Med School Fall 2016: When to Take MCAT?

Pre-Med & Medical School Pre-Med Topics
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<p>Hi everyone! I'm new to the pre-med subforum, so I apologize if this is something that's been discussed, but I am in serious need of some advising. </p>

<p>Right now I'm a rising sophomore, and I will graduate in Spring 2016. I'm hoping to attend UW or Vandy in Fall 2016 for med school (although I will be grateful for acceptance anywhere). </p>

<p>I really need advising about when to take my MCAT. </p>

<p>I don't want to take the current MCAT because I would have to take it in 2014 without having taken genetics or mole cell, both of which I've heard help. I would also be foregoing a prep course because of the way my classes would line up, and I'd hate to get a poor score and not be able to retest. </p>

<p>However, I'm scared of the 2015 test because nobody knows anything about it...and it also requires me to add a bunch of social sciences to my degree plan. I guess either way I lose, but I'm planning on taking it anyway. Is this an advisable plan for the next years?</p>

<p>Fall 2013:
- Linear Algebra
- OChem I
- Bio I
- Quantative Chemical Analysis
- Research</p>

<p>Spring 2014
- OChem II
- Bio II
- Electromagnetism
- Differential Equations
- Research</p>

<p>Summer 2014:
- Genetics
- Molecular Cell Biology
- Research</p>

<p>Fall 2014:
- Biochem I
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Stats for life sciences
- Research</p>

<p>Spring 2015:
- Biochem II
- A&P
- Jazz Theory (arts course core requirement)
- Some English course for Vandy requirement</p>

<p>Summer 2015:
MCAT prep & take the test</p>

<p>Fall 2015:
- PChem
- Instrumental
- Research</p>

<p>Spring 2016:
- Pchem II
- Research</p>

<p>I'm not sure what other classes I should take, because those will fulfill all premed and degree requirements. I may finish up with more math classes to get a math minor. Right now I'm a biochem major, so those classes are mostly required. </p>

<p>Anyone have any advice?! I'm totally scared of the MCAT and AMCAS haha. </p>

<p>I hate the way my schedule lines up because it leaves no room for fellowships or studying abroad. But you do what you have to, right?</p>

<p>I'm volunteering at the hospital 4 hours a week and shadowing a doctors for 40 hours this winter. I also tutor, am an officer for several clubs, have a patent pending on my freshman research, and am in the honors college at my school. </p>

<p>I've already taken chem, mechanics, calculus I & II, and a variety of gen eds. </p>

<p>Okay, sorry for the massive post. Anyone help? Advice? Critique? Inspiration?</p>

<p>Thanks so much!</p>

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<p>Waiting until summer of 2015 to take the test could hurt your application. Submitting your application late seems to the be the thing that hurts students with great grades and high MCAT scores. </p>

<p>Could you take a lighter semester spring 2015 and study for the MCAT with a test date no later than May?</p>

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<p>Yeah, that’s what I expected to hear. </p>

<p>If I lighten my fall semester 2014 and take the prep course that semester, would I likely be prepared to test Jan 2015?</p>

<p>More importantly…can I even take the 2015 test at that point, and will the prep course be reliable?</p>

<p>I’m so stressed about being in the first cycle to test with 2015. I feel really disadvantaged because my testing window is screwed up because of the transition.</p>

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<p>A lot more will be revealed next year when they start releasing practice tests. As it is now, not everything will be brand new. The psych, sociology material will be new, as will the biochem. Look at it this way, you will be on a more even playing field since it will be new for everyone. There are plenty of charts that are already available that show what will remain and what will be new, but they have already mapped out the concepts.
My DS will be taking it then, and is stressing as well. I know he doesn’t want to take a gap year, but it may be required if the new MCAT is tougher than expected. One good thing is that Orgo is greatly reduced.</p>

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<p>I suppose that is true. It’s just such a notorious test, and knowing that we don’t know exactly what will be on it is just throwing another monkey wrench into the process of getting in to med school. </p>

<p>Thanks for your reply! I think I will take the 2015 at the earliest testing date and prep beforehand during fall semester and spring break. Good luck to your son! :)</p>

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<p>Most people take MCAT at the end of Junior year to have sufficient time to get results and apply as early as possible. Everybody here would have slightly different preferences / experiences sot you will need to adjust your timing to your own liking. D. took MCA 2 weeks after spring finals. She said that it was fine except that she wished that she scheduled MCAT almost right after (couple-three days) her finals. She felt that she lost her summer days of relaxation / spending time with her frineds. She was happy with her score and was able to apply very early with great results. She was preparing for much longer time than most becuase of her very budy schedule during school year. I do not know anything about new MCAT. D. is MS3.</p>

