[BrightStar]

Has anyone here taken the MCAT yet? I just finished my sophomore year and I'm taking the MCAT next Thursday. >.<

Goodluck with your MCAT.

Will be taking it up this summer.

[pyoon]

College blows, and trying to become a physician blows more.

[mainweather]

^ I totally agree with this comment.

i know after 4 years of college, you have 4 years of med school, and then 3 years of residency. but can you guys tell me what goes on in medical school? like do you just learn more sciences, etc....? what's the competition like?

what are the chances of someone dropping out of med school? I really want to be a doctor but my parents are saying it's way too hard and i won't last the whole way. so now im kind of scared and not sure if i should do something else instead. T_T

It depends on what program the school offers. Most medical schools do lecture/lab but there is another program that I know of called PBL or Problem Based Learning. The pre-clinical phase is the first two years.. you study anatomy, pathology, biochemistry, histology, etc. Then you take boards. Your last two years are clinical. Basically, you observe doctors and residents in a teaching hospital. You do rotations in certain fields like internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, family medicine, OBGYN, etc. You also get to choose certain areas to do extra rotations in. Then you step 2 of your boards.

Competition wise, I would say it's MORE competitive than getting into medical school. Your are going up against the best (which you have to be to get into medical school) vying for a spot in a good residency program.

My mom always tells me that I'm going to burn out and not be able to finish medical school. It takes a lot of drive so if you don't have it then don't waste your time. It's extremely difficult and you will not see any financial rewards for a LONG time.

and now I've just psyched myself out..

[erure]

How do you prepare for the MCAT? I was wondering what classes actually help raise scores, or if studying with prep books by yourself is an okay method... I have more than a year until I have to take it (I'm going to be a sophomore in the fall) but I'm getting worried ._.

Thank you >_<

[mainweather]

How do you prepare for the MCAT? I was wondering what classes actually help raise scores, or if studying with prep books by yourself is an okay method... I have more than a year until I have to take it (I'm going to be a sophomore in the fall) but I'm getting worried ._.

Thank you >_<

I would suggest finding a Kaplan or Princeton Review center in your area. They usually offer a free Pre-MCAT test at some point during the year. Take that before you sign up for classes (if you do) so you know what your weak subjects are. You really have to go into the classes knowing the material.. they aren't going to teach you the subject information. They are there to help you learn to take the test (i.e. speed reading, critical thinking under pressure, time management, etc). This is the reason to take the pre test before you drop several hundreds of dollars on a test prep course. If you score low on the Physical Sciences (my score was horrible) you know to take extra Chemistry and Physics classes/tutoring before taking the MCAT or MCAT prep classes.

I've heard mixed reviews about the actual Kaplan/PR courses. It helps some people, doesn't help others. My sister took the LSAT Kaplan courses and raised her score by around 13. I've also known some people that just study on their own.. I could never do it because I can't make myself sit down and study for 4-5 hours straight when I'm at home. I end up on the internet.. like now.

[joonage]

Hmm ... what are some good joint BA or BS/MD programs ...

Like the 6 to 7 year accelerated programs. Some cases 8 year program ...

http://www.medicalhelpnet.com/content/view/28/46/

This site has a lot ... But which are really good as in has a good rep ...

[erure]

Hmm ... what are some good joint BA or BS/MD programs ...

Like the 6 to 7 year accelerated programs. Some cases 8 year program ...

I know UCSD has a 6 year accelerated medical scholar program but only a handful of people actually get in :I

[joonage]

^^ I just looked at it ... It's an 8 year program ... But no MCAT required ...

But only 12 get in with a minimum of 2250 SAT and 4.0 GPA ...

[teekay]

Has anyone here taken the MCAT yet? I just finished my sophomore year and I'm taking the MCAT next Thursday. >.<

oOo good luck on ur MCAT :]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]



just wondering is it possible for you to graduate a year early with a pre-med degree?
i wants to do that but then i''ll prolly kill myself in the middle of the process :/ suggestions?

[joonage]

just wondering is it possible for you to graduate a year early with a pre-med degree?
i wants to do that but then i''ll prolly kill myself in the middle of the process :/ suggestions?

You'd have to get all your med school pre-requisites AND finish your regular degree in 3 years, which would involved more credits per semester/quarter or summer classes.

fyi, there is no pre-med degree. Pre-med just concentrates on classes required by med schools, but you also another degree such as English, Biology, Business, etc.

[erure]

^^ I just looked at it ... It's an 8 year program ... But no MCAT required ...

But only 12 get in with a minimum of 2250 SAT and 4.0 GPA ...

