Study Abroad Question/Advice

[Omppu27]

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Hey,

I am really interested (definitely know i'm going to do it) in studying abroad, however i am a little confused as to when to go about it... I've already looked through multiple other study abroad threads but all of them are pretty specific to the OP.

Below is my current plan...

SP12: Finish gen chem and gen bio, only leaving me with ochem as my last premed pre req.

SU12: This is a quarter-to-semester transition semester, only 7 weeks long. wont be able to take any worthwhile classes. Ochem 1 isn't even being offered.

AU12: Ochem 1

SP13: Study abroad

SU13: Study for MCAT and take Ochem 2... Issue? I'm thinking about taking an MCAT course/private lessons.

AU13: Take MCAT

SP14: Just in case retake MCAT/get app ready

SU14: This could be another semester for me to go abroad instead of SP13, however i'm worried that the application process could be an issue???

AU14: Interviews and such (hopefully...)

SP15: continue interviews/app process.

Any advice? I understand that pre reqs must come from a US school which is why i'm not even considering taking the ochem abroad. Do you guys think that going abroad would be an issue during the summer i submit my app? I don't think i would like to be writing secondaries while i'm overseas.

I would appreciate some feedback. Thanks, everyone. 👍

 

[AlexUniv]

Hey,

I am really interested (definitely know i'm going to do it) in studying abroad, however i am a little confused as to when to go about it... I've already looked through multiple other study abroad threads but all of them are pretty specific to the OP.

Below is my current plan...

SP12: Finish gen chem and gen bio, only leaving me with ochem as my last premed pre req.

SU12: This is a quarter-to-semester transition semester, only 7 weeks long. wont be able to take any worthwhile classes. Ochem 1 isn't even being offered.

AU12: Ochem 1

SP13: Study abroad

SU13: Study for MCAT and take Ochem 2... Issue? I'm thinking about taking an MCAT course/private lessons.

AU13: Take MCAT

SP14: Just in case retake MCAT/get app ready

SU14: This could be another semester for me to go abroad instead of SP13, however i'm worried that the application process could be an issue???

AU14: Interviews and such (hopefully...)

SP15: continue interviews/app process.

Any advice? I understand that pre reqs must come from a US school which is why i'm not even considering taking the ochem abroad. Do you guys think that going abroad would be an issue during the summer i submit my app? I don't think i would like to be writing secondaries while i'm overseas.

I would appreciate some feedback. Thanks, everyone. 👍

So, here's a little bit about my experience so far. I'm currently studying abroad (been here for about 10 months already, will be returning late august(ish). I've had a little bit of trouble getting LORs from my home university, due to the fact I can't just walk up to my profs and ask them directly, which is a bit of a hassle. Although getting the LORs is doable, I recommend doing that SP14. (it would've helped me a lot)

The only other thing that may be a problem applying from overseas would be secondary essays, and writing them. Personally, I have quite a bit of free time in the summer (just doing about 20 hours a weeks of research) and a dedicated team of helpers in America (thanks mom!), so this is a non issue for me. However, it could be pretty hard. But you could also be super cool and prewrite many of the secondaries before you leave.(take a look at the school specific threads for topics (from the last years).

As far as the rest goes (transcripts, etc) I haven't had any difficulties yet, but if I do, I'll let you know.

Hope this helps.

 

[vayntraubinator]

Best time to take it is after you're done with the MCAT. Therefore, ideal timing would be taking the MCAT before your Sophomore/Junior year and studying abroad the following year. If you cannot manage that, then you will be under a lot more stress to go abroad. This was my speculation, so I planned appropriately.

 

[Omppu27]

Best time to take it is after you're done with the MCAT. Therefore, ideal timing would be taking the MCAT before your Sophomore/Junior year and studying abroad the following year. If you cannot manage that, then you will be under a lot more stress to go abroad. This was my speculation, so I planned appropriately.

But I don't think this would be possible if i want to leave a summer for studying for the MCAT... unless i decide to go the summer i am applying..

 

[vayntraubinator]

But I don't think this would be possible if i want to leave a summer for studying for the MCAT... unless i decide to go the summer i am applying..

What I did was I took my MCAT at the end of my sophomore year. From your schedule, my understanding is that you can take Ochem 2 for the Spring semester of Sophomore year (SP13??) then take and study for the MCAT in SU13 (The summer after sophomore year). I would use SN2's study schedule or Examkrackers (sp? it's been so long. [EK] lol) This will leave you all of your junior year for introspection. I think also, taking it in the summer would be the best for your score since you are solely worried about that and not PS/secondaries/interviews, etc....

Obviously, you have no mention about physics 1/2 but I would recommend you have that before you go for the MCAT. I took University Physics concurrently with OChem 1/2 and took the MCAT in summer of 2011 (after my sophomore year) and am now currently studying abroad pleasantly 🙂. Although I would recommend taking University Physics with the caution that you will have to relearn the Physics for the MCAT.

This is my recommendation for you. You can enjoy yourself much more if you work hard early on. Also, you can get your LORs right after that MCAT score release.

tl;dr. Many, many reasons why it's a good idea to get the MCAT out of the way early on and not freak out like so many of my pre-med friends are doing right now--especially since you want to Study Abroad.

 

[Omppu27]

I've actually already taken my physics and math. Ochem is my only pre req i have left to complete. I'm also currently in my second year and don't plan on applying until the end of my fourth (not really important)

Also, I would rather have a full summer to study for the mcat and i would like to take a study course so that's why i dont want to take it with too many courses, if any. Perhaps i can study all summer and take it at the end of the summer and the go abroad AU13???

Thanks for the replies

EDIT: I do agree that going abroad would be much more fun if i have the MCAT out of the way. Also, if i want in AU13 i would have ochem done before studying for the mcat.