Taking the MCAT and Physics 2 while Studying Abroad. Horrible idea?

[Overachiever12]

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So, I REALLY want to study abroad this upcoming semester. My financial aid would pay for it completely, so it would be the perfect opportunity for me to go. The program begins in "late Jan." (the actual start date isn't up yet), but there are several problems that I might have with this program:

1) I haven't taken Physics 2!

This is probably the biggest problem preventing me to go. I took Physics 1 in the Fall 2012 term, and Physics 2 wouldn't fit in my schedule Spring 2013. My school, frustratingly, only offers Physics 2 in the freaking Spring! I'm almost done with my degree, and this is one of two courses I have left to graduate. Will taking one premed class abroad really damage my application?

I was thinking, however, if we approach this like AP credit, most medical schools allow you to take an upper level course in that area in replacement of that prereq. So, if they don't take my Physics 2 credit, what about an upper level? I have to take a Physical Chemistry course (next Fall), which is pretty much a physics class in itself.

Taking it over the summer, at my $1500/credit university, wouldn't be an option either. The courses are too expensive, and I wouldn't dare ask my parents to chip in more money after paying $5K+ in medical school application fees, flights, interviews. The only reason this is an option currently is because my financial aid this year is pretty substantial. My parents income doubled this tax-year, so I doubt my offer will be as nice senior year.

I was thinking about taking it at a local commuter university when I go back home for the summer. I could just beg the p-chem professor to over-ride the system and allow me in the class if I show proof that I completed Physics 2 (my university won't accept transfer credit).

2) I'm taking the MCAT in January.

This isn't such a big issue (well kinda). I'm taking an extremely light course load now to study for the exam, and most likely I'll be able to take it right before I fly out to my study abroad program. If not, I see that the MCAT is offered internationally. I could take it my first week there, if it turned out to become a problem.

By the way, I'm applying to medical school in May of the upcoming application cycle. Gap year isn't an option. I'd rather just not study abroad if I have to decide between the two.

 

[Lya]

I was in a very similar situation as yours. I didn't do too well on my January MCAT, so I ended up taking gap years afterwards. However, I never regretted with going abroad in my spring semester, and I would make the same choice to go abroad again even if I can go back to my freshman year, even if I have to take gap years again.

Ideally, this is how I would see it should turn out. It is entirely my opinion, but it is ultimately up to you and your preferences: Ace the MCAT in January, get your letters and everything ready before going abroad, go abroad and do meaningful work, come back in summer 2014, submit your AMCAS, do research or whatever in college in fall 2014, and finish the physics 2 and graduate in spring 2015. And then you matriculate into medical school in fall 2015.

If the MCAT in January has physics 2 materials, it might be tough for you. Besides, I am not sure whether physical chem will count as physics or, more likely, chemistry. So I wouldn't bet on taking physical chem hoping it will cover physics 2 requirement.


It is not recommended to go abroad while you are on your application cycle, so in truth, it is now or never. If you really want to go abroad, this upcoming spring semester might be your last chance. I would rather graduate a year late and take physics 2 in spring 2015, instead of giving up going abroad and graduate early for the time sake. In addition, I wouldn't take MCAT abroad. Theoretically you can, but I would feel uncomfortable.


This is just my opinion, as someone who took a semester abroad for research and did different projects in two other countries.


EDIT: If you have further questions, feel free to PM me. I stand by everything I said above, but other people might disagree, which I do respect.

 

[Overachiever12]

I was in a very similar situation as yours. I didn't do too well on my January MCAT, so I ended up taking gap years afterwards. However, I never regretted with going abroad in my spring semester, and I would make the same choice to go abroad again even if I can go back to my freshman year, even if I have to take gap years again.

Ideally, this is how I would see it should turn out. It is entirely my opinion, but it is ultimately up to you and your preferences: Ace the MCAT in January, get your letters and everything ready before going abroad, go abroad and do meaningful work, come back in summer 2014, submit your AMCAS, do research or whatever in college in fall 2014, and finish the physics 2 and graduate in spring 2015. And then you matriculate into medical school in fall 2015.

If the MCAT in January has physics 2 materials, it might be tough for you. Besides, I am not sure whether physical chem will count as physics or, more likely, chemistry. So I wouldn't bet on taking physical chem hoping it will cover physics 2 requirement.

