What to do during the winter break before applying?

[radioactive15]

Can anyone recommend what you should do during the winter break right before you start applying?

This is my current list: (already took the MCAT)
-use MSAR to research schools to apply to
-volunteer
-begin/finish personal statement
-relax a bit

Please feel free to add what else you think one should do during this time before applying in order to be on top of your game come application season

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[Catalystik]

Can anyone recommend what you should do during the winter break right before you start applying?

This is my current list: (already took the MCAT)
-use MSAR to research schools to apply to
-volunteer
-begin/finish personal statement
-relax a bit

Please feel free to add what else you think one should do during this time before applying in order to be on top of your game come application season

-Recharge your academic batteries before the next term begins by spending time with friends and family.
-Ask if your primary care doc (or those of parents) might allow for some shadowing, if you feel your accumulation of hours is sparse right now.

 

[Squamous Eddie]

To be honest, absolutely nothing. Jeez.

 

[flapjack3d]

Make sure you've got your LORs in order

 

[bate16]

In all honesty, I would put the most priority on your last bullet - "relax a bit". You could start working on your personal statement, but you have time for that during the spring semester. Just take some time off and enjoy the break.

 

[bananafish94]

Live

 

[Lannister]

Calm the **** down, your life should not revolve around med school applications.

 

[Doctoblast]

I started working on my PS because I knew the following semester was going to be my toughest one yet. But even then I only spent maybe a total of 2 hours on it during break. Relax, live a little, enjoy the time off with your friends/family!

Merry Christmas to everyone

 

[Squamous Eddie]

You can worry about all those things in spring. Spring is the time you should worry about LORs, writing your PS and having it looked at, researching MSAR, and volunteering.

But even then, you don't have to. I had my primary submitted in July and my secondaries were all complete mid-September. Granted, I didn't get that many interviews... But I'm in somewhere. 😉 (Don't do this.)

 

[raiderette]

I started my PS over my winter break, and emailed professors about LORs. Some shadowing wouldn't hurt either.

 

[Lucca]

Download Rocket League
Play Rocket League

 

[radioactive15]

Roughly how long does it take to research schools using MSAR?

Is 3 solid days a fair estimate?

 

[Lucca]

Roughly how long does it take to research schools using MSAR?

Is 3 solid days a fair estimate?

Definitely not that long. You can sit at the computer for two hours and draw up a list and look up the most relevant stuff. If you want to literally look at every single school in the US it will take longer but even then...

 

[avgn]

Roughly how long does it take to research schools using MSAR?

Is 3 solid days a fair estimate?

Took me 1 hour because I'm a location snob. Depends on your criteria

 

[raiderette]

Roughly how long does it take to research schools using MSAR?

Is 3 solid days a fair estimate?

I would say two days. MSAR and US News are a nice place to start, then visit the websites and check out the specific school threads. Be sure to read the secondaries, so you can decide if you think the school is worth the hours to do the secondary. I also went through and checked out cost of living in certain cities and estimated apartment costs.

 

[emususoint]

Can anyone recommend what you should do during the winter break right before you start applying?

This is my current list: (already took the MCAT)
-use MSAR to research schools to apply to
-volunteer
-begin/finish personal statement
-relax a bit

Please feel free to add what else you think one should do during this time before applying in order to be on top of your game come application season

management

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[Dr Tony T. Chopper]

Pray to ADCOM jesus.

And get your PS critiqued by a few people.

 

[Germanicus89]

Drink a beer and take a nap.

 

[Turkishking]

Can anyone recommend what you should do during the winter break right before you start applying?

This is my current list: (already took the MCAT)
-use MSAR to research schools to apply to
-volunteer
-begin/finish personal statement
-relax a bit

Please feel free to add what else you think one should do during this time before applying in order to be on top of your game come application season

Think about life. I do that everyday