1. Christina’s MCAT Fun

2. WHEN? April 2006 April 2006 The winter semester of my 4 th year The winter semester of my 4 th year I had all the prereqs I had all the prereqs However.. It was 2 years since I had organic or physics and 3 years since gen chem However.. It was 2 years since I had organic or physics and 3 years since gen chem

3. PREPARATION KAPLAN (good idea) KAPLAN (good idea) February-April (one month after other classes began) February-April (one month after other classes began) Attended around 3 times a week for 3 hours minimum Attended around 3 times a week for 3 hours minimum Spent every free second I had …. Which wasn’t enough Spent every free second I had …. Which wasn’t enough

4. OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES Took 4 courses (12 credits) – Analytical Chem and lab, Immunology, Urban Planning (TOO MUCH!) Took 4 courses (12 credits) – Analytical Chem and lab, Immunology, Urban Planning (TOO MUCH!) President of AMSA (formerly APMS)- includes events, volunteer and many other obligations that take up a tremendous amount of time President of AMSA (formerly APMS)- includes events, volunteer and many other obligations that take up a tremendous amount of time

5. OVERALL EXPERIENCE BAD! BAD! I was not prepared even though I worked constantly I was not prepared even though I worked constantly Brought down my GPA Brought down my GPA Realize that there is only so much you can do with the time you are given… give yourself the most time possible Realize that there is only so much you can do with the time you are given… give yourself the most time possible

6. THINGS TO IMPROVE ON Allow the most time possible to have the best outcome possible, Learn, don’t just write or memorize Don’t think it’s okay to have a full day of class and then go to an MCAT class for the rest of the evening

7. HOW MUCH TIME SHOULD YOU PUT IN? For the MCAT expect to spend about 2 hours minimum daily and more time on weekends For the MCAT expect to spend about 2 hours minimum daily and more time on weekends To be on top of your MCAT prep class only expect to spend about 3 hours per class meeting in the beginning and later about 5 as material gets harder To be on top of your MCAT prep class only expect to spend about 3 hours per class meeting in the beginning and later about 5 as material gets harder

8. PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE!! Make your own notes from the notes Kaplan gives you, and review those. Make your own notes from the notes Kaplan gives you, and review those. Memorize the formulas as you go along and associate them with the questions and passages Memorize the formulas as you go along and associate them with the questions and passages Subject tests Subject tests Flash cards… 3 piles Flash cards… 3 piles Practice MCATS… don’t only do the 5 Kaplan gives you (AAMC ALSO!) Practice MCATS… don’t only do the 5 Kaplan gives you (AAMC ALSO!)

9. Don’t learn anything new within the last 2 weeks of the class Don’t learn anything new within the last 2 weeks of the class Spend that time taking practice full length MCATS only Spend that time taking practice full length MCATS only Review your notes daily by section and really memorize your formulas and any flashcards that are troublesome Review your notes daily by section and really memorize your formulas and any flashcards that are troublesome Improve timing as you go along, don’t worry about timing in the beginning, as you become more familiar with the material you will go faster Improve timing as you go along, don’t worry about timing in the beginning, as you become more familiar with the material you will go faster

10. ATTACKING PROBLEMS Map them out Map them out When doing physics and chem, think about what basic principles they are expanding on When doing physics and chem, think about what basic principles they are expanding on Cut through the BS.. Always go back to basics Cut through the BS.. Always go back to basics When doing verbal you need to read the passage for the why.. Not just the what When doing verbal you need to read the passage for the why.. Not just the what

11. Just remember one important thing Just remember one important thing YOU KNOW THE MATERIAL AND YOU KNOW THE ANSWER YOU KNOW THE MATERIAL AND YOU KNOW THE ANSWER They cannot and will not test you on something you have never seen.. They just disguise it They cannot and will not test you on something you have never seen.. They just disguise it When taking the real test just stay calm…. When taking the real test just stay calm….

12. GENERAL TIPS Give yourself the fairest chance - don’t take on the MCAT until you have had the basic classes Give yourself the fairest chance - don’t take on the MCAT until you have had the basic classes Chem 1220, Orgo 1 and 2, Physics 1 and 2, BIO 1500, 1510, Cell Bio, Microbio, Biochem, Genetics, and Physiology or A&P Chem 1220, Orgo 1 and 2, Physics 1 and 2, BIO 1500, 1510, Cell Bio, Microbio, Biochem, Genetics, and Physiology or A&P If you have time, take a critical thinking class If you have time, take a critical thinking class Make time for yourself…Seriously, you will need it Make time for yourself…Seriously, you will need it

13. IT’S ALL ABOUT ATTITUDE The MCAT is not that bad…. Honestly Just give yourself a fair chance. Do everything you can and be confident... YOU CAN DO IT YOU CAN DO IT

14. GOOD LUCK!!