<p>I'm a sophmore and will have completed all of the pre-reqs for the MCAT by end of next semester so my plan is to take a KAPLAN prep-course over the summer and then the MCAT right before my junior year starts sep 09. Is this a good idea? I've taken, and gotten nearly all A's in 2 gen-chem's with lab, 2 general bio's with lab, genetics (these were my freshman year sciences) and calc I & II. by the end of soph. year i will have completed orgo I &II with lab, physics I &II with lab, a cell & molec. bio class (im a biochem major). Im pretty sure these are all the necessay/recommended classes for the MCAT but im not sure if my potential score would be higher if i took the MCAT at the end of junior year. I'm wavering between taking MCAT's early or later because i really only want to take it once and do extremely well.</p>
<p>also, the KAPLAN courses are worth it right? or am i throwing away $2,000 for the classroom courses? </p>
<p>I had completed the same science courses as you, except instead of Genetics I took Ecology & Evolution. I took a Kaplan class over the summer from June to early August, and then took the MCAT in September. I ended doing pretty well.</p>
<p>I too only wanted to take it once, and I felt that right before my junior year was the ideal time. Organic is still fresh in your mind, and it gives you plenty of time to plan a retake if things don't go as well as you hope. I'm taking Biochemistry both semesters this year, friends are in Anatomy & Physiology, Genetics, etc. and these are sciences classes that would've helped me understand the material, but I think they're definitely unnecessary. When people tell you all the material you need to know is covered in the four required subjects, they're telling the truth. Anything extra is nice to have, but I wouldn't push it back just to get some extra foundation.</p>
<p>Really just take it when you feel most comfortable and ready. I felt this way once I had finished physics and organic sophomore year. For some friends, they wanted to take extra courses. It's all up to you. Study hard (or at least, better than I did: it helps manage the stress right before the exam if you've prepared properly), do practice exams, and you'll be fine.</p>
<p>Re: Kaplan. Some people do fine without the class. I needed that structure to make sure I was reviewing at least a little bit throughout the summer. Not to mention, the sheer volume of material they offer you to prepare is astounding, no matter how hard you study there's no way you're going to run out of stuff to do. What kind of teacher you get it is huge, though. I had two teachers throughout my course, and they were great. Friends didn't like their teachers though, and are generally not as high on Kaplan as I am.</p>
<p>yeah i had the same basic thought process as you, i forgot to mention that im also taking a physiology class next semester, hopefully these classes will actually help me for the MCATs!
is there any way to figure out if we are assigned a good instructor? aka is there a ratemyprofessor site for Kaplan</p>