Welcome AED!
Scheduling the MCAT and
Letters of Recommendation
3/30/2011
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The Timeline
Year 1:
Make Decisions,
Get Involved
Year 3:
MCAT, LOR,
Primary App
Graduate!
Year 2:
Research, Volunteer,
GPA
Year 4:
Secondary App,
Interviews, Finish Strong!
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Medical School Requirements
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
General Biology (2 semesters)
General Chemistry (2 semesters)
Organic Chemistry (2 semesters)
Physics (2 semesters)
Biochemistry
Molecular Biology
English, Math, Humanities, etc.
*AP’s do not count!
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What is the MCAT?
Subject
Questions
Time
Physical Sciences
52
70 minutes
Verbal Reasoning
40
60 minutes
Writing Sample
2
60 minutes
Biological Sciences
52
70 minutes
•
•
•
•
•
Approximately 4.5 ~ 5 hours
10 minute breaks between sections
Score of 1-15 for PS, VR, and BS
Score of J-T for Writing Sample
Max Score: 45T
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MCAT Subjects
• Physics
– Mechanics, E&M, optics, fluids
• General Chemistry
– Everything covered in 105a/b (or 115a/b)
• Biology
– Everything covered in 220 (some 120)
– Some extra physiology
• Organic Chemistry
– 322a/b (very basic!)
• Verbal
– No outside knowledge necessary
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Common MCAT Myths
• I need Molecular Biology…No!
• I need Biochemistry………No!
• I need Physiology…………No!
• You CAN take it without Ochem B
• You CAN take it during school
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When Does AED take the MCAT?
Fresh/Soph.
Summer Between Soph/Jr.
Fall Jr.
Spring Jr.
Summer Between Jr./Sr.
Fall Sr.
Spring Sr.
After Sr.
0
5
10
15 20 25 30
Percentage of AED
35
40
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When Should YOU take the MCAT?
• When will you be done with the required
courses?
• When will you have ~3 months to prepare?
• Did you do well in CHEM322a?
• Can you prepare for MCAT with school?
• Do you have summer plans?
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Plan Out Your Courses
Freshman
Sophomore
Junior
USC Sample Plan
BISC 120
BISC 220
CHEM 105a
CHEM 105b
CHEM 322a
CHEM 322b
BISC 320
BISC 330
PHYS 135a
PHYS 135b
AED Recommends
BISC 120
BISC 220
CHEM 105a
CHEM 105b
CHEM 322a
CHEM 322b
PHYS 135a
PHYS 135b MCAT!
BISC 320
MCAT!
BISC 330
MCAT!
MCAT!
MCAT!
Senior
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Retaking the MCAT
• Scores are released 30 days after test
date
• You can take the MCAT up to 3 times in a
calendar year
• You MAY void test immediately after it is
taken
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Letters Of Recommendation
• REQUIREMENTS:
– 2 science (chemistry, biology, physics)
– 1 non-science
– Up to 3 more (6 total)
• Check w/ specific med schools
– Math? Engineering?
• Additional letters commonly include:
Doctors, Research Professors, Employers
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Letters Of Recommendation
• Make relationships with your professors
now!
– Office hours, after class
– You will need to ask spring of Junior Year!
• Good Professors to ask: Bickers, Herrera,
Baker
• Do not ask TAs or Lab Directors!
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AED Full Membership
• Pledge Semester!
– Walk-through of Med School
Application Process
• Social, Philanthropic, and
Informational Events
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Questions?
http://aedusc.webs.com/
(Presentation available online)
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MCAT Prep
• Classes
– Princeton Review, Kaplan, Berkeley Review
• Self-study
– All the above
– Exam Crackers, Barron’s, and many more!
• $200 Discount to Princeton/Kaplan
from AED
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MCAT Statistics
• Average Score of Applicants: 28.3
• Average Score of Matriculants: 31.1
School
Avg. Score
USC
33
UCLA
33
Harvard
35.1
Stanford
34.4
UCSF
33.8
UCSD
33.7
Johns Hopkins
34.9
UC Irvine
32
*Source: AAMC: DW: Applicant Matriculant File as of 10/19/2010
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