Flip-Flopping a Winter Semester with Summer for MCAT Studying?

[The One Who Knocks]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hi everybody,

I have been planning on taking this route, but I wanted to get some more honest opinions about it. This is super important, so I'd love some advice.

I am currently a junior in my fall semester, and I am taking 3rd year Bio courses, including Human Physiology and Biochemistry. After this semester, I will be done with all of my pre-med classes helpful for the MCAT, and since I want to apply next cycle, I am thinking about not taking classes next semester, and studying for the MCAT (alongside ECs, and lab work).

The reason is mainly because I really want to apply next cycle as soon as it opens up. I have ample ECs, my GPA is very high, and all that is left is that MCAT score. I don't want to waste another semester on classes that are not important for MCAT prep, and I don't want to study and take it at the end of the summer, since that would mean I would be applying very late in the cycle.

Would it look bad at all to ad coms if I did this? I am planning on taking the classes I planned for the Winter during the Spring/Summer semester after my MCAT, so essentially, it is a "flip-flip" of semesters in order to get my application in on time, and to have great MCAT study time.

Please let me know what you think!

 

[Long Way to Go]

So the summer of 2016 you plan to take classes, do your extracurriculars, work in your lab, and find time to write a couple dozen secondaries?

 

[The One Who Knocks]

So the summer of 2016 you plan to take classes, do your extracurriculars, work in your lab, and find time to write a couple dozen secondaries?

Well, since I have been taking classes every summer so far, I would only have to take 2 classes in the summer to stay on track (and they aren't very difficult classes).

Basically, I just want to know if there would be any negative drawbacks to doing this in the eyes of ad coms. If they asked about it, and I explained it was because I was slightly ahead of my classmates and wanted to apply as early as possible, would they care?

In essence, this is a great plan for me personally, and I would love to do it, but I am afraid of unforeseen drawbacks.

 

[Ismet]

Do it.

 

[625233]

Seems like a good idea to me. I'm doing something similar, where I'm just taking a light course load (1 BCPM/3 GenEds).

 

[efle]

Does this not affect your costs? I think at most universities you are not eligible for financial aid in summer classes.

 

[The One Who Knocks]

Does this not affect your costs? I think at most universities you are not eligible for financial aid in summer classes.

It really wouldn't be very much money, since it will only be a couple of classes. Plus, tuition is 30% less and the summer, and I really don't mind doing this. I just want to know if it will at all look negatively on my application by ad coms.

Have you taken classes every summer, including required prereqs?

Yes, I have. I am a little ahead of my classmates, and so, I really would like to do this. I am only worried about it looking negatively on my application. However, if I explain why I decided to do this (flip flop my winter semester for the summer semester, but I'm not sure if the would even ask), and that I wanted to get my scores back in time to apply early on in the cycle instead of very late in the cycle, would it look negative on my app from the perspective of ad coms?

 

[WedgeDawg]

This is totally fine. I did this and no one batted an eye. Had a couple of friends who did too.

 

[Ismet]

It really wouldn't be very much money, since it will only be a couple of classes. Plus, tuition is 30% less and the summer, and I really don't mind doing this. I just want to know if it will at all look negatively on my application by ad coms.



Yes, I have. I am a little ahead of my classmates, and so, I really would like to do this. I am only worried about it looking negatively on my application. However, if I explain why I decided to do this (flip flop my winter semester for the summer semester, but I'm not sure if the would even ask), and that I wanted to get my scores back in time to apply early on in the cycle instead of very late in the cycle, would it look negative on my app from the perspective of ad coms?

No one will notice or care when you take these courses. You're overthinking this. Take the MCAT and apply early. Done.

 

[The One Who Knocks]

This is totally fine. I did this and no one batted an eye. Had a couple of friends who did too.

Thanks for the response. So, you weren't asked about it at all?

 

[WedgeDawg]

Thanks for the response. So, you weren't asked about it at all?

Not a single time