Friendly Magpie Posted July 8, 2015 Report Share Posted July 8, 2015 Hi everyone, I'm just starting this thread for those of us applying to Calgary for the upcoming cycle. We have a similar thread in the U of A forum, so let's use this thread to ask questions and offer support. This is my first time applying to Calgary, so am going through the application manual and am getting started with UCAN. How's it going for everyone else? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruhh Posted July 8, 2015 Report Share Posted July 8, 2015 Wassupp Going ok so far. I think I want to do the app all in one day (or at least most of it) so I don't spend every day worrying about it. I did all the little stuff, just the Big top 10 remains :/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Med_new Posted July 8, 2015 Report Share Posted July 8, 2015 hey!!! nice .. good call. writing the MCAT next month .. this new exam is freakin long ... wish me luck!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Friendly Magpie Posted July 8, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 8, 2015 I'm writing the new MCAT next month too on August 21st, so hopefully it goes well. I think that staying focused will be the toughest part, since it is LOOONG as you said. Best of luck to you both (and to everyone reading this as well )! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruhh Posted July 8, 2015 Report Share Posted July 8, 2015 I'm writing it on September 12th. I won't know my score when I apply !! Haha and as an OOP I need the minimum 127 on CARS - great Good luck to all of us Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
medmedmed10 Posted July 8, 2015 Report Share Posted July 8, 2015 I'm applying this year as well. Wrote the new MCAT on June 20th. It's not too bad, and I think a 127 on CARS is definitely achievable, especially with the extra time you get per passage relative to the old exam If you guys have any questions about the exam (not that I'm an expert - but at least I've taken it ) let me know! Anyone going to the info session at the University on July 22nd? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tropomyosin Posted July 8, 2015 Report Share Posted July 8, 2015 Hey everyone, finally decided to join the forums. I'll be applying this cycle as well (writing the MCAT Aug. 22). I will be applying as a 3rd year, so my chances are probably pretty slim... Regardless, the experience with the application process is worth it. Good luck to us all! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjc2 Posted July 9, 2015 Report Share Posted July 9, 2015 I'll be applying this cycle... my fourth attempt after a few years off. Good luck to everyone who still has to write the MCAT! Make sure you bring lots of snacks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Friendly Magpie Posted July 9, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 9, 2015 I'm applying this year as well. Wrote the new MCAT on June 20th. It's not too bad, and I think a 127 on CARS is definitely achievable, especially with the extra time you get per passage relative to the old exam If you guys have any questions about the exam (not that I'm an expert - but at least I've taken it ) let me know! Anyone going to the info session at the University on July 22nd? I'm glad that the MCAT went well for you. I'm sure you're glad to have it out of the way. I'm in Edmonton, so won't be able to attend the info session. Is that the one that is being podcast or are people talking about two different things (there is another thread on it)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Friendly Magpie Posted July 9, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 9, 2015 Hey everyone, finally decided to join the forums. I'll be applying this cycle as well (writing the MCAT Aug. 22). I will be applying as a 3rd year, so my chances are probably pretty slim... Regardless, the experience with the application process is worth it. Good luck to us all! Welcome to the forum I was a long time lurker and now I don't shut up (as you may have noticed ). Good luck with your MCAT and with your application! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Friendly Magpie Posted July 9, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 9, 2015 I'll be applying this cycle... my fourth attempt after a few years off. Good luck to everyone who still has to write the MCAT! Make sure you bring lots of snacks! Thanks for the tip about snacks! I will do that. Good luck with your app this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowflakesinwinter15 Posted July 9, 2015 Report Share Posted July 9, 2015 July 22nd is similar to the one that took place on the 6th except it is for people who are switching careers so I guess what would be considered non trads It will also be uploaded Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
medmedmed10 Posted July 9, 2015 Report Share Posted July 9, 2015 I'm glad that the MCAT went well for you. I'm sure you're glad to have it out of the way. I'm in Edmonton, so won't be able to attend the info session. Is that the one that is being podcast or are people talking about two different things (there is another thread on it)? Thanks! Ya, I'm really glad to be done. Ya, like snowflakesinwinter said, its for non trads. I'm a PhD student, so I figured I'd go to that one instead of the one that was on July 6th. I may listen to the podcast for that one as well though, just to see if there's any relevant information. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Friendly Magpie Posted July 9, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 9, 2015 Thanks! Ya, I'm really glad to be done. Ya, like snowflakesinwinter said, its for non trads. I'm a PhD student, so I figured I'd go to that one instead of the one that was on July 6th. I may listen to the podcast for that one as well though, just to see if there's any relevant information. Thanks. I'm VERY non-traditional, so will have to check out the podcast when it's up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowflakesinwinter15 Posted July 10, 2015 Report Share Posted July 10, 2015 Thanks. I'm VERY non-traditional, so will have to check out the podcast when it's up. You should it'll be good! if i have time on the 22nd i can always go for you if you have questions? let me know. unless youre cool with the podcast Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowflakesinwinter15 Posted July 10, 2015 Report Share Posted July 10, 2015 Thanks! Ya, I'm really glad to be done. Ya, like snowflakesinwinter said, its for non trads. I'm a PhD student, so I figured I'd go to that one instead of the one that was on July 6th. I may listen to the podcast for that one as well though, just to see if there's any relevant information. i am sure it will be great glad you are done the mcat! if you have specific questions i can always drop by on the 22nd and ask ? let me know Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Friendly Magpie Posted July 10, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 10, 2015 You should it'll be good! if i have time on the 22nd i can always go for you if you have questions? let me know. unless youre cool with the podcast Thank you so much for the offer! I don't have any specific questions at this point so should be good with the podcast. ???