MCAT Preparation Overview

Many different companies offer MCAT prep in book, CD, video, and in-class formats each with their own derivation of "how to" solve the MCAT problems and obtain a great composite score.

Via university affiliates some of the classes are discounted and those might prompt one to enroll in their courses. Each individual has to find their own way to navigate the MCAT path but I feel each company has a different strategy.

Kaplan has the tried and true tested format of "here's what you need to know" but not much of the explanations because you are already expected to have a base science knowledge before enrolling in their course. I can't blame them. If you're looking to learn organic chemistry through Kaplan, you might... no you will, fail.

Princeton is similar in format as the Kaplan.

Both are solid for those with base science knowledge, materials distributed in class, lectures designed around helping the individual study more effectively by eliminating a lot of the extra junk most don't need.

I've chosen the Exam Krackers series and to be really quite honest, I use the books to make sure my current course covers the material and also to explain concepts that might otherwise remain fuzzy in my head.

In addition to the regular books for studying, EK also offers extended books with 1001 questions for that particular subject. I like this. The more times one sees a particular question, or type of question, the less stressful the exam should be AND the more obvious the right answer will be.

The drawback for EK, is that if one needs in-class help or rather, in-class, each day expectations so that the procrastinator in oneself doesn't get stymied until T-7 days to MCAT, EK does not offer classes in every major metro. In my case, the closest city they offer in-class instruction is over a day's drive away.

Despite they don't have classes in my city, I do like the layout of the book - less formal, more strategic, more interesting. I like the comic relief which seems just like relief until you realize the comic is meant to help reinforce a concept, "must know" attribute, or exam strategy.

And just in case you are wondering, I am NOT paid by EK nor sponsored nor do I know anyone who works for the company.

It's just my op for the day. Make it a great day!

F R I E N D S

That was my favorite show for years. LOVED Rachel's flighty, flirty character and of course, Jen did that character flawlessly. What I loved about the show, and it's seeming premise "St Elmo's Fire" was the bonds that tie us are difficult to break... the friendship ties.

From an obvious distance I've watched the Sandra Bullock story unfold. My distate for men and women who cheat on their respective spouses and/or s.o. aside, what I find so heartening is the friends that have surrounded Sandra. They are tight lipped in public, and probably openly warm in private... just as friends should be.

As these past two years have unfolded I have likewise found out who my true friends are and honestly, I do not know how I could have made it through without them. They listened to my anger at my job loss and subsequent lawsuit, they guided when I had so many flying decisions coming at me that a hurricane force wind with pine needles would not compare, they laughed when I needed to, and mostly, they just continued to be my friend.

You know who you are, and in keeping with the fairly anonymous ways of this blog, I would not publicly post your names here. Know that like Rachel on FRIENDS, and Sandra in real life, your friendship and your heart have seen me through some very dark days.

Thank you!

Went to the old house yesterday, dropped off the garbage, switched the lights around, let Storm run around in our old yard... the one that has no fence, and tall, green grass sways amongst the pine and birch trees. I stood on the deck taking in the scents of the woods and the blooming flowers. Under the maple trees in the front yard, holes have been dug to bury my beloved Tank, Abby, and the grand dame of them all, Boozer dog. It is still my house. It still smells like my family. It still has some of my things inside. But barring a PowerBall win, or a reprieve from the bank, in two weeks, the house is no longer mine.

My son grew up here - building tree forts in the forest around our home, playing water guns in the river a mere 1/2 block from our backyard, chasing Tank through the woods while stumbling over the fallen trees and rolling boulders.

The house could tell stories: the night the tornado sirens wailed, yet we were safe inside, down in the crawl space never worrying whether or not we would survive, hearing nothing of the winds howling nearby; the afternoons spent silently upon the expansive deck, watching the young fawns creep quietly out of the woods, their mothers nearby and then falling asleep in the middle of the backyard, curled up like cloven dachshunds; the year the flood waters rose so high, I had geese and mallards building nests in my back yard, swimming aimlessly through the seepage built lake that gave them a home and sanctuary away from the fox who loved to traipse through the yard at all times - day or night; the weeks I spent while planning a different home in a different nearby city with a different kitchen and obviously, a different life; the Christmas's spent with the 15' tall pine trees fully lit with white lights and green cords, only adornments coming from the golden balls, and red ornaments from each year of my son's life; the afternoon my son came home from school in tears and terror having been threatened by some thug kids on the bus with a knife and me going into a fit to protect my "cub" and us sitting on the couch, me hugging him tightly trying to protect the greatest gift in my life; and more...

Locking the front door quietly, taking in the sight of the eagle soaring overhead silently looking for fish in the nearby river, Storm panting out the back window of the truck, I started to leave (again)... with the radio playing:



The Lyrics:

I know they say you cant go home again.
I just had to come back one last time.
Ma'am I know you don't know me from Adam.
But these handprints on the front steps are mine.

And up those stairs, in that little back bedroom
is where I did my homework and I learned to play guitar.
And I bet you didn't know under that live oak
my favorite dog is buried in the yard.

I thought if I could touch this place or feel it
this brokenness inside me might start healing.
Out here its like I'm someone else,
I thought that maybe I could find myself
if I could just come in I swear I'll leave.
Won't take nothing but a memory
from the house that built me.

Mama cut out pictures of houses for years.
From 'Better Homes and Garden' magazines.
Plans were drawn, concrete poured,
and nail by nail and board by board
Daddy gave life to mama's dream.

I thought if I could touch this place or feel it
this brokenness inside me might start healing.
Out here its like I'm someone else,
I thought that maybe I could find myself.

If I could just come in I swear I'll leave.
Won't take nothing but a memory
from the house that built me.

You leave home, you move on
and you do the best you can.
I got lost in this whole world
and forgot who I am.

I thought if I could touch this place or feel it
this brokenness inside me might start healing.
Out here its like I'm someone else,
I thought that maybe I could find myself.

If I could walk around I swear I'll leave.
Won't take nothing but a memory
from the house that built me.

Speaks For Itself

Jaron: "The Long Road To Love" - okay... biting tongue...



and if that weren't priceless enough, here is a tribute and real picture of my high school ... ermmm... friend.. Sir Dressabum Holly... mind you, he has a high rank within the U.S. military and is in charge of an African embassy.

Nothing To Do With Pre-Med - Security Words

But I've started compiling a list of the words one must spell and input at the end of some people's comment sections (and other types of security prone sites).

Will be posting some of them here along with their definitions, if warranted.

Today's word, or site in this base:

Obili

A site in Hyderabad, India which through personal experience I know is a booming technology area and an ever increasing place for off-shoring of IT for various global companies.

Coinicl

A myriad of differentiated coins hung in suspended animation via water. Kind of like coneheads but only prettier.