Study abroad, or travel 4000 miles by bike?

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Im so stuck, but summer of my junior year after those stressful MCATs, I don't know if studying abroad through a pre-med program is a better option for me or riding a bike 4000 miles across the US to raise money/ awareness for cancer. What do you think?

Riding across the country would be amazing

I think riding across the U.S. for such a noble cause would be more unique on an application than doing study abroad.

As for which is better for YOU, you have to decide that. We can only give you input.

The Veluminati is strong with you my son

As much as I am a proponent for study abroad, go for the bike ride. Sounds like an amazing experience!!

I am thinking about doing the same thing (cross country bike ride) but as part of a bone marrow registry drive!!!!

Originally Posted by Napoletana1007

I am thinking about doing the same thing (cross country bike ride) but as part of a bone marrow registry drive!!!!

What school do you attend? I attend U Illinois in Champaign and the bike team is called Illini 4000.

The bike ride, for sure. Both from an awesome experience perspective and a med school application perspective. Hundreds, if not thousands, will have study abroad in a given year, how many do you think can say they biked cross-country to raise money for charity.

Raise the money and skip the bike ride. Every cent not spent on getting you from point A to point B can go to research.

Originally Posted by goatface13

Im so stuck, but summer of my junior year after those stressful MCATs, I don't know if studying abroad through a pre-med program is a better option for me or riding a bike 4000 miles across the US to raise money/ awareness for cancer. What do you think?

To recharge your academic batteries and have a more unique experience, go for the bike ride.

go on the bike ride. I really wanted to do something like that after leaving my cross country team at college, but the timing never worked out. You can dick around some random country any time of your life

How does riding a bike across the country equate to money for charity? Wouldn't people that want to donate to charity do that whether or not you rode a bike?

Plenty of people study abroad. Not everyone bikes to raise money for cancer. That's something that will definitely catch an eye or two...

The biking thing sounds awesome.

It's great that you're considering raising money for a health-related cause, but I would caution you that cycling across the country is hardly unique anymore. While fewer will have this experience than will have studied abroad, I have five friends who have applied to medical school after independently cycling across the US for charity. As avid cyclers, all have had amazing experiences, but, like most extra-curricular activities of any kind, it's really not something to do just to get into medical school. It won't give you that special quality that shines on an application as you might expect. As an example, one friend applied to her (lower tier) state school with a 3.7 and 31 after a cross country cycling trip and didn't receive an interview, despite being otherwise qualified. Of course, your trip will make for great conversation if you make it to interview, but admissions is always a game of chance. Don't expect a cross-country cycling trip to be your ace in the hole.

True story about one of my friends. He took a year off of college (he has a full tuition scholarship and they permit year long breaks so he wasn't worried about money) to ride from the US to Argentina where his brother was studying abroad. He decided to take a sword as protection on his bike ride. He made it to the US/Mexico border but they wouldn't allow him through with the sword. So he decided to ride to San Francisco and stay there for a while. While couch surfing, he met someone who wanted to go to India. My friend decided that would be fun and he sold his bike to buy the flight. He lived in India for four months and then came back for the following semester. Talk about crazy.

He isn't pre-med, and I am kind of thankful for that. I mean, I would have to compete with that during interviews! That's something I didn't really want to do.

Study abroad. People that have lived abroad are so much more aware of others and in a profession that meets so many diverse cultures, we can all use this.

Biking sounds like an awesome experience. I wish I had the guts to do something like that, but I'd probably end up stopping at the nearest gas station, eating a bear claw, then walking the bike back home.

Originally Posted by V5RED

How does riding a bike across the country equate to money for charity? Wouldn't people that want to donate to charity do that whether or not you rode a bike?

How does getting involved in a marathon equate to money for charity? How does shaving your head equate to money for cancer research? How does participating in a danceathon equate to money for charity?

People seem to be more apt to donate to a cause you're advocating for when they think you're giving up something tangible, even when what you're giving up has no real bearing on what you're trying to support.

do the 4K for Cancer, I know two people doing it now, one from Baltimore to San Fran and I believe the other is going from Baltimore to Seattle. The one that is headed to San Fran is a good friend and currently in St. Louis. I get updates almost daily, and while he's having to grind out the ride and truly pushing himself to the limit, it is undoubtedly changing his life for the better. Don't do it for a med school app, do it for yourself and to better the world. The journey itself will be amazing if it resembles anything like my friend's experience.

Unless you're physically fit, capable of biking that distance, and love pushing yourself to the max, I'd rather go study abroad.

Originally Posted by jHustle

Unless you're physically fit, capable of biking that distance, and love pushing yourself to the max, I'd rather go study abroad.

this. but then again I'm lazy.

Originally Posted by jHustle

Unless you're physically fit, capable of biking that distance, and love pushing yourself to the max, I'd rather go study abroad.

You bike with ~30 other people though, and by myself I know I would stop and eat doritos every 5 minutes, but with a group I'm sure it's a lot easier.

Originally Posted by Stumpyman

You bike with ~30 other people though, and by myself I know I would stop and eat doritos every 5 minutes, but with a group I'm sure it's a lot easier.

This isn't true for all programs/causes.

Originally Posted by DOCBERT

This isn't true for all programs/causes.

http://4kforcancer.org/become-a-rider/

It is for this one, which is the only one I'm talking about.

Originally Posted by Stumpyman

http://4kforcancer.org/become-a-rider/

It is or this one, which is the only one I'm talking about.

Illini 4000, the ride the OP is interested in, typically hosts multiple smaller groups on separate routes to a number of West Coast cities each summer (http://illini4000.org/).

Keep in mind the experience will be very different depending on how many riders accompany you. The benefit of Illini 4000, of course, is support, but that might not be the way to go if you're an independent cyclist. FACEAIDS is another great program for smaller groups of riders.

This has motivated me. I'd like to participate in one of these cross country rides one day.