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MCAT vs cultural experience
- Thread starter seals44
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There is no rush on taking the MCAT. You could take it later. Taking it in August is pretty late if you're applying this year (which I think you're not?).
I'm at work so maybe I'm missing something, but I'd just push the MCAT back a month or two.
I'm at work so maybe I'm missing something, but I'd just push the MCAT back a month or two.
I will not be applying this year, but next.
I feel like, taking a full courseload with my normal ECs, it would be difficult to find enough time to study during the semester, and that if I took enough time to study truly effectively it would affect my class grades. And that would leave me with no opportunity for re-take before the 2015 exam takes effect if I somehow bomb it.
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I took 13 credits while I studied in the spring for the MCAT. I studied 6 hours a night 5 days a week solely for the MCAT. Went fine for me.
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I'm not sure if you read my message from the other thread that you posted. Just in case, here was my comment: Good luck!
Dear Seals44,
My answer to your question is based on my experience. Let me tell you a little about myself before I answer. I'm a biomedical engineering major at a top engineering school. I took half my pre-reqs at community college and half (including orgos and bios) at the university and I received all As. My overall GPA is 3.9. I took the mcat last September (studied May - Aug) but I took a few breaks (about 4 weeks worth if you add them all up). To sum up my experience, I completely regretted taking that time off. I found it hard to readjust after taking a week off for example. On the days where I had other activities, I found it nearly impossible to study after a long day of work (even though I tried to convince myself that I would be able to study). I ended up with a 29 (9V, 10BS, 10PS). I know for sure that I could have done better because some of my aamc practices were up to a 33. My problem was that I did not have time to master EVERYTHING. I mastered somethings really well and others I never had anytime to practice. So, my score fluctuated highly depending on the material (whether it was something I mastered or not). Now, I am retaking the mcat in mid-June. I have been studying since mid-Feb almost everyday (I'm taking 2 engineering classes in the meantime). The difference between my situation and yours is that you will not be able to retake the mcat (unless you take the winter semester off) before the new version of the mcat comes out. In some sense (depending on your situation), you only have one shot to study. And by the looks of your grades, you really need to perform at your highest potential. I suggest that you make sacrifices to as many things as possible. At the end of the day you can only determine how valuable those other activities are. But, I doubt that they will be as valuable as a whole extra month of studying. An extra month of studying translates to years in mcat study-time. There will ALWAYS be things that you can improve on.
I say you should DEFINITELY sacrifice as much as possible. Good luck!
Dear Seals44,
My answer to your question is based on my experience. Let me tell you a little about myself before I answer. I'm a biomedical engineering major at a top engineering school. I took half my pre-reqs at community college and half (including orgos and bios) at the university and I received all As. My overall GPA is 3.9. I took the mcat last September (studied May - Aug) but I took a few breaks (about 4 weeks worth if you add them all up). To sum up my experience, I completely regretted taking that time off. I found it hard to readjust after taking a week off for example. On the days where I had other activities, I found it nearly impossible to study after a long day of work (even though I tried to convince myself that I would be able to study). I ended up with a 29 (9V, 10BS, 10PS). I know for sure that I could have done better because some of my aamc practices were up to a 33. My problem was that I did not have time to master EVERYTHING. I mastered somethings really well and others I never had anytime to practice. So, my score fluctuated highly depending on the material (whether it was something I mastered or not). Now, I am retaking the mcat in mid-June. I have been studying since mid-Feb almost everyday (I'm taking 2 engineering classes in the meantime). The difference between my situation and yours is that you will not be able to retake the mcat (unless you take the winter semester off) before the new version of the mcat comes out. In some sense (depending on your situation), you only have one shot to study. And by the looks of your grades, you really need to perform at your highest potential. I suggest that you make sacrifices to as many things as possible. At the end of the day you can only determine how valuable those other activities are. But, I doubt that they will be as valuable as a whole extra month of studying. An extra month of studying translates to years in mcat study-time. There will ALWAYS be things that you can improve on.
I say you should DEFINITELY sacrifice as much as possible. Good luck!
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10 days are quite short, but all-expense paid and the networking opportunities with the foreign government (since they are sponsors, there should be some networking) are something I would not turn down. What are you expecting to accomplish in that country? I do not know what your research interests and ambitions are, but if I were you, I would strongly consider Fulbright, Peace Corps, and WHO internship after having that trip.
Regarding MCAT, do you mind taking gap year or two before matriculation to medical school? I was just like you--I could not study during semesters but also don't want to turn down summer opportunities, so I took 2 gap years so far and I don't regret my decisions at all. I would have done the same if I go back to my freshman year. If you feel like rushing to take MCAT and might as well prepare longer for 2015 MCAT, I want to let you know that gap years are certainly a great option to consider.
Regarding MCAT, do you mind taking gap year or two before matriculation to medical school? I was just like you--I could not study during semesters but also don't want to turn down summer opportunities, so I took 2 gap years so far and I don't regret my decisions at all. I would have done the same if I go back to my freshman year. If you feel like rushing to take MCAT and might as well prepare longer for 2015 MCAT, I want to let you know that gap years are certainly a great option to consider.
Given the fact that I dropped the ball and received B's in 4 pre-req classes (my only B's), I honestly don't see that being realistic because I'll probably have to spend a bit longer on concept review than most.
The trip is essentially an attempted economic stimulus by the country's government (attempting to re-kindle interest in their country and economy from other world superpowers). Obviously, 10 days is not a long time. So in terms of what I am expecting to accomplish, it would be to gain a better understanding of what drives the country and its people, and to experience the culture firsthand in a way that talking to it's ex-pats in America can't provide.
