#mcat masterpost

[er-cryptid]

Chemistry Notes (December 2021)

Acid-Base Equilibrium Side Ex 1

Acid-Base Equilibrium Side Ex 2

Arrhenius vs Bronsted-Lowry Acids and Bases

Calculating [OH-] with Kw Ex 1

Change in Entropy for a Change of State Ex 1

Classification of Amines

Complex Lewis Structure Formal Charges Ex 3

Constitutional Isomers Ex 1

Finding Percent by Mass Ex 2

Identifying Functional Groups Ex 2

Intermolecular Force of Water

Moles of Product Ex 1

Naming Cycloalkanes Ex 1

Naming Cycloalkanes Ex 9

Nonmetal Listing Order

Order of a Reaction Ex 2

pH from [OH-] Ex 1

Products of an Acid-Base Reaction Ex 1

R,S Naming of Fischer Projection Ex 1

Spin Quantum Number

Stereoisomers with Multiple Chiral Centers Ex 1

Stronger Acidity and Electronegativity Ex 1

Vanadium (III) Oxide

Weaker Acidity and Electronegativity Ex 1

Weaker Acidity and Electronegativity Ex 2

[tea-letters]

The MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) is definitely pretty daunting when you first sit down to start preparing for it. For those of us here in the US/Canada, it’s probably the biggest, hardest standardized test you’ve ever had to take in your life so far. I thought I’d try to make the whole process just a little less painful! :)

Helpful Links:

AAMC (buy official practice material, sign up for test dates, & see your score)

Reddit r/MCAT (wonderful source of resources/info, help, & motivation)

Khan Academy

Khan Academy Notes/Transcriptions (collective effort by reddit)

Official MCAT Topic Outline (PDF)

Helpful Classes to Take (optional but recommended):

General Chemistry // Biology // Physics

General Psychology // Sociology

Organic Chemistry

Biochemistry

MCAT Books (optional)

Kaplan: widely regarded as one of the best. If you buy the 7-book set, you’ll get 3 free FLs (full-lengths).

ExamKrackers (EK): also widely regarded as one of the best. More user-friendly than Kaplan. Psych book is not comprehensive enough.

The Princeton Review (TPR): unnecessarily detailed in the science sections but overall good. TPR psych is supposedly very good.

If you’re pressed for money, I believe there is a full EK set scanned online somewhere (try asking Reddit). Also, honestly Khan Academy is just as good as the MCAT books in terms of content review.

Free FLs

Next Step FL1 (NS1)

Next Step Half-Length

Kaplan Half-Length

Altius Half-Length

The Princeton Review FL

General Tips Everyone Kinda Agrees On:

OFFICIAL AAMC PRACTICE MATERIAL ARE NOT OPTIONAL. At the very least, buy the Section Bank and the AAMC FLs. There is no practice out there that will predict your score as well as the AAMC FLs.

USE KHAN ACADEMY FOR P/S SECTION. If you have time, use the 300pg Psych document! Otherwise, use the 100pg doc.

KNOW YOUR AMINO ACIDS. That includes structure, 3-letter abbreviations, AND 1-letter abbreviations. Know what class they are (hydrophobic/philic, acidic/basic).

3rd Party FLs (e.g. Kaplan, Next Step) should only be used to practice sitting for 7 hours and to identify content gaps. Do not use them to gauge your score. 3rd party FLs tend to deflate your score.

It’s best to get a good score in one try. If you don’t feel ready, either reschedule your test or void it. Schools will only see scored exams.

^That being said, a “bad” score isn’t the end of the world. Take a break, pull yourself together, identify what you could do better, and slay the MCAT on your retake.

Pace yourself. Most people do ~3 months of study with scheduled break days, but adjust to your own pace!

MCAT courses are $$$ and only useful for certain people. If you are someone who can discipline yourself and do what you need to do, you don’t need to take a course.

Below 500 typically means an issue in content review.

Please don’t retake 514+ scores. Not only are they amazing scores, but if you retake and (god forbid) drop, it will reflect poorly on your decision-making.

You don’t need a 515+ to get into med school. It really depends on what tier of school you’re applying to, what speciality you want to pursue in the future, etc. If you’re not aiming for a Top 20 or a derm residency match, you don’t need a 95+ percentile score.

My Personal Tips:

A little about me: my score release was on 9/19/17 and I got a 518 (97th percentile) with breakdown: 129/130/130/129.

Don’t be afraid to postpone your test. I rescheduled my test twice (3/31 to 6/16 to 8/18) because I knew I wasn’t ready.