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<p>January 2015 will be the last sitting of the current version of the MCAT. The new 2015 MCAT won’t go live until February 2015.</p>

<p>If you’re ready to take the exam midway thru your junior year–you might be able to take the current version of the MCAT.</p>

<p>However, everyone knows this and people are already explicitly planning to sit for MCAT in Jan. You may have trouble scheduling a test. Be prepared to get online ASAP the day test registration opens in fall 2014.</p>

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<p>Summer 2015 is too late if you’re shooting for fall 2016 matriculation. I would be a little scared by the new test as well but I’m pretty sure Kaplan, Princeton Review, etc. have been spending boatloads of money and time prepping a new curriculum to roll out in time to prep for the first wave of test takers such that I’m sure people will be fine.</p>

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<p>^ Agree. It would mean the applications will be ready only in August or September, too late to make a difference.</p>

<p>Unless you are part of the group of States which claim UW as instate, OOS is considered almost impossible.</p>

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<p>Taking MCAT in May has worked perfectly for D. in regard to early application. She was early.</p>

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<p>Would anyone recommend me taking the January 2015 (old) and then Feb 2015 (new)? I’m trying to decide if prepping for the two tests would be completely different and if that would just spread me too thin. Any ideas on this? I figure I need to take the new one. </p>

<p>Also, I am a Washington state resident. However, I go to school in Texas. I am not excited about the idea of doing med school in Texas, but I know there are more options in Texas than in Washington, where we only have one school. Does anyone think I should declare TX residency and give up my dream of attending UW in order to have better chances at a greater number of cheaper schools?</p>

<p>I’m really torn up about what to do. Thank you all so much for all of your input thus far!</p>

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<p>^What is the reason for taking 2 MCATs?</p>

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<p>I am not sure how you declare residency in Texas if you are a student. Someone told me you need to work or buy property. You definitely have a lot more choice in terms being able to get into a medical school in Texas. </p>

<p>I definitely wont suggest taking both tests one month apart. I would think the preparation for them will be completely different.</p>

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<p>I guess just taking the new one would be the best bet. </p>

<p>I don’t really know how to go about declaring residency. People have just spoken to me about it being an option.</p>

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<p>Here’s the TMDSAS official statement on establishing TX residency</p>

<p>[TMDSAS</a> Medical: Residency Information](<a href=“http://www.utsystem.edu/tmdsas/medical/residency.html]TMDSAS”>http://www.utsystem.edu/tmdsas/medical/residency.html)</p>

<p>Basically only 2 ways:</p>

<p>1) graduating from a TX high school</p>

<p>2) establishing a TX domicle</p>

<p>

</p>

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<p>^ Thanks for your reply. It would actually be possible because my parents are buying a house in Texas and would continue to claim me as a dependent.</p>

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<p>Quote from WOWmom:
'Live in Texas for 12 consecutive months by the application deadline, October 1; and
Establish and maintain domicile for 12 consecutive months prior to the application deadline, October 1, by doing one of the following:</p>

<p>Sole or joint marital ownership of residential real property in Texas by the person seeking to enroll or the dependent’s parent, having established and maintained a domicile at the residence’</p>

<p>If my parents live out of TX, but buying a house in TX, 12 months before I apply, does it make they and me residence even they do not live there (they declare me as dependent)?</p>

<p>In above rule, there is a loop in the sentence “Sole or joint marital ownership of residential real property in Texas by the person seeking to enroll or the dependent’s parent, having established and maintained a domicile at the residence”. Not sure this “having established and maintained a domicile at the residence” means only the parents who are already residents buy the house can be residents, or any out of state parents can buy a house then make them residents. Not sure if I am clear on the question.</p>

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<p>Wowmom is posting an excerpt from the residency rule. </p>

<p>If you or your parents don’t reside in Texas for the prior year, you cant claim residency.</p>

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<p>Simply owning a house does not make one a resident of a state. </p>

<p>The house owner must domicile in said house (i.e. actually live in it), not rent it out to someone else or allow it stand vacant. But live in it as their primary residence. With utilities and driver’s licenses and voter registration–the whole bit.</p>

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<p>I am not going to declare residency but thanks for your interest in the conversation!</p>