Considering I'm not applying this year and want to take the old MCAT, a gap year would mean my MCAT would be expired at a large number of schools. Taking the old MCAT will also allow me to graduate a semester early, during which I might backpack Europe (assuming I've had an acceptance I like by then).
And my research is in bioengineering - nothing related to the humanities.
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I think it's wise of you to plan on studying for the MCAT when you are not enrolled in courses. In my experience advising students for over five years at the UC Davis School of Medicine Postbaccalaureate Program, most students who studied for the MCAT while taking classes, either hurt their grades or their MCAT scores, or in worse case scenarios--both.
That being said, it sounds like you've been offered a once in a lifetime opportunity to visit another country. I think it will add to the diversity of your application and possibly set you apart as a unique applicant. I recommend participating in the activities that you mentioned since they all seem to be critical to your activities section.
However, it will be very important for you to be disciplined and study regularly throughout the summer since your MCAT will carry more weight (based on your comments about your science GPA). Take a lot of full, timed practice MCAT's and carefully monitor your progress on them. If your scores increase and you are able to consistently earn high practice scores, than I would recommend you take the MCAT in August. I would base your decision to take the MCAT on your practice scores. I hope this is helpful!
That being said, it sounds like you've been offered a once in a lifetime opportunity to visit another country. I think it will add to the diversity of your application and possibly set you apart as a unique applicant. I recommend participating in the activities that you mentioned since they all seem to be critical to your activities section.
However, it will be very important for you to be disciplined and study regularly throughout the summer since your MCAT will carry more weight (based on your comments about your science GPA). Take a lot of full, timed practice MCAT's and carefully monitor your progress on them. If your scores increase and you are able to consistently earn high practice scores, than I would recommend you take the MCAT in August. I would base your decision to take the MCAT on your practice scores. I hope this is helpful!
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what's the last possible exam you can take before school starts? Is it later than 8/21?
It's probably not ideal for most people to have a huge break in their MCAT studying, but it's also probably pretty hard to pass up on this kind of opportunity.
Not saying this is your best option, but one possibility if you want to try to fit everything in:
-spend all of May studying the material since you feel your background is a bit lacking. make flashcards, cheat sheets, etc
- during the month of June when you're busy, keep reviewing the material you have made (flashcards, etc). try to do practice problems, passages each night.
- starting in July rededicate yourself back to full-time studying, practice and full length tests
So you're essentially advising planning a tentative August MCAT, but doing a last-minute switch to a late september-ish date if I'm not scoring around 32 on FLs by the beginning of August?
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I understand your priorities.
Studying for old MCAT this summer seems to be the highest priority and you are already set your mind on it.
If that is the case, I would spend as much of your time as you can in MCAT and ace it as if there is no second chance. I would politely turn down other opportunities as much as you can. If you try to catch 3 birds with one stone, like multitasking among MCAT studying, research and summer camp, your MCAT preparation might not be as optimal as you would have hoped.
(If I were you, I would turn down everything but research conference and maybe summer camp if I want to stretch, but all of this is heavily depending on how efficiently you can study and how much motivation you have.)
Classes begin August 25th for me, so the 21st is the last date (and even then moving back into my apartment will be interfering for a day)
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Why is everyone so scared of the new MCAT?
Since you're a language major, I would suggest that relative to other pre-meds, the new MCAT might even be BETTER for you (more humanities-weighted) than the old one.
Wait until you're really ready. Then take the MCAT that's in force then.
Since you're a language major, I would suggest that relative to other pre-meds, the new MCAT might even be BETTER for you (more humanities-weighted) than the old one.
Wait until you're really ready. Then take the MCAT that's in force then.
Based on my previous academic history and performance, doing the majority of my prep during the school year is not a good idea. If I don't prep and take it this summer, I would have to do the same next summer. If you take in August, you miss that whole app cycle, which would throw me back an entire year.
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ok then knowing that and that you don't want to push things off a year.. I stick with my suggestion.
you have a considerable amount of time if you are dedicated and strict with your studying
I've already taken quite a few light semesters and I don't think I'd be able to study adequately even with only 13 credits. I may be able to, but I'm not totally comfortable with the idea, and I NEED a high score to counteract my sGPA.
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My advice is to make sure you have a lot of free time immediately before the MCAT. It's very difficult to study hard for the MCAT when you are taking classes or doing other big commitments. On the other hand, if you are scoring well on the practice tests, I would feel confident that you will score well on the real test (regardless of the amount you study). The MCAT takes a LOT of time and effort to improve but for many people, they will start out already capable of doing very well. If you are re-taking, you probably need to put in a LOT of time and effort. Think about a plan that will give you a good 2 months to go all-in with MCAT preparation. If that's not possible to do before next application cycle, think about taking a year off. At least for me, studying for the MCAT while going to school sounded good in theory but was next to impossible to actually do adequately.
And no, I would not cancel your activity plans this summer to rush the MCAT out. I guess if you are free from July-August you could take it beginning of September. But I would only do that if your practice tests are comfortably where you want your real score to be. The last thing you want is to have to re-take the MCAT twice. Red flag.
And no, I would not cancel your activity plans this summer to rush the MCAT out. I guess if you are free from July-August you could take it beginning of September. But I would only do that if your practice tests are comfortably where you want your real score to be. The last thing you want is to have to re-take the MCAT twice. Red flag.
