<p>Hi all! I'm a sophomore bme/premed here at Duke and was wondering how your MCAT experience was, and which classes you thought were helpful in preparation for it. I'm currently trying to decide my schedule for next semester with the intention of taking the MCATs late summer. I already have AP credit for biology, chemistry, physics, and am done with orgo. Here's what my schedule looks like right now:</p>
<p>Biology 103L-Microbiology
Biology 118-Genetics and Molecular Biology
Math 108
Psy 108A (random psych class that I thought was interesting)</p>
<p>So I was wondering if you guys found/heard whether or not 103 and 118 were helpful for MCATs? I know biochemistry is supposed to be really good but too bad it's too late for me now...is physiology (Bio 151) supposed to be good too? Thank you soo much for any advice you have!!</p>
<p>118 is very useful, 103 barely but a little. I don't know why everybody keeps saying 227 is useful. I took it after the MCATs and didn't really find it so. 151 is perhaps the most perfect course ever for premeds.</p>
<p>Don't forget that medical schools, mostly, don't accept AP Credit, so they'll need you to take something that can replace physics and chemistry eventually. I don't know if engineering courses count for physics, but biochem definitely works for chem. Check with HPAC.</p>
<p>Given that you haven't taken physics or genchem since high school, a review course will become almost mandatory. (i.e. Kaplan)</p>
<p>Thank you for your input, Mike! But gosh darn, so ideally I'd want to take 118 and 151 now...too bad they're offered at the exact same time! >.< Do you have any other courses that you'd recommend for premeds? And did you really find Kaplan to be helpful, if you took it? (I'm actually currently taking E&M and using AP credit for Mechanics, so I feel like I'd be fine self-studying...maybe...) Ahhh so many factors! xD</p>
<p>I really did find Kaplan very helpful. The review for mechanics and ESPECIALLY for general chemistry is crucial for those who haven't taken it since HS.</p>
<p>The physical sciences section is the one with the easy curve, so all the more reason to load up for it.</p>
<p>There's some other course which is a rough equivalent to 151 -- 117 or something like that?</p>
<p>As for MCAT purposes, the crucial ability on the MCAT is reading comprehension, so anything in English or Literature, if you possibly can, will be very helpful. Whatever it takes to boost reading speed and comprehension.</p>
<p>So I haven't taken the MCAT yet but I am taking it in January and am currently using Kaplan to prepare. I'd have to say that it is most certainly helpful. I think one of the best things it offers is structure for your study.</p>
<p>On a side note, you are planning to take the MCAT before starting your Junior year? Don't most people wait till at least 2nd semester? (I know that everyone tells you not to plan to take it more than once because scores rarely go up significantly and medical schools don't just take your best score)</p>
<p>Historically (as in, last year), the MCAT was only offered during April and August. April was the normal time; August was considered too late. ("If you get into a car accident on your way to the April exam," Dean Singer would say.)</p>
<p>Over the past few years, people started doing it the August before junior year. This provided several advantages. It gave you the summer to study and allowed you to apply a couple of weeks earlier. The disadvantage was that sometimes you didn't have enough time to fit all the courses in.</p>
<p>Now that the MCAT is offered several times a year, the "new" strategy has yet to emerge. The January exam seems pretty popular.</p>
<p>But a summer-before strategy still gives you the summer to study, something which no during-junior-year strategy can give you.</p>