Hi Folks!

Welcome to your FIRST MedAPP 2018 listserv message! Throughout the year, we will communicate with you about important information about the application process to medical school!  Please open these emails to ensure you have the information you need. Also, check your Clutter and Junk email every now and then so you can be sure to stay informed!!

 

Keep an eye out for announcements about upcoming workshops, soon!

We will be with you throughout this process, whatever your timeline is.

Warmly,

Sarah, Annette, Valerie, and Dr. Zegans

 

MCAT!

For those you planning to take an MCAT in the upcoming year, the 2018 MCAT calendar and testing locations are now available online.

 

Registration for the first half of the 2018 testing year (January – June) will open late October-we will announce the date in the coming weeks, as we are told. You can follow the AAMC/MCAT information on Twitter @AAMC_MCAT for regular updates and announcements!

 

Here are few things to keep in mind as you plan ahead!

1.       TESTING SITES: Planning will be required for travel to your testing sites, and may require leaving the day before in order to be at the site on time on test day. Testing locations

• The closest testing site to Dartmouth is in Concord NH, about an hour away.
• There is one site in Burlington Vermont (closer than Boston, pretty easy drive)
• There are several sites in Massachusetts including three in the Boston and several in surrounding areas as well as  1 in Springfield MA.

 

2.       PREPARATION: Make sure to create a plan appropriate to you. There is CRUCIAL information on the MCAT WEBSITE about MCAT content, preparation materials, and more.

• FIRST: Keep in mind that your DARTMOUTH courses have prepared you WELL. You WILL STILL need to study thoroughly for the MCAT, with a strong plan, but you have built a great foundation through your Dartmouth career.
• Make deliberate choices to create a dedicated study plan and time frame that is consistent and realistic with your commitments.
• Peers that have already taken it are a great source of ideas for developing your preparation strategy.
• From speaking with previous MCAT takers, it appears that 10-12 weeks of concentrated, dedicated, nearly daily study is about the average. Some study during an off-term along with an internship or job (one that is usually less than full time).  Some study on an on-term, often with a 2 course load.  It is important to adjust your study plan if, upon approaching your test day, you recognize you need further preparation. However keep in mind that there is cost to changing the test dates, so planning on the front end, for the best time to study is essential.
• Some folks take an exam prep course, some don’t.  If you are someone who really needs a structure investing in a course can be useful, but given the cost, keep in mind that many folks who don’t take a course also do well on the MCAT so long as they develop their plan.   Courses often do have financial aid services, but are still quite costly so that may be part of your planning process to save for that if you are strongly considering that.   For those not using a course, there are still several companies that produce complete review materials. You may even be able to borrow, or buy at lower cost from someone who has already taken it.  Keep in mind, in that case, the age of the material as it does get updated as the test evolves.

 

3.       FINANCING THE MCAT: There is a Financial Assistance Program (FAP)  to help defray the cost of the MCAT. It is IMPORTANT TO NOTE: You must apply for and be approved for the FAP, before you sign up/pay for the MCAT. It is NOT retroactive.   The good news is, if you qualify for the FAP for the MCAT you also receive it for the AMCAS application (within a certain timeframe).