MCAT Basics (from MedSchoolCoach)

MCAT Basics (from MedSchoolCoach)

Sam Smith details MCAT exam topics. Each podcast covers several MCAT sections with lessons based on review material put out by the AAMC, such as practice tests and question banks. Sam also interviews MCAT tutors and experts who share tips on how premed students can raise their score to get into medical school.

Episodes

December 28, 2020 35 mins

In this bonus episode, Chase DiMarco joins to discuss clinical rotations that occur during the 3rd and 4th years of medical school (for most programs). Hear 5 tips for clinical rotations from the experts, audio from Chase's podcast The 1-Minute Preceptor Podcast is tied in throughout the episode.

  • [4:12] What are clinical rotations?
  • [14:02] #1. Be Proactive (Dr. Ted O'Connell)
  • [18:22] #2. Be Inclusive and Avoid Your Own Bias (...
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    This clip is from the Study Types and Research Design podcast. It covers validity, specificity, and sensitivity. Enjoy!

    For comments and concerns email me: MCATpodcast@medschoolcoach.com

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    December 7, 2020 13 mins

    This MCAT podcast covers the doppler effect. Sam discusses the the general concept of the doppler effect and the equation that describes it.

     

  • [00:32] Introduction
  • [01:40] The Doppler Effect Concept
  • [09:05] The Doppler Effect Equation
  •  

    If you have any comments or concerns please email me: MCATpodcast@medschoolcoach.com

     

    Thanks for listening!

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    November 23, 2020 45 mins

    This MCAT podcast covers viruses. I cover virus structure, viral life cycle, transduction vs transfection, classification, viral mutation, and subviral particles.

  • [01:17] Definition of a Virus
  • [02:14] Virus Structure
  • [11:15] Viral Life Cycle
  • [18:02] Bacteriophage Life Cycles
  • [21:41] Retrovirus Life Cycle
  • [25:36] Difference Between Virus Transduction and Transfection
  • [28:17] Virus Classification
  • [33:33] Virus Mutation
  • [41:52] Subviral Parti...
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    Madhavi Murali discusses transitioning to medical school, resources for studying, and how students can prepare for medical school and the Step 1 exam.

     

  • [00:44] Madhavi’s Academic Background and the BA/MD Program
  • [03:41] Things Madhavi Learned When Transitioning from BA to MD
  • [05:12] Resources for Developing Study Strategies
  • [06:09] Using Anki to Study for Med School
  • [06:51] Step Exam Going Pass/Fail
  • [09:35] Difficult Courses and Study ...
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    November 13, 2020 8 mins

    This clip is from the Muscle System podcast and reviews the different muscle fiber types.

     

    Enjoy!

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    November 2, 2020 35 mins

    This MCAT podcast covers work and energy. I cover the mathematical and conceptual definitions of work, the sign convention of work, mechanical advantage and path dependency. In terms of energy, I discuss the general definition of energy, energy vs. work, the different types of energy, and heat transfer.

     

  • [01:43] Work
  • [06:28] Units of Work
  • [07:18] Sign Conventions of Work
  • [11:42] Work Kinetic Energy Theorem
  • [15:38] Path Dependent vs Pa...
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    Dr. Luke Maxfield joins The MCAT Basics Podcast to discuss his experience in Osteopathic medicine. He graduated from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine and is currently a dermatology resident. 

    Dr. Maxfield talks about the differences and similarities between an MD (allopathic medicine) and a DO (osteopathic medicine), why someone should choose a DO program, the implications of the USMLE Step 1 exam going pass/fail, and more...

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    October 16, 2020 10 mins

    This MCAT Basics podcast is a short clip from the "Kinetics and Solubility" podcast. Enjoy!

    Please email me if you have any comments or concerns: MCATpodcast@medschoolcoach.com

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    October 4, 2020 38 mins

    This MCAT podcast covers fat and protein metabolism. First, I cover fat metabolism including lipolysis, beta oxidation, and fatty acid synthesis. Then, I discuss protein and amino acid metabolism.

