Studying Abroad during Summer a month before MCAT- To do or not to do?

[futuredoc1322]

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Hi,

I am considering studying abroad over the summer for a month. When I come back, I will have approximately a month before my MCAT exam. I plan on starting content review during this semester, alongside classes and extracurriculars. Do you guys think studying abroad will ruin my MCAT studying "groove" for lack of a better word? This will be the only opportunity I have to study abroad, but the MCAT is also very important to me, so I am stuck in a dilemma.

PLEASE HELP! OPEN TO ALL COMMENTS/EXPERIENCES/SUGGESTIONS

 

[Robin-jay]

The only person that knows is you.

 

[Lannister]

I wouldn't do it if I were you. Can't you take the MCAT and then study abroad?

 

[@Hazel-rah]

I think it sounds like a bad idea; you'll either ruin your study abroad trip or ruin your MCAT score. It's kind of like saying you're going to start training for a marathon 1 month before the race. You may finish it, but you won't get as good of a result as if you had done a longer-term training...

 

[futuredoc1322]

My plan was to finish all content review before I go on my trip and then review some during the trip. I figured I could crank out practice exams for a month once I get back from my trip, but I don't know if that's enough time.

 

[futuredoc1322]

You are prepping for an exam that may very set the course of your life in determining whether you will be a physician or not. If you want to go abroad, then delay your application year. I would strongly advise against going abroad just prior to the MCAT

I'm already planning on taking a gap year to do some research, but I figured it would be best to get the MCAT out of the way in the summer before senior year while the content is fresh in my mind. But now I'm thinking maybe I should push back the MCAT.

 

[Lannister]

My plan was to finish all content review before I go on my trip and then review some during the trip. I figured I could crank out practice exams for a month once I get back from my trip, but I don't know if that's enough time.

As someone with experience studying abroad, I can tell you with absolute certainty that you will not study while abroad. Especially when you'd only be going abroad for a month.

 

[Niwde]

As someone with experience studying abroad, I can tell you with absolute certainty that you will not study while abroad. Especially when you'd only be going abroad for a month.

I second this. You'll be doing yourself a disservice by stressing out for a test when you should be taking in the experience of being in a foreign country. There will be too much going on between classes (which you still have to do well in) and activities.

If you still have time before applying then go abroad, come back and study properly, and smash the MCAT. Good luck!