MCAT vs Work

[DocSpotTG99]

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So I currently work as a nurse tech in a hospital. FT 3 days. I'm asking my boss to switch to part time. I finished pre reqs in undergrad (been a while since I've seen the material) and was looking at PA and Medicine. I've decided to start studying for MCATS and taking SN2ED study schedule. He explicitly states that part time work does not flow well with the schedule. Anyone done well with this schedule and working part time? I'm planning to take it in November or worst case January. Thanks for any feedback.

 

[karlat]

Hi,
I graduated last year, but it's been a while since I've taken my prereqs. I took the Princeton Review classes starting in January, while working full time, but it was hard to keep up. I had to spend all my nights and weekends studying for it. The SN2ED plan was too time consuming for me. I postponed my MCAT from May to the beginning of July because I was allowed part time. I'm waiting on my score now.. but being part time makes a big difference. Figure out your weaknesses and just focus on that. Good luck!

 

[danielterrones]

DocSpotTG99, I'm sure that you've already thought of this; but couldn't you take some time off? Here's what I'm thinking, you have 3 days on 4 days off - if you could take 1 day off for a few weeks that would help provide enough time to get good rest and study. If you've worked long enough (I don't know the policy at your facility), but you should have accumulated some PTO - I would cash these in so you can properly study. I'm sorry I can't offer more advice, it sounds like you're put in a difficult position - let us know how it plays out.

 

[wholeheartedly]

There have been plenty of nontrads who've successfully studied for the MCAT working full or part-time. You just need to spread things out a bit longer. Several of them have modified the SN2 schedule to fit a stretched out approach. If you look at that schedule there's a clear pattern that you can follow and just do it on the days you're able to study.

 

[EsotericAlchemy]

You're going to have to extend SN2ed's schedule if you plan to work part time and study according to that schedule. Those Berkeley Review books can take a while to burn through.

 

[DocSpotTG99]

Cool thanks everyone for the responses. I just wanna make sure I do well before the changes.

 

[Sed8&Intub8]

When I was an undergrad there was no way I would have been able to have a part time job and study for the MCAT. After going through grad school and getting older, I could do a full time job and study for the MCAT. I learned to manage my time, take advantage of all my free time (studying notecards while walking dog, grocery shopping, walking in hallways at work, etc). Also I learned how to properly study and stay focused.

 

[Leslie_Knope]

I worked full time and studied for the MCAT for about six months. The reason I studied so long was because I was about 7 years out from school. Also I was not feeling well the first two months and didn't get a lot of study time in. I could tell SN2ed's schedule was not going to be possible. I worked a variable schedule so I just studied on my days off and before and after work. I listened to Audio Osmosis in the car.

If I were in your situation, I would plan to study for about six hours on each of your days off and maybe even take one day a week completely off if you need it.

 

[wholeheartedly]

Right now I'm attempting to study over 6 months while working over full-time and doing an intensive grad school class. Well see how this goes. I'm 12-13 years out from the pre reqs.