Everyone is right--it is about knowing myself. I know that I need deadlines and pressure to get anything done. If i move home with the parents I'll be better off financially, but I'll be living with four other people (ie distractions). In my own apartment I will be all alone. THe less time I have, generally, the more I get done. Also, the thought of waitressing, even pt is enought to put me over the edge. I've been doing all through college, and can't take it anymore.
I don't mind giving up social life; I don't have much of one these days since graduating from college. I waitress 5 nights a week, my friends work during the day. (Which means I could study for the mcat everyday morning and afternoon until 3pm)
As one of you pointed out, I did take it before. I only studied three weeks for it. During three months of summer before the Aug test date, I was working 20hrs/week at the hospital and doing ft 40 hrs undergrad research (at $8/hr). I spent more time trying to pay the rent than study. My research job had late hours, so it was hard to study in the evening, but a normal 7-4 job it could work. I could start studying now, in november and have 5 months to study a little piece by piece.
I didn't give up my social life; my boyfriend was a huge distraction, but he is in another state now.
I scored 11, 9, 9.
I think I have decide how important my own apartment is. Is it worth working more and limiting available time to study? Can I study at my parents? I just have to solve some hard questions. also I have credit card debt that I could pay off at home.
If I am truly honest, I am more worried about being able to stay living on my own than anything else. The thought of moving home brings me to tears. Even though it would be better for me financially and I love my family, I am having such a hard time coming to terms with it. I keep trying to think of new solutions to manage rent and MCAT simultaneously. Perhaps I have to be honest with myself and realize there isn't one. Sometime we simply have to make sacrifices for medical school, it is just that I am so tired of "making sacrifices." I want a career in medicine so much, but sometime I just wish to get a life too. . .