MCAT practice

Sorry its been a few days since my last but its been a very long weekend. Including a practice test and trying to find a new person to write a letter of recommendation.

In my last post I wrote that I finally sent out requests for letters of recommendations. I received a yes from a professor that I volunteered for almost 2 years ago. I was extremely surprised by this since it had been a while since we have spoken. One of the professors I was really hoping would say yes actually decided it against since she her position might go away within the next month because of budget cuts and she did not feel comfortable writing one. So now I need to find a science professor to write one unfortunately I am not close with many of professors, which is my own stupid fault.

On Sunday I took my first practice test in a while. Below are my scores and the points I either gained or lost since my last test. I used mcat-prep.com tests, however I bought the 10 tests on eBay and spent $80 rather than $150 on the site. Just search 'mcat'.

• Physical Science 6 (-2)
• Biological Science 9 (+1)
• Verbal 7 (+2)

My physical science score really worries me. I do not understand why I went down two points. The program that I used to take the test thankfully breaks down each area of the test. From the results I really need to become comfortable with translation motion, particle dynamics, and fluids and solids. I have reviewed all of Kaplan's physical science so at this point I believe that I need practice questions so I order Exam Krackers 1001 Physics questions. Hopefully it gets here quick.

I noticed that I got done with each of the sections with at least 15 mins to spare. I think much of it has to do with my nerviousness so I tend to speed through everything and that is contributing to my low scores. I am just hoping that I can raise my scores enough within the next 45 days and learn to calm down a little.

Below is a list of places that I found that had either free questions or MCAT practice tests. Please let me know if I missed any.

• AAMC practice test 3
• Priceton Review Practice Test
• Test Prep Practice
• 4tests.com
• Kaplan
• McGraw Hill

On my next post I will comment on the test preps that I have used and what like/dislike about them.

Wonderful 48 hrs

Since my first posting I have actually accomplished many things.

First of all, I have a working draft of my personal statement. This is a huge accomplishment for me because I am been working on this thing once a week for the past month because I had serious writers block. I highly recommend the Kaplan's personal statement workshop .

 I sent it to a couple of different people, one who is currently my thesis advisor because I trust that he can help me with the grammar and style problems. I also sent it a copy of it to a friend who is currently a fourth year medical student. She only knows my from work and not much of my background and I hope I can gain a sense of the statements impact from her.

Here are some tips that I have found over the last few months from different workshops about personal statements

• It is like your first interview, it is the best indication of who you are
• you want them to keep reading, they might be reading hundreds of personal statements. 
• Consider what makes you unique. What are your experiences? What have you learned from them?

DO

• tell one or more stories that illustrate you
• Find a theme that unites your stories
• Explain your motivations
• Write more than the minimum of 5,300 characters you can always go back and cut away

DONT

• Reiterate your resume
• exclusively write about "why I want to go to medical school" or "I want to help people"
• boring or arrogant 

Again these are not my personal suggestions rather I have attended a number workshops and above is the common points they all expressed in one way or another. I have been told by a number of people to expect 2-3 months of revisions with at least 3-6 drafts. Writing is a weak point of mine and I expect it to take me more than 6 drafts. I have also begun the search for letters of recommendation which I find very difficult to do because I hate asking people for anything. I will keep everyone update on how this progresses.

Yesterday I retested in verbal and I received a 9 on my verbal section which is a jump of 4 points from my original practice test. I found that Examkrackers was the most help for learning how to take the verbal section. If you have another suggestion please let me know.

In my next post, I am going to compile a list a free MCAT practice test sites. Cause lets face it I am in college and I am very poor.

Well I finally need to wrap up and go study because this day has been crazy and not a lot of studying has been accomplished.

Tracking the Journey

This past January, I decided that this was the year that I would begin applying to medical school. I put it off hoping that I would become more organized and ready for the journey. However this never happened. So I decided to get to just start. This was easier said then done.

So far what have I accomplished?

• Signed up and paid for July 6 MCAT
• Withdrew from the July 6 MCAT and registered for the August 12 MCAT
• has this helped? Only time will tell in the next 50 days
• Bought 10 CBT MCAT practice tests
• Began the AMSCA application process
• studying nearly everyday for August 12

What am I still missing

• letters of recommendation
• personel statement 
• statement of why I am economically disadvantaged
• my final list of schools I want to apply for
• a finished AMSCA application 

The list is about even but the 'missing' side makes me a little more worried. 

I have wanted to become a doctor for as long as I can remember but its seems like I am doing everything in my power to procrastinate. 

Why am I writing this blog (to continue to procrastinate?)? 

The main reason is because I just need to write down how I am feeling because if not, the worry and the anxiety will kill me. I am the first person in my family to go to college and going to medical school is another huge first. Both of which I am doing completely blind. Hopefully I can help others relate and reduce their worry and anxiety. 

The rest of this year will be very interesting. Lets hope I can handle it.