Summer Research Program or MCAT???

[FuturePharm21]

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I'm planning to take MCAT in August 2011...but I just got accepted to a 8 week summer program in biomedical/clinical research, mentoring, seminars, and shadowing. The program is June-July 2011....and the director of the program said it requires 30-40 research hours per week M-F and off on weekends. She did say they have pre-med applicants do the program in the past and they have managed to study and do the program...

Basically, right now I'm getting low 20's and mid 20's for MCAT and only need a 24 for my program but 30 if I apply out of my program..which I plan to.

What should I do? I am torn because they only select 10 students from 170 applicants yet I don't want to sacrifice my score for research...

I know I don't want to sacrifice my score for clinical research, but I also don't want to lose this great opportunity!!!

Advice requested. Input appreciated.

 

[toff4l]

I'm planning to take MCAT in August 2011...but I just got accepted to a 8 week summer program in biomedical/clinical research, mentoring, seminars, and shadowing. The program is June-July 2011....and the director of the program said it requires 30-40 research hours per week M-F and off on weekends. She did say they have pre-med applicants do the program in the past and they have managed to study and do the program...

Basically, right now I'm getting low 20's and mid 20's for MCAT and only need a 24 for my program but 30 if I apply out of my program..which I plan to.

What should I do? I am torn because they only select 10 students from 170 applicants yet I don't want to sacrifice my score for research...

I know I don't want to sacrifice my score for clinical research, but I also don't want to lose this great opportunity!!!

Advice requested. Input appreciated.

Study your butt off from now till June, do the program, then study before the MCAT.

If you really feel that you are not prepared for the MCAT, skip the research and just study.

 

[Propylene]

What year are you now, and when do you plan on applying?

 

[StudyShy]

I would study and do the program.

 

[FuturePharm21]

I am a junior and I am graduating next year...

Also, I studied a lot during December and January both months and then since Feb-April my life has been hectic with school and haven't found a lot of time to study...

I do have all of May and early August to study and then plan on studying along with the program in June and July...but I don't know if I can do the program (research 30-40 hours a week) AND study 8-10 hours a day??

Has anyone done it before and been successful?

 

[FuturePharm21]

The summer research program is called SIBS: Summer in Biomedical Science research with UAB, University of Alabama-Birmingham, and its 8 weeks from June 6th to July 29th and includes research with med school faculty, mentors, clinical shadowing, seminars and a symposium presenting our study in end of July...

Activities:

Eight-week laboratory research project. Participants are assigned labs based on their indicated scientific interests.

Welcoming lunch on the first day of the program for participants and their faculty. Program staff will hold orientation.

A meeting at the beginning of the program for students to discuss their planned projects.

A seminar series, composed of informal lectures that focus on scientific ethics, scientific and medical careers, and current research programs at UAB

Lunch with current graduate and medical students and informal discussion of post-graduate training and medical programs at UAB.

Participation in the UAB Summer Research Expo Poster Session


http://peir.path.uab.edu/sibs/cat_index_19.shtml

 

[KickStart]

Why don't you look to postponing your MCAT till January 2012?

 

[FuturePharm21]

I'm applying this summer for fall 2012 acceptance because I don't want to keep postponing the MCAT as I already planned to take it earlier and studied about a few months so far counting last summer and Dec-Jan hardcore studied.

 

[gravitywave]

august 2011 MCAT is late late late for 2012 MD

 

[FuturePharm21]

if it's so late...then why do they even offer August/September 2011 dates???

Because I have heard May/June is best to take it yet since it's early but if you do bad and are unprepared then you need to postpone until August....hence I'm adding July to study more

when do the first interviews go out? because I know the application begins June 1st...

 

[MilkIsGood]

if it's so late...then why do they even offer August/September 2011 dates???

Because I have heard May/June is best to take it yet since it's early but if you do bad and are unprepared then you need to postpone until August....hence I'm adding July to study more

when do the first interviews go out? because I know the application begins June 1st...

aug mcats are for the sophomores who finished the prereqs and study over the summer.

 

[PreMedder]

research brah