So my plan is to do:
Summer- Chem 1,2 in NYC
Fall- Orgo 1,2 intensive and Bio 1,2 intensive
Spring- Physics 1,2 intensive, MCAT class
April MCAT
Submit Apps in June
Is this even possible? I know people who say they have done it, but I just want to make sure. I will most def not be working at the same time, in order to do schoolwork full-time. Also, does anyone know how early decision to med school works and if I could do that and matriculate in Fall 2008 rather than waiting the lag year?
It's possible, it just really, really sucks. I wish I had taken gen chem last summer - def. the way to go. I am doing gen chem/physics/bio together then orgo this summer - June MCAT. My experiences have taught me:
1) It sucks. Bio is an ASSLOAD of work if you have never had bio before. It's a very difficult class and it's tough to get an A. That being said, if you get an A, it will make the bio on the MCAT seem incredibly easy. From everyone I've spoken with, including Harvard undergrads and current med students, I have seen no evidence that any bio class prepares you for the MCAT like Dr. Fixsen's.
2) You have to sometimes make really bad choices. I'm not talking about, "Should I go out and be fun or study?" It's more like, "Should I skimp on my chem problem set so I can actually read before bio lecture?"
3) Highly consider the other things you'll be doing. If you want to take an MCAT class, I can tell you right now the only one that'll fit your schedule - Sat/Sun 10am-5pm, every week from March 3rd to June 15th. While on the topic, take the June exam - you get scores in July and you get a full month off after classes (& before summer classes) to study. You'll also probably have to either work PT or volunteer - there's that whole "having a life" thing some people try.
Don't do early decision - it's different than undergrad ED. It's for more qualified applicants who just want to get it over with early and know what school they want to go to.
Dr. Fixsen told me something that really rang true for me. This is a long, LONG process. Don't make yourself suffer just to save time - these are some of the best years of your life. Do it the way you want to do it and have fun - you will end up a much better candidate. I crammed it into a year because I enjoy things being a little hectic all the time.
The saving a year thing is tough - trust me. I just got into graduate school for my glide year and very well may be "saving a year". It requires a ton of work and, without question, a decent amount of luck. If I could choose to start over, I'd do everything the same way. I know 3 other people on the same tract (I know there are more out there) - it depends on a lot of factors. I have a bad undergrad GPA and no previous healthcare experience - so I couldn't afford B's and had to spend time sending out CV's to every lab in the state of Mass. My biggest advice is two things: think long and hard about your work load outside of classes and take advantage of the support structure your fellow classmates will provide. When you get the flu and can't put a sentence together, they're the ones that are going to save your physics grade by explaining electromagnetics to you.
If you decide to do it, best of luck and I hope you do well.
While I have the chance to keep avoiding the MCAT books next to me, to all the future HES people: Take advantage of the opportunities this program gives you - you will get out of it what you put in. Today I struck up a conversation in line waiting for coffee with someone who ended up being a professor @ Harvard Medical and is now letting me shadow him (and a LOR hehe). There are more research labs here than there are buildings to house them - and they all need someone to make copies and fix their coffee.
Classes are cheap and taught by some fantastic faculty (except for physics, which is only cheap). Degree candidates get all the benefits of being a Harvard undergrad - except we get free printing and they don't. Take advantage and enjoy - this is a very special place.