Study abroad vs. increased opportunities here

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I'll try to make this short. 3.94 GPA, 100 hours clinical volunteering, 40 hours shadowing, very involved in three volunteer organizations including full time summer work, good research with two publications including one first author. No MCAT yet. I think doing pretty well besides I need to kill the MCAT and get some more clinical experience. I plan on submitting my AMCAS application in June 2013.

Right now, I am 3 credits (one class) shy of graduation. For the three credits, I plan on studying abroad because this class is not offered online or during the summer but can be waived for certain courses abroad. I can do this in either a semester long program this fall or a short program during this summer. The semester program is very unique and includes living in central London, taking a class at Oxford, and having an internship in the public health field (https://www.iesabroad.org/IES/Progra...thStudies.html).

Option 1:
Summer 2012 - MCAT, volunteer, etc.
Fall 2013 - Semester long study abroad in London
Spring 2014 - volunteer, shadow, hopefully get a job.
Apply.

Option 2:
Summer 2012 - short (~1 month) study abroad (many options on where to go)
Rest of summer 2012/Fall 2012/Spring 2013 - get a job, volunteer, shadow.
MCAT in April or so 2013.
Apply.

The reason why I am even questioning option 1 is because I have studied abroad before (fluent in that language as well) and have done extensive traveling on the side. ER scribes in my area hire almost exclusively in Sept./Oct. timeframe, which could help combine my clinical experience and need for an income. Furthermore, I have been offered a higher-up leadership position for one of the previously mentioned volunteer organizations that would greatly benefit myself and my application, but this is a one-time only offer and has to start in late August. Then again, the fall program in London sounds amazing.

Sorry for the length. What would you do?

Look into Danish Institute of Study (DIS) Medical Practice and Policy Program. I did this and it was friggin amazing!

I learned to insert IV lines on fellow students (we squirted blood EVERYWHERE), shadowed doctors at a cystic fibrosis clinic in Poland, watched an autopsy in Germany, studied the health care system in Denmark, and had classes on Human Health and Disease (taught by two Danish physicians).

This kind of program is like killing two birds with one stone.

Just my two cents!

Best,
C

I like Option 1 but you really should make a pro con list instead of asking randos on the internet.

Both sound good to me. What do you want to do?

Originally Posted by varsityblue

I like Option 1 but you really should make a pro con list instead of asking randos on the internet.

Of course I did. I'm just looking for what this would do in regards to my medical application. But thank you for your advice.

Originally Posted by ziggyguy23

Both sound good to me. What do you want to do?

That's the difficult part... I want to do both! I just can't make this decision and it is stressing me out.

Study abroad, study abroad, study abroad. I didn't and it is my biggest regret about college. Studying in Europe is basically a semester-long party and you'll have an incredible time.

Originally Posted by TheMightySmiter

Study abroad, study abroad, study abroad. I didn't and it is my biggest regret about college. Studying in Europe is basically a semester-long party and you'll have an incredible time.

Yes, I know this as I have studied abroad twice (once in HS and once in college). It truly is an amazing experience that everyone should do. But since I have done it, should I go abroad again or buckle down? Both would be beneficial personally and on my med school application. I am just asking which would be better given my stats/experiences thus far.

both are really good, but don't do something just for your application, do it because you want to. Decide which one you would rather do, and do it. I was in a similar situation and I chose to study abroad because thats what I'd rather be doing

Depends on your personality, I suppose.

I hate foreign countries that don't have cheap food.

Originally Posted by Morsetlis

Depends on your personality, I suppose.

I hate foreign countries that don't have cheap food.

Haha. True!

Bump. I'm having a really hard time deciding.

Bump but with a new question.

Should I study abroad this fall as described above and then work in a hospital, volunteer, etc. the following spring.
OR
Should I stay at my university for fall, continue volunteering at my hospital, hopefully get a first-author pub in the lab I'm in (already have a co-author pub), then study abroad in the spring and submit shortly thereafter?

With both options I will take my MCAT this summer.

Thanks!

Originally Posted by idkwhattodomkay

Bump but with a new question.

Should I study abroad this fall as described above and then work in a hospital, volunteer, etc. the following spring.
OR
Should I stay at my university for fall, continue volunteering at my hospital, hopefully get a first-author pub in the lab I'm in (already have a co-author pub), then study abroad in the spring and submit shortly thereafter?

With both options I will take my MCAT this summer.

Thanks!

Option 1 sounds better because you would want to be in US just before app season, especially if something goes wrong with the MCAT in the summer (last test date is September until the following year).

Originally Posted by TheMightySmiter

Study abroad, study abroad, study abroad. I didn't and it is my biggest regret about college. Studying in Europe is basically a semester-long party and you'll have an incredible time.

Unless you 1)are at a difficult institution 2)want to do well.

Moderate amount of partying involved if you care about grades, definitely plenty of time to explore and have fun though. Having been to London myself, I would highly recommend a semester abroad. It really makes you a diverse applicant, and you are pretty good to go in other areas so it will only help.

You've been abroad before. I say stay home and get better opportunities.

Originally Posted by idkwhattodomkay

Bump but with a new question.

Should I study abroad this fall as described above and then work in a hospital, volunteer, etc. the following spring.
OR
Should I stay at my university for fall, continue volunteering at my hospital, hopefully get a first-author pub in the lab I'm in (already have a co-author pub), then study abroad in the spring and submit shortly thereafter?

With both options I will take my MCAT this summer.

Thanks!

Tough call. I'd say the first option probably.

Bump. Thanks so far!

Bump this question.

Originally Posted by idkwhattodomkay

Bump but with a new question.

Should I study abroad this fall as described above and then work in a hospital, volunteer, etc. the following spring.
OR
Should I stay at my university for fall, continue volunteering at my hospital, hopefully get a first-author pub in the lab I'm in (already have a co-author pub), then study abroad in the spring and submit shortly thereafter?

With both options I will take my MCAT this summer.

Thanks!

Anyone else? Please

You're about to devote the next 7+ years of your life to textbooks and manual disimpacting geriatric patients. I highly suggest having fun while you can. Go abroad and don't look back.

1

Even though I've been abroad before? Bump.

Option 1 sounds incredible. I've spent time in Europe, and I would jump at the chance to do it again! Life is so short, take advantage of the meaningful experiences.