Is it a possible to complete the AMCAS, take the MCAT, and volunteer 400 hours?

[sujc]

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Title says it all.

I really might have to do it all in one summer....is that possible?

If you don't think that's possible, tell me, because that just tells me that that plan of action won't work, and my alternative will.

Thanks!

 

[ppfizenm]

Title says it all.

I really might have to do it all in one summer....is that possible?

If you don't think that's possible, tell me, because that just tells me that that plan of action won't work, and my alternative will.

Thanks!

this summer? If you haven't already done the volunteering you can't list it. They don't care about the hours you intend to do.

 

[aSagacious]

400 hours over the summer, like a full-time gig? Certainly. I've known many people that take classes full time and work part time while studying for the MCAT (myself included). I think the time commitment for preparing one's AMCAS is hugely overestimated according to the average SDNer.

 

[centrigeugle]

400 hours over the summer, like a full-time gig? Certainly. I've known many people that take classes full time and work part time while studying for the MCAT (myself included). I think the time commitment for preparing one's AMCAS is hugely overestimated according to the average SDNer.

It's not the AMCAS (although inputting everything can take longer than you expect) that's a commitment so much as the personal statement.

 

[aSagacious]

It's not the AMCAS (although inputting everything can take longer than you expect) that's a commitment so much as the personal statement.

There's no reason someone should have to wait until AMCAS is released to begin writing their personal statement. It's not like it changes from year to year.

 

[sujc]

this summer? If you haven't already done the volunteering you can't list it. They don't care about the hours you intend to do.

In one summer, can't I finish the volunteering right before the amcas is due? I'll be working on the amcas during the time volunteering, if that's possible. .....is it possible?


Oh, and I'll be working on my personal statement this whole school year, before the summer.

I'm a little worried about secondary app's though; How involved are they, usually?

 

[aSagacious]

Yes, it's possible to volunteer while filling out your AMCAS. As far as your question about secondaries, here's something that I posted a while back in another thread:

It will depend on how many and what type of prompts are on each secondary. So I'll share how much time I spent on each type of prompt and you can multiply as necessary.

No prompt - 5 minutes to enter credit card info

Short answer (3-5 sentences or a few hundred characters) - 15 minutes to construct a logical answer and polish for spelling and grammar.

Essay (1-2 pages or a few thousand characters) - 2-3 hours to construct a logical answer and polish for spelling and grammar. Left it alone for an hour, came back and reread for coherence and overall quality.

 

[UnclePhil]

I hope you are not expecting that 400 hours of volunteering stuck in the summer right before apps is going to be the same as 400 hours spread out over the previous 3-4 years.

 

[ppfizenm]

In one summer, can't I finish the volunteering right before the amcas is due? I'll be working on the amcas during the time volunteering, if that's possible. .....is it possible?


Oh, and I'll be working on my personal statement this whole school year, before the summer.

I'm a little worried about secondary app's though; How involved are they, usually?

start volunteering now

 

[sujc]

start volunteering now

I really don't think I can if I'm trying to get an A on all the med required classes, write a good personal statement, and study for the MCAT.

My current semester is maxed out, credit wise, as well.

If other people have been able to do all that AND volunteer...can you tell me if that was a good idea for you?

 

[ppfizenm]

I really don't think I can if I'm trying to get an A on all the med required classes, write a good personal statement, and study for the MCAT.

My current semester is maxed out, credit wise, as well.

If other people have been able to do all that AND volunteer...can you tell me if that was a good idea for you?

3 hours a week wouldn't kill you. Plus it looks better to have a longer commitment.

 

[music2doc]

I hope you are not expecting that 400 hours of volunteering stuck in the summer right before apps is going to be the same as 400 hours spread out over the previous 3-4 years.

Truth.

 

[kpcrew]

Yes, it is. I met a kid who was doing this exact same thing, but he was volunteering at three different hospitals. It's a serious time commitment though, I would take the MCAT earlier if possible.

 

[chemistryguy]

I think study for the MCAT while in classes, it forces you to schedule time to study and youll be familiar with a lot of the material from classes.

Definitly start volunteering now, just do a few hours or so a week.

 

[qwertyytrewq]

Just my 2 cents, but if you are committed to spending your entire life as a doctor, why rush such important steps.

You said you've focused on doing well on the class work, that means you are spending extra time to get a high GPA.
Why not put this same amount of diligence into studying for the MCAT?
If you have no volunteer experience, what will you draw on for your personal statement?
The application process is its own beast. Take each of these steps seriously, one at a time. Is there a specific reason you want to rush?
Your MCAT+ GPA+ Personal Statement are arguably the 3 most important components of your app, wouldnt you want to give each of them their necessary amount of individual attention?

 

[UnclePhil]

I really don't think I can if I'm trying to get an A on all the med required classes, write a good personal statement, and study for the MCAT.

My current semester is maxed out, credit wise, as well.

If other people have been able to do all that AND volunteer...can you tell me if that was a good idea for you?

Just out of curiosity, but if you wanted to build up volunteer hours, why wait until now? And where does this 400 number come from?

I'll say it again, someone who has built up 400 hours of volunteering over the course of college with continual involvement is going to be looked upon much more favorably than someone who does 400 hours at once at the last minute. One shows long term commitment, the other reeks of desperation to fill a void on an application. The actual number of hours will end up mattering very little if they throw you into that 2nd batch. I don't even need to be an adcom to tell you that, common sense is enough to figure that out.

 

[doctorshateher]

Ugh. These questions.

Yes, your proposal is possible. For someone. What you need to determine is whether or not it is feasible for you, not some random on the internet. We know nothing of your time management, test taking or other skills.

I personally would try to balance it, but when things get overwhelming, make sure you keep your priorities in line and important things (read: MCAT) come first.