MCAT or once-in-a-lifetime internship?? (Urgent)

[ttt92]

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Hi guys,

I have a little dilemma and I need to make decisions by tonight. I am a junior and planning to take a gap year. Over the summer, I was planning to do the research/field work for my thesis in Asia (I'm an international development studies major) for about 3-4 weeks, and then return to the states to take Physics II and study for my MCATs.

The thing is, for the thesis research, I have an opportunity to work with a really great Global Health Initiative by Harvard and I think it will be a good experience. However, stipulations are that I spend at least 2 months in Asia. I can definitely still study for my MCATs but will not be able to take Physics.

The thing is, I think the MCAT is very important and I can definitely take Physics in the fall and just take the Jan MCAT. However, my course load for the fall semester is very, very heavy on top of writing a thesis and I don't want to take my chances by pushing it back and cramming everything into the fall.

What do you think I should do? If I stay in Asia and don't take Physics, does it make sense to study for the MCAT so hardcore if I don't take it until January? Thanks all.

 

[TexasSurgeon]

Can't you just take half a gap year? Perhaps you could take physics in the first half of that gap year along with a few other gpa booster classes?

 

[Wait For It]

Can you start studying for your MCAT now and take it before you leave to go on your internship? (Take it April/May or June?) I took the MCAT without having taken physics 2 yet so I don't think it'll be necessary to wait.

 

[Etorphine]

Hi guys,

I have a little dilemma and I need to make decisions by tonight. I am a junior and planning to take a gap year. Over the summer, I was planning to do the research/field work for my thesis in Asia (I'm an international development studies major) for about 3-4 weeks, and then return to the states to take Physics II and study for my MCATs.

The thing is, for the thesis research, I have an opportunity to work with a really great Global Health Initiative by Harvard and I think it will be a good experience. However, stipulations are that I spend at least 2 months in Asia. I can definitely still study for my MCATs but will not be able to take Physics.

The thing is, I think the MCAT is very important and I can definitely take Physics in the fall and just take the Jan MCAT. However, my course load for the fall semester is very, very heavy on top of writing a thesis and I don't want to take my chances by pushing it back and cramming everything into the fall.

What do you think I should do? If I stay in Asia and don't take Physics, does it make sense to study for the MCAT so hardcore if I don't take it until January? Thanks all.

Easy. Since you're planning on taking gap year:

-Do the global health initiative. It will look great.
-Take physics II in the fall, and own it. DO NOT start studying for the MCAT in the fall, with this heavy schedule it will be unrealistic for you to get a high score.
-Start studying for the MCAT Jan-April, take it in May. This way, you can still apply on Jun 1st when apps open up, you'll have a great experience under your belt, and a great MCAT score. Win win.

One important caveat, is that you'll have one chance to take the MCAT in this busy schedule. Realize this right off the bat, and make sure you ACTUALLY study in Jan-April, so you get the score you want >35.

 

[Wait For It]

Easy. Since you're planning on taking gap year:

-Do the global health initiative. It will look great.
-Take physics II in the fall, and own it. DO NOT start studying for the MCAT in the fall, with this heavy schedule it will be unrealistic for you to get a high score.
-Start studying for the MCAT Jan-April, take it in May. This way, you can still apply on Jun 1st when apps open up, you'll have a great experience under your belt, and a great MCAT score. Win win.

One important caveat, is that you'll have one chance to take the MCAT in this busy schedule. Realize this right off the bat, and make sure you ACTUALLY study in Jan-April, so you get the score you want >35.

Ah right missed the gap year part. That would work as well. Just want to reiterate that you probably don't NEED to take it in the fall and can just take it in the spring if you can't fit it in during the fall (because of your heavy courseload).

 

[wholeheartedly]

Go to Asia and do that experience. Things like that are once in a lifetime and the deeper you get into your training, career, and family life, the harder those experiences can be to fit in. Not impossible, but a lot more challenging. So if you can do it now, go for it. It'll be a great experience and give you some cool things to talk about at interviews as well.

 

[Josh7]

Do the internship. It sounds like a great opportunity and there's nothing wrong with taking a gap year.

 

[lobo.solo]

I would do the internship as well
You can even build a stronger application during your gap year.

 

[pre med 2014]

What is an MCATs?

 

[Josh7]

What is an MCATs?

I think OP wants to take the MCAT multiple times