Well, my school's library recently shelved the 2012-2013 MSAR and for some reason removed the previous three editions. I eagerly grabbed the book and started thumbing through the pages to see if the MCAT and GPA stats have changed at my target schools. I was quickly disappointed when I discovered that AAMC no longer publishes the MCAT/GPA stats in the MSAR. In my opinion, the book is now nearly worthless. I guess it still has some value but I'll no longer be using it myself. I also think AAMC might offer MCAT/GPA stats in its online version if you're still looking for it.
At any rate, I had already taken a different approach to choosing my target schools and finding out info so this change in the MSAR doesn't really affect me. I put together a list of schools I'm interested in (mostly based on geography in my case) and created a spreadsheet. For each school, I created a new tab in Excel and then cut and paste the info from each school's website into its respective sheet. For me, this works better because each school seems to have slightly different requirements. Also, I found that schools' websites usually have different GPA/MCAT info than found in the MSAR books.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Chipping Away
Well, studying for the MCAT is surely an endeavor not to be taken lightly. I've started earlier than most and I'm already thankful for the early start. With work, school, volunteering, and life taking place all at the same time, it is easy to slip on the MCAT study schedule. I truly envy those that are able to dedicate a semester or summer to mainly MCAT studying. Unfortunately for me, that is not an option.
The good news is that my Gen Chem studying is going better than expected. It has been a looonnnngggg time since my Gen Chem courses so I'm essentially relearning the material through TPR's books right now. Also, I'm still on track to reach my initial goal of reviewing my primary MCAT study material before winter break.
My primary MCAT material is now:
EK Bio
EK VR 101
TPR Gen Chem
Nova's Physics
I'm not studying OChem because I haven't taken it yet, but I've started going through Organic Chemistry as a Second Language in preparation for my class in the fall.
My supplementary material that I'll use if time allows is currently:
EK Gen Chem 1001 Questions
TPR (entire set)
Then I also have Physics 3000 Problems Solved and Schaums Outlines for Algebra Physics if I feel I need more Physics problems to work through.
Thus far, Nova's Physics is probably my favorite MCAT book I'm using with VR 101 as a close second. EK Bio is brief with lots of pictures, but for whatever reason I quickly lose interest when reading it. To me it is basically like reading notes taken from a Bio lecture.
Also, I'm no longer listening to Audio Osmosis at this time. I found that I wasn't really paying attention to them very long. I might give them a go as I get closer to the MCAT but right now I'm not benefiting from the Osmosis material. Imagine listening to somebody reading you the chapter summaries from a textbook book and inserting cheesy music and corny jokes.
The good news is that my Gen Chem studying is going better than expected. It has been a looonnnngggg time since my Gen Chem courses so I'm essentially relearning the material through TPR's books right now. Also, I'm still on track to reach my initial goal of reviewing my primary MCAT study material before winter break.
My primary MCAT material is now:
EK Bio
EK VR 101
TPR Gen Chem
Nova's Physics
I'm not studying OChem because I haven't taken it yet, but I've started going through Organic Chemistry as a Second Language in preparation for my class in the fall.
My supplementary material that I'll use if time allows is currently:
EK Gen Chem 1001 Questions
TPR (entire set)
Then I also have Physics 3000 Problems Solved and Schaums Outlines for Algebra Physics if I feel I need more Physics problems to work through.
Thus far, Nova's Physics is probably my favorite MCAT book I'm using with VR 101 as a close second. EK Bio is brief with lots of pictures, but for whatever reason I quickly lose interest when reading it. To me it is basically like reading notes taken from a Bio lecture.
Also, I'm no longer listening to Audio Osmosis at this time. I found that I wasn't really paying attention to them very long. I might give them a go as I get closer to the MCAT but right now I'm not benefiting from the Osmosis material. Imagine listening to somebody reading you the chapter summaries from a textbook book and inserting cheesy music and corny jokes.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
The MCAT Journey Begins
Well, I've amassed a collection of MCAT study material so it is time I put it to use. Although I wanted to follow the SN2ed schedule, my study plans have already taken on a life of their own. I originally was trying to stretch out the SN2ed 4-month plan to about 9 months, but I'm already off schedule. So far, my plan roughly consists of one day of Bio, one day of Gen Chem, one day of Physics, and one day of Verbal Reasoning passages per week. I haven't taken OChem yet so I can't really study the respective MCAT material. I'm trying to review at least one chapter per study day (or 2) if possible. Currently, the books I'm using are TPR Gen Chem (and a little EK Gen Chem 1001), EK Bio, Nova Physics, and EK VR 101.
Starting 9 months ahead of my planned MCAT exam date might seem early to some, but I can already tell I'll need the extra time with my busy schedule. I don't have the luxury of taking a summer off to devote to MCAT prep. Somehow, I need to balance this with school, work, volunteering, and other obligations. This Fall semester will be my biggest challenge yet. I anticipate on taking OChem I w/lab, Physics II w/lab, and Genetics while working at least 20 hours a week and volunteering when I can.
Starting 9 months ahead of my planned MCAT exam date might seem early to some, but I can already tell I'll need the extra time with my busy schedule. I don't have the luxury of taking a summer off to devote to MCAT prep. Somehow, I need to balance this with school, work, volunteering, and other obligations. This Fall semester will be my biggest challenge yet. I anticipate on taking OChem I w/lab, Physics II w/lab, and Genetics while working at least 20 hours a week and volunteering when I can.
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