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barksdale Posted July 10, 2015 Report Share Posted July 10, 2015 I'm applying this year as well. Wrote the new MCAT on June 20th. It's not too bad, and I think a 127 on CARS is definitely achievable, especially with the extra time you get per passage relative to the old exam If you guys have any questions about the exam (not that I'm an expert - but at least I've taken it ) let me know! Anyone going to the info session at the University on July 22nd? Hey! I had a quick question about the new mcat. I was just wondering what practice materials you used? I've heard mixed things about using older material, such as older aamc practice tests because they don't accurately represent the new mcat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
medmedmed10 Posted July 10, 2015 Report Share Posted July 10, 2015 Hey! I had a quick question about the new mcat. I was just wondering what practice materials you used? I've heard mixed things about using older material, such as older aamc practice tests because they don't accurately represent the new mcat. Hey, I mostly used new material. I used the new EK books and Khan academy for content review. I had to supplement the EK books because they are missing a bunch of psychology/sociology content, and their coverage of biochem is really brief. I also used the 3 FL exams they had published before my exam (altough I hear there is a 4th now). I found those to be as close to the AAMC practice test out of all the prep companies (although the tests themselves are quite a bit harder). I also used the AAMC question packs, their official guide questions, and their full length. The AAMC question packs have a bunch of questions from old exams, but that are relevant for the new exam. Although the question style might differ a bit from what you see on your exam, I found it to be a really good guide for what topics I was still weak on. Obviously the AAMC full length and official guide are the best investment you can make. In terms of old material, I did a bit of extra verbal practice with EK101, but didn't use any aside from that. I think you could probably use old material for content review but there have been a bunch of changes, so you would have to refer to the AAMC topic list to make sure you weren't wasting time on topics no longer covered, and to make sure you don't miss topics that have been added. I personally wouldn't do it, since I feel the added time trying to sort through it all wouldn't be worth it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowflakesinwinter15 Posted July 10, 2015 Report Share Posted July 10, 2015 Thank you so much for the offer! I don't have any specific questions at this point so should be good with the podcast. No problem Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Friendly Magpie Posted July 10, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 10, 2015 Hey, I mostly used new material. I used the new EK books and Khan academy for content review. I had to supplement the EK books because they are missing a bunch of psychology/sociology content, and their coverage of biochem is really brief. I also used the 3 FL exams they had published before my exam (altough I hear there is a 4th now). I found those to be as close to the AAMC practice test out of all the prep companies (although the tests themselves are quite a bit harder). I also used the AAMC question packs, their official guide questions, and their full length. The AAMC question packs have a bunch of questions from old exams, but that are relevant for the new exam. Although the question style might differ a bit from what you see on your exam, I found it to be a really good guide for what topics I was still weak on. Obviously the AAMC full length and official guide are the best investment you can make. In terms of old material, I did a bit of extra verbal practice with EK101, but didn't use any aside from that. I think you could probably use old material for content review but there have been a bunch of changes, so you would have to refer to the AAMC topic list to make sure you weren't wasting time on topics no longer covered, and to make sure you don't miss topics that have been added. I personally wouldn't do it, since I feel the added time trying to sort through it all wouldn't be worth it. Hi soccergurl, Would you say that the money you spent on the EK practice exams was worth it then? $50/exam seems a bit expensive. I bought all of the AAMC stuff and have been doing the questions on the Khan Academy site. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
medmedmed10 Posted July 10, 2015 Report Share Posted July 10, 2015 Hi soccergurl, Would you say that the money you spent on the EK practice exams was worth it then? $50/exam seems a bit expensive. I bought all of the AAMC stuff and have been doing the questions on the Khan Academy site. I honestly think so, at least for me. I know it's a little steep, but I'm glad to have purchased them. I didn't purchase a course or anything, so I still spent less than 500$ total on prep material, but I felt like having practice exams that were more similar to the test (but harder) really prepared me well for test day. When I went into the actual test, it felt easy in comparison. Khan academy is great, but I really do think it's important to make sure to sit down and do at least a couple practice tests to get accustomed to the length, and build up your endurance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheApiarist Posted July 11, 2015 Report Share Posted July 11, 2015 Writing the MCAT in 7 days. Feeling scared, confident and fatalistic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Friendly Magpie Posted July 11, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 11, 2015 I honestly think so, at least for me. I know it's a little steep, but I'm glad to have purchased them. I didn't purchase a course or anything, so I still spent less than 500$ total on prep material, but I felt like having practice exams that were more similar to the test (but harder) really prepared me well for test day. When I went into the actual test, it felt easy in comparison. Khan academy is great, but I really do think it's important to make sure to sit down and do at least a couple practice tests to get accustomed to the length, and build up your endurance. Thank you! I'll give it a shot. I'm working full time while studying for this, so now I know what I'll be doing on my weekends. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Friendly Magpie Posted July 11, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 11, 2015 Writing the MCAT in 7 days. Feeling scared, confident and fatalistic Good luck!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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