FAQ's: MCAT Vol 1: Schedule, Books, & Verbal

1) There are MCAT study plans found all over the Internet, especially studentdoctor.net. Some of the plans call for the Berkley Review Books. I plan on taking a Kaplan review course and intend on using my Kaplan books instead. Your thoughts?

First, it is great that you are planning your MCAT schedule so far ahead of time. This will allow you to adjust fire well in advance from your official first day of studying. Here are some tips in regards to your questions.

Schedule: I downloaded a few of the suggested calendars from that same website. Based on our email traffic, it looks like you will be devoting a little more than two months of full-time MCAT studying. This is plenty of time. I started studying in mid-May and took my exam August 4^th. It wasn’t until about 3 weeks into my routine that I felt I really had a groove going. I wonder how much better my score would have been had I acquired better study methods earlier. I suggest you use those schedules as reference but don’t let them dictate your daily learning. Use them as a guide only.

I found that having unscheduled days mixed in REALLY helped. They allowed me to do nothing but review past problem sets, go over notecards again and again, and go back to a chapter or two that I didn’t perform well on the Q & A’s that followed. It is one thing to learn the material and press on; it is another to be able to recall that material two weeks later with at least 75% proficiency.

Books: You will be fine substituting the Kaplan books for the Berkley books. I used Kaplan but have seen both and they are similar. My recommendation is to purchase the complete Exam Krackers book set (includes one book for each subject and an additional book on strategy and mental math), EK’s 101 Verbal Passages, and EK’s 1001 questions for each topic. Do problems, problems and more problems. If you incorrectly answer several questions on spring tension, pendulums, frequency, and time, make notecards of the formulas and concepts and then tab that page. Go back and do those problems as your warm up the next day and then do the online Kaplan test bank for those problems.

2) What resources did you use (books, study guides, group study, Kaplan online vs. in person)?

Keep in mind; all this is my opinion here. I found that the online Kaplan course was good for one thing and one thing only: online question banks. Everything from full-length practice exams, subject matter exams, small quizzes, stand-alone verbal reasoning exams, etc. can be found on their database. I wasted my time with the “online tutorials” for about a week and that got old really quick. It was a PowerPoint with audio that went along with the main learning objective text they issue you. Use that book as a paperweight and don’t waste your time on the “online lessons.”

I never attended the in-person Kaplan review course, nor did I have the cash flow for that. I’ve heard mixed reviews with the two following being the most common:

“Waste of time,” and “This is a good program if you are a procrastinator and need someone to keep you on schedule.”

See my answer to number 1 for my thoughts on the EK books. These are phenomenal! In fact, as was recommended to me and I’m recommending to you: review the EK subject matter books along with your undergraduate courses to see what the MCAT is testing. For example, for Chemistry 2, those equilibrium and I.C.E. charts take plenty of time and calculations that would be near impossible without a calculator (logs, natural logs, etc.) are abundant. There is no calculator use allowed on the MCAT so it is a good idea to learn the “mental math short cuts.” EK books will teach you this.

I studied alone. However, if I knew someone who was taking the exam around the same time as me, I would have preferred chalk talking some concepts every other night. Also, see my blog post in-regards to Coursesaver.com. I used this site as a supplement to my studies.

3) What Verbal Reasoning strategies worked best for you?

Ahhh, good old Verbal. This section is a beast and is NOT to be taken lightly in any way. The only way to get better at verbal is to keep doing verbal. You need to do all the passages in the 101 EK book, all stand-alone verbal exams through Kaplan online, and every verbal on the full-length practice exams.

Each company has their own method of success. I can’t remember the intricacies of Kaplan but taking notes and jotting down main points…you won’t have time for that. The pace is fast and furious and the questions will leave you guessing between the last two best sounding answers more often than not.

Not including the days that I took full-length exams, I did a stand-alone verbal test every other day. I started my morning off with them. The verbal exams should take about an hour. Then take ten minutes to relax and then review the entire exam. This review will take longer than an hour. I made notes of what types of questions I was getting wrong and why I thought I was missing information. Read the questions and all the wrong answers and WHY they are wrong. You will be able to learn what mistakes you are making and make an effort to correct this.

