Anyone work while studying for the MCAT?

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I'm currently studying for the MCAT of which I am taking in August but with the way the gas prices and such are I really need a job. Anybody work 20-40 hours a week and still find enough time for studying?
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I worked roughly 20-25 hours per week while studying. That was unwise considering I started studying just shy of 3 weeks before the exam. I definitely could've put those 60+ hours to use.
 
ejay286 said:
I'm currently studying for the MCAT of which I am taking in August but with the way the gas prices and such are I really need a job. Anybody work 20-40 hours a week and still find enough time for studying?
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I did...
 
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i had a 40hrs/week internship which stressed me out big time... work 9-5; nap 5:30-7pm; study 7-2am; sleep 2-7:30am... turned me into a zombie. I won't advise working as many hours unless you felt you already had a good amount of studying down and just needed to practice/brush up mostly... good luck
 
I don't recommend working fulltime or anywhere near that if you're studying for the MCAT (which is only the most important exam of your life at this point). Part-time 15 hrs/week or volunteering and shadowing is OK because you'll want a break from it all every once in a while, but working full-time while studying is not advisable given the amount of time that you'll have to sacrifice and the rejections that you'll endure if you bomb this exam.
 
I'd sure hope so. I worked 55-60 hours a weeks and was fine. I'm currently studying for step 1 and can't imagine more than 8 hours a day studying for that, much less the MCAT.
 
ejay286 said:
I'm currently studying for the MCAT of which I am taking in August but with the way the gas prices and such are I really need a job. Anybody work 20-40 hours a week and still find enough time for studying?
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yes, it is doable! However, you must be great at time management!
 
ejay286 said:
I'm currently studying for the MCAT of which I am taking in August but with the way the gas prices and such are I really need a job. Anybody work 20-40 hours a week and still find enough time for studying?
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Do you really need the gas? Can't you find an environmentally friendly alternative means of transportation (walking, running, jogging, bicycling)?

Save the rain forests:p
 
40 hrs a week, score pending...

I'd say it depends on where you are in your studies and how far off the test is. But only you can really answer these questions
 
ejay286 said:
I'm currently studying for the MCAT of which I am taking in August but with the way the gas prices and such are I really need a job. Anybody work 20-40 hours a week and still find enough time for studying?
Click to expand...

I worked 40+ hours a week while studying. Yes, it's doable, not ideal. I definitely didn't do the crazy studying schedule that seems typical on SDN :rolleyes: I think that you need to look at your diagnostic score, figure out what your target score is, and ask yourself how good of a test taker you are to figure out whether you need to have a part time job.
 
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I worked about 15 hours a week and it certainly was doable just because I was sick of spending so much time studying for the MCAT. But looking back, I sort of wished I hadn't done that so that I didn't feel so rushed at getting to work, taking my nap and then stting down to study (and sometimes trying also to fit the gym in there). I almost wish I'd had the time to get up, go to the gym, and then start....can't say anything about it know but who knows if that would helped me out more in studying.

For me, the MCAT was a major challenge so while working and studying was certanly doable, I think maybe I was one of those that just needed more time and I often wonder if not working those 15 hours a week would have helped. :confused:
 
I can't really fathom how people don't think it's "doable." I worked 40-45 hrs/wk while I studied and I feel like I had plenty of time to cover the material. My job was 7-3 and when I was off work, I had nothing better to do than study (not like there's homework or anything). So from 3 to 10 it was pretty much free. I didn't even do that everyday because you have to take time off to keep yourself fresh. Weekends were for full-lengths and more in depth review. Granted, I did all this over a 3 month span and I don't think it would work if you were trying to cram, but how well can you cram for the MCAT anyway?
 
I was out of school and working full time. I took a Kaplan review course on Sat and Sun, studied in the evenings Mon-Thurs and took Fridays off. It made for a fairly busy schedule but wasn't that hard. Just make sure your studying is well-focused so you can get the most out of the 3 or so hours you put in each night.
 
might seem like a bit much but I volunteer 10 hours a week ... currently taking 9 credits first session at college and then 10 credits next session ... and studying 4-5 hours a day for mcats ... hopefully its doable but if it seems i wont be prepared by end august ill put the test date further off since I will only be a junior next semester ...
 
It's definitely doable. I worked fulltime (40 hours) while prepping for the MCAT. I gave myself about 4 months to get ready. Started in February and took the May 11th MCAT. It'd been 4 years since I'd taken the pre-reqs though, so someone right out of school might not need as much prep time.

I'd work until 4 or 5 and then study for 3-4 hours every week night. On the weekends, I'd study about 5-6 hours a day.

