Because of Covid, I've been a bit shaky about my original plan of attending med school right after undergrad because I haven't been able to get the clinical experiences I've wanted. As such, I've been thinking about taking a gap year and spending it volunteering at a hospital or something. However, I also don't want to completely abandon the potential plan of still being able to go straight into med school, so i feel like i should start studying for mcat-just in case. BUT i also filled up my summer with research, so I don't know if I'd even have time for mcat. How do people who don't take a gap year end up studying for the mcat, in addition to maintaining everything else, i feel like everything is under such a time crunch. Essentially, there's a lot of uncertainty going on and i'm obviously not too set on any one plan yet. Any thoughts? I'd love to hear them.
should i be studying for the MCAT this summer?
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How are your ECs? I know you plan on doing some research this summer. What about clinical experiences, nonclinical experiences and shadowing? How many hours in each area? What activities? What year are you in college? Have you finished all of your science prerequisites? How much time do you anticipate studying? Only you can decide if you are ready for the test. Remember your score will be valid for three years and you only want to take the test once.
You just have to make time. Very few people have the luxury of dedicating time to do nothing but study. You have to juggle MCAT prep with research (you're not going to be researching 24/7, are you?
), OR juggle it with volunteering, OR with working full time, OR with school full time, etc.Summer is a great time to study for and take the MCAT. Generally less distractions than full time school, with classes, studying, ECs, social life, etc. People going straight through generally study fall semester junior year and take it in January or March, or study spring semester junior year and take it in April or May before applying.
Only the most affluent among us have the luxury of doing nothing but preparing for the MCAT, either during a summer or after graduation. It is a time crunch. You have to learn to prioritize and juggle. You'll be fine. We all do it. I hear med school is similar.
