Should I quit work to study for MCAT?

[Lawpy]

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We're talking about how taking time off might look to adcoms. Not really ranting, though. Not sure why it's such an SDN thing to be so needlessly inflammatory - it gives this site such a bad rap, when there really is a lot of useful information and supportive community here.

I don’t think anyone knows how adcoms view taking time off. This isn’t an objective measure, and all we are seeing is applicants saying “if i were an adcom, i would do this”. Not to mention, people taking time off may not be working but could do other things like taking classes, volunteering etc. So it’s not as if they spent that time doing nothing but study.

Given the heavy emphasis placed on numbers, especially MCAT scores, some adcoms could actually support fulltime study provided the resulting score is extremely strong.

 

[Dr. Scribe]

Yeah, I don't disagree with any of this. For sure being raised with privilege can afford you the option of more time off, but I don't think the reverse is necessarily true - lots of people plan ahead and save their own funds for it. It sounded like you were implying that anyone taking time off = spoiled rich kid, so that's what I was responding to. Also, plenty of people with privilege also work their butts off and have great time management skills. And lots of people without privilege don't. I guess I just hate stereotypes. Everyone is different, and the MCAT score is the single most important element in most people's applications, so I would rather risk revealing my privilege than scoring lower than I would if I didn't take off all the time I could afford, especially if my hard work and ability to multitask shows in other parts of my app.

People without privilege (read: $$) who make it medical school HAVE time management skills or some other characteristic that gives them advantage in medical school (insane intelligence or dedication). Rich kids who make it to medical school may or may not have them.

I'm not ranting.....

 

[Microbug]

I don’t think anyone knows how adcoms view taking time off. This isn’t an objective measure, and all we are seeing is applicants saying “if i were an adcom, i would do this”. Not to mention, people taking time off may not be working but could do other things like taking classes, volunteering etc. So it’s not as if they spent that time doing nothing but study.

Given the heavy emphasis placed on numbers, especially MCAT scores, some adcoms could actually support fulltime study provided the resulting score is extremely strong.

If you’re taking classes or volunteering , it wouldn’t be “time off.” That time is still accounted for things. What I meant are people who take 3-6 months off only for the purpose of studying for MCAT and do nothing else.

 

[fourandtwo]

You don't HAVE to quit work to study for the mcat. I know I'm not you and you're not me, but I was 7 years removed from undergrad when I started studying for my mcat. I had to relearn all topics. I also didn't take a test prep and I worked as a full time consultant. I don't consider myself particularly smart but I made it happen and so can you, if you want. I took more time to study, (sept- March) and there were definitely times when it was absolutely dreadful. Point being, it's not impossible to study for the MCAT and work full time. But I would never do it again and I wished I didn't have to do both.

 

[Yuanjing]

All I'm going to say regarding privilege is that I had to save up a good amount of money while working, as well as ensure that other variables were secured (such as accepting another job so that I'd be employed after the exam) in order to sustain myself for now until test day. It's respectable that people understand that not every person who did something similar to what I'm doing wouldn't assume I'm a rich kid. But I think comments like

If i’m an ADCOM and I see a large chunk of unaccounted for time in the application (3-6 months) just to study for MCAT, I would call into question the applicant’s ability to multitask, prioritizing, time management and etc. and there’s plenty of other applicants who get just as high a score without taking time off.

marginalizes the tradeoffs that some people make in a decision such as this.... not to mention the other examples of "multitask, prioritizing, time management and etc." that they've demonstrated in other aspects of their life. One's decision to focus exclusively on the MCAT does not mean that they are unable to handle multiple stresses, especially if they've done that in the past. It's also ironic given the common mantra that at the end of the day, medical school admissions is a numbers game no matter who the player is.

 

[Microbug]

All I'm going to say regarding privilege is that I had to save up a good amount of money while working, as well as ensure that other variables were secured (such as accepting another job so that I'd be employed after the exam) in order to sustain myself for now until test day. It's respectable that people understand that not every person who did something similar to what I'm doing wouldn't assume I'm a rich kid. But I think comments like



marginalizes the tradeoffs that some people make in a decision such as this.... not to mention the other examples of "multitask, prioritizing, time management and etc." that they've demonstrated in other aspects of their life. One's decision to focus exclusively on the MCAT does not mean that they are unable to handle multiple stresses, especially if they've done that in the past. It's also ironic given the common mantra that at the end of the day, medical school admissions is a numbers game no matter who the player is.

