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3 Tips to Prepare for the MCAT Social, Behavioral Sciences Sections

By WTOP Staff

As you may know, the new 2015 MCAT will feature a new section that covers psychological, social, and biological foundations of behavior. Do not panic when preparing for this section of the medical school admissions exam. Instead, remember to breathe!

The three tips below can help you study for this area of the 2015 MCAT to the best of your ability.

1. Know the structure of the exam: First, understand that the section draws its material from three distinct disciplines: 65 percent of the content is from introductory psychology, 30 percent is sociological in nature and the final 5 percent involves introductory biology.

[Here are three strategies for studying for the 2015 MCAT.]

If you have not yet completed courses in these topics, there is no need to worry. As you prepare, use the content outlines available on the Association of American Medical Colleges’ website. These outlines contain detailed lists of every tested topic.

If possible, borrow textbooks for classes in these subjects as well. This will help give you a solid foundation with which to approach an effective prep strategy for these topics.

2. Understand how this content will be assessed: The AAMC defines and lists the skills tested in each section, but in addition to researching the core concepts, it will benefit you to recognize the specific ways in which the 2015 MCAT will ask about these concepts. To prepare for the test, it is crucial to understand how your knowledge in these subjects will be evaluated, rather than only learning the material and looking no further.

The first skill, “knowledge of scientific principles,” is worth 35 percent. The second, which involves forming logical inferences based on that knowledge, is most important to your score and worth 45 percent.

[Check out free online tools and apps to help with MCAT prep.]

The remaining 20 percent concerns the analysis and interpretation of statistics and studies. Be aware that all of this is encouraging news, as these areas of knowledge are already present in other portions of the MCAT. This enables you to streamline elements of your prep and become fully prepared for both existing and new sections of the exam.

You might also consider prioritizing those skills with the highest percentages of scoring value.

3. Synthesize information whenever possible: It is important to make cross-correlations between the concepts in this section and other areas of the test whenever possible. After all, remember exactly why you are completing the MCAT in the first place — this experience ultimately leads to the privilege of training to become a doctor and eventually treating a human being.

Not only will you need to seamlessly integrate biology and chemistry when prescribing medications, but as a modern doctor, you will also need to recognize mental illness, treat an aging population and interact with different cultures while writing those prescriptions.

[Practice sample questions from the new MCAT.]

Research methods, for example, are only 20 percent of the skill set required for this portion of the 2015 MCAT, but fluency in experimental science and data presentation is a skill that will be present throughout your entire career. To enhance your knowledge across sections, consider working with study partners who can supplement your individual learning in areas where you might struggle.

In addition, brainstorming out loud with them will make the content come to life and you will also receive the benefit of your colleagues’ insights, as well as coming to further realize some of your own.

It is never fun to be one of the first groups to take a revised test, but by understanding precisely what material is on the exam, how it is assessed, and how it complements other portions of the new MCAT, you will be as ready to tackle the psychological, social, and biological foundations of behavior section as you are the more familiar science portions.

More from U.S. News

Know These 3 Strategies Before Studying for the New MCAT in 2015

4 Answers About Coming MCAT Changes

Weigh Taking the MCAT Ahead of 2015 Changes

3 Tips to Prepare for the MCAT Social, Behavioral Sciences Sections originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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