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My MCAT Journey Part 1 - Page 2

Blogs > LosingID8
Post a Reply
Prev 1 2 3 4 5 Next All
bontez
Profile Joined March 2010
United States165 Posts
July 05 2010 08:42 GMT
#21
Good luck. I thought about it in the past too, but I decided to just go for a Masters instead (Biomedical Engineering... more than 50% of my class was pre-med).

What are your plans if you don't get into med school? (i hope you get in, but just wondering what you're thinking about for other options)

Your verbal score from practice tests seems to be really good. I have some friends who do really well on every section besides the Verbal score.

Anyways, best of luck.

sechkie
Profile Blog Joined January 2010
United States334 Posts
July 05 2010 08:42 GMT
#22
not only that, but MD/PhD programs, atleast in the US are super competetive. But I do believe that the MD/PhD program takes around 6 years, don't quote me on this though >.< But best of luck to you to try to get in, to me, unless you love to do research, there is no benefit to getting a phd.
mrmin123 *
Profile Blog Joined January 2004
Korea (South)2971 Posts
July 05 2010 08:43 GMT
#23
So glad I'm done with MCATs woooooooooooooooooo glglglg
Translator태양은 묘지위에 붉게 떠오르고 / 한낮에 찌는 더위는 나의 시련 일찌라!
OneOther
Profile Blog Joined August 2004
United States10774 Posts
July 05 2010 08:45 GMT
#24
good luck man you got this. fighting!
eshlow
Profile Joined June 2008
United States5210 Posts
July 05 2010 08:46 GMT
#25
On July 05 2010 17:42 sechkie wrote:
not only that, but MD/PhD programs, atleast in the US are super competetive. But I do believe that the MD/PhD program takes around 6 years, don't quote me on this though >.< But best of luck to you to try to get in, to me, unless you love to do research, there is no benefit to getting a phd.


Depends on the program... some are hybridized to 7 years (6 at absolute minimum though although I've never heard of one) but most are at least 8 year programs + MD residency.

Generally, they will have you do the first 2 years of med school and take your boards... then do PhD program for 4 years and get your doctorate.... then ship you back to med school for your rotations and then residency.

Yeah, if you don't love research then don't do this pretty much. Or want to have a life outside of work until after your mid-late 30s.
Overcoming Gravity: A Systematic Approach to Gymnastics and Bodyweight Strength
np.Resuscitate
Profile Joined April 2010
United States60 Posts
July 05 2010 08:49 GMT
#26
So I understand my advice is unsolicited, but as a first year med student at an MD school, I will give it. In the present application environment, you absolutely cannot be competetive without a Kaplan or Princeton review course (or something similar). I earned a 33 on my first MCAT, and a 38 on my second after taking a course. Find the money. It's your future, they are worth it.
The Overmind thinks I require more minerals... I would like a loan.
illu
Profile Blog Joined December 2008
Canada2531 Posts
July 05 2010 08:50 GMT
#27
On July 05 2010 17:42 sechkie wrote:
not only that, but MD/PhD programs, atleast in the US are super competetive. But I do believe that the MD/PhD program takes around 6 years, don't quote me on this though >.< But best of luck to you to try to get in, to me, unless you love to do research, there is no benefit to getting a phd.


Most likely. Well, just an MD is also fine assuming I can get in one. Whichever is easier, I guess.
:]
Jayme
Profile Blog Joined February 2009
United States5866 Posts
July 05 2010 09:51 GMT
#28
In general assuming at least a decent score on your mcat it's 3.7 for basically sure in, 3.4 to be competitive and 3.0 with a high mcat score. Schools be hurting for students right now btw..best time to get in.
Python is garbage, number 1 advocate of getting rid of it.
December12345
Profile Joined July 2010
40 Posts
July 05 2010 10:01 GMT
#29
On July 05 2010 17:38 illu wrote:
Show nested quote +
On July 05 2010 17:33 eshlow wrote:
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



this is sad but true. i'm starting med school in august, and the way things are looking, I might end up just buying a wife.

but really, if you keep up on all the evolutionary psychology, might be better off not marrying at all, and just being a serial long term relationship dater.
December12345
Profile Joined July 2010
40 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-07-05 10:08:28
July 05 2010 10:02 GMT
#30
On July 05 2010 17:42 sechkie wrote:
not only that, but MD/PhD programs, atleast in the US are super competetive. But I do believe that the MD/PhD program takes around 6 years, don't quote me on this though >.< But best of luck to you to try to get in, to me, unless you love to do research, there is no benefit to getting a phd.


they are 7 years from what I understand.

