Summer Research Programs and MCAT

[eldoctor]

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I am a junior trying to decide if I should do a summer research program, study for the mcat, or both. Anyone have experience with this to advice on whether or not this is a good idea? I know I have seen many SRPs that offer a GRE prep course for free with the program, are there any programs that do this but with the MCAT?
Anywhere in California or nearby would be best.

Thank you!

 

[RogueUnicorn]

research is very time consuming
mcat prep is very time consuming
the day is only so long

 

[Bbon]

Are you planning on going to medical school directly after graduation? I did a summer research program after my junior year and studied for the mcat the summer after graduation. It worked out great for me. I spent about 4 weeks of just focusing on the mcat before taking it in June, which set me up to apply early in the cycle (a little slower for schools that screen pre-secondary). If you know you want to go straight into medical school, maybe you could use your winter break to study hardcore, then take it early in the year. I don't know how your summer program would be, but for me, I couldn't envision coming home after a full work day and pulling out mcat materials for the rest of the night. Lots of people do it, but it'll make for a miserable summer in my opinion.

 

[anniem]

I recently spent the summer doing a research internship (30-40 hrs/wk) and took the MCAT in August. Surprisingly, I didn't have that hard of a time studying, I would go into work early and spend a few hours studying in the morning, and then a few hours at night when I got back. I still managed to focus on research, make friends, and in all honesty have one of the best summers of my life. I did decent on the MCAT (31), although I feel I could have done better, I'm not going to beat myself up about it.
In hind site, I would have started studying around November/December, and then really kicked it into gear after classes ended, and take the MCAT in late May or early June. I don't know about you, but I didn't start research until the first week in June. Most programs are very understanding of students taking the MCAT...
Also research/summer programs really do look good on applications (depending on the school of course).

 

[ElegantWeapon]

Personally, I think its a better plan to combine shadowing/MCAT studies. I studied for the mcat the summer after my sophomore year, and also did shadowing for surgeons/physicians. It worked out because I did full days like 2-3 days per week, and had the rest of the time to do MCAT and hang out with my family. I think it worked out really nicely, and I took the MCAT in August, scoring 34+

Edit: The summer after my Junior year I did a summer research fellowship, and I don't particularly see how I wouldn't have been miserable doing MCAT plus research 40 hours per week.

 

[TraderDoc]

I did an REU at UCSF and studied for the MCAT. Let me just say that I didn't do so hot on my MCAT because research and having fun in San Fran was my top priorities. It was the best summer of my life and I'm glad my app process still went well despite my less than stellar MCAT score. I highly recommend that if you do a research program at a a site far from home, don't take the MCAT unless you absolutely have to. You should be enjoying your time there with new friends. Don't turn into a robot.