Try not to study during the semester. It’s already hard enough managing your everyday classes and any extracurriculars you have.

Practice >>> Content Review. Do a quick general content review before starting practice. Do any practice you can get your hands on. Then REVIEW THEM. Reviewing should take you basically the whole day. Really understand every aspect of the problem. Even if you got it right, make sure you’re getting it right for the right reasons and not cuz of luck. Look up anything that you’re even a little doubtful about.

If you’re going straight-through (applying summer after junior year), try to take your test the summer after sophomore year just in case you have to retake. Similar advice for gap year students (like me), try to leave enough time for a retake if necessary.

I recommend foam earplugs during the test. You’ll have to bring them to the testing center in a sealed package and open it in front of the proctors.

Don’t be afraid to use your scrap paper. In the 10 minute tutorial at the beginning of the exam, I did a massive brain dump of every equation I could think of.

C/P Specific Advice: The MCAT won’t ask you for a ton of math. Know your most important chemical structures (e.g. amine vs. amide, ester vs. ether). Know your basic formulas, especially for optics!! Know how to identify the nucleophile/electrophile in an orgo reaction.

CARS Specific Advice: This is the hardest section to improve on. If you’re scoring low, do a lot of practice and try to read more (newspapers, articles, books) until you plateau. Don’t bring in any outside info. The answer is almost always hidden in the passage in plain sight.

B/B Specific Advice: AMINO ACIDS. Also know basic research notations (e.g. A123K = alanine at 123 position of sequence changed to lysine). Also ENZYME KINETICS.

P/S Specific Advice: Khan Academy. Seriously. This is also the easiest section to improve on.

Last note: remember anything on the topic list is technically fair game.

Good luck! Hope this helped!!

[caffeinatedcake]

Tips to Succeed as a Pre-Med

Hi Guys! I’m currently finishing up my final semester of pre-med classes and am getting ready to prepare for the MCAT. I learned so much through these past 2 years and thought it would be fun to compile a list of all the lessons, tips, and tricks that allowed me to maintain a high GPA (3.8)!!

Some background information about me:

Major: Psychology

Minor: Chemistry and Biology

Commitments:

Division III student-athlete: 20-30 hours a week

Executive board for my sorority: 5-10 hours a week

Cabinet position for Phi Delta Epsilon: 2-3 hours a week

Tips:

At the beginning of the semester look through every single class syllabus and note all the dates for exams, papers, projects, or assignments. I put all of these dates into my online calendar and made sure to have reminders for all of them. My semesters get extremely busy so keeping track of dates helped me stay on top of my work and manage my time in the best way possible.

Ask upperclassmen and other students for help, especially when it comes to scheduling classes or writing lab reports. The reason I’m able to take my MCAT early is because I spent a month asking various upperclassmen in different majors what their schedules were like, what professors were the best, which professors to avoid, and their study tips so I would not have to retake any classes. Along with this, upperclassmen tend to hold onto class materials from previous years (old exams, lab reports, syllabi, etc.). These resources could help you gain a better understanding of a specific professor’s exams, how to write a cohesive lab report, or better understand the structure of a class. 

Fight for EVERY POINT. I know this sounds annoying but in the end, you don’t want to miss a grade by 1 or 2 points that you could’ve gotten back. A lot of the classes I got As in were actually by the thinnest of margins and it was mainly because I was willing to fight for points I thought I deserved. It definitely makes you come off as that classic, annoying pre-med student but at the end of the day your grades are important to some degree.

Figure out a study strategy that works for you! Quality over quantity! You don’t want to be wasting hours studying inefficiently because classes get tougher and more time-consuming. Knowing your preferred study methods is super important because of how much time it will save you! I personally read the textbook, hand-write my notes, and use Quizlet RELIGIOUSLY! Some of my friends only need to attend a lecture and then do practice problems consistently. The faster you figure out how you like to study the more time it will save you in the long run!

Pick a major that you will genuinely enjoy. Pre-med core classes are difficult and can be taxing. It helps to take classes that you actually enjoy along with these classes, or pick a major that you know you will like because that will lessen the burden. I picked psychology because I loved the subject in high school and because the department was extremely friendly at the university I attend. Since I find my psychology classes extremely interesting, it makes studying for a bland class like Physics way easier because I know I have something fun to look forward to. 