On July 05 2010 18:51 Jayme wrote:
In general assuming at least a decent score on your mcat it's 3.7 for basically sure in, 3.4 to be competitive and 3.0 with a high mcat score. Schools be hurting for students right now btw..best time to get in.


lol sorry, but you have no idea what you are talking about.

now is more competitive than ever to get into med school. the recession is making it hella hard to get a job, so lots of people who are otherwise working are applying for grad school instead. and people who are otherwise applying for grad school are applying for med school.
December12345
Profile Joined July 2010
40 Posts
July 05 2010 10:05 GMT
#31
On July 05 2010 17:46 eshlow wrote:
Show nested quote +
On July 05 2010 17:42 sechkie wrote:
not only that, but MD/PhD programs, atleast in the US are super competetive. But I do believe that the MD/PhD program takes around 6 years, don't quote me on this though >.< But best of luck to you to try to get in, to me, unless you love to do research, there is no benefit to getting a phd.


Depends on the program... some are hybridized to 7 years (6 at absolute minimum though although I've never heard of one) but most are at least 8 year programs + MD residency.

Generally, they will have you do the first 2 years of med school and take your boards... then do PhD program for 4 years and get your doctorate.... then ship you back to med school for your rotations and then residency.

Yeah, if you don't love research then don't do this pretty much. Or want to have a life outside of work until after your mid-late 30s.


what the fuck. 4 years undergrad, 4 years med school, 4 years phd, then another 3-7 years residency, with perhaps 1-2 years more fellowship? let's add that up.

18 + 4+4+4+3 (or 7)+1 (or 2) = 34 if u are fast about it, and 39 if you take the standard route.

remember that this whole process is 80+ hours per week, competing nonstop with the best of the best at every turn.

where the hell are you supposed to get married?

no wonder all the top doctors are egomaniacs. it takes a specific type of personality to want to commit to this sort of thing, not to mention going through with it.

parents, don't force your children to do medicine.
eLiE
Profile Blog Joined April 2010
Canada1039 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-07-05 11:40:08
July 05 2010 11:34 GMT
#32
lol, you're looking at an egomaniac right here. I've got the whole shabang going on right now, except my parents wouldn't give me my education fund unless I took nursing first, which in all honesty is probably making my future harder. I feel like the med schools will think of nursing as an easier course and respect it less. But I can probably squeeze some easier marks out of it, and I'm also volunteering every summer at the hospital, and I'm learning stuff by myself (right now, clinical hypnosis, as I want to be a psychiatrist). And being a lifeguard can't hurt either (some some first aid rescues up in there). the MCAT is going to be a problem though, since nursing has absolutely no science in it, so I'm gonna have to teach myself that stuff.

On top of having good marks, it's also really important to be well rounded (is what I hear, so I'm not as worried as I could be). OP, good luck with your stuff, make sure you update us, cause this is important info.

EDIT: I think it's important to note that you need the right mindset in order to become a doctor. In the words of mighty yoda, there is no try, only do or do not (couldn't pass on a chance to quote yoda ).
How's the weather down there?
Biochemist
Profile Blog Joined February 2009
United States1008 Posts
July 05 2010 13:33 GMT
#33
26 isn't a bad place to start (My first test was an 8B8P10V)!

I've been doing a lot better now that I've taken the time to learn all the formulas and physiology they expect you to know. Once you master the subject material though, it almost becomes something of an IQ test.

I'm taking it on the 16th and only started studying last week, though, so I'd better get back to it
radar14
Profile Blog Joined December 2002
United States1437 Posts
July 05 2010 14:17 GMT
#34
To the OP: I think you are in excellent shape. 26 is an great score for your first diag. Here's a question though: why don't you just borrow the Princeton books from your friend also? In my experience, almost all the value of the Princeton course is in the books (and also the simulated exams). Maybe Exam Krackers is sufficient, but I really don't know anyone who used them as anything other than a supplement. Textbooks, I can almost guarantee you, are woefully inefficient when studying for standardized tests. What I do know is that of my friends who used TPR, they improved an average of ~10 pts from their first diag.

I don't want to count your chickens before they hatch, obviously. But given your first diag, I think you have a very decent shot at a DO school, and a fighter's punch at an MD school.