You’ll know what I mean when you start taking the verbal. By exam day, I read each passage with my feet flat on the ground, my left hand touching the side of the monitor screen (as if that was feeding some neurological connection between the passage and my understanding), and highlighting some key phrases using my mouse with my right hand. I sat with my back straight and had my face about 18 inches from the screen. This kept me as in-tune with the passage as possible. Anyone who hasn’t taken the verbal section and is reading this is probably thinking, “whatever dude,” anyone who has taken the verbal exam is laughing with agreement. This is not reading comprehension. The passages are challenging and the questions are vague, sometimes have double negatives, and are designed to make you second-guess yourself.

Pre Med Questions: PJ experiences, GPA, MCAT, Non-Traditional Student, M1 update

1. Is it somewhat easier to go back to school as a post-bac while doing reserve PJ/CRO to wrap up science pre-reqs for med school? I am currently taking my medical school pre-reqs with MIS classes and it is challenging. I am thinking that the reserve income would help offset the limited financial aid when one is post-bac.

I did my pre-reqs for medical school having already earned my business degree. Growing up, I was never that interested in science and basically did what I had to just to get good grades. I think I would have had a much more challenging time had I worked towards a separate bachelors (such as MIS) while taking my pre-reqs. So, yes, I believe it is someone easier to go back to school and just take the pre-reqs after.

However, this all depends on your situation. If you are out of the military, going to class full-time, and have limited time on your GI Bill, my advice is to suck it up and take as many classes as you can academically handle. This will allow you to save as much of your GI Bill for medical school as you can. I earned my BS while I was on active duty so just taking the pre-reqs and other medical science courses full-time just made sense. I was able to get through all the mandatory pre-reqs and an extra semester of 400 level biology courses and still have 1.5 years of my GI Bill remaining for medical school.

My reservist income definitely made a difference while I was attending school full-time. As a PJ, I earned an additional $350 kicker a month on top of my monthly GI Bill stipend (BAH, E-5 w/dependent rate). The pay ranges from $150 to $300 a day depending on your working status, pay grade, and qualifications you are current on. I am also enjoying a nice bonus with annual installments as long as I can stay current on my PJ qualifications and work the required number of days to have a good reservist year, “one weekend a month and two weeks over the summer” (give or take). Working enough days was manageable while working on my pre-reqs but is very challenging now that I’m in medical school. You have to really manage your time, family, studies, sleep, PJ duties, etc.

2. As far a medical school goes, how does GPA and MCAT score get factored into the equation?

You will want to pick up the Medical School Admissions Requirements (MSAR) book. You can check it out at the library but I went to Amazon.com and bought last years book to save money. This book will tell you the cost breakdown for in-state vs. out-of-state tuition, required courses vs. recommended courses, applicants vs. acceptee average GPA’s, science GPA’s, MCAT score, etc. There is also information on what the mission of the school is, i.e. research vs. community-based medicine, the history of the school, and what they are looking for in their candidates. I would say having both your non-science and your science GPA at or above 3.65 and an above average MCAT score would set you up for success. Keep in mind; I have known people with an MCAT of 30 who did not get in the first time and people with an MCAT of 24 who did. This just highlights the “whole-person” concept that is being utilized by admission boards across the country.

3. Do you believe your experience as a PJ gave you an advantage over other applicants?

Yes, I was able to expand on my PJ experiences in my personal statement, my work-related experience narratives on the application, my secondary essays, and in my interviews. I, however, don’t think that it gave me an overwhelming advantage as I also had many shortfalls when compared to other applicants. I did not have a master’s in a science-related field nor did I have any research experience. This is hurting me now, as I need to start working on research during medical school to catch up to my peers.

4. Did you feel that any of the medical schools you applied to had any bias against you because you were a non-traditional student?

Not at all! Medical schools are looking for diverse student populations. This doesn’t always just mean, race, sex, religion, etc. As a veteran, white male in my 30’s, I was actually awarded a small scholarship for adding to the diversity of the student population. In fact, I would venture to say that being a non-traditional student is actually advantageous.

5. What is the first year like so far? Is it all class lecture or do you get hands on experience in the hospital yet? What are the typical hours you spend at school or doing school related work?

This first year has been extremely challenging so far. The school that I am attending has a more “traditional” program and that translates to the first year being all didactics. Don’t quote me here but I think my course load was 23 credit hours in the fall and it will be 21 in the spring. We start our hands-on experiences during M2, which seems to be evenly divided amongst classroom time, simulated patient interaction time (with paid actors as patients), and time on the hospital floor. M3 and M4 are all clinical years.

