Working while studying for MCAT

[salsasunrise123]

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Hello all,

I would like your advice re: working while studying for MCAT. I'm currently in a career changer part-time postbac program which will conclude in December. I have an opportunity to become a medical scribe. I am currently doing a little research, shadowing one day a week and volunteering on weekend. I would have to work 32-38 hours a week in this job, however it would also become my glide year job so I won't have to worry about finding a job while studying for MCAT next winter/spring. I believe that I will be able to reduce my hours down to 20-25 while studying for MCAT. Do you think taking this job would be a good idea. Do you think someone can work 20-25 hrs a week and still devote adequate time to MCAT prep. I've always had to put more time into studying for standardized tests b/c they are not my strong suit, so I am unsure what to do. Your advice would be much appreciated. Thanks.

 

[MedWonk]

Hello all,

I would like your advice re: working while studying for MCAT. I'm currently in a career changer part-time postbac program which will conclude in December. I have an opportunity to become a medical scribe. I am currently doing a little research, shadowing one day a week and volunteering on weekend. I would have to work 32-38 hours a week in this job, however it would also become my glide year job so I won't have to worry about finding a job while studying for MCAT next winter/spring. I believe that I will be able to reduce my hours down to 20-25 while studying for MCAT. Do you think taking this job would be a good idea. Do you think someone can work 20-25 hrs a week and still devote adequate time to MCAT prep. I've always had to put more time into studying for standardized tests b/c they are not my strong suit, so I am unsure what to do. Your advice would be much appreciated. Thanks.

I would say it's perfectly feasible if you give yourself adequate time to prep for the MCAT. I think if you gave yourself four months, then it's totally doable.

 

[Fifty 3rds]

Hello all,

I would like your advice re: working while studying for MCAT. I'm currently in a career changer part-time postbac program which will conclude in December. I have an opportunity to become a medical scribe. I am currently doing a little research, shadowing one day a week and volunteering on weekend. I would have to work 32-38 hours a week in this job, however it would also become my glide year job so I won't have to worry about finding a job while studying for MCAT next winter/spring. I believe that I will be able to reduce my hours down to 20-25 while studying for MCAT. Do you think taking this job would be a good idea. Do you think someone can work 20-25 hrs a week and still devote adequate time to MCAT prep. I've always had to put more time into studying for standardized tests b/c they are not my strong suit, so I am unsure what to do. Your advice would be much appreciated. Thanks.

Yes, it's doable. Will you do it is the more pertinent question? We can do nothing but reassure you that others have gone down this path.

I'm 30, married, work 40-50 hrs/week in an IT/consulting field and I'm finding enough time to devote to SN2d's schedule pinned at the top of the MCAT forum. I gave myself the full 4 months and I get one day per week as a break. It is ALOT of information but if you really want it, you'll make it happen. My wife is understanding and knows some nights I need to stay up until 11-12 to finish my passages/reading material.

I'm saying all of this because I want you to know that it is definitely doable, but you must make that call. No one else can do it for you.

 

[kimposibl]

Hello all,

I would like your advice re: working while studying for MCAT. I'm currently in a career changer part-time postbac program which will conclude in December. I have an opportunity to become a medical scribe. I am currently doing a little research, shadowing one day a week and volunteering on weekend. I would have to work 32-38 hours a week in this job, however it would also become my glide year job so I won't have to worry about finding a job while studying for MCAT next winter/spring. I believe that I will be able to reduce my hours down to 