Hey everyone,
Hopefully this is the right place to post this. I’m just wondering what you all would do if you were in my position.
My original plan was to take biochem and cell bio in the spring (2013) while studying for the MCAT and then take it at the end of April.
Now, I’m hearing from people that I should cut back on my courses and focus just on MCAT in the spring. But then I wouldn’t be able to take those courses until summer or fall and I plan to apply next cycle (June 2013).
For those who have taken biochem already, do you think it’s manageable to do maybe just biochem by itself while in full-blown MCAT mode and put off cell bio until the summer/fall? How light did you keep your courseload while in MCAT mode?
I’m just wondering what you guys would do. I wish I could take those courses this fall but I’ll be taking orgo II which is a prereq for biochem, and biochem is a prereq/coreq for cell bio at my school.
Thanks in advance for any feedback.
-TG
Hmm. I did Bio II and Physics II with lab and Organic II without lab while doing MCAT prep. Plus has 2 weeks after classes finished to do JUST MCAT. I thought that was enough. No outside working or other obligation. I would think you could do the 2 courses and MCAT if you are doing school fulltime. Just have a plan on how much time to devote to MCAT weekly and stick with it. If none of the schools you are applying to require Biochem, I think I might hold off on that and take after application. If they DO require Biochem then you want to have it done.
Kate
Thanks for your feedback Kate. A few of the schools I’m applying to require biochem but only require that it is completed by the time I matriculate (God-willing). I spoke with my advisor this morning and he said he’ll allow me to take cell bio in the fall despite missing one of the prereqs (biochem). Hoping this isn’t a bad idea. I’ll be taking cell bio with orgo 2, orgo lab, and reproductive endocrinology. I hope I survive. lol
In the spring I’ll be working roughly 20 hours per week on top of school and MCAT studying so I think I’ll just stick to taking the second orgo lab (1 credit) and worry about biochem in the summer or fall. That way I can focus as much time as possible on the MCAT.
Thanks again for your response. 
I’m in a similar boat. I intend to take the MCAT Spring 2013 to apply that June. I am working on a Bio degree and finishing prereqs so I also have to squeeze in classes and MCAT prep. I’m taking Cell Bio w/ lab, BioII w/ Lab, and Orgo I w/o lab in Fall. My plan is to finish prereqs in Spring: Physics II w/lab and Orgo II w/ lab (10 credits)and take no other courses except my MCAT prep classroom course. This seems a reasonable plan to me. My advisor said I may want to consider adding another course in Spring to beef it up for med school aps; to show I can handle a lot at once, etc. I think I’ve already shown that and she agrees, but she still thinks we should think about it when it comes time to register for Spring. I took Calculus, ChemII w/lab and Genetics (12 credits) this past Spring while working in the Bio lab as an assistant, working my off campus sales job 8 hrs/week, and volunteering 4 hrs each Friday night in Hospice. I got all A’s. Oh, and I’m a single mom to a 3.5 yr old. I also have an overall 3.99gpa so I think I’ve proved my worth, but I understand what my advisor is saying about Spring. I just don’t want to overdo it and I don’t want to risk a less than stellar MCAT score either. It’s possible I could add an easier Bio course just for good measure, but I hate feeling like I still have to somehow prove myself. My grades and ability to handle a lot should already be evident. I imagine med school could forgive this 10 credit semester(albeit in two heavy science courses). I’ll still be volunteering but outside of the formal MCAT prep course I do not expect any other commitments beside the usual mom stuff. Anyone else have thoughts on this? Thanks! Sorry for being long winded.
Oh, and as for biochem: there is one school I will possibly apply to (I intend to apply early decision to a different school-fingers crossed). My advisor told me that if I end up applying to the biochem required school for any reason, that I could always take it after I’m accepted. She made it seem not a big deal at all. The prereq for Biochem is Orgo II so I am covered there. However, it’s not my #1 school so I’m not really too invested in taking it. Some others recommend it in undergrad/post-bacc and others say if it’s not required, don’t bother. Med School will teach it to you! So, it’s a personal choice unless you have to have it for a particular school.
I just completed the semester you guys are talking about.
I took Biochem, Physics II, started research, and volunteered. Took the MCAT 4/28.
It was a lot; no doubt. When you start taking FL practice tests (and you’ll want to do as many as you can), and have exams, the juggling act begins. I felt the biochem helped a bunch though. It just made everything I saw on the test easier to digest.
Not sure what your fall looks like, but if you can squeeze anything in there, that might help.
Hello, I was wondering if the majority of you would recommend just studying from MCAT prep books or did you take courses (ex Kaplan, Princeton Review, etc). What worked for you? I know everyone is different, just wanted to get some feedback. Thanks!! Isis