Hello! I’ve met some of you at oldpremeds conference in DC past year (which was great) but this is my first post here. I am 40+ years old pre-med in DC area. Nice meeting with you, everyone!
I am trying to choose the right MCAT date—and would appreciate any advice.
I am taking biochem and physiology this semester (my last pre-med courses!), and will start a prep course in January. I hear lots of people say, take MCAT early, either May or even April. There are two test dates available end of April and mid-May in 2014, and I am wondering if 3 months of prep is enough… I will be spending most of my time studying for MCAT, but some of the courses (like Gen Chem) I took are 2-3 years old, so I may need some time to review materials.
Also, do you know how things work once you register and you decide to postpone it, then try to re-register… AAMC website warns us that we should try to register at least 60 days in advance… so, if I register for end April, and decide I am not ready just before the exam, that means I will have to wait until end June- July time? Or it may be even worse as summer will be popular time ( I assume) for applicants in 2014 cycle?
Thank you!
Hi Lily! Welcome to the OPM forum. 
Congrats on taking your last pre-med courses and getting ready to apply! That is WONDERFUL news. You should be very proud of yourself.
I took the MCAT this past season (May 23). I did about three months of prep, and found that it was plenty. Like you, some of my courses (Gen Chem, Gen Bio, and Physics) were a couple years old because I took a year off in between completing my post-bac and applying to med school. Three months was still fine. Honestly, you don’t want to peak too early in terms of your performance on the practice exams, or to burn out. I’ve heard that doing too much more than three months can lead to those problems. Especially since it sounds like your MCAT study will be pretty intense (mine was as well).
In terms of registering, you do want to register as early as possible, because the April/May dates are very popular. This is especially true if you want a particular location and are in a high-demand area (which I’m guessing DC is). Rescheduling your date costs around $90 (maybe a little more, I don’t remember for sure), so clearly you want to avoid that if you can. And yes, if you decide to do that as your initial date approaches, you may be locked out of the next batch of dates due to their being full.
Either April or May would be fine in terms of applying next cycle. If you’re worried about being ready in April, I would go for a May date to be on the safe side. That’s only my opinion though. So go with what your own gut says.
Best wishes to you. Keep us posted on your progress!
Hello Lorien,
Thank you for your quick response, and encouragement! Yes, now I’m leaning towards mid May so I don’t need to reschedule it, as you said.
Are you in this application cycle? GOOD LUCK!!!
- little lily Said:
Thanks!
Yes, I am in this application cycle ... fingers crossed!
Terra, I have a question or anyone can help.I will get done with my pre requisites in May 2015. what can be best days for mcat with a plan to study for three months. Which year then can I apply and start med school. Just trying to see things straight even though I have long ways to taking MCAT.
It’s really hard to answer this question for someone else. I guess it kind of depends on when you’re comfortable enough with the material to take the test… You can take the MCAT prior to completing your prereqs, though you may not be familiar with all of the subjects on the test (not necessarily everything in your classes will be testable). You could theoretically take the test in '14, apply, and start school in '15. Worst case, take the test in late '14/early '15, apply in '15 and start in '16. Most schools will take MCAT scores up to 3 years old.
I took the test in June (not recommended) and reserved a backup date for about a week after my results were supposed to be released. Taking the test so late did put me behind the power curve for applications, and I wasn’t AMCAS verified until September. Depending on the school you’re applying to, applying late can be a detriment (class gets full early) or have no effect other than the fact that there are fewer interview slots available for which you’re competing.