ability and other aspects.</p>
<p>MCAT scores are good for 3 years. Most schools require that your MCAT be no more than 3 years old at the date of matriculation. i.e. starting classes. A few schools require that your score be no more than 2 years old at the date of matriculation–so check each school’s policies.</p>
<p>Schools have said they will accept unexpired ‘old’ MCAT scores even though the new MCAT is available.</p>
<p>If you take the MCAT in spring 2014, your score would still be good in 2016. (Which is when you’d matriculate.)</p>
<p>One issue you might want to keep you eye is new 2016 entrance requirements. Some schools (Harvard, JHU) have already announced new entrance requirements for med students starting in summer/fall 2016 that better match up with the 2015 MCAT. Most med schools haven’t (as yet) and are awaiting guidance from AAMC.</p>
<p>^Yes, requirements have been changing. D. had to change her senior year class registration and drop one of her minors to satisfy one of her Med. Schools additional requirements (this schools added 2 more required classes AFTER D. has applied). Good pre-med advisory is essential, D. was notified beforehand and was able to act quickly. This is in addition to MCAT related concerns.</p>
<p>RE: gap year</p>
<p>Yes, your fall 2014 MCAT would still be good a 2017 matriculation. (2016 application cycle)</p>
<p>One other option would be to apply during the 2015 application cycle, then defer admission for a year. Some medical schools do offer that option. It would be best if you emailed the admissions office at each school you’re interested in to ask.</p>
<p>I’ll have the following done in Spring 2014:</p>
<p>1 year Bio w/Lab (Human Physiology, The Cell, Multicellular Life)
2 quarters Biochem
1 year Gen Chem w/Lab
1 year O chem w/Lab
1 year Physics w/Lab
1 year Calc
2 quarters Stats
1 year English</p>
<p>I’ve also taken Intro Psych and Socio classes back at my Community College that were a semester each, I don’t know if they’ll require a year of them?</p>
<p>I’ll probably just take an early 2015 MCAT, I don’t really mind studying for the Social Sciences portion.</p>
<p>You might want to add in a genetics class since that is one of the new areas covered on the 2015 MCAT.</p>
<p>(FWIW, AMCAS is piloting the new MCAT exam starting Jan 2013. Test takers will taking an unscored section on one of the following: genetics, biochem or human behavior.)</p>
<p>Add Genetics.</p>
<p>Thanks for your help WayOutWestMom and MiamiDAP. Looking through these Genetics doesn’t look like such a bad idea:</p>
<p><a href=“https://www.aamc.org/students/applying/mcat/preparing/[/url]”>https://www.aamc.org/students/applying/mcat/preparing/</a></p>
<p>I enjoyed Honors Molecular Genetics in High School so I’m actually kind of looking forward to adding it to my schedule sometime.</p>