Need some direction/advice

[princessd3]

---

Members don't see this ad.

So right now I'm a senior. Supposed to graduate in May. I didn't take the MCAT past April because I had planned on taking a year off (I actually had to take the year off for reasons I wont get into). Anyway, I'm "prepping" for the coming MCAT. I'm thinking though, maybe I should take next semester off, or maybe just take one class. Since I have a whole year to spare, why rush? Maybe I could devote next semester to studying for the MCAT and end up spending an extra semester or an extra year in school. Given the opportunity would any of you do that? The other thing is I haven't had much time to spend volunteering/shadowing. I have some clinical experience but I could use the time off next semester to do some clinical stuff. I don't know...I was kind of gearing up for graduation. But then I thought to myself, the MCATs are a big deal and this decision can influence my future. I want to go to a good school and maybe rushing to get out of school might be a bad idea. The other thing is. During that year I wanted to enroll in a music school to get some training with a musical instrument. That meant alot to me. Well my question really is, if you had the opportunity to take an entire semester off to study for the MCAT would you take advantage of that, or would you want to hurry up and get out of school and get a decent job for the year off..
Hope I made sense,
Looking forward to some feedback.

 

[eve76]

Well...taking a heavy courseload might compromise your performance on the MCAT, but I don't think it's impossible that you can keep up with your courses and do fine on the MCAT. Have you tried practice MCATs? If you're doing fine on them, I would consider just taking the MCAT while in school. You can take the August one if you totally bomb in April.

Or, you could just skip the April one altogether, take the august one, and study in the summer.

However, if you do decide to take a semester off for the April one, you should definitely do something in addition to studying for the MCAT - take a few courses at least, do some volunteer work, etc.

 

[charik]

Taking a semester off to study for the MCAT sounds extreme to me... If you are going to start studying now, you should be plenty prepared by april with or without taking classes next semester. I say take the classes and then find something good to do for the (uninterrupted) year off.

 

[doc05]

studying for the mcat doesn't necessitate taking a semester off. just don't kill yourself with an unbearable courseload.

 

[freesolo]

U dont get a semester off to study for USLME do ya?

 

[SoulRFlare]

Originally posted by Abraham
U dont get a semester off to study for USLME do ya?

No...but you get at least a month off to study for it...

 

[Mistress S]

princessd3, you could probably do fine on the MCAT without taking an entire semester off, but if you don't mind taking the extra time to finish undergrad I see no reason not to if it will make you feel more prepared. It sounds like you have several other things you would like to do with the time as well, and I am firm believer in taking the time to enjoy life and doing things you want do before taking on the heavy repsonsibilities of med school. It will make you a stronger applicant and a more well-rounded individual in general, and I highly doubt you will regret being a year older when you graduate med school if you took the time to do things you enjoy (volunteer, learn a musical instrument) as well as the things you must (prepare for the MCAT). Good luck!

 

[sgilani]

med schools may not necessarily look favorably upon taking a year/semester off to study for mcats. while mcats are impt i'm pretty sure most schools wanna see that you can balance mcat studying with the usual courseload and/or work schedule.

 

[rugirlie]

hi all.... i was just wonderin something from all u pre-meds currently in the app process or who have just recently gone through it... i'm a juinor now and i took the mcats this past aug... i got 10, 10, 10 P and now i don't know if i should retake them in april or not.. i want to b/c i was scoring like 33's on my practice tests and i want to give myself the best advantage i can.... i have a 3.9 and some limited med experience.... should i retake, and if so how should i go bout restudying?