It is not recommended to go abroad while you are on your application cycle, so in truth, it is now or never. If you really want to go abroad, this upcoming spring semester might be your last chance. I would rather graduate a year late and take physics 2 in spring 2015, instead of giving up going abroad and graduate early for the time sake. In addition, I wouldn't take MCAT abroad. Theoretically you can, but I would feel uncomfortable.


This is just my opinion, as someone who took a semester abroad for research and did different projects in two other countries.

The only problem is that Physics 2 is a prereq for Physical Chemistry. I was thinking that I could just talk to the professor about it now. I'm sure if I took Physics 2 at a 4-year institution over the summer, he'd over-ride the system and let me in the class. Also, how bad is it to submit a medical school application lacking a pre-req?

 

[Lya]

The only problem is that Physics 2 is a prereq for Physical Chemistry. I was thinking that I could just talk to the professor about it now. I'm sure if I took Physics 2 at a 4-year institution, he'd over-ride the system and let me in the class.

Do you have to take pchem? Is it required for your major?

If you can squeeze in physics 2 at a 4-year institution somewhere, that should be fine.


EDIT: It is perfectly fine submitting AMCAS without finishing your pre-reqs, as long as you know for sure you will take them before you matriculate. If I were you, I would graduate a year late and try to finish both pchem and physics 2 sometime between summer 2014 and spring 2015. The only thing I am concerning is, it might be a little bit difficult to prepare for MCAT when you get to the chapter that covers physics 2 materials. They are not hard concepts, per se, but just make sure you understand them.

 

[starlight15]

I'm pretty sure at most schools, as long as you finish all the pre-reqs by the time you matriculate it is fine. I would study abroad though- as someone who did, I don't regret it one bit. But if you really don't want to take a gap year I would really try to get everything set before you go abroad (LORs, essays) and make sure you don't need to retake the MCAT. You want to enjoy the time you have abroad- not worrying about an application.

 

[Overachiever12]

Do you have to take pchem? Is it required for your major?

If you can squeeze in physics 2 at a 4-year institution somewhere, that should be fine.

It is required as a chemistry major. I mean, I could, theoretically switch my major to neuroscience (I've taken all of the sophomore-level courses), but I would have a hell of a senior year...but it is certainly possible since I could take a light course load both semesters (12 hours), completely filled with neuroscience courses. What do you think? That way, I'd be able to take Physics 2 in the spring.


EDIT: I took AP Physics in high school, just didn't take the test, so E/M is pretty familiar to me. I've been rocking the E/M TBR passages, so I'm not too worried about that.

 

[Lya]

It is required as a chemistry major. I mean, I could, theoretically switch my major to neuroscience (I've taken all of the sophomore-level courses), but I would have a hell of a senior year...but it is certainly possible since I could take a light course load both semesters (12 hours), completely filled with neuroscience courses. What do you think? That way, I'd be able to take Physics 2 in the spring.

Can you take physics 2 in the summer 2014 and take pchem by spring 2015 and graduate in that spring? If you can do that, I would do so. If it is impossible, and if you think you can increase your GPA with neuroscience courses and if you are actually interested in pursuing neuroscience in college, sure I would take this route.


It is up to you, after all. If you can spread your neuroscience courses for fall 2014 ~ spring 2015 and they are easily manageable, I guess you can go for them. But, this should be the last resort, if you cannot find any way to fit physics 2 other than spring 2015. As long as you can fit in both physics 2 and pchem somewhere between fall 2014 (or summer 2014) ~ spring 2015, you are all set and this should be the first choice. Taking only these courses, you can focus heavily more on research or other ECs or other fun classes that you want to take just for fun and learn something new and different.

 

[Overachiever12]

Thanks, guys. It turns out that the program doesn't actually begin into mid-Feb (which will be after my MCAT). I've been thinking about it a lot. If I took Physics 2 this summer, I could potentially convince the p-chem instructor to let me take the course in the fall, but Physics would still be a required course for my degree. So pretty much, I'd have to retake it in the spring. I really don't know what's better, taking Physics 2 twice + P.chem or taking Physics 2 once + 4 Neuroscience courses.