MCATs

<p>ohh thanks BDM.. but what about AP Chemistry and AP physics.. yeah i know they only go half the way, and that you have to take organic and inorganic chemistry in college. BDM, which courses do you think best helped you for the physical sciences portion of the exam?</p>

<p>btw, BDM, AP BIO does cover genetics though to a certain extent; it obviously doesn't go overboard, but does explains it in a fairly detailed fashion. In fact, I used Champbell's 6th edition Biology textbook and Gentics happens to be one of the eight units from the textbook. The unit covers 8 chapters with over 200 pgs.. The chapters are called: Meiosis and Sexual Life Cycles, Mendel and the Gene Idea, The Chromosomal Basis of Inheritance, The Molecular Basis of Inheritance,From Gene to Protein, Microbial Models:The Genetics of Viruses and Bacteria, The Organization and Control of Eukaryotic Gneomes, DNA Technology and Genomics, and The Genetic Basis of Development. These are just the names of the chapters, it obviously goes more in depth with sub-topics and what not.
So bdm, don't say AP BIO DOESN'T EVEN PRETEND TO COVOR GENETICS...SINCE IT OBVIOUSLY DOES.. and you knw what, it also covors cell biology same thing, one of the eight units..</p>

<p>BUT YEAH, BDM, I understand that this is only half of what an actual Cell biology or Gentics course in college will teach you. In fact, I now believe that AP BIO, AP CHEMISTRY, AND PHYS build the foundation for these pre-med courses</p>

<p>Fine. AP Bio doesn't pretend to cover a genetics or cell biology course, although it may touch on the material.</p>

<p>I thought this was pretty clear, but evidently some clarification was needed.</p>

<p>do u think that the genetics unit from my biology textbook is enough to start taking practice MCAT courses</p>

<p>I think it also depends on the AP teacher and such. My teacher had us do quite a bit of genetics, but we didn't cover certain other topics.</p>

<p>It's not sensible to directly prepare for the MCAT until you have all the relevant coursework, including organic chemistry and a COURSE -- not a few chapters -- in genetics and cell biology. Preferably, animal physiology would be included as well.</p>

<p>Second, it's not sensible to directly prepare for the MCAT until two months beforehand, four if you're feeling particularly panicky.</p>

<p>Third, it's not sensible to directly prepare for the MCAT until you're reasonably sure you're going to be a premed, which isn't going to be until after a year and a half or so of college when you see how the courses treat you and whether you like something else better.</p>

<p>Fourth, it's not sensible to directly prepare for the MCAT until you're confident that your English skills are strong enough to handle them. In the meanwhile, make sure you are reading The Economist and the NYT and the WSJ with fluency, comprehension, and speed.</p>

<p>I understand what you mean, but not everyone receives scores in the 30's. I guess that is why ppl want to start preparing ASAP. However, I see what you mean about having a solid foundation. I also see that these ppl want to get acquainted with the exam and increase their speed and knowledge of the types of questions. I actually feel like one of these ppl and so I am thinking about prepping ASAP.</p>

<p>It's not so much that prepping early is extremely neurotic. It's that it's extremely neurotic and won't improve your score. The MCAT can be studied for in a matter of months. Studying 4 years for it won't help. All you'll do is waste time since you're likely to not even be a premed after 2 years of college.</p>

<p>BDM, here is one of your quotes: "AP Bio doesn't cover cell biology in enough detail for the MCATs, and animal physiology is very helpful as well. AP Biology covers about half of what you want."
"COURSE -- not a few chapters -- in genetics and cell biology. Preferably, animal physiology would be included as well."</p>

<p>From this, there is sth I don't understand. First, it is said that you don't need a course in genetics, or a course in physiology, or a course in cell biology is necessary to succeed on the bio section of the MCAT. All you need is a course in introductory biology (and organic chemistry, but this is not discussed for the moment). And the AP Biology claims to cover what is covered at a typical college in a course of introductory biology. </p>

<ol>
<li><p>So why wouldn't the AP biology cover enough biology for the MCAT bio section? That would mean that a college student who only took intro biology would also not have enough knowledge in biology for the bio section of the MCAT.(Organic chemistry is not taken in account of course) </p></li>
<li><p>Besides, AP Bio and Intro college bio use generically the same Campbell textbook, so why does intro college bio cover more than AP bio? (if AP Bio is deficient, why don't we just study the WHOLE campbell textbook which I think is perfectly feasible since no far-fetched concepts are presented?) </p></li>
<li><p>If AP Bio doesn't cover a whole year of college biology, why does colleges (even some prestigious ones) allow you to skip intro bio using AP credits? Is collegeboard basically a hoax?</p></li>
</ol>

