Summer of applying

[anbuitachi]

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Hi do people normally do something other than applying during the summer of applying? Do interviewers often ask what we did over the some other than applying? Right now I don't have any volunteer/research/job scheduled for this summer cause of MCATs and applications but is it important to do something during this summer?

 

[bonsaitree1]

Hi do people normally do something other than applying during the summer of applying? Do interviewers often ask what we did over the some other than applying? Right now I don't have any volunteer/research/job scheduled for this summer cause of MCATs and applications but is it important to do something during this summer?

No, I've never been asked what I've been doing in the current summer, but if you do stuff, it provides material that you can update your application with later on in the cycle. Also makes for a good conversational point if you want to bring it up. More importantly, doing research/volunteering will buff your app for next year if you don't get in this cycle.

 

[Longshanks]

I would suggest maintaining active in something. Focus on your MCAT sure, but afterwards try to find at least a part time job or some sort of volunteering. Organizations are always looking for volunteers.

 

[BlameItOnTheOH]

J-o-b

 

[harvman11]

It's not like applications are a 40 hour a week job... most people on this forum (myself excluded, I didn't get mine in til mid August) have their applications ready by June, so I don't see a reason to sit around doing nothing for the next 3 months. Secondaries generally take about 1-2 evenings each (depending on the number of essays), so those shouldn't be much of a worry either.

It's definitely important to take time to study for the MCAT, but assuming you've got a decent understanding on the background, it should doable in about 2 months assuming you study for 2-3 hours a day. I think a lot of people's MCAT study schedules (8 hours a day every day for multiple months) is overkill. The MCAT is less about what you know and more about applying it (though it is required to have a good grasp of the material).

To directly answer your question, many people asked me about what I had done during that summer but that may have been because it was a significant research experience and one I enjoyed talking about. You might not be asked any questions about it, but I don't think a part-time job or lots of volunteering (at least 20 hours/week) is too much to handle, and would at least cover you in case you do get asked about it.

 

[Kuune]

A job in which you have no flexibility in hours might be difficult because you'll probably want to take some time off in the weeks leading up to your exam, or if you get a ton of secondaries in the same week. I would suggest doing volunteer at least. 3 hours a week is nothing. Plus, trust me, you'll want the excuse to take a break from MCAT studying anyway.

 

[justdoit31]

I worked but it was very flexible (nannied for a surgeon with a stay at home wife)... and then took a vacation. It was pretty laid back and honestly I didn't spend more than 3-5 hours a week on applications once my AMCAS was submitted.

 

[anbuitachi]

i see, thanks for the response! maybe i'll go find a volunteer thing to do

 

[Myuu]

Actually, I was asked a number of times what I was doing over the summer, though it was mostly an ice-breaker type deal. It's always good to have something you're doing over the summer so in the event that you need to send an update letter or, hopefully not, reapply, you have something to add to your application.