Medical school is not just an numbers game, all the other aspects matter as well. I’m just saying MCAT is not even a extremely hard exam like the boards, and even for step1, school only give like 3-6 weeks to study. The shelf exams happen right after rotations. If you tell me you need to take 3-6 months off just to study for the MCAT, I’m gonna start doubting your abilities and studying habits. Compared to other people who did other things during studying and achieved same number without huge gaps in their CV, guess who ADCOMs prefer? It’s a no brainer.

 

[treatem-and-streetem]

My time management skills could mop the floor with yours. My job, however, is all yours for the taking.

What a ridiculous and pointless statement

 

[futureMD4294]

Medical school is not just an numbers game, all the other aspects matter as well. I’m just saying MCAT is not even a extremely hard exam like the boards, and even for step1, school only give like 3-6 weeks to study. The shelf exams happen right after rotations. If you tell me you need to take 3-6 months off just to study for the MCAT, I’m gonna start doubting your abilities and studying habits. Compared to other people who did other things during studying and achieved same number without huge gaps in their CV, guess who ADCOMs prefer? It’s a no brainer.

You can fluff up time taken off with volunteer and other “experiences” on application. In the end of the day scores is what will make 70% of the decision making power, I’m sure you agree on that. Anyways, if I quit I will be retaking a class or two and helping dad out at his store to save him some labor cost. I just need to figure this out as soon as possible cause tbh for me, 40 hours a week +11.5 hours of commuting time between suburbs and Atlanta is taking a serious toll on my studying ya know?


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[futureMD4294]

You can fluff up time taken off with volunteer and other “experiences” on application. In the end of the day scores is what will make 70% of the decision making power, I’m sure you agree on that. Anyways, if I quit I will be retaking a class or two and helping dad out at his store to save him some labor cost. I just need to figure this out as soon as possible cause tbh for me, 40 hours a week +11.5 hours of commuting time between suburbs and Atlanta is taking a serious toll on my studying ya know?


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@jazzmetal


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[Yuanjing]

Medical school is not just an numbers game, all the other aspects matter as well. I’m just saying MCAT is not even a extremely hard exam like the boards, and even for step1, school only give like 3-6 weeks to study. The shelf exams happen right after rotations. If you tell me you need to take 3-6 months off just to study for the MCAT, I’m gonna start doubting your abilities and studying habits. Compared to other people who did other things during studying and achieved same number without huge gaps in their CV, guess who ADCOMs prefer? It’s a no brainer.

It absolutely is a numbers game in that your foot gets in the door. Don’t be naive.

Since we’re playing the assumption game, I’m going to assume you’re someone who likes to make your own stories out of back-page summaries. I hope the extent of how you judge your future patients will only be as much as a coping mechanism for the stresses of medicine. Best of luck.

EDIT: we’d literally be even in agreement that volunteering + clinical experience doesn’t count as “time off”. Hell by your standards I guess I never took time off... but I still stand by my assertion that judging someone’s character and work ethic too quickly based on a decision influenced by the brutal nature of admissions should be lightly treaded.

 

[21Rush12]

This thread is 0% chill right now.

 

[Microbug]

It absolutely is a numbers game in that your foot gets in the door. Don’t be naive.

Since we’re playing the assumption game, I’m going to assume you’re someone who likes to make your own stories out of back-page summaries. I hope the extent of how you judge your future patients will only be as much as a coping mechanism for the stresses of medicine. Best of luck.

EDIT: we’d literally be even in agreement that volunteering + clinical experience doesn’t count as “time off”. Hell by your standards I guess I never took time off... but I still stand by my assertion that judging someone’s character and work ethic too quickly based on a decision influenced by the brutal nature of admissions should be lightly treaded.

I'm not disagreeing that number isn't important, but it is not the end all and be all. personal experience: my MCAT score is below the 10 percentile for a school, still accepted. It is not being naive, ADCOMs are people too and they appreciate things that goes beyond numbers. Certain qualities goes a long way and that is why 4.0 and 99 percentile MCATs still get rejected.