<p>What I've always insisted is that once you're at the right stage in your college career, much of the content for the MCAT can be self-taught. This is why even though animal physiology is on the MCAT, you can learn the material on your own if there's a compelling reason to. Being neurotic is not a compelling reason.</p>

<p>Second, just because AP Biology claims to cover what a college course would cover doesn't mean it actually does. The main concern is depth, not breadth. Just ask anybody who's taken both -- they'll tell you. And, in fact, they have. Repeatedly. On this thread.</p>

<p>Colleges allow you to skip into more advanced classes because they want to give you the flexibility.</p>

<p>I'll just say this, just heed the advice of bluedevilmike, norcalguy, etc. if you want to do well. They, along with myself, have studied for the MCAT and we know what we are talking about with what classes will most definitely help with preparing you for the MCAT. </p>

<p>Also, studying more than 4 months in advance is useless. I studied for about 2 months and about one and quarter of that was reviewing the material and the rest was taking practice exams. You can and will be tested on material that you will never have learned before, but it will be explained in a passage and using outside knowledge from upper level classes helps tremendously.</p>

<p>BDM, so your saying that AP Biology isn't in depth as compared to an intro course to bio in college?? but they use the same textbook as Campbell so i guess it just depends on who is teaching you. So your saying AP Bio teachers in high schools don't go in depth compared to college professors? Well, let me tell you some fyi, I actually bought Campbell's 6th edition bio text as a reference and I have read it thoroughly. Also, my AP Bio teacher taught us EXACTLY FROM THE BOOK and outside material to even enrich my understanding of biology. So really, Watson is right, if your learning the same bio course as college students who are fulfilling their requirements for medical school, why not start preparing once you have taken AP biology. I'm just saying for biology. You don't need animal physiology, thats just what helped you. Surly anyone can just read up on a text abt animal physiology, but I think taking a course would just be unnecessary. I'm not saying No to the course, I'm just saying its really up to how much enrichment u want. Technically, all u need are the pre-med requirements for med school. and all of that material is already presented to you in some form of fashion in high school(excluding inorganic/organic chem) same goes or AP phys...</p>

<p>you know what, I think this whole conversation is pointless, when you can just go and pick up a MCAT practice book by kaplan lol... and see for yourself if your ready or not... jeez</p>

<p>^^^These HSers are stubborn, aren't they? Don't listen to us (the people who've taken BOTH bioap and college intro bio) then.</p>

<p>
[quote]
So your saying AP Bio teachers in high schools don't go in depth compared to college professors? Well, let me tell you some fyi, I actually bought Campbell's 6th edition bio text as a reference and I have read it thoroughly. Also, my AP Bio teacher taught us EXACTLY FROM THE BOOK and outside material to even enrich my understanding of biology.

[/quote]

I would bet money that it still wasn't nearly as in depth as a college intro biology course.</p>

<p>Do what you want.</p>

<p>The pre-med advisor and the bio advisor and the chem advisor at my D's college all agree on one thing. If you intend to major in one of those subjects and or go to med school ditch the AP's and take the college courses in sequence. This advice agrees with the folks on this board with experience. Imagine that. ;)</p>

<p>dude look how u phrase that "as in depth as a college intro biology course" so whats the point?? the bio section on the MCAT doesn't go " in depth to the very minute detail of a cell or what not"... AP bio and college into bio are the same thing. thats why u can earn college credit. and jeez they use the same textbook. So now, you guys are saying ur professors are going to make a difference by explaining you the very minute detail of meiosis or w.e... common now...</p>

<p>no i knw i have to take the college course, no doubt, I love bio and science in general. I'm just talking abt preparing early or start studying for the bio section in advance by taking practice tests and yeah.. </p>

<p>but forget all of this studying for the MCAT oh wow!!!! simply omit that by choosing ENGAGE or HPME, RICE-BAYLOR.. or any other BA/MD programs. at least YOUR GUARANTEED INTO MED SCHOOL.. SO STUDYING FOR THE MCAT for 2 yrs??NAA..</p>

<p>
[quote]
^^^These HSers are stubborn, aren't they? Don't listen to us (the people who've taken BOTH bioap and college intro bio) then.

[/quote]

I don't know how you guys deal with it. Kudos on the patience.</p>