  • [01:32] Fatty Acid Catabolism
  • [08:02] Lipolysis
  • [10:12] Beta Oxidation
  • [21:34] Fatty Acid Synthesis
  • [26:34] Protein Catabolism
  • [32:49] Protein Anabolism
  • Ketogenic and glucogenic amino acid diagram

    Please email me if you have comments or conce...

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    September 21, 2020 33 mins

    This MCAT podcast covers social norms and deviance. I discuss the types of formal and informal norms, different theories for why deviance occurs, as well as types of collective deviance.

     

  • [02:09] Defining Social Norms & Deviance
  • [04:32] Formal Versus Informal Norms
  • [04:49] Informal Norms: Folkways, Mores & Taboos
  • [09:50] How Informal Norms Intersect with the Law
  • [12:39] Anomie
  • [14:51] Theories & Perspectives on Deviance
  • [27:...
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    September 18, 2020 6 mins

    This is a short clip from the Cell Organelles podcast.

    Enjoy!

     

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    September 7, 2020 46 mins

    This MCAT podcast covers population genetics. I discuss genotypes and phenotypes, inheritance patterns, and the Hardy-Weinberg equation. In addition, I talk about the four ways that a population’s genetics can change over time i.e. natural selection, mutation, genetic drift and gene flow.

  • [01:09] The Difference Between Population Genetics and Molecular Genetics
  • [01:54] Defining Genotypes and Phenotypes
  • [06:24] The Six Inheritance Pat...
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    Chase and Sam discuss various study tips, habits, and evidence-based methods to help students succeed on the MCAT and in medical school.

  • [01:03] How To Memorize A Million Things
  • [02:26] The Spacing Effect and Rehearsal Effect
  • [06:02] Overcoming the “Forgetting Curve”
  • [08:03] Elaborative Interrogation
  • [10:06] Anki: Using Pre-Existing Study Materials verses Creating Your Own
  • [13:08] Memory Palace and Visual Mnemonics
  • [18:29] Memorizing Mis...
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    August 24, 2020 36 mins

    This MCAT Basics podcast covers three common hormone axes. I break down the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, and the renin angiotensin-aldosterone System (RAAS) axis. I explain the anatomy of the regions, organs, and hormones involved, and detail the physiology within each axis.

  • [01:27] Defining a Hormone Axis
  • [02:18] The HPA Axis
  • [02:33] The Anatomy of the Hypothalamus
  • [03:46] ...
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    Dr. Shannon Sovndal, an emergency medicine specialist, discusses his medical journey, career experiences and advice for pre-med and medical students.

  • [0:36] Dr. Sovndal’s Background and Accomplishments
  • [01:18] Recurring Patients in an ER
  • [02:25] The Influence of Personality on Choosing Emergency Medicine
  • [04:18] Dr. Sovndal’s Journey into Medicine
  • [11:21] Economics & Emergency Medicine
  • [14:34] Burnout & Work-Life Balance
  • [19:23] ...
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    August 7, 2020 16 mins

    This MCAT Basics podcast is a short segment from the "Isomers" podcast.

    Please email me if you have any comments or concerns: MCATpodcast@medschoolcoach.com

     

    Thanks for listening!

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    July 27, 2020 32 mins

    I break down information about the excretory system that will be useful for the MCAT. He first compares the functions of the excretory system versus the digestive and urinary systems. Then, he describes the anatomy of the excretory system. Finally, he details the physiology of the excretory system in terms of its various waste products.

  • [01:14] The Role of the Excretory System
  • [03:32] The Kidney
  • [06:00] The Bladder
  • [07:17] The Liver
  • [1...
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    July 24, 2020 7 mins

    This MCAT podcast is a short segment from the "Atomic Chemistry" podcast.

    Please email me if you have any comments or concerns: MCATpodcast@medschoolcoach.com

     

    Thanks for listening!

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    July 13, 2020 44 mins

    This MCAT podcast covers sleep and circadian rhythms. First, I cover biology and physiology topics regarding sleep and circadian including the parts of the brain involved in sleep, the stages of sleep, and circadian rhythms. Then, I discuss psychology related sleep topics including sleep and dream theories, sleep disorders, and the effect of drugs on sleep.

    Please email me if you have any comments or concerns: MCATpodcast@medsc...

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