Research Position or MCAT Please Read

[comatoses]

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Hello

I am in a situation right now. I am currently a junior in undergrad. My goal is to take the MCAT in May to avoid a gap year but the problem is I dont think I have enough time to study for it. I currently am taking 4 classes and doing 10 hours of research. The 4 classes are not very difficult but the 10 hours of research seems more exhausting.

I have been doing the research for one semester and I am sure that my PI will not be content with me leaving. I think she may even get angry because I made a commitment to stay until my senior year. I really believe that if I quit the research position I will have a considerably greater amount time to study.

If any one can give me some insight on what to do it would be greatly appreciated. Also any ideas on how to quit?

 

[MDOnlyWillDo]

If you can find a replacement for yourself and train them, your PI may be much happier with you moving on. Unless you are heading up a publishable project that can only be completed by you, most PIs don't care who does the grunt work, they just want it done on time and correctly.

 

[itsthat1guy]

Don't rush your MCAT you'll most likely regret it

 

[Aerus]

Don't be flaky. You already made a commitment. Either make your time work or postpone the MCAT and take a gap year. Nothing wrong with that.

 

[Mad Jack]

A gap year really isn't the worst thing in the world. You might actually *gasp* learn what it's like to be an adult in the world outside academia. It will also give you the time to properly focus on your MCAT prep and secondary essays. If you bomb the MCAT, that score is on your record for life. The same goes if you are a re-applicant. So do it smart, do it once, and do it right. If that means a gap year, then so be it.

So far as the research, if you are planning on getting a premedical committee letter, I would really avoid flaking. They will have all sorts of questions about why and it might be reflected in your final letter review. Not that I would recommend an advisory committee- for the most part, they seem to be for suckers that enjoy an extra layer of pain in the app process.

 

[m0biusace]

Gap years are awesome (provided you aren't already 25 or something). I'm happy I had one.

Stick with your commitments, get a strong letter of recommendation because of them, and rock the MCAT during your gap year.

 

[AliciaAccepted]

Hello

I am in a situation right now. I am currently a junior in undergrad. My goal is to take the MCAT in May to avoid a gap year but the problem is I dont think I have enough time to study for it. I currently am taking 4 classes and doing 10 hours of research. The 4 classes are not very difficult but the 10 hours of research seems more exhausting.

I have been doing the research for one semester and I am sure that my PI will not be content with me leaving. I think she may even get angry because I made a commitment to stay until my senior year. I really believe that if I quit the research position I will have a considerably greater amount time to study.

If any one can give me some insight on what to do it would be greatly appreciated. Also any ideas on how to quit?

If you have agreed to participate in the research project for a particular length of time then I recommend honoring that commitment, especially if this is your only research experience and you plan on requesting a letter of recommendation. You are wise to want to take the MCAT when you can focus on preparing for it. In my experience as a student advisor for the UC Davis School of Medicine for over five years, students who try to take the MCAT while taking classes either hurt their MCAT score or GPA, or in worst case scenarios, both. Have you spoken with your PI about your decision to apply to medical school? Is your PI a medical doctor? Perhaps by broaching the topic as a request for advice from your PI, you may get a more sympathetic response than you imagine. S/he may recommend that you leave the project to focus on your MCAT or cut down on your hours to create a compromise. Taking a gap year may only help your application, if you use that time strategically. For more ideas about "How to Succeed on your MCAT Test Day," please see this article. Take a deep breath! You have lots of options and taking your time to make the best decision for you will only ensure your success in the application process. I wish you all the best!

 

[comatoses]

My PI is not a medical doctor. I see what you guys are saying. Thank you for the help!

 

[boomshaketheroom]

I "had" to take 2 gap years. In hindsight, it think it was much, much better than going straight to med school. The whole being an adult and not a student thing is pretty helpful. As is the necessary interaction with people who haven't been students for the last 16 years or whatever.

Also, your application will be better.