<p>My current college doesn't allow freshmen to take Biology for some reason, so that leaves me with either taking Biology alongside Orgo Chem and Physics next year OR going to another college (perhaps CC) and taking Biology there during the summer. Which one should I do? Although I think summer classes usually only cover one semester's worth of Biology. Will med schools frown upon me taking Biology during the summer? </p>
<p>As a side question, I heard here that, ideally, one should fulfill all MCAT prereqs by the end of soph. year and take the MCAT the summer before junior year. But with the new Biochem part in the MCAT, I don't really see how anyone could take the MCAT before junior year unless he/she submitted AP Chem credits and took Orgo Chem freshman year. So I'm predicting that I'll get all the classes (Bio, Chem, OChem, Calc, Biochem) by second semester junior year. Would I still have enough time to take the MCAT (and possibly retest if I don't do so well)?</p>
<p>Are you at a univ? Does it have a premed advising office or website? If so, what does it advise?</p>
<p>Maybe they advise applying after senior year? If so, then take Bio and Orgo next year and take Physics and Bio Chem junior year, then apply.</p>
<p>In your case, it doesn’t look like you’ll be able to have all your prereqs done by soph year. That’s not a biggie, that’s not uncommon.</p>
<p>I’m guessing that with the new MCAT, there will be more kids doing glide years.</p>
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Yes.</p>
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<p>Yes. It suggests that I take Physics I spring semester of freshman year, Physics II fall semester of soph year, and Bio and Orgo at the same time in soph. year. Then I could take Biochemistry junior year.</p>
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<p>Is it not? I was hoping if I get accepted I could matriculate right after I graduate. Will I still be able to take the MCAT and finish my application in a timely manner if I finish my prereqs by 1st semester junior year? </p>
<p>I’m still wondering if taking Biology (or perhaps biochem) during summer school would be a good idea.</p>
<p>EDIT: It looks like the website also suggests to start applying and taking the MCAT summer after junior year. I guess that works, but it doesn’t give me much wiggle room.</p>
<p>You could take the MCAT in Jan/Feb of junior year and have plenty of time to apply.</p>
<p>You could finish your pre-reqs second semester junior year and still be able to take the MCAT and apply without needing a glide year. Schedule your MCAT for April, May or early June and you will have your scores back in plenty of time to apply either early or early-ish during the cycle.</p>
<p>It’s never a good idea to take your pre-reqs during the summer unless you absolutely have no other option.</p>
<p>"As a side question, I heard here that, ideally, one should fulfill all MCAT prereqs by the end of soph. year and take the MCAT the summer before junior year. "
-Not the case with most pre-meds. Most take MCAT right after Junior year spring finals. this way, there is additional year for valid MCAT (if needed), since MCAT is only valid for whatever number of years.</p>
<p>Thanks, everyone. If taking Bio/biochem during the summer is, indeed, a bad idea, then I guess I’m just gonna have to put up with a hellish sophomore year then.</p>
<p>Orgo’s a lot of work (the lab moreso than the lecture), but orgo plus 1-2 other sciences isn’t “hellish”. It’s a walk in the park compared to what you’ll be taking/doing in med school.</p>
<p>Also could be a whole lot worse…(I have examples!)</p>
<p>Keep in mind that most are also taking higher level Bio’s since the first Bio is not that helpful for MCAT. I am talking about Cell Bio, Physiology, Genetics. These are harder than the first Bio.</p>
<p>Would it be advisable to take the MCAT shortly after finals junior year while fulfilling prereqs junior year?</p>
<p>I was thinking of probably bumping Physics back until junior year, but if that doesn’t give me time to study for the MCAT by the end of that year then I just hope I won’t kill myself for taking Bio, Orgo, and Physics all in one year. I took AP Bio and did very well on both the exam and the class, but I would assume that’s irrelevant come sophomore year since I would forget all the material I’ve learned. Would prepping for two of those classes during the prior summer help ease the stress</p>
<p>Would it be advisable to take the MCAT shortly after finals junior year while fulfilling prereqs junior year?</p>
<p>Personally, I think that’s too late. That would be May or June. My own son took his at the end of April, and I felt that was late.</p>
<p>My son will be starting at WUSTL this fall. Since he did not take Physics in HS, he can not take freshman chemistry, so here is the sequence he is looking at:</p>
<p>Freshman 1st semester: Calc 2, Physics (with lab)
Freshman 2nd semester: statistics, Physics (with lab)</p>
<p>Summer: Chem with lab (the whole first year chemistry course in 16 weeks)</p>
<p>Sophomore 1st semester: organic chem with lab
Sophomore 2nd semester:organic chem, Bio 1 (their first semester of bio is only offered 2nd semester)</p>
<p>Junior 1st semester: Bio2, Biochem</p>
<p>Somewhere in between he will also be taking psychology, sociology and other courses recommended for the MCAT.</p>
<p>Best thing for you Juvenis is to speak to your schools premed advising office.</p>
<p>"Would it be advisable to take the MCAT shortly after finals junior year while fulfilling prereqs junior year?</p>
<p>I was thinking of probably bumping Physics back until junior year, but if that doesn’t give me time to study for the MCAT by the end of that year "
-This is exactly what D. did. And because she took MCAT right after spring finals (one was Physics, not her favorite, she is a Gen. Chem person), some material was very fresh in her mind. However, her UG finishes early in May and she took MCAT in May. She was one of the earliest Med. School applicants in her cycle and had 2 acceptances on Oct. 16 - few hours after the midnight when schools start letting applicants know.</p>
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<p>Some colleges believe that Gen Chem is a good prereq prior to taking Bio 1. (And I concur.)</p>
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<p>…don’t do it as it will look bad.</p>
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<p>Wrong. Taking physics jr year is common (for those not majoring in a physical science). Plus biochem, plus…</p>
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<p>Do you personally know people that have taken the mcat after Soph year?</p>
<p>^That’s a big relief, then. Though, honestly, I’m up to the challenge of taking the 3 giants sophomore year if need be. I contacted a counselor from my university and she said as a freshman I could either take Physics I or Bio II spring semester this year, so that will help lighten the load a little bit.</p>