On July 05 2010 17:49 np.Resuscitate wrote:
So I understand my advice is unsolicited, but as a first year med student at an MD school, I will give it. In the present application environment, you absolutely cannot be competetive without a Kaplan or Princeton review course (or something similar). I earned a 33 on my first MCAT, and a 38 on my second after taking a course. Find the money. It's your future, they are worth it.


That's why I kind of agree with this, if you somehow can't get the books from a friend or some other method. $1800 is a drop in the bucket compared to how much you're gonna owe if you actually get in.


On July 05 2010 19:02 December12345 wrote:
Show nested quote +
On July 05 2010 17:42 sechkie wrote:
not only that, but MD/PhD programs, atleast in the US are super competetive. But I do believe that the MD/PhD program takes around 6 years, don't quote me on this though >.< But best of luck to you to try to get in, to me, unless you love to do research, there is no benefit to getting a phd.


they are 7 years from what I understand.


Most MD/PhD's at my school take 7-8 years.

impatience is a virtue
TunaFishyMe
Profile Joined April 2010
Canada150 Posts
July 05 2010 14:19 GMT
#35
I don't know about MCAT but I did take GMAT. I took a kaplan course. Costed me 1500. I didn't think it was that worth it. For GMAT, we have manhattan prep, the books were realyl really good. Try to check them out. You also get free test stuff.

The only thing godo about kaplan is that they have a practice test where you get to take it AT the test centre. Only Kaplan has this deal with GMAC. It really helped get a feel what its like the first time around.
ffz
Profile Blog Joined April 2010
United States490 Posts
July 05 2010 14:59 GMT
#36
There is always caribbean medical schools. Look up St. George and Ross.
Meow.
stalife
Profile Blog Joined June 2006
Canada1222 Posts
July 05 2010 15:08 GMT
#37
I don't know about the states, but here at UBC Canada, the marks alone won't get you into med school ... I've known people with very high gpa (at least 3.8, some 4.0) with very high MCAT scores, (35+), a bunch of awards, volunteer at at least 2 places, lots of extracurricular stuff, yet the competition is so high that they can't get in after the interview..
www.memoryexpress.com
December12345
Profile Joined July 2010
40 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-07-05 15:41:32
July 05 2010 15:38 GMT
#38
On July 05 2010 20:34 eLiE wrote:
lol, you're looking at an egomaniac right here. I've got the whole shabang going on right now, except my parents wouldn't give me my education fund unless I took nursing first, which in all honesty is probably making my future harder. I feel like the med schools will think of nursing as an easier course and respect it less. But I can probably squeeze some easier marks out of it, and I'm also volunteering every summer at the hospital, and I'm learning stuff by myself (right now, clinical hypnosis, as I want to be a psychiatrist). And being a lifeguard can't hurt either (some some first aid rescues up in there). the MCAT is going to be a problem though, since nursing has absolutely no science in it, so I'm gonna have to teach myself that stuff.

On top of having good marks, it's also really important to be well rounded (is what I hear, so I'm not as worried as I could be). OP, good luck with your stuff, make sure you update us, cause this is important info.

EDIT: I think it's important to note that you need the right mindset in order to become a doctor. In the words of mighty yoda, there is no try, only do or do not (couldn't pass on a chance to quote yoda ).


why would you do nursing before med school. the 2 are completely different, and nursing wont prepare you for medicine, nor will nursing classes help you with anything. your parents are fucking retarded.

don't worry about fucking funding. if you get in to a med school somewhere, federal loan will cover 100% of your shit. There is also a new federal policy now that says after your 4 years of med school, you are only allowed to use 10% of your salary to pay back your loans per year. and if your loans aren't totally paid off after 10 years, then the rest of it is forgiven.

cool . i want to do psychiatry too. 100% outpatient videoconferencing for the win! world traveler bitchesssss!!!!
December12345
Profile Joined July 2010
40 Posts
July 05 2010 15:39 GMT
#39
On July 06 2010 00:08 stalife wrote:
I don't know about the states, but here at UBC Canada, the marks alone won't get you into med school ... I've known people with very high gpa (at least 3.8, some 4.0) with very high MCAT scores, (35+), a bunch of awards, volunteer at at least 2 places, lots of extracurricular stuff, yet the competition is so high that they can't get in after the interview..


haha sucks for you guys, cause doctors in canada dont make that much either.
eshlow
Profile Joined June 2008
United States5210 Posts
July 05 2010 15:40 GMT
#40
Yeah, don't take nursing courses at all if you want to do medicine. Big no-no there.
Overcoming Gravity: A Systematic Approach to Gymnastics and Bodyweight Strength
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