Does Studying Abroad help an application?

[sarahss]

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Does studying abroad help enrich an application? I know it is an amazing experience, but does it also give you an advantage by showing that you are well-rounded and able to fit it into your schedule?

Do many pre-meds study abroad?

 

[SitraAchra]

It's something cool to talk about during interviews but unless it was medically driven, it's just another extracurricular.

I don't think it gives the impression that you are able to plan your schedule well, it's basically a vacation so who wouldn't want to do that?

Not a bad thing though for sure.

 

[45408]

Any time I interviewed someone, if I saw they studied abroad, I'd ask them about it a fair amount. They usually have great stories, and it made for good conversation. If you can manage it, I think it's a great idea. I wish I had gone, especially after seeing all the awesome stuff my sister did.

 

[tweek125]

if you can study abroad AND finish all your pre-reqs in 4 years or in time to take the MCAT/apply during the cycle when you want, then definitely do it. it definitely appeals to your "uniqueness" and can give you something to talk about during the interview (like prowler said)

basically, unless it's going to put you too far behind to graduate in 4 years or rape your GPA, it absolutely cannot hurt you.

also, a lot of countries have a lower drinking age...so i would say study abroad until you're 21...that's my plan!

 

[sarahss]

I know that it doesn't hurt and that it's a good talking point at interviews, but does it really help a great amount? or is it just another extracurricular, as SitraAchra said?

 

[SitraAchra]

I know that it doesn't hurt and that it's a good talking point at interviews, but does it really help a great amount? or is it just another extracurricular, as SitraAchra said?

I would say if you can do it, do it. It will be a great talking point during interviews, but there are just as many things you could do domestically without dropping $4 grand for a semester in Barcelona that are interesting for interviewers. Just do it for yourself.

 

[Barcu]

Does studying abroad help enrich an application? I know it is an amazing experience, but does it also give you an advantage by showing that you are well-rounded and able to fit it into your schedule?

Do many pre-meds study abroad?

Not everything you do in ugrad has to be done just to boost your application.

Having studied abroad, I can say that it is an awesome and really a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Forget prereqs and medicine and just go have fun for a semester.

Good luck getting that chance when you get into med school.

 

[Narmerguy]

Not everything you do in ugrad has to be done just to boost your application.

Having studied abroad, I can say that it is an awesome and really a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Forget prereqs and medicine and just go have fun for a semester.

Good luck getting that chance when you get into med school.

Don't understand whenever people react this way to these sorts of questions. If the OP cares more about getting their application perfect than the potential merits of semester-long activities, let him. Further, asking this question does not even mean that if it is not helpful he will not pursue it. It does not hurt to be informed about the implications of your actions in terms of the greater goal one hopes to accomplish. Put your own bias aside.

 

[45408]

I know that it doesn't hurt and that it's a good talking point at interviews, but does it really help a great amount?

How much is a "great amount"? Quantify it, and we'll tell you if it helps you by that quantity.

It doesn't double your chances, no.

 

[Barcu]

Don't understand whenever people react this way to these sorts of questions. If the OP cares more about getting their application perfect than the potential merits of semester-long activities, let him. Further, asking this question does not even mean that if it is not helpful he will not pursue it. It does not hurt to be informed about the implications of your actions in terms of the greater goal one hopes to accomplish. Put your own bias aside.

You are right. My response came off a bit biased and harsh.

I just have dealt with so many people who commonly use the phrase, "I would rather do this, but I think doing this other thing will help my application more." I think you could probably do just about anything, and it can help your application. Might even make you more unique. So do what you would rather do.

To the OP. Go abroad. Do a medical or a non-medical one if you choose to. Literally half of my secondaries (and I'm sure most schools out there) have an essay about working with different cultures. Study abroad, in whatever capacity you choose, will help you answer this question and can be used to cover other similar questions in essays and interviews.

So, I believe studying abroad will really help your app and be a great experience..

 

[DocBell]

I can't remember which secondary...but one of them outright asked if you had ever studies abroad so it was something they were looking for. Too bad I never found the time lol

 

[LizzyM]

It is a wash.... great applicants would be great applicants even if they hadn't gone abroad and those who tend to be weak would likely be weak even if they hadn't gone abroad.

It does make for good conversation so you will be asked about it at interview time even if your interviewer doesn't consider it "important"... sometimes we are just looking to talk about something that differentiates you from the other appliants will see this month. Someone else might differentiate himself having taken a college music course on "the roots of jazz" -- if a semester or a summer or a year abroad works with your schedule and seems like a good use of your time, go for it... if not you will not be at a disadvantage.

 

[Narmerguy]

You are right. My response came off a bit biased and harsh.

I just have dealt with so many people who commonly use the phrase, "I would rather do this, but I think doing this other thing will help my application more." I think you could probably do just about anything, and it can help your application. Might even make you more unique. So do what you would rather do.

To the OP. Go abroad. Do a medical or a non-medical one if you choose to. Literally half of my secondaries (and I'm sure most schools out there) have an essay about working with different cultures. Study abroad, in whatever capacity you choose, will help you answer this question and can be used to cover other similar questions in essays and interviews.

So, I believe studying abroad will really help your app and be a great experience..

In retrospect, I think I may have come off a bit strongly as well. I understand what you are feeling and it understandable because we often see applicants who seem to compromise all values,priorities, sensibilities in pursuit of pleasing some school. My concern was mostly with SDN as a whole where we begin to become overzealous in our condemnation of such individuals and begin to pounce on individuals unnecessarily and perhaps forget that everyone has their own priorities whether or not we agree with them.

 

[Barcu]

In retrospect, I think I may have come off a bit strongly as well. I understand what you are feeling and it understandable because we often see applicants who seem to compromise all values,priorities, sensibilities in pursuit of pleasing some school. My concern was mostly with SDN as a whole where we begin to become overzealous in our condemnation of such individuals and begin to pounce on individuals unnecessarily and perhaps forget that everyone has their own priorities whether or not we agree with them.

Well said. Adding to this problem is that we are forced to communicate over written forums which lack the nuances of conversation, and posts may come off stronger than intended.

 

[coldweatherblue]

I spent a year abroad teaching and it was my favorite thing to be asked about on med school interviews.