Summer Research and MCAT studying conflicts

[deleted445355]

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I'm wondering if any of you recommend doing a summer internship (10 weeks) in addition to studying for the MCAT (prep course). There doesn't seem to be enough time. Do people who study intensely during the summer plan to take the MCAT in August or something? If I don't get done studying, I don't mind using my next winter break (3.5 weeks) to study and take the test in January or something.

 

[UnclePhil]

I worked over the summer but took it pretty easy at work. I was in a Kaplan class for the morning and would usually go into work in the afternoon work until 7 or so and then study and review until 10. Did this for 8 weeks and then took one week off before the exam to review and relax for a few days. It's perfectly doable, you just hvae to make sure that you don't waste (too much) time.

 

[gettheleadout]

Many formal summer research programs expressly forbid taking on extra time commitments such as MCAT studying. Check with the programs you're interested in.

 

[sliceofbread136]

Make sure its allowed. If so, you can do it. I did research and took biochem the summer I was studying and got a 37.

 

[1TB4RKSB4CK]

I don't think a month of studying is enough IMO. As for me, I plan to take a couple science courses (not hard ones) and do routine studying for the MCAT for about 2-3 months.

 

[Bojack Horseman]

I tried to do research over the summer while taking an MCAT prep course and it didn't work out well for me. I would spend all day in the lab then go to my class at night. The most important part about studying for the MCAT is reading and doing practice problems, not sitting in class. I would say that studying while doing research might work better. Sitting in class wasn't very beneficial to me.

 

[sliceofbread136]

I don't think a month of studying is enough IMO. As for me, I plan to take a couple science courses (not hard ones) and do routine studying for the MCAT for about 2-3 months.

This. Month is not enough unless your doing something like the ultimate mcat (more than 12 hours a day)

 

[1TB4RKSB4CK]

I'll probably take an MCAT class, along with supplementals such as TBR and EK books.

 

[sliceofbread136]

I'll probably take an MCAT class, along with supplementals such as TBR and EK books.

Princeton review with EK for review is what I did. I've noticed a large amount of practice tests taken seems really correlated with a high score. Try to get like 12-13 full length practices over your study period. Start practice tests even while you're still reviewing material (it helps you learn to figure things out).

 

[Hotshy]

I'm wondering if any of you recommend doing a summer internship (10 weeks) in addition to studying for the MCAT (prep course). There doesn't seem to be enough time. Do people who study intensely during the summer plan to take the MCAT in August or something? If I don't get done studying, I don't mind using my next winter break (3.5 weeks) to study and take the test in January or something.

It can be done. I did a summer research fellowship (40 hours per week) and also studied for MCAT at the same time. I studied for 9 weeks and did not take a prep course, my test was in July. If you have the discipline it can be done, don't forget to relax too, it will keep you sane. I went to the beach a few times leading up to test day 🙂.

EDIT: Just used EK only, did one lecture per day and about 2 practice tests per week after I finished my first round of content review.

 

[deleted445355]

I was asking since I'm a freshman who wants to plan my next few summers. If I instead, switch that 2nd summer internship to my 3rd summer, would I still be able to put it onto my AMCAS application? I want to submitt it the earliest time possible (June 1), but internships are not completed by then. What should I do? I want to take my second summer off to study for the MCAT since I'm not confident in my abilities, but I also want to fit two summer internships........