MCAT Tips and Tricks... or, How I Studied for the MCAT

WE HAVE MOVED TO: A Theory of Living  

  As I mentioned in this article, I earned a very high score on the MCAT (R).  I took a very active role in managing my own MCAT prep, and I think some of the strategies I employed could be very helpful for others.  The MCAT is one of the most feared and dreaded parts of the entire medical school application process, so, I thought I would write a guide about how I prepared so others could benefit from it.

          I definitely recommend you take a prep course.  For most people the techniques and strategies they teach you are helpful.  Also, the review of the basic sciences in the courses is critical.  Many students haven't looked back at gen chem or bio 101 in three or even four years... some even longer.  It is important to have a knowledgeable person review those subjects with you.  These reviews are also helpful, because they tell you what is NOT going to be tested on the MCAT.  Guess what?  75% of the crap you drilled into your skull during organic chemistry won't be tested on the MCAT.

Cornell's Exam Week

It is the tail end of the semester at Cornell right now, and that means exam week.  Obviously this doesn't affect me much, because I am no longer a student.  I do still live in Ithaca for work, so I can see the effects exams are having on students.  As I write this, I am thinking of my girlfriend in particular.  At the moment she is working on a 10+ page research paper and studying for a biochemistry exam.  Unfortunately for her, they are both due tomorrow.  I can't prove it, but I bet frequently co-morbid classes are built to have their exams or final papers/projects close to each other at the end of the year to raise the bar just a little higher.

You hear people talk a lot about Cornell, saying it is an extremely competitive school, that there's no grade inflation, that everything is graded on a curve.  Basically, that it is incredibly tough.  Well, that's partially true.  Partially.  Here's the truth.