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CA10829 Posts
I figure that there are enough pre-med types on TL that it would be worth blogging about my MCAT experience.
I just graduated from USC (undergrad) about 1.5 months ago with a double major, one of them being Biology. I after graduation I took a 1 week break at my parents' place (ATL) before starting my full-time job here in FL.
Why am I taking the MCAT? Well, I'm not exactly your typical pre-med. My grades were pretty crappy in college, around a 3.1 GPA. I have a bunch of reasons why, but in the end they don't matter. I basically screwed up. Definitely not competitive for MD (Allopathic) which has an average of around 3.7 nor DO (Osteopathic) which is around 3.5. However it IS competitive for DPM (Doctor of Podiatric Medicine). At the moment my thought is to apply for podiatry school. I can see myself working as a podiatrist in the future, and I find foot/ankle reconstructive surgery fascinating. However, depending on my MCAT score I might consider applying to DO school. The MCAT averages for the different schools are: MD 31, DO 27, DPM 22. As you can see, DPM is by far the easiest to get into. That doesn't mean the curriculum is that much easier than MD/DO though. DPM is easy to get in, tough to get out. But that saying probably originates from the fact that there are fewer applicants, so less-qualified students barely make the cut and aren't able to keep up with the intense workload of professional school.
About 2 weeks ago, I registered for the September 11th MCAT (can you believe it costs $230 to take a computerized test? Insane). That night, I started studying for the MCAT in earnest. Because I have no money, I'm using the ExamKrackers study material (books checked out from the library plus Audio Osmosis downloaded for free) in combination with my textbooks from school. My friend also let me access her Princeton Review account so I can take a few practice exams for free over the next few weeks. For those who don't know, these test prep companies (Kaplan, Princeton Review, etc) charge ridiculous prices for their stuff. I think she told me her courses + online test material cost her around $1800!
So far I've been studying for around 3ish hours a day tackling one subject per day. Here's the ExamKrackers Home Study Method that I'm following. I would like to study more, but I'm working full time during the day so I only have time to study at night.
I've taken 2 practice tests for far: the AAMC 3 and 4. The AAMC 3 is supposedly by far the easiest exam so I took it as a pre-test 2 weeks ago before I began my study routine. I got a 8b8p10v totaling a composite of 26.
Some of you may be wondering what that means. Well, the MCAT the covers a variety of basic sciences plus writing and verbal reasoning. There are 3 sections (b/p/v) out of 15 points each for a maximum score of 45. There is also the writing component, which is scored on an alphabetic scale from J (worst) to T (best). "8b" means I got a score of 8 out of 15 in the biological sciences section, which includes general biology and organic chemistry. Likewise, 8p means I scored a 8/15 on the physical sciences sections (general chemistry and physics). 10v means I scored a 10/15 on the verbal reasoning section, which is basically a reading comprehension test. The writing sample portion isn't graded for free (you have to pay for it) so I haven't really prepared for that. But I'm not too concerned because unless you completely fail that part, schools don't care too much about your score. If you score an O or better most schools won't bat an eye unless you're aiming for a super elite school, where you'll want a Q or higher. This is why you see people write their scores as 29M, 33Q, etc.
I just completed another test about an hour ago and I scored a 10b7p10v, which is a 27. Improvement! (lol). Honestly though, I'm pretty happy with my score at this point in time. My weakest area is by far physics (I especially hate the topics of fluids, electricity, and magnetism), and that's what is dragging my score down. I couldn't even answer some of the physics problems because I haven't committed all the formulas to memory yet. But that's OK since I haven't covered that portion of the material in the study guides. I'm glad that my verbal is staying in the double-digit range and most importantly my biological sciences score went up by 2 points to 10! This is pretty amazing considering that I haven't even opened up the organic chemistry study guide yet.
According to the score report these are my percentiles
Biology: 75%ile
Organic Chemistry: 70%ile
General Chemistry: 60%ile
Physics: 25%ile LOLOLOLOL 
Verbal Reasoning: 75%ile
After reviewing my errors, I realized that I made a few stupid mistakes here and there which could have easily been avoided. I also need to stop over-thinking problems because I changed my answers to 3 or 4 problems from the correct choice to an incorrect one (doh).
I know that people tend to score on average around 2-3 points lower on the real exam than their practice exam due to nerves and stuff so I have to work hard to improve my score until I'm hitting consistent 32 or 33 on the practice exams.
Anyway it's already 3am here on the US east coast so it's time to go to bed. I have another full day of work and studying ahead of me. I cannot wait until 6pm, September 11th when I walk out of that MCAT test room. Until them, I'll keep you guys periodically updated on my progress!
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Oh man, the stuff you need to know for pre-med is mind-boggling =,= I'm an incoming freshman for college and have yet to decide what I am going to major in. Like any typical traditional Asian family, I pondered about going into medicine. But the competition in this field is ridiculous. I'm wondering if I should do finance but still lost :p Oh, and I'm going to a CC because I effed up my HS GPA T_T
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Hah def GL, I've only just completed my freshman year but i've talked to plenty upper classmen who tell me premed is touch as hell so i have somewhat of an idea of wut ur going through.
