Dilemma & A few questions

[Tonino]

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Hey guys,
the summer is dawning upon us and I have an important decision to make.

I wanna get these things done for the summer:
- full time job
- MCAT
- 2 summer courses (one English course and one Philosophy course)

Do you think the 2 summer courses will be reasonable? I already have a full time job lined up. The english course will be a full year course and the philosophy course will be a half year course and they will both be condensed into a 2 month curriculum.

I'm asking this here because the med schools I want to apply for require me to have a full credit in English.

By the way, I am a Canadian, and I was wondering if any one knew how long you'd have to live in British Columbia until you'd qualify as a resident of the province to be able to apply as an "in-province applicant"?

Thanks.

 

[GoodmanBrown]

I think this is biting off more than you can chew. Simply from a scheduling standpoint, I don't see how you can take 2 classes and work full-time. Do you only work in the evenings?Can you skip classes and just do the homework? If not, you're gonna either get canned or fail because you'll miss too much work/class.

The MCAT is the most do-able here because it really only takes one day + lots of studying whenever you get a chance.

So, I'd do the MCAT, work, and maybe take 1 class if you really can't fit it in some other time.

 

[Tonino]

I think this is biting off more than you can chew. Simply from a scheduling standpoint, I don't see how you can take 2 classes and work full-time. Do you only work in the evenings?Can you skip classes and just do the homework? If not, you're gonna either get canned or fail because you'll miss too much work/class.

The MCAT is the most do-able here because it really only takes one day + lots of studying whenever you get a chance.

So, I'd do the MCAT, work, and maybe take 1 class if you really can't fit it in some other time.

well the thing is, the classes are via CORRESPONDENCE so I can study for it whenever I'd like. Furthermore, I plan on studying for the MCAT after my 2 classes are done (it'll give me the entire month of August to work and study for the MCAT).

Will this make any difference in your thoughts?

 

[bravofleet4]

i think only you can decide how you can chew

 

[chencxm]

If you carry out this schedule and make a 40 on MCAT, I will kneel before you in awe.

 

[phonyreal98]

well the thing is, the classes are via CORRESPONDENCE so I can study for it whenever I'd like. Furthermore, I plan on studying for the MCAT after my 2 classes are done (it'll give me the entire month of August to work and study for the MCAT).

Will this make any difference in your thoughts?

You'll be busy, but I think this is doable. I did that last summer (minus studying for the MCAT) and still ended up with buttloads of free time.

 

[Evergrey]

Tonino,

I think this schedule is too much for you (or anyone for that matter). I think you are underestimating how much time it will take to study and do well on the MCAT! Unless you are naturally very gifted at science/critical thinking/standardized testtaking (perhaps in the 5%ile or higher of the college population), it will take a lot of time to adequately prepare yourself for this exam. Ultimately it's your decision of course, but I would be hesitant to take 2 classes, or even 1 and even despite them being correspondence, simply because there is just not enough time in the day.

 

[Tonino]

Thanks for the input everyone.

The final results:
- started off with full time summer studentship in cardiac research, MCAT test booked at 9/9/10, 2 summer courses.
- ended up dropping both summer courses (lost 750$ and now have a big red DROP on my transcript for one of those courses). I was having the time of my life doing research, and didn't want my summer course to get in my way. Plus, it was really only supplementary so I decided it wasn't really needed. I took the MCAT on the set date, and I think I did okay. I get my tests back in 2 days. I will keep you guys updated!

Moral of the story: don't go chasing after every single loose strand. Set a fixed, realistic goal.

Thanks again for all your help.

 

[gravitywave]

thanks for coming back with followup. we don't get too much of that around here.

 

[Evergrey]

Thanks for the input everyone.

The final results:
- started off with full time summer studentship in cardiac research, MCAT test booked at 9/9/10, 2 summer courses.
- ended up dropping both summer courses (lost 750$ and now have a big red DROP on my transcript for one of those courses). I was having the time of my life doing research, and didn't want my summer course to get in my way. Plus, it was really only supplementary so I decided it wasn't really needed. I took the MCAT on the set date, and I think I did okay. I get my tests back in 2 days. I will keep you guys updated!

Moral of the story: don't go chasing after every single loose strand. Set a fixed, realistic goal.

Thanks again for all your help.

I think you made the right decision to drop those classes! I don't think they will raise any flags, and if you get asked about it in interviews, just tell them you were studying for MCAT and working full-time adcoms will understand. Hope your MCAT scores turned out well!

 

[Tonino]

Thank you! I shall find out soon enough and follow up again later.

 

[Tonino]

The MCAT did turn out well! 33Q overall!
PS: 12
VR: 9
BS: 12
Looks like a good summer after all. Thanks everyone!