Hmm. My friend's friend got in for the class of 2011 so I guess he's a genius +_+

[nadi_n]

Hi guys!

Is there anybody who has graduated in Medix school, Toronto? I`m starting my education for Pharmacy technician there, in september, and I`ll be thankful for any information about the studying process.

Thanks to all of you!

[springyi]

How do you prepare for the MCAT? I was wondering what classes actually help raise scores, or if studying with prep books by yourself is an okay method... I have more than a year until I have to take it (I'm going to be a sophomore in the fall) but I'm getting worried ._.

Thank you >_<

If varies from people to people. If you are the type of student who can teach yourself, then it would definitely save you some money. (courses can be over $1000 )

Since you have more than a year (possibly even two depending on when you decide to take the test), you have plenty of time to prepare. If you're like me and have to relearn some concepts, take it slow and schedule! Set up a schedule so you are reviewing for the MCAT every week. If you keep this up, by the time the MCAT rolls around, you should be prepared. Don't put off studying! The MCAT will be here sooner than you know it so be prepared!

Good luck! =)

[Namja]

If varies from people to people. If you are the type of student who can teach yourself, then it would definitely save you some money. (courses can be over $1000 )

Since you have more than a year (possibly even two depending on when you decide to take the test), you have plenty of time to prepare. If you're like me and have to relearn some concepts, take it slow and schedule! Set up a schedule so you are reviewing for the MCAT every week. If you keep this up, by the time the MCAT rolls around, you should be prepared. Don't put off studying! The MCAT will be here sooner than you know it so be prepared!

Good luck! =)

One more thing too add- make sure you take the practice exam offered by AAMC. Just inundate yourself MCAT practice exams two weeks prior to the exam, assuming you have the concepts down packed.

Good Luck and try not to go so crazy

[xiao jia]

ooh another question about the MCAT. r the first year science courses enough to cover the sciences tested? like the first-year bio, chem, and physics? cuz i've already taken the ap versions of all three in high school and scored 5's on all three, but is the mcat really like that? obviously i'm gonna take more advanced courses in all three sciences, it's just that i wonder if the things i learn in those advanced courses will be covered on the test anyways. thanx!!

[1lasthope]

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[mainweather]

ooh another question about the MCAT. r the first year science courses enough to cover the sciences tested? like the first-year bio, chem, and physics? cuz i've already taken the ap versions of all three in high school and scored 5's on all three, but is the mcat really like that? obviously i'm gonna take more advanced courses in all three sciences, it's just that i wonder if the things i learn in those advanced courses will be covered on the test anyways. thanx!!

No. You will need to have taken a year of OChem and at least Molecular Biology before you want to take the test.

I'm only good in English and History but I see no good jobs that can get me a stable income. I can only see science related jobs as something good.

Librarian.. they make bank.

Most people I know that have a History or English degree have ended up working an office job..

[Namja]

I'm graduating next year and I'm really considering changing my 'path in life'
I've been aiming for pharmacy and going to the University of Toronto, but I'm dying in Sciences. I'm sure I'm going to die on my provincial tomorrow.

I'm only good in English and History but I see no good jobs that can get me a stable income. I can only see science related jobs as something good. I'm really freaking out here. Can anyone help me out? What good careers are associated with English and History (I don't want to be a teacher, by the way)
(^I'm sorry to go off topic like this, I'm just really stressing. Please PM me or something if it's too off topic. I just really need to find something for my future.)

"If you are going through hell, keep going." -Churchill

Don't worry just keep at it.

As for careers, ever thought about being a writer?

[c'tin tje]

i'm studying pharmacy, and i'm on my 4th year now (this semester will my last)
now i'm working on my final project.
it's a reasearch about antiinflamatory.

i remember when i was in my first semester, i was frightened.
i thought it will be so hard to get through all the rest semester.

but it's not that hard to get pass through. even as i remember the semesters before, it was so many many fun things happened. i often smile alone when i remembered those things, like how i was so nervous in organic chemistry practical examination. my heart was beating really really fast, i was thought that it'll pumped out of my chest.

don't be scared to take this subject as your major. it's fun! eachmajor has it own difficulty but also has it own fun side.

[littoOhri]

studying for mcat is pretty much like preparing for college finals..but for months..-___-; i'm taking kaplan - and im so broke now lol. i'm doing about 6 to 7 hours a day..i have 3 weeks left exactly till my september test..and it's freaking me out. hopefully i'll be ready. don't take the mcat class and waste 2000 bucks - counting the $ for mcat test - if ure not serious. i wanted to back out so bad at one point but i already put in too much money..haha and time..it's crazy studying, no joke.

=D good luck to ppl taking mcat!