Volunteering vs. MCAT Studying

[nap5097]

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Hey guys,
I am currently a junior applying to med schools this summer. My GPA is 3.5 and science GPA is 3.4. I am studying to take my MCAT this May. I am a member of a few clubs, have shadowed a few doctors, volunteered in a hospital, and went on a medical relief mission in Honduras. I was planning on going on a Habitat for Humanity trip over spring break, but I am behind in my MCAT studying. Do you think that going on the trip would make a big difference in my application, or should I use the time to continue studying for my MCAT? I only want to give up a week of studying and go on the trip if it will make a significant difference in my application.

 

[Sinfest]

It certainly can't hurt to have more EC's.

Just study for an extra hour or two every time you study to make up for that week. If you've taken practice tests, how are you doing?

 

[Lijia4]

Evaluate your current level of preparedness for the exam. I'm assuming the trip will be only roughly a week or so. If you are consistently studying here on out, then you should be okay. Make a study schedule and stick to it. The trip sounds great, but don't do it for the application--do it because you actually want to do it and have a genuine interest in helping others.

Make flashcards or use EK or kaplan flashcards. Take them on the trip with you and when you have some downtime go through them for about 20 minutes to keep the material fresh in your mind.

 

[kcin]

Quit cross posting

 

[Rob C]

.

 

[MightyMoose]

If the habitat for humanity is an international trip, do it. However, make sure you allocate enough QUALITY mcat study time as well, because if your score is too low it won't matter how many ec's you have... you won't be getting in. You should be able to make up that week somewhere in your studying.

 

[cliquesh]

MCAT is way more important than any EC.

 

[MightyMoose]

MCAT is way more important than any EC.

This can't be emphasized enough, but for a 1 week trade-off for an MCAT in May? I think he can sacrifice the week for an international trip. He has ~4 months to study.

 

[RichterBelmont]

MCAT

/thread