Schedule time to do things other than just work. The biggest mistake I made freshman year was studying too much and focusing on activities that would boost my resume. My grades actually improved when I cut down on the studying and constant working and decided to schedule a weekly day off. During this day I would spend time with friends, catch up on sleep, or just vegetate. Maintaining your hobbies and passions is super important because then you will have other things to focus on and you won’t get burnt out!!

Remember that a bad grade doesn’t define you. This year was the year I failed my first exam and while it was tough to get over, I tried my best to use it as motivation to do better on the next exam. I try to think of every negative event in my life as a learning lesson and that exam taught me that I needed to change my studying habits for that specific class.

There are multiple paths to medicine. I think people put too much of an emphasis on the traditional route, where you graduate in 4 years and then go straight into medical school. Even though I’ll be taking my MCAT early, I’m also open to taking a gap year to work in research or scribe! I love the surge of youtube videos and stories made by people who have non-traditional paths because it shows you that hard work and perseverance will lead you in the right direction for you, whether that is medicine or not.

Please remember that these are the lessons I’ve learned through my experience at a competitive pre-med school and that all of these might not necessarily apply to everyone. If you guys have any more questions about pre-med don’t hesitate to reach out to me, I’d be more than happy to help!

[doctorwestcott]

Where Have I Been?

Hello everyone! 

I’ve been MIA on this site for a while now due to just being exhausted all the time. The overnight shift is literally no joke and I’d like to work during the day again. I decided not to pursue my BS in biochemistry at SUNY New Paltz due to a changed mind and a lack of energy. It’s lame, but it’s as simple as that. After a lot of soul searching, I decided that I wanted to study accounting online from my alma mater, Plattsburgh. Currently, I’ve been trying to find jobs that have daytime hours and a higher salary. 

The content on my blog will remain mostly the same with weekly original posts regarding study methods and general things. Leave me suggestions via messenger and my ask. I’m lacking some inspiration so let me know what’d you like me to talk about! 

[depressedbutstudying]

I was gone working on my health and the health of my family but I’m back! Today I scheduled both a practice MCAT and a practice GRE for February, I made some doc appointments and finished the draft for my Notes Methodology Part Two masterpost which goes into active recall methods. I’m super excited for that to be going up later this week. I go back to school in early March, so until then, I’m just preparing and pacing myself.

🎶 “Dancing with A Stranger” by Sam Smith ft. Normani

[stemcellee]

ellee at UCLA’s tags masterpost

All (hopefully all) useful posts will get tagged and sorted accordingly. 

Applying

Classes

College Tips 

Den Pass & Sports Activities

Freetime

GE (Freshman) Clusters

High School Related (like SATs and stuff)

Housing

Honors Collegium

Information (General)

Orientation (for New Students)

MCAT related stuff

MCAT Studying Notes

NOTES MASTERPOST 

Pre-Med

Research and Lab Assistant Tips

Study Tips

UCLA related asks

Work Study & Jobs

ellee’s life basically + stuff she deems important enough to get their own tag

also what the heck is study buddy

disclaimer again: don’t trust me don’t take everything I say super seriously I’m not an expert and I don’t plan on being one I just go to UCLA and speak from my own experiences lol

[masterpostsnstuff]

hi :) i was wondering if you have any posts concerning the mcat on your blog at all? thanks so much! i absolutely love this blog!

howdy, friend!! thanks for loving our blog :)) dropped a few masterposts but i feel like they may be a little outdated. hope i helped u some xx

[caffeinatedcake]

Currently, I’ve been super super preoccupied with MCAT content preparation and honestly, i’m extremely overwhelmed. I took an extra day off this week because I felt like my brain needed a break but during that day i’ve compiled some fun, quick learning strategies that helped me get through the dense content.

1. QUIZLET: I’ve been making a new quizlet for ever single chapter of every single book (excluding biochemistry and general chemistry). In my opinion, quizlet is the most effective way to learn information quickly and figure out what information you don’t know!! I’ve used quizlet to memorize organic chemistry reagents, the brain, and even psychology vocabulary and i absolutely love it!

2. HANDWRITING PROCESSES: Anything that has multiple steps or multiple elements that are too complicated to simply into a quizlet I write down. Handwriting notes is also super effective but quite time consuming so I only employ this method when I’m learning brand new information.

3. PRACTICE QUESTIONS: Right after I finish a quizlet or writing down a specific chemical procedure, I immeadiately do a set of practice questions so I can test my knowledge!! There are a lot of practice questions in my Kaplan books that I find to be difficult but good for solidifying the information.

