Need advice: study abroad or not?

[firecracked]

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I'm trying to decide if I should study abroad or not. I'm currently a junior, psychology major. I just started working on pre-reqs last year, so I'm taking Orgo now and still have to take Physics. I would go abroad next fall in 2009. I'm applying after senior year and taking a year off.

I just can't decide if I should go abroad. Everyone says going abroad is an amazing experience, and I've always wanted to go abroad. I picked my undergrad school because if it's great study abroad program. I'd be going for psych. The classes count for credit, but don't go towards any requirements (not even for my major). It seems like a wasted semester academically, but if I didn't go abroad, I have a feeling I'd really regret it.

If I stayed, though, it would be an extra semester to spread things out (right now my schedule for my last 3 semesters is really crammed). Some classes I want to take are only offered during the fall semester when I'd be gone. I would have time to take a couple other upper level bio classes. There are a couple ECs I really want to do that have a year-long commitment. The classes I would take are taught by great professors I could hopeful get good LORs from. And ECs and LORs are currently the weakest part of my application.

I could always stay an extra semester and graduate late to take those extra classes, but I couldn't do those year-long ECs. But I don't know if study abroad is unique enough to cancel out weaker ECs. We have to do an internship too while we're there, if that makes a difference. It could be anything from doing research at a university or working in a psych ward or teaching special needs kids - the research is really the only one I'm interested in. I like learning about psych, but I don't like actually working in that field.

So I'm not sure what to do. I can't talk to my advisor for another couple weeks, and I want to get different perspectives too. I'm not sure what'll look best to dental school because I see the positives to both sides and I'm honestly torn on what to do.

 

[CUSOCCER]

ABSOLUTELY! I went abroad fall semester of junior year (a year ago) and am in the application process right now. Honestly, I think that the amount I could talk about in my interview about my study abroad experience far surpasses anything else on my application, and is VERY unique among applicants- which is a huge bonus. I guarantee that you can easily find volunteer and EC opportunities there as well. I had some great volunteer experience abroad. Thus far I am so happy I went, and I had the same thought process you have right now. In the end- life is too short. If it's something important to you (which it sounds like it is) this may be one of the only times in your life you can do it. Dental school will always be there. PM me if you have any other questions or anything.

 

[Dent44]

I completely agree! GO ABROAD!!! It was one of the best things I've ever done.

Do you have to go through your school? You may be able to find some upper level science classes through other programs. There are some exchange programs with British schools... I'm sure you'd be able to find something there.

But even if it's a waste of a semester bec you'll go through your school, definitely go. And to be honest, you may be too busy exploring and enjoying yourself to focus on work while you are there (I know I was!) so perhaps it's better to take some easy BS classes anyway!

 

[siba]

I'm trying to decide if I should study abroad or not. I'm currently a junior, psychology major. I just started working on pre-reqs last year, so I'm taking Orgo now and still have to take Physics. I would go abroad next fall in 2009. I'm applying after senior year and taking a year off.

I just can't decide if I should go abroad. Everyone says going abroad is an amazing experience, and I've always wanted to go abroad. I picked my undergrad school because if it's great study abroad program. I'd be going for psych. The classes count for credit, but don't go towards any requirements (not even for my major). It seems like a wasted semester academically, but if I didn't go abroad, I have a feeling I'd really regret it.

If I stayed, though, it would be an extra semester to spread things out (right now my schedule for my last 3 semesters is really crammed). Some classes I want to take are only offered during the fall semester when I'd be gone. I would have time to take a couple other upper level bio classes. There are a couple ECs I really want to do that have a year-long commitment. The classes I would take are taught by great professors I could hopeful get good LORs from. And ECs and LORs are currently the weakest part of my application.

I could always stay an extra semester and graduate late to take those extra classes, but I couldn't do those year-long ECs. But I don't know if study abroad is unique enough to cancel out weaker ECs. We have to do an internship too while we're there, if that makes a difference. It could be anything from doing research at a university or working in a psych ward or teaching special needs kids - the research is really the only one I'm interested in. I like learning about psych, but I don't like actually working in that field.

So I'm not sure what to do. I can't talk to my advisor for another couple weeks, and I want to get different perspectives too. I'm not sure what'll look best to dental school because I see the positives to both sides and I'm honestly torn on what to do.

Hi! I can totally understand your confusion b/c I'm thinking of the same thing. I'm going into my senior year and has been thinking about going to Spain for a semester after I graduate.

My current situation is that I've just taken my DAT and got a pretty satisfying score. My family encourages me to apply next cycle b/c the scores do expire in 3 years. That means if I do go to Spain after college, I have to wait for another year to apply instead of next year, which means if I don't get in then, I have to retake my DAT.

Do you guys think I should go aboard next yr and wait for another year to apply? Or just apply next yr and go through dental school?

Thanks for your input!

 

[vlct0ria]

I know how you feel, I've always wanted to study abroad in Italy (I've taken 3 years of the language). I talked to my adviser about studying abroad while still making sure I complete my pre-reqs, and he recommended that I study abroad during the summer. While the international programs are great, most of them are limited as far as which classes are available. I'm a junior now, and since the programs don't offer the upper level bio classes I need for my major, I'm basically screwed, unless I just want to go for the summer and take some more language classes.

I would go with his recommendation and study abroad over summer so you can focus on your pre-reqs in the fall and spring semesters. It's a great thing to put on an application and talk about in an interview, so I would take the opportunity while you can!

 

[siba]

Going aboard during summer sounds like a great alternative. But I'm concerned about the going away during the application process. If I apply in May of next year, and go aboard in July and August or something, will I miss some of the secondaries? or any other important application process?

Thanks!!!

 

[ohjustME]

I was actually wondering the exact same thing as siba..
I, too, plan to apply early next year and also want to do some volunteer work and a little backpacking in Asia over the summer, but am hesitant because I don't really know how it will affect further application processing. Any advice?