<p>D is scheduled to take an MCAT prep course and taking the MCAT at the end of it.</p>
<p>She was assigned a new advisor at school and he does not like anything she has done, basically ripped her program, her classes, her taking the MCAT soon etc. Suggesting she stay at her flagship public for an extra term to be able to take certain classes in order.</p>
<p>His critique was harsh and not really constructive, essentially he was not pleased she was following her own path- which has her having studied abroad which he says was stupid (so right there we do not have a meeting of the minds,) on track to still finish is four years at a top public, and with good grades.</p>
<p>Her prereqs are a bit out of order, mainly due to a prior advisor who told her to change things up and that did not work well with the study abroad, so her faith in advisors is lacking! This new guy is not helping her figure out things he is sending her to a flunky advisor we already know is rather no help</p>
<p>This prof says she should not take the MCAT before completing anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry. I thought the MCAT was more modeled on the SAT, read and report on what you read, assuming every one has those basic classes required for most any med school.</p>
<p>Is there a need to take those upper div bio classes before taking the MCAT.</p>
<p>Any thoughts that would help her, as she could change her test date in the morning when some new seats open up at her location.</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>I should also clarify I have read all of the posts on the forum including BDMs post from 2006 with MCAT coursewoek guidelines, my question is whether it is better to take the MCAT right after the prep course, when that is fresh, or to wait and take it next May after completing those upper div classes.</p>
<p>I can see that coursework would help, but does it trump the immediacy of the prep course or not?</p>
<p>My D will be doing much the same thing on 8/7. If her AAMC Practice Tests suggest that she is hitting on all cylinders she will take it. If not, she won't. She has not had those three courses either. </p>
<p>How is your D doing on the "real" Practice Tests?</p>
<p>Physiology might help but it's really not necessary. The other suggested courses won't help much at all for the MCAT. THe biochem on the MCAT is very basic. Your D will be fine.</p>
<p>While the exact nature of this advisor's complaints is not clear, it's demonstrably false that she needs anatomy and biochemistry. As NCG said, physiology is hardly mandatory.</p>
<p>Curm's wait-and-see approach is very logical, but for the most part you want to take the exam right after the prep course. Of course, if said course is Kaplan, you can just take the course again.</p>
<p>Thank you, guys, that's what we thought.</p>
<p>D has not done any practice tests :eek: She is busy enough with sports team, study abroad, work, and sorority....are we behind curm?</p>
<p>She said today if a med school does not like her because she did not follow some rigid pattern lock-step, then that is not the place for her. Let's just say advising at Berkeley is formulaic and each person has their own focus.</p>
<p>Just like I did better than the HS GC, due to CC, I think I will do better than the Berkeley advisors.</p>
<p>DD is always one to follow her own path (I am not telling which path, you'll have to see the META thread to figure that out) and it has served her well and she enjoys the journey so we figure she will end up in the right place.</p>
<p>Thanks guys!!!! You have re-assured me that CC rocks and I am not giving bum advice.</p>
<p>This is apparently the same advising team that sends 13 kids a year to top-ten medical schools, out of a pool of 9000 of America's most talented undergrads. I think she'll be okay.</p>
<p>Huh, what are you talking about? 13 is a horrible number! Especially from a top school.</p>
<p>I think we are all in agreement that Berkeley's advising is atrocious.</p>
<p>that sucks cuz I'm think I'm going there( got my acceptance today). Wait does UCLA have any better advising? I'm assuming they're about the same.</p>
<p>Wait, what's her current timing plan? Based on what you said in another thread, I'm a little concerned.</p>
<p>In fairness the bio dept does send out a lot of emails with links to opportunities, but it is up to you to make things happen for yourself. It is very possible to connect with profs and get to know people, do the office hours, sit in the front, go to every single class and get involved in campus life so you are interesting and have fun!</p>
<p>My DD is not interested in following the proscribed path they laid out, she wants to do what works for her, yet still works for med school. She may or may not get in, but she will have been true to herself. </p>
<p>Your best bet is to stay on the CC boards and make sure you are in charge of your own fate.</p>
<p>My other DD was a science major at another UC, she was not premed for sure, but she was considering it. She followed their program and by the time she was done with her second year, she said no thanks to science as a career. She ended up double majoring, as she felt she had done so much work to do physics, calc, bio, ochem, etc that she wanted that piece of paper, too. Now she is in grad school in her other major.</p>
<p>bdm: DD is a junior, taking the MCAT this summer, but not applying until next summer. She plans to take a year off- TFA if she gets it, or some other opportunity, but not right in to med school.</p>
<p>Does that make sense? If I have it right, she can MCAT any time from June 2008-May 2009 and use that for the summer 2009 apps for matriculation Sept 2010, yes?</p>
<p>Perfect. Plenty of time. I might have misread another post of yours which suggested she was going to take the MCAT late and not take a year off, which made me want clarification.</p>
<p>BTW- my DD has not really experienced or at least not ever complained of anything cut throat.</p>