Study Abroad Placement

[sciencebooks]

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Those of you who have studied abroad - When did you find to be the best time to do this?

It seems like there's going to be something holding me back every semester.

Freshman year - Ineligable

Sophomore year - Science prereqs to be finished (especially with a social science major, I would like to have this done ASAP)

Now...

I was thinking I could take my last chemistry class over the summer and study abroad junior year, but here's the possible challenges

Junior fall - I feel like this would be a good semester to study for the MCAT since all of my classes will be the most fresh in my mind AND I could take an early test if I stay at home (which is helpful in the event that I need to retest)

Junior winter - I feel like with preparing for applications (writing essays, getting LORs in line, etc.), I might need to be home

Then, senior year - Interviews

So, I guess the question really is... Which semester should I choose to study abroad during my junior year? What's worked for you? Etc.

Thanks!

 

[casillas]

if you are intent on not taking a break after graduation i think the best time would be fall junior year. If you plan out your schedule you can get back in December and start studying for the MCAT and take it in March/April and still have time to retake in May (or even june if necessary).

i went abroad senior year summer/ fall( i did a gap year after graduation) then came back before christmas and began studying for mcat after the new year and took it in April and applied June. A girl i was abroad with took the LSAT while abroad, i don't think i would have managed that with the MCAT, but the point is if you want to go abroad you can work all those other things around it.

so in conclusion, i think fall junior year would be best for you. As a final option, if you are a great applicant, you can consider going the spring of senior year. i say you would have to be a great applicant to be confident that schools would have interviewed you by December. If so then you can go abroad and just enjoy your final college days.

 

[YellowDiamond]

if you are intent on not taking a break after graduation i think the best time would be fall junior year. If you plan out your schedule you can get back in December and start studying for the MCAT and take it in March/April and still have time to retake in May (or even june if necessary).

i went abroad senior year summer/ fall( i did a gap year after graduation) then came back before christmas and began studying for mcat after the new year and took it in April and applied June. A girl i was abroad with took the LSAT while abroad, i don't think i would have managed that with the MCAT, but the point is if you want to go abroad you can work all those other things around it.

so in conclusion, i think fall junior year would be best for you. As a final option, if you are a great applicant, you can consider going the spring of senior year. i say you would have to be a great applicant to be confident that schools would have interviewed you by December. If so then you can go abroad and just enjoy your final college days.

👍

I went fall of junior year and was even able to take a pre-req It is definitely doable with an April/ May MCAT date. Don't let studying for the MCAT in the spring be the factor holding you back from abroad.

 

[sciencebooks]

Thanks. Fall of junior year does seem the most promising. I guess I'll just have to hurry up and declare my major (the department has to approve this certain program).

 

[Catalystik]

Be sure you have a good understanding of how any international credit earned will be transferred to your home institution and how rigid the grading policies are where you're going. We've seen posts on SDN about the destruction of a good GPA based on a lack of understanding these issues.

As an alternative (if necessary, to gain some international perspective and still gain added language proficiency), consider a summer international volunteer gig.