The amount of time spent at school and/or working on school related work varies with each week but I would say that on average, I spend about 10-14 hours a day Monday through Friday either in class, in lab, in the library, or at home studying. As case studies, cadaver lab practicals, lab exams, and lecture exams come close, this can be upwards to 18 hours. (Yes, 6 hours of sleep and nothing but studying all day). Don’t let this scare you. Not everyone has the same habits or methods. Some students can get by with less (sleep and/or studying) some with more. My typical weekend involves about 8 hours of studying on Saturday and 6 hours on Sunday.

This is beyond any full-time job you have ever had; I promise that. You will have to plan ahead to balance family life, wife, kids, working out, volunteer work, research, etc.

Blog Question

To whom it may concern,

I am a rising senior in college majoring in biology/pre-medical studies. I am in the process of applying to medical school and taking my mcats. I have a great respect for the military and have often thought about a medical career in the military. My question concerns becoming a USAF pararescue. Have you heard of anyone that was accepted to medical school and then chose to enter the military for 4 years and after their contract finished went to medical school? I have visited the USAF link on the pararesuce operators, but would love to learn more information. Thank you for all the sacrafices you have made.

Very respectfully,

CS

CS,

Thank you for contacting the Pararescue Doctors Association. I believe your question was "Have you heard of anyone that was accepted to medical school and then chose to enter the military for 4 years and after their contract finished went to medical school?"

I have heard of applicants who were accepted and subsequently requested a delayed start (for extraordinary conditions), however, I've never heard of someone getting in and putting off medical school for an entire enlistment. Think of it from a schools point of view - would you save a highly desired/competative seat for somebody who preferred to be a Pararescueman rather than a medical student? Moreover, would you save a seat for someone that may indeed never return? Most schools are going to want you to fully commit or return at a later point in time when you can. As for your potentially saved seat, you'd probably have to ask the specific school you are applying to. I'm sure by now you've discovered that each school handles their operations a little different.

If you're having second thoughts about being a physician and are interested in becoming a PJ (or other armed forces soldier), you may want to reconsider applying to medical school. Each career requires 100% of your heart and mind and any uncertainties will be exposed during either path. Do some more reading, researching, and soul searching and then go after one with everything you have. You're already on the right track asking questions and being proactive. I hope this helps in some way.

RC

Blog Question

Dear Sirs,

I'm a Peace Corps volunteer about to end my two-year assignment in Micronesia. I've had a long desire desire to get into Pararescue, but at 27 years old, I feel I also need to plan ahead for a future outside of the military. My desire is to become a physician in pediatric emergency medicine, but I understand I can't pursue that while in Pararescue.

My questions, therefore, are:

1. Could I take my science prerequisites while in Pararescue? (I have a BA in History, and I need some more science courses.)
2. Should I be separated from Pararescue training, could I obtain an honorable discharge from the Air Force in order to pursue medical school? Please don't take that as a hesitancy on my part to do my absolute best in training; I just want to plan responsibly given the amount of time it would take to obtain a medical degree.


Answer:
In general, attending school while in pararescue is not an option, especially during your first 4 years as a PJ. Attending school is possible (but very difficult) after completing 3-4 years of initial PJ training, either by doing online courses or by securing an assignment as an instructor where you would be stationed at a site that would allow you time to attend college. In the later, you would not be an operating PJ but instead an instructor at PJ school. PJ Golf Sierra from the blog is one PJ who took online courses while in pararescue but he did this years after he had been in and was far removed from training. He is an exceptional case and I wouldn't suggest trying to do what he did.

You need to consider your age and where you want to be in ten years. I waited until I was 34 to start Medical School and I figure I will be in my 50's before I pay off student loan debt. Remember that both of these careers take dedication and a lot of time. From the start of Med School (not including undergrad/prereqs/MCAT) you will spend at least 7 years which includes residency. Add undergrad to that and you have 11 years. In my case I will spend 15 years of undergrad, med school and residency. It is a long road.

Good luck

Pre Med / Pre CRO Inquiries

Hello,

I saw your blog about the transition from pararescue to medical school, and it is very useful. However, I am not in the military yet, but I am interested in becoming a pararescueman/combat rescue officer. My questions are: could I possibly attend college, and step right into medical school, and then become a combat rescue officer? Or, would it be better to join the reserves as an enlistee after my medical school is complete? Or, could the Air Force possibly fund my med school while i am serving as a combat rescue officer, or enlisted pararescueman? Preferably, I would like to become an officer, but I am just not sure what the best option would be,concerning med school and pararescue.

