Our program is closely
modeled after the real MCAT, and provides over 25 sessions for review, strategic
teaching, workshops, and practice MCAT testing. Columbia Review emphasizes "high-yield"
instruction, maximizing the value of your hours of preparation.
We separate our course into three sections: Preparation for the MCAT Physical
Sciences, Preparation for the MCAT Biological Sciences, and Intensive Reading
and Essay Writing Workshops. We also give mock MCAT test sessions and
MCAT/Medical School Admissions Strategy sessions.
Our three course sections are:
In this portion of the course, your instructors will review MCAT-specific physics and general chemistry in detail with in-class real MCAT testing. The physical sciences section will include a complete review of all core physics and general chemistry topics. Real MCAT exam passages will be used as timed in-class quizzes to test your understanding of the material and to give you expertise with MCAT strategies and timing.
Core physics topics to be covered include: statics, mechanics, kinematics, fluids and solids, electrostatics, electrodynamics, circuits, magnetism, light, sound, energy, and modern physics. Students will be exposed to physics problems presented in graphic and tabular format in preparation for the new interpretative emphasis of the MCAT. Detailed review notes, condensed formula sheets, physics problem sets, and practice tests are distributed to all students for home study. All course materials are accompanied by detailed written solutions. Problem solving workshops and tutoring opportunities are offered.
The general chemistry section of the course will also include lecture, problem
solving, group study sections, and tutoring. Core chemistry material includes:
atoms and atomic structure, periodic table, chemical reactions, thermodynamics,
acid/base chemistry, solution chemistry, and electrochemistry. The take-home
general chemistry review notes and practice tests are incredible study aids
and include detailed written solutions.
Before beginning the second portion of the course, you will take a real MCAT
exam testing your understanding of the physical sciences material. This exam
will test your knowledge base, strategy application, and timing skills.
Detailed written solutions to this exam will be provided to all
students.
In this portion of the course, your instructors will review MCAT-specific biology and organic chemistry in detail with real MCAT testing. The biology and organic chemistry material will be presented with an emphasis on problem solving. Real MCAT testing, small group study, and tutorials will provide for a well-balanced review of needed MCAT knowledge and skills. The biology topics covered include molecular and cellular biology, human physiology and organ systems, genetics, and evolution. Interesting and relevant clinical medical topics which pertain to biology and MCAT testing will be discussed. We cover a huge amount of material very concisely, saving you a massive amount of time in your studies. The important things you need to know for the biology section on the MCAT will be discussed. Hundreds of pages of home study material will be provided for mastery of the material.
The final science presented in our program is organic chemistry. The MCAT test-writers have linked this section with the biological sciences because of its direct biological and medical applications. In our course, we teach organic chemistry following biology and cover the core topics you need to master for the MCAT: chemical bonds, stereochemistry, alkanes and alkenes, reaction mechanisms, alcohols, acids, ethers, ketones, aldehydes, fats, proteins, carbohydrates, separations & purifications, and spectroscopy. The review is comprehensive and is supported by problem solving, tutorials, comprehensive review notes, problem sets and many practice exams.
Most students do not appreciate the importance of the reading/essay sections of the MCAT. These sections make up two of the four scores that a student will receive on the MCAT! On the real exam, many students have trouble finishing the reading exam in the time given and are uncomfortable with the concept of writing an essay under the pressure of time. Furthermore, some medical schools consider the Verbal Reasoning section of the MCAT (reading comprehension) to be the single most important MCAT section.
For these reasons, the reading comprehension section of our program will emphasize strategies and skill-building to maximize your reading efficiency and reading comprehension performance. We also provide speed reading strategies and drills. Timed practice exams including real MCAT material will be given and discussed in terms of strategy application.
The intensive essay
writing section is taught by a writing specialist from the university. We have
brought in an expert to teach this section who has a background similar to the
people who will be scoring your essays at the MCAT grading center. The instructor
will emphasize statement interpretation, efficient "brainstorming" techniques,
outlining skills for essay construction, proper essay structure (topic sentences,
supporting arguments, logical conclusions), and style. You will have the opportunity
to write seven timed essays and have many hand-graded and critiqued by your
writing instructor. Students needing more assistance may have extra essay writing
help. Additional course-written and real MCAT essay topics will be distributed.
Our schedule is rigorous and demanding, yet extremely motivating and efficient. The course will help prepare you for the demands of the MCAT and medical school.
Columbia MCAT Review provides detailed, systematic review of MCAT topics and
skills. Our intensive schedule is designed so that you will master one topic
before moving on to the next. In this way, you can be assured of having done
a thorough and systematic preparation. We stress periodic review so that you
can stay on top of topics and skills already learned. We have also found that
our approach is highly effective. Other programs utilize simultaneous review
of numerous topics. Most premedical students find this approach to be confusing
and disorganized.
| Home
Page | Home Study | Premed eTutors
| New Materials | MCAT Info
| Med School | Contact Us
| Enroll Now |
Columbia
Review
Intensive MCAT Preparation
Main Office:
811 Oregon Avenue
San Mateo, CA 94402
1-800-300-PREP or 1-650-343-0309
E-mail: info@columbiareview.com