Just be disciplined about it and it will work out.
 
Cestmoi said:
i had a 40hrs/week internship which stressed me out big time... work 9-5; nap 5:30-7pm; study 7-2am; sleep 2-7:30am... turned me into a zombie. I won't advise working as many hours unless you felt you already had a good amount of studying down and just needed to practice/brush up mostly... good luck
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Wow u are intense.
I worked 40-50 hrs/wk, and didnt have the strength to study everyday. It was a new job, in a new environment, so the stress of adjusting to this, and also freaking out about other things was added. I was also taking the Kaplan class, (which in retrospect was a waste of my time). Tried to study ~7 hrs every weekend. It was hard. Wish I did not have to work.
 
I did, but I should've worked more, because I made peanuts that summer.
 
da me ka don said:
Wow u are intense.
I worked 40-50 hrs/wk, and didnt have the strength to study everyday. It was a new job, in a new environment, so the stress of adjusting to this, and also freaking out about other things was added. I was also taking the Kaplan class, (which in retrospect was a waste of my time). Tried to study ~7 hrs every weekend. It was hard. Wish I did not have to work.
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yea, i think the Kaplan online course can do wonders if you are working. you can study at your own pace and focus on the areas that need your attention. i think with the classroom kaplan course this isn't the case.

i did it and it helped me tremendously.
 
I've worked full time throughout this process. Just study for a few hours a day during the week and a bit more on the weekends. Keeps the boredom down.
 
da me ka don said:
Wow u are intense.
I worked 40-50 hrs/wk, and didnt have the strength to study everyday. It was a new job, in a new environment, so the stress of adjusting to this, and also freaking out about other things was added. I was also taking the Kaplan class, (which in retrospect was a waste of my time). Tried to study ~7 hrs every weekend. It was hard. Wish I did not have to work.
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It's okay, it all paid off nicely.. no regrets.. and that's how we know we'll do just fine for the next ~7 years :thumbup:
 
I'm working an internship part time, doing research, hospital volunteer work, and studying for the mcat. Its doable. To me its no worse than last semester, in which I was taking 20 credits and working two jobs.
 
Jolie South said:
yea, i think the Kaplan online course can do wonders if you are working. you can study at your own pace and focus on the areas that need your attention. i think with the classroom kaplan course this isn't the case.

i did it and it helped me tremendously.
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I did Kaplan's classroom course, and it worked well for me. I did it over a few months, and while I had a busy schedule (worked full-time 40+ hour weeks, MCAT prep 2-3 hours weeknights and a bit more on weekends, volunteered ~5 hours a week) I was still able to find time for my family and sleep.

I liked the structure and built-in pacing the classroom course provided, and I liked that I didn't have to plan out a schedule for myself.

So everybody has to figure out what works best for them, but the common themes seem to be that (1) yes, you sure can work while doing the test prep, and (2) you should give yourself plenty of time (months, not weeks) to spread out the work so you don't need to cram it all in at the end.
 
I also worked 40-50 hrs/wk as a chemist while studying for the MCAT, and everything turned out alright. It kinda killed my summer, as I'd come home and study 3-5 hours every day for a few months. It's certainly reasonable though.
 
Worked full time, no problems here.
 
I'm doing it now. Working full-time and studying for the MCAT. I'll let you know how it goes...;). I think I'll be ok. It would be nice to only have to work 20 hours a week if you have a choice though.
 
Worked 2 part-time jobs. It was tough, but it is absolutely do-able. It helps if you can sneak some reading while at work.
Good luck.
 
I work 40 hours a week, volunteer every Monday, and I am studying for the MCAT. Biochem has made studying a lot easier, though.
 
I worked 40+ hours. On a short day, I left home at 7:30am and got back at 5:30pm (drive time and lunch). Then Kaplan class started at 6:00pm until 9:30pm, twice a week. It sucked! And I didn't do so hot either!
 
LeLu said:
I worked 40+ hours. On a short day, I left home at 7:30am and got back at 5:30pm (drive time and lunch). Then Kaplan class started at 6:00pm until 9:30pm, twice a week. It sucked! And I didn't do so hot either!
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That sounds like what I did! Worked 40-50 hours a week, had a 1+ hour commute each way, and tried taking the Kaplan class as well. I did just fine, but I feel like had I had more time I would have scored probably 5 points higher. Such is life....
 
i worked 40-50 hour weeks and studied for the MCAT.

i didn't do as well as i wanted to, but i feel the time is manageable depending on how well you study. my schedule was basically this for 3-4 months.

monday-thurs. 630 wake up, work 8-5, home 630, study til 930-10, sleep by 11-130
friday. work but no studying
saturday. practice test but no studying
sunday. study 6 hours
 
I worked full-time and took 9 credit hours while studying for MCAT. As long as you manage your time wisely, you can do it.
 
