Is is bad if I do nothing this summer?

[amar314]

I was originally planning on taking bio 1 at a local uni, however, I'm thinking of honestly not taking it because I'm afraid it won't be the same quality, it's such a short time to learn a topic that will be on the MCAT and I'm paying out of pocket. Are these good reasons not to take it? I was just taking it b/c I wanted to get ahead a bit but just rechecking my schedules and it barely makes a difference.

If I don't take it should I do nothing all summer or try to find a place to volunteer at?

Thanks! 🙂

p.s I'm going on my sophomore yr

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[lmn]

I probably wouldn't take classes during the summer unless you need to in order to graduate early/on time, or need to lighten your load across the year since generally it is very expensive compared to the normal quarters/semesters. But you should definitely try to get involved in volunteer work, shadowing, research, or other EC's. You really need to be doing things around the year (more than just classes) if you want to prepare yourself a strong application. Start shadowing some doctors, volunteering at a nursing home, and maybe also at a Big Sib organization. Show your desire to help your community as well as expand your experience and knowledge of the medical community, definitely don't sit home and just play video games and binge on netflix all summer (that's what a post-acceptance summer is for).

 

[deleted480308]

the real question is if you can get an "A" in a shortened class.....if you can then take it and get it out of the way

 

[el_duderino]

Get involved in some volunteering or clinical activity.

 

[deleted407021]

I echo the above advice. Definitely don't be idle.

 

[el_duderino]

And also go do something fun. Go hiking, learn to kayak, take up a sport, etc.

 

[amar314]

Thanks guys! I thankfully found a place I'd love to volunteer at, a summer camp for autistic kids. I'm also trying to find somewhere to shadow. Thanks for all the help 🙂

 

[theseeker4]

Thanks guys! I thankfully found a place I'd love to volunteer at, a summer camp for autistic kids. I'm also trying to find somewhere to shadow. Thanks for all the help 🙂

Don't forget to get clinical experience/volunteering in. Shadowing alone isn't enough, and a summer camp for autistic kids, while laudable, isn't really "clinical." Remember that med schools like longevity more than simply a certain number of hours.

 

[EyesOfTheWorld]

Definitely shadow and volunteer if you can, like everyone else said. I wish I would have spent one less summer idle.

 

[amar314]

Don't forget to get clinical experience/volunteering in. Shadowing alone isn't enough, and a summer camp for autistic kids, while laudable, isn't really "clinical." Remember that med schools like longevity more than simply a certain number of hours.

I have been looking for volunteering opportunities at hospitals but it's very difficult since most have commitment times of 6 months and I'm only home for the summer. I had planned to volunteer this spring semester, but it would have been great to also do some now b/c I'm only planning on volunteering at the camp 3 times a week. Thanks for the tip!

 

[mrh125]

A lot of gen bio isn't applicable to mcat bio unfortunately. The bulk of it is physiology, so it depends on what your gen bio class is on. Honestly, genetics, biochem, and molecular cell bio helped me a lot more than gen bio on the mcat. If it's plants and you think you can succeed go for it, worst case scenario you can withdraw early in and do something else.