This summer I'm going to be studying for the MCAT. My basic plan is to study about 25 hours a week outside of class, and 9 hours of Kaplan class a week. I am also doing research part time at 24 hours a week and volunteering 6-9 hours a week. I just took my diagnostic and did pretty well (35). However, I am shooting to apply to top MD schools, and maybe even MD/PhD. As such, what is the importance of research vs. MCAT? My research is currently not going very well (been doing it for one semester), so if I want to get a substantial result out of it or a publication, I really need to make this summer count. Then, is it worth slacking a little on MCAT studying to put more time into research, or is MCAT so important that I should get as high as I can right now and worry about the research stuff later, even though I won't have another opportunity to do full time research until next summer, after I apply?
Thanks in advance.
Thanks in advance.