4. UWORLD: Now Uworld is extremely expensive and may not work for everyone, but it is a program where you can practice unique questions they’ve created and get exact feedback on why you’re answer was correct or incorrect and what concept the question is making you apply. It also tells you what general concept the question wants you to focus on. This was super helpful for me because it shows me what sections I need to study further and what sections I am more prepared for. I just wish it wasn’t extremely pricey :(

If yall have anymore questions regarding the MCAT, pre-med, medical school applications, or just anything in general please don’t hesitate to contact me!! I’d be more than happy to help :)

[doctorwestcott]

How to Study Guide

Study guides are the most important part of studying. They focus what you need to know for exams and consolidate important information so you’re not reading a boring textbook. Also, the creation of a study guide is another really great way to study as well because you’ll be actively thinking about the material.

Format Based on Learning Style:

There’s no one way to create a study guide. It’s all based on what kind of learner you are. Tailoring your study guide based on your learning style eases comprehension and makes the entire study guide far more effective.

Visual- use color-coded sections in your study guides, or using idea mapping to draw out the information and make it more quickly-accessible. I am a visual learning and this works the best for me and plus, visual aids are fun to make.

Linear- organize the information chronologically, or alphabetically, so you can make learn one thing in a series, and then move on to the next.

Emotional- transform your notes into narrative form to study it better. Translate concepts from math into a story that you can connect to, then organize your study-guide like a short-story you can recite to remember the application of the formulas.

Class A Memorizer- use a format that will help you memorize efficiently, whether it be recording yourself reciting vocab words and definitions, then listening back on your smartphone device throughout the day, or by creating flash cards and testing yourself regularly.

Other Formatting Tips & Tricks:

-Draw mind maps to connect main ideas and prioritize information. I have a huge masterpost on mind maps and how to create them so I won’t go into depth, but you can read the post here if you’re unsure how to create mind map or what the hell that is; however, this study guide method provides a good visual of how subject material fits together to make a whole concept.

-Use comparison charts to highlight the differences in key concepts. Create study guides using comparison charts, or tables, when it is necessary to compare and contrast a related group of ideas. The Cornell Note-taking system is what comes to mind when I think of this method or at least the format of this method. Here is a link to this method.

-Study multiple study guides. Create a study guide in a combination of formats, using the main concepts and supporting information you pulled from your study materials. You may draft the guides on paper or whatever fancy program you use to take your notes. I prefer manually making and using mind maps for concept focused learning, flash cards for key terms, and the Cornell system to understand broader ideas.

So, you’ve got the whole study guide format down pat. How do you decide what to study? Study smarter, not harder, right?

-Ask your teacher about what information the test will include (unless your professor is a Grade A asshole). There’s nothing I hate more than studying my ass off, get to the exam, and realize I didn’t study what was on the exam. I find cumulative exams easier because if you’re on exam 3, you can check exam 1 & 2 to see what questions were asked and to fine-tune the questions you got wrong on the first exam. When in doubt, study weekly and create a study guide emphasizing the material you have the most trouble in.

-Re-read ALL materials to isolate the main ideas to include on your study guide. Scan for the main concepts to mark the information for inclusion on your study guide. Also, look for chapter review or study questions to focus your study guide. These are usually at the end of the chapter and could highlight weak points in your comprehension.

-Compile your revision notes. A study guide is basically one big revision anyway.

-Seek out additional definitions, explanations, and resources. Sometimes there are courses where you need to teach yourself the material or your professor’s teaching style is just ineffective for you. Don’t let that be an excuse for you not to study, find different resources to help or use Khan Academy.

-When reviewing for math or science, make sure to have necessary formulas memorized. Make applying those formulas the more important study-focus. Understand how to use the formula, and when to use it. The concept behind the formula is more important than the formula itself.

-Schedule your studying. Ah yes, my favorite tip! Create your study guides as early as possible, and set aside enough time to study them before the test sneaks up on you. In the few weeks before the test, divide up your time for all the different subjects and sections of each subject you'll need to study, to make sure you've got enough time to spend on each individual area of information.

Resources:

Study Guide 101

Study Guides & Strategies

How to Create a Study Guide

Cramming is the enemy. You want to understand the material not just memorize it and dump it once the exam is finished. That’s not effective and it’ll bite you in the ass during finals season and standardized tests (SAT, ACT, MCAT, GRE, etc.). Good luck little studiers!

[depressedbutstudying]

been a little sickly lately, but I am working steadily on my second part of my Note Methodology masterpost and if you were curious, I have been working on my MCAT self-study a little every day.