Tips for Incoming College Freshman

<p>Hey guys!</p>

<p>(*Please note, first one in family to go to college, so I may ask questions which you may be think is a common man question). </p>

<p>This Summer I will be going to college (undergraduate). My goal is to get into a get school for Medicine. I want my classes to revolve around in supporting my preparation for the MCAT. I want to prepare for it ASAP. I don't want to make the same mistake I made with the SAT/ACT. I would study like a couple months before I took the test. I was wondering some good study habits for in preparing for the test. What else do I need to do in college to help me get into really good Med Schools like Harvard, Duke, Dartmouth, U. Chicago. I need to know everything. Like what they would look for. Besides a really good GPA. I would like to know everything please!</p>

<p>I made a lot of mistakes in high school, like studying for the standardized test really late in the year. Not doing activities which are unique. I was also in only a few clubs not many. I just really want to be a head of the group this time.</p>

<p>I also don't really know what exactly the whole procedure for the MCAT stuff is as well.</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/pre-med-topics/1486654-premed-resources-thread-start-here-first.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/pre-med-topics/1486654-premed-resources-thread-start-here-first.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>OP, I am glad you want to change for the better. Let me tell you a couple of things - MCAT is nothing like SAT. SAT is a test of aptitude and there is usually not much to study, other than simply getting your timing right through a few practice tests. With MCAT you really have to study and understand the concepts. MCAT is not a fact recall kind of test, you got to think critically using your knowledge. Having said all that, you really should not focus on MCAT at this point. You should focus acclimatizing yourself to your college, and doing well in your pre-med classes. And once you get past that, start building some ECs, research and other stuff. MCAT is something you would think about deep into your junior year. Good luck.</p>

<p>OP, I think almost every premed studies a couple of months before the MCAT test. I also heard about a half of premeds who take the test do not apply to the med school. Also, it is better to take this test only once - unlike SAT.</p>

<p>It is more efficient to complete the prefers before preparing for this test.</p>

<p>Also, it appears that, assuming that you have completed the prereqs, your skill in SAT verbal reasoning test is more useful for this test. (However, some jokingly said your SAT score statistically correlates with the ZIP code of where you live.)</p>