MCAT summer course for non-science background

[ks--]

Hey guys,

 

I want to hopefully write the MCAT before the 2015 one comes out. Although I have some science courses, I definitely do not have a science background. And even the stuff that I do know (bio, some general chem), I'd like to review them before I write the MCAT.

I'm considering doing one of the MCAT summer intensive courses- I just don't know which one would be best suited for me, since I have no orgo or physics knowledge whatsoever.

I like learning in class rather than online, which is why I don't really want to do Princeton Review (they don't offer courses in Toronto).

 

Here are the options:

 

- Kaplan (http://www.kaptest.com/MCAT/Prep-for-the-MCAT/Classroom-On-Site/mcat-summer-intensive.html)

 

- Prep 101 (http://www.prep101.com/mcat/toronto/)

 

- Oxford Seminars (http://www.oxfordseminars.ca/MCAT/mcat_dates.php)

 

- Ivy Global (http://www.ivyglobal.ca/mcat/mcat_courses.asp)

 

- Seneca College (http://www.senecacollege.ca/mcatprep)

 

 

Any advice or experiences with any of these courses would be greatly appreciated!

[Depression]

Hey guys,

 

I want to hopefully write the MCAT before the 2015 one comes out. Although I have some science courses, I definitely do not have a science background. And even the stuff that I do know (bio, some general chem), I'd like to review them before I write the MCAT.

I'm considering doing one of the MCAT summer intensive courses- I just don't know which one would be best suited for me, since I have no orgo or physics knowledge whatsoever.

I like learning in class rather than online, which is why I don't really want to do Princeton Review (they don't offer courses in Toronto).

 

Here are the options:

 

- Kaplan (http://www.kaptest.com/MCAT/Prep-for-the-MCAT/Classroom-On-Site/mcat-summer-intensive.html)

 

- Prep 101 (http://www.prep101.com/mcat/toronto/)

 

- Oxford Seminars (http://www.oxfordseminars.ca/MCAT/mcat_dates.php)

 

- Ivy Global (http://www.ivyglobal.ca/mcat/mcat_courses.asp)

 

- Seneca College (http://www.senecacollege.ca/mcatprep)

 

 

Any advice or experiences with any of these courses would be greatly appreciated!

 

Whoa... some of those courses from the list above are quite expensive. I know you said you like live lectures as opposed to video lectures but, I personally think that while they are important, doing the practice problems might be more beneficial. So... watch the lectures online and do as many practice problems as you can?

 

My two cents on the topic.

[Hyperalgesia]

As someone who tried to learn O-chem through the MCAT prep course, I would recommend that you try to take an ochem course before writing the MCAT. I found that the prep course I took (Princeton review for me) did not even remotely prepare me for the ochem section on the MCAT. I definitely bombed the whole section the first time I wrote the test, bringing my BS mark down considerably. I took the first semester of ochem later, and it helped me a ton when I re-wrote the MCAT the next year.

 

Of course, this is only my experience. You may have an easier time learning ochem (and physics!) than I did, but it's a challenge to start from scratch in a prep course, especially without a strong science background. I feel like these courses are more geared towards kids that took all their science courses in first year, and just need to go over the material again/get a feel for the types of questions the MCAT asks.

[JohnDakota]

If you need a class schedule to study for the MCAT, then go with Kaplan. I only say that because everyone I know took that program and they did quite well.

 

If you can establish your own schedule and stick with it, then I suggest a self study approach. Look up the SN2 3 or 4 month study programs. They're extremely detailed and tell you exactly what to study on each day. You'll save yourself a butt-load of cash. For any topics you feel aren't sufficiently explained in the books, go to Khan Academy for a more detailed explanation.

[Selstaar]

I was in a similar situation this past summer with the MCAT in that unforseen circumstances necessitated my writing it without undergraduate-level preparation in Chem, Bio, Orgo or Physics.

 

I went with The Princeton Review for my prep course and scored a 31 - 10PS/10VR/11BS. Overall, not too bad a score. In my earnest opinion, you really don't need a course if you're resourceful and have got the discipline. However, if you're hellbent on taking one the advice I'll give you isn't going to be anything you couldn't find written somewhere in the forum but I guess it always helps to hear it from someone who's lived the experience.

 

1) Take a free practice test from one of those companies before you go shelling out money for one of their courses. To me it just doesn't make sense to shell out money for a class without getting a general sense of how bad the test is or where you're at.They're rumored to be tough, so you'll feel compelled to take their course, so don't freak out about the score. Just use it to assess your situation with a critical lens. When I took mine I scored a 23 - 6PS/8VR/9BS. I thought: "Hey! If I'm slightly below average before studying and without prereqs, I can probably break 30 after four months with some coaching." By contrast, a friend of mine took a test without studying and scored a 31. He devoted 6 weeks during his summer to self-study after that and wound up with a 35.

 

2) Know how you actually learn best and select a course based on that. Don't get bogged down in all the crap about people needing courses and everyone else being willing to invest in their future. The greatest investment I feel you can put into getting this thing done in one go is to actually think about how you learn when choosing your course. Till this day, I think my biggest mistake was switching from a 2-month course to a 3-month course. I never personally got any learning done in classrooms. It was always on my own by creating my own schedule, reading and problem solving. With the switch, I never really got the time to do all the problems that I wanted to or could have. And, I'll confess that in the end I felt in no way ready for the PS section. MCAT studying is hardly different from regular studying. If you're the kind of kid who couldn't pay attention in long-lectures, why in the world would you choose a course with 500 classroom hours. You'd be wasting your time and money.

 

3) Choose a course that gives your enough time and material for practice as well as time to relax. The highest scorers I know were the ones who got through a good chunk of the workbooks and did a good number of practice tests both during and after their "content review" but also enjoyed their summers. They took vacations, worked in labs, volunteered but not to the extent that they adversely impacted their studying. It's also worth noting that most people in my course with a test within 2 weeks of the course ending either post-poned or bombed.

[GOODATGETTINGREJECTED]

WOW!

 

I'm in the exact same position as you. My knowledge so far

- Some Bio

- Some Gen chem

- No physics or ochem

 

I really want to avoid taking to 2015 MCAT and I can't fit ochem or physics in my course load because of my nursing standard time table. I'm hunting for the best way to start prepping. The amount of material is overwhelming though and It's hard to decide where to start.

 

So far i've been watching free lance teacher and learning about sn1 sn2 e1 e2 reactions and some stereochemistry n stuff. It seems straight forward, but I don't even know what I don't know.

 

Anywho, let me know what you decide to do. Right now i'm considering the Princeton review for physics, EK1001 for VR, TBR for bio, and Freelance/EK/?? for ochem.

 

SO MUCH INFO!!!

 

Anywho else have tips for us? I can study, If i just know what I need to know.. I'll learn it.