Thank you.

-Austin

Austin,

I'm not a MD (yet) nor am I a CRO but I am a prior PJ and I'll try to answer your questions as best I can.

1) Yes, you could go to college, go to med school and become a CRO after. However, you would still need to enlist in the Air Force (either Active, Guard or Reserve) and complete the pre-requisites for selection school (this is something we call phase 2 and from what I'm told it's equally as difficult as selection school which you will also need to complete after phase 2). All in all, the aforementioned road would most likely take you well over 12 years to complete so if you choose to go down it be sure you're in it to win it.

2) As for joining the reserves after medical school: this is something you'd have to weigh out (i.e. where you live at the time, whether you still want to be a CRO at the time, what experiences/contacts you've had/made over the years that could influence your decision at the time). It's not a question of what's better but rather what's best for you.

3) As for the Air Force funding your medical school: this is something that current MD's might be able to better answer but I'll give you what little I know. Having medical school paid for is something that's both feasible and smart. I know a current Air Force MD that attended the Air Force Academy for his undergraduate degree, became an officer, got in to Northwestern medical school and had it all paid for by big blue. Note he owed the country some time after his med school was completed. He did not become a CRO but if that's something you want and you have the drive for, I'm sure you could do it. I'm not spun up on being a MD and at the same time being a CRO in the Air Force but I do believe there are a few individuals out there right now that hold both of those titles and are working to create an entirely new AFSC (job code) in the Air Force. Hopefully, they have a minute to help a brother out but hang in there as these men are super busy, respectfully.

Personally, I enlisted straight into the active Air Force from high school and went into Pararescue. Looking back, it was one of the best decisions I've ever made. But I didn't have too many options at that point in time. Consider all of your current options and talk to as many (respected) people as you can and gather advice. After you reflect on that advice, make your own educated decision. It sounds as if you really want to be an officer - so try to talk with some officers (specifically CROs). I'm glad you found our blogsite - hopefully you receive some solid info from the dudes apart of it. You're already on the right path asking questions. Hopefully, my response helps some. We need to take time and help out our future warriors!

Hoo ya,

Rat

Questions regarding PJ program and then applying to medical school

Hello,

I had a few questions regarding the PJ program. I am interested in joining the Air National Guard (possibly NY). I currently have a B.S. in pre medicine and eventually would like to apply to medical school. Please contact me if at all possible.

Thank you,
Anonymous

How possible is it to attend medical school while you are a PJ?

Hi,
I was envisioning using the Air Force to help pay for medical school; and am in self-training to apply to try out for PJ on a six year contract. How possible is it to attend medical school while you are a PJ? Has it been done? Would there be time?
Thanks,
John


John,

First off, congratulations on planning ahead. Becoming a PJ is a huge commitment and the follow on commitment to becoming a doctor is even more challenging!

Keep in mind that no one makes it through Pararescue unless you truly want to be there. My class started with 87 dudes and 2.5 years later, I graduated a class of 8. What I am trying to say is: make sure you are doing it for the right reasons...not just paying for college.

It is absolutely impossible to attend medical school while an active duty PJ. I will tell you about my path as others have taken similar ones. I enlisted in 1999 into maintenance. I went to school part-time at night and worked my Air Force job. I cross trained to PJ and continued to work and also go to school. Most of my classes were online. The few I took in residence were very hard as I had a 50% attendance rating due to being TDY so often. I went to school part-time during all three of my active duty deployments and all of my TDY's. (You are on the road well over 6-8 months per year!) It was extremely difficult, but it can be done. Now keep in mind that I earned my BS in business management/computers so it was possible to go half online, half traditional. This would be very difficult if I had to take science courses with associated labs while a full-time PJ. I have an active duty PJ buddy of mine who is taking science course towards med school but he is an instructor and doesn't go TDY or deploy. It is possible for him to take night classes. However, when he goes to medical school, he is either going to have to join the reserves and be a part-timer or get out completely.

I separated active duty in 2009, became a part-timer, and in 23 months took all my science prerequisite course work (and then some), took my MCAT, applied, interviewed, and was accepted. It was challenging to do all this as a part-time PJ as sometimes I would go a few months without working. I am working as a full-time PJ this summer to fulfill my annual obligations but as soon as medical school starts this August, I will be a ghost at the unit until Winter break.

Hope this clarifies your question. Take care.

GS