Anything is possible! I wrote my Master's thesis, worked as a teacher, and studied for the MCAT. It was busy and I sacrificed fun time, but becoming a doctor is worth it to me. You'll be ok!
 
I worked 40+ hours a week and took the Kaplan class twice a week. It was three hours everyday and a practice test every weekend! It sucked so bad that my girlfriend left me and I lost my job the day before I took the test. But I freaking totally rocked the test! I guess it's doable but something will break at the end!
 
You can do it, I worked 20 hrs a week and interned another 20 and volunteered 10, someone has to pay the bills and if thats u then it sucks but u just have to suck it up and deal with it. Besides i think 8+ hours of studying would have been counter-productive i think 3-4 hours is idea. I had about 2 months time to study.
 
I had a full-time research position and I had to present my results to professors across the nation because of the nature of my scholarship a week after the MCAT. I put more hours than the typical 9-5 job of course.

AND I found time to explore a new city, volunteer twice a night and study for the MCAT. Was it the wisest decision? No. Did it turn okay? Yes, got into my top choice at the end.
 
hey. i'm a full time employee and i have health insurance as long as i work 30+ hours a week. I used to work 40+ hours but right now I'm averaging 31 hrs/week because I'm preparing for the MCAT too.

i'm in a pretty sticky situation. i have bills and loans on my desk and i need the money. and i have a really good benefit's package that i don't want to lose just yet. besides, every one needs health insurance because you never what can happen to you.

anyway, i'm studying for the MCAT and I think that my studies are going well...but i guess i won't know until i see my score.

good luck to you.
 
When I was studying for the MCAT I worked full-time to overtime hours, with 14 credits, and had a young kid on top of all that.

Seriously, if you can't handle focused studying 4 hours a day for a month or so for the MCAT (which is all you really need to get a decent grade), medical school will be very, very, very difficult for you.

Not to belittle the experience but studying for the Step just dwarfs the MCAT and if you're having a really tough time with the MCAT then maybe, just maybe, you need to reconsider your strengths and weaknesses.
 
For most people it is unrealistic to take off time from school or work to study full time for the MCAT. If you are lucky enough to have someone else footing your bills, maybe, but that is not real life for most people. I worked about 50+ a week and studied during free time for about 4 months before taking the MCAT.
 
Just maybe you need to stop being negative for there are some intelligent people who are destined to be doctors that are not good at standardized testing such as the MCAT. Perhaps you need to examine your weakness, which is pride and develop a strength called humility.
 
Doctor J said:
Seriously, if you can't handle focused studying 4 hours a day for a month or so for the MCAT (which is all you really need to get a decent grade), medical school will be very, very, very difficult for you.

Not to belittle the experience but studying for the Step just dwarfs the MCAT and if you're having a really tough time with the MCAT then maybe, just maybe, you need to reconsider your strengths and weaknesses.
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Others disagree, but I'm with you. I understand that not everyone is great at standardized tests. Bottom line though is that if you're "destined to be a doctor", you make it work.

And as point out, if you don't make it through the MCAT fairly easy, Step 1 will utterly crush you. The smart people need to study 6 hours a day, 6 days a week for 3-4 weeks (which is all the time most schools get off to study for it).

Bottom line is if you are going to do well on either test, you need to know the stuff cold. And at that point, it doesn't matter how you're tested, you'll do well. It's only when you're shaky on a subject that how you're tested matters.
 
I also worked 40+ hour weeks and took one night bio class while studying, against my premed adviser's advice, and I did fine...the trick is to know HOW to study. Like, I knew that I'd probably just need to do some practice for Verbal, and Bio was gonna require just some quick reviewing, so I focused most of my time on the others. I made a really strict schedule 3 months in advance and stuck to it. I studied ~3 hours a night after I got home, and spent most of my weekends in the library. It was extremely not fun, but you gotta do what you gotta do.
I did have to take the 3 days before the MCAT off though. Practice tests take forever, even these shorter ones, especially if you really want it to feel like the real deal. They are also EXHAUSTING. I'd started off thinking I'd take 2 a day but the truth is after you've taken one and looked at what you've done wrong and gone over it, you cant possibly take another one.
It's also really helpful to get used to whatever time you have to wake up, etc, to make sure your brain will be awake at that time. It's all about being organized, really. Good luck!!!
 
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