All this cramming about standardized tests remind me alot of my junior yr in high school where almost everyone i knew was worried bout the SAT...oh well i guess thats just how it is ;/
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26 on first exam is really good!
I got 27 on my diag and did more than 10 points higher on the actual test. If you keep working hard, you will be looking at a really good score, especially if your verbal is already 10 with little practice.
However, don't put much too faith into the aamc tests before 7. Theyre very different than the current tests (the current are significantly harder). 7-10 AAMC are good practice tests (but still easier than the current). Since you have your friend's TPR account, make sure you take a lot of TPR tests, which are more difficult than the AAMC ones and thus are good practice.
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Ah, this is so cool.
I will be just starting my 1st year in college this fall and my goal is to get into a good medical school.
Even though it's a few years off, just reading about this makes me feel... idk. that I'm not alone?
I hope that you will do well in your endeavors and good luck!
(And wow, pretty good score for your first try....? :O)
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Awesome! I'm doing a pre-med track as well - just finished my first year after some time off and I'll end up with an undergraduate degree in Biology with a minor in Chemistry. The biggest issue I'm having right now is trying to find all sorts of things that'll look good on a med school transcript. Half the crap that schools/people recommend seem like a full time investment in themselves - I have no clue how I'm going to get them done in 4 years.
Good luck to you, man. Keep at it and I'm sure you'll get into something.
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CA10829 Posts
On July 05 2010 16:08 ShoeFactory wrote:
26 on first exam is really good!
I got 27 on my diag and did more than 10 points higher on the actual test. If you keep working hard, you will be looking at a really good score, especially if your verbal is already 10 with little practice.
However, don't put much too faith into the aamc tests before 7. Theyre very different than the current tests (the current are significantly harder). 7-10 AAMC are good practice tests (but still easier than the current). Since you have your friend's TPR account, make sure you take a lot of TPR tests, which are more difficult than the AAMC ones and thus are good practice.
thanks for the advice about the AAMCs. i've heard the same info from other places but it's always good to hear it reinforced from different sources. i'm going to be taking another test at the end of this week. do you think i should try for one of the AAMC 7-10 or should i just take AAMC 5 since i haven't covered that much material yet? i'm on week 3 of 10 on the study schedule.
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Does your GPA translate into a distinction average? Australian grad med schools don't consider GPA as long as it is above a distinction average (to the best of my knowledge), so you might want to consider applying here. Our medicine uni's are generally pretty good, and it isn't hard to get an MBBS converted into an MD if you want to work in the states.
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On July 05 2010 16:19 LosingID8 wrote:Show nested quote +On July 05 2010 16:08 ShoeFactory wrote:
26 on first exam is really good!
I got 27 on my diag and did more than 10 points higher on the actual test. If you keep working hard, you will be looking at a really good score, especially if your verbal is already 10 with little practice.
However, don't put much too faith into the aamc tests before 7. Theyre very different than the current tests (the current are significantly harder). 7-10 AAMC are good practice tests (but still easier than the current). Since you have your friend's TPR account, make sure you take a lot of TPR tests, which are more difficult than the AAMC ones and thus are good practice. thanks for the advice about the AAMCs. i've heard the same info from other places but it's always good to hear it reinforced from different sources. i'm going to be taking another test at the end of this week. do you think i should try for one of the AAMC 7-10 or should i just take AAMC 5 since i haven't covered that much material yet? i'm on week 3 of 10 on the study schedule.
Take TPR tests every 2 weeks at least. During the last month, take 2 per week. During the last 2 weeks, take a test every 2-3 days.
Don't waste your AAMCs right now. Take TPRs only. Start using your AAMCs in the last week. I don't think its even worth taking AAMC 5-6 unless you have a LOT of time left over.
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I'm taking mine in September also. For right now I'm going through the old AAMC tests. I'll probably hit up the Examcrackers in a bit. Good luck in your endeavors!
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One thing I've noticed personally about academic undertakings is that you tend to learn a lot about yourself, not just the subject material. Maybe that's me. Gl, hf.
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3.7 cGPA is pretty much garbage for Canadian medical schools.... the median for accepted applicants for University of Toronto's medical school was 3.98 a few years ago...
My cGPA is 3.85. Maybe I am competitive for American medical schools? Mmm...
Maybe I should apply! XD
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GL sir. What you pretty much gotta do is maintain the other stuff while you bring up your poor subjects (physics in your case). Then play to your strengths and master a couple of the ones you know you can do good at.
Writing is pretty damn easy as long as you follow typical essay format.
I took it and did fairly well (above average) but ended up deciding to go to physical therapy school. Love this stuff better anyway. 
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CA10829 Posts
On July 05 2010 17:03 illu wrote:
3.7 cGPA is pretty much garbage for Canadian medical schools.... the median for accepted applicants for University of Toronto's medical school was 3.98 a few years ago...
My cGPA is 3.85. Maybe I am competitive for American medical schools? Mmm...
Maybe I should apply! XD
perhaps grade inflation occurs more frequently in canadian unis? that's speculation on my part though. all i know is that harvard's average incoming med student had a 3.80 gpa in college.
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On July 05 2010 17:13 LosingID8 wrote:Show nested quote +On July 05 2010 17:03 illu wrote:
3.7 cGPA is pretty much garbage for Canadian medical schools.... the median for accepted applicants for University of Toronto's medical school was 3.98 a few years ago...
My cGPA is 3.85. Maybe I am competitive for American medical schools? Mmm...
Maybe I should apply! XD perhaps grade inflation occurs more frequently in canadian unis? that's speculation on my part though. all i know is that harvard's average incoming med student had a 3.80 gpa in college.
It's actually because there are very few Canadian medical schools. The rate of acceptance for Ontario is about 4%.
Also Canadian medical schools are cheaper.
Anyways, I am still considering doing PhD/MD. However I really don't think I will have time to do MCAT this year (I haven't even started on GRE yet.. I need to take it before this November, pretty much). I might just try to get into a PhD program first then reapply.
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Goodluck on studying for you're MCATs! I'll be taking mine next year and hope that I can get in to med school >.<, I never knew that the podiatrics exam and gpa was so low compared to the MD program. Perhaps make sure that you get some good job shadowing / volunteer opportunities?? Something like that is what I always hear as in how to bolster you're chances of getting in..
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On July 05 2010 17:24 illu wrote:Show nested quote +On July 05 2010 17:13 LosingID8 wrote:On July 05 2010 17:03 illu wrote:
3.7 cGPA is pretty much garbage for Canadian medical schools.... the median for accepted applicants for University of Toronto's medical school was 3.98 a few years ago...
My cGPA is 3.85. Maybe I am competitive for American medical schools? Mmm...
Maybe I should apply! XD perhaps grade inflation occurs more frequently in canadian unis? that's speculation on my part though. all i know is that harvard's average incoming med student had a 3.80 gpa in college. It's actually because there are very few Canadian medical schools. The rate of acceptance for Ontario is about 4%. Also Canadian medical schools are cheaper. Anyways, I am still considering doing PhD/MD. However I really don't think I will have time to do MCAT this year (I haven't even started on GRE yet.. I need to take it before this November, pretty much). I might just try to get into a PhD program first then reapply.
Do you really want to be in school until you're 34 though... and have debt out the wazoo?
Typically you'll be graduating college at 22... depending on MD/PhD program you'll be doing 4 years for PhD adn 4 years for med school = 30. Then you have your residency as an MD which, depending on your field is anywhere from 2-8+ years. Neurosurgery is like 10+ not really including fellowships, orthopedic surgery is at least 6 IIRC plus fellowships.... On average at residency you're probably looking at least at 3-4 years.
Then as a MD/PhD you're most likely going to be doing research.... and not making any money at all so you're pretty much a highly educated poor person. GL starting a family or doing anything you want to then.
edit: Not to dissuade you from actually wanting to do this if you want to do it.... but really you gotta consider what you want to do with your life in about 8-10 years... aka still in school or out in the real world and such.
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On July 05 2010 17:33 eshlow wrote:Show nested quote +On July 05 2010 17:24 illu wrote:On July 05 2010 17:13 LosingID8 wrote:On July 05 2010 17:03 illu wrote:
3.7 cGPA is pretty much garbage for Canadian medical schools.... the median for accepted applicants for University of Toronto's medical school was 3.98 a few years ago...
My cGPA is 3.85. Maybe I am competitive for American medical schools? Mmm...
Maybe I should apply! XD perhaps grade inflation occurs more frequently in canadian unis? that's speculation on my part though. all i know is that harvard's average incoming med student had a 3.80 gpa in college. It's actually because there are very few Canadian medical schools. The rate of acceptance for Ontario is about 4%. Also Canadian medical schools are cheaper. Anyways, I am still considering doing PhD/MD. However I really don't think I will have time to do MCAT this year (I haven't even started on GRE yet.. I need to take it before this November, pretty much). I might just try to get into a PhD program first then reapply. Do you really want to be in school until you're 34 though... and have debt out the wazoo? Typically you'll be graduating college at 22... depending on MD/PhD program you'll be doing 4 years for PhD adn 4 years for med school = 30. Then you have your residency as an MD which, depending on your field is anywhere from 2-8+ years. Neurosurgery is like 10+ not really including fellowships, orthopedic surgery is at least 6 IIRC plus fellowships.... On average at residency you're probably looking at least at 3-4 years. Then as a MD/PhD you're most likely going to be doing research.... and not making any money at all so you're pretty much a highly educated poor person. GL starting a family or doing anything you want to then. edit: Not to dissuade you from actually wanting to do this if you want to do it.... but really you gotta consider what you want to do with your life in about 8-10 years... aka still in school or out in the real world and such.
Yea I am well-aware of that. I am not that interested in marriage or starting a family, though. If my parents push me too hard on this issue I will just "buy" a wife from a disadvantaged third world country (just need to check her for aids and it's all good)
:D:D
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EPT