It is also not "making assumptions" reading someone's application based on their secondary essays and PS. You can tell alot about someone by these things and if they have certain traits desirable to be in medicine. I'm not saying I assume all these things to be true about certain people just by one decision they make, that is simply ridiculous. But based on certain information, you can make educated guesses. And medical school want people who will succeed and it is essentially risk assessment. Anyone would agree that given equal MCAT, someone who did things+MCAT (classes, work, shadowing, volunteering) vs someone who did nothing except study for 6 months, people favor the former.

 

[Yuanjing]

This thread is 0% chill right now.

Haha that's partially my bad. I can repay in hugs, I've been told I'm a decent hugger ^_^

@futureMD4294 I'll PM you. I think we have very similar backgrounds based on a quick glance at your post history.

 

[futureMD4294]

Haha that's partially my bad. I can repay in hugs, I've been told I'm a decent hugger ^_^

@futureMD4294 I'll PM you. I think we have very similar backgrounds based on a quick glance at your post history.

Thanks buddy, that be great


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[acbakshi]

Here is my experience. I'm a nontrad, nonscience undergrad, tons of work experience with patients, prePA at one point, older than most applicants, etc.

I was working full time up until December last year. I decided to dedicate 4 months to study for the MCAT with my test date in April. I had an interview for a job in January, so I put in my two week notice sometime in late December/early January. The interview went very well, but I gave them full disclosure and explained my situation. I offered to work part time or per diem until after my test date, they offered to let me start full-time the week after my test. I signed up for a prep course, took the exam, applied, and was accepted to one of my top choices. I was in a position to take time off, so I took it. If you have the opportunity to focus on one thing and one thing only (the MCAT), then I suggest do it. I don't think ADCOMs would look at your app and say "wow they have no time management skills" I think it would look like you made a good decision to take the opportunity you have to dedicate your time for an important test, regardless if this scenario will occur again when you are taking your Step or what have you. You have the opportunity now to give it all you got, I suggest you take it.

Best of luck, hope this helped!

 

[futureMD4294]

Here is my experience. I'm a nontrad, nonscience undergrad, tons of work experience with patients, prePA at one point, older than most applicants, etc.

I was working full time up until December last year. I decided to dedicate 4 months to study for the MCAT with my test date in April. I had an interview for a job in January, so I put in my two week notice sometime in late December/early January. The interview went very well, but I gave them full disclosure and explained my situation. I offered to work part time or per diem until after my test date, they offered to let me start full-time the week after my test. I signed up for a prep course, took the exam, applied, and was accepted to one of my top choices. I was in a position to take time off, so I took it. If you have the opportunity to focus on one thing and one thing only (the MCAT), then I suggest do it. I don't think ADCOMs would look at your app and say "wow they have no time management skills" I think it would look like you made a good decision to take the opportunity you have to dedicate your time for an important test, regardless if this scenario will occur again when you are taking your Step or what have you. You have the opportunity now to give it all you got, I suggest you take it.

Best of luck, hope this helped!

Love this


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[calivianya]

Not sure how the discussion on MCAT prep shifted to privilege rants.

Funny, prepping for the MCAT was the first thing that made me notice how much privilege plays into this process - hard for me not to view them as deeply interrelated. The NCLEX prep class I took to make sure I passed my boards and got licensed as a RN the first time I took it was $300. When I started looking at MCAT prep, it absolutely blew my mind how much prep classes cost. The same company that I used for my live $300 NCLEX review had a live MCAT prep class >$2000. It's hard to miss the discrepancy there.

Logically speaking, you'd think the prep class for a licensing board test, that actually gets people a job that pays real money when they pass, would cost more. It's all kinds of messed up that the more expensive test prep isn't even for a test that gets you a job. It's just a test to get yourself into a situation where you accrue more debt.

 

[21Rush12]

Funny, prepping for the MCAT was the first thing that made me notice how much privilege plays into this process - hard for me not to view them as deeply interrelated. The NCLEX prep class I took to make sure I passed my boards and got licensed as a RN the first time I took it was $300. When I started looking at MCAT prep, it absolutely blew my mind how much prep classes cost. The same company that I used for my live $300 NCLEX review had a live MCAT prep class >$2000. It's hard to miss the discrepancy there.

Logically speaking, you'd think the prep class for a licensing board test, that actually gets people a job that pays real money when they pass, would cost more. It's all kinds of messed up that the more expensive test prep isn't even for a test that gets you a job. It's just a test to get yourself into a situation where you accrue more debt.

Couldn’t agree more. They know their market. One company offers prep material for CCHT that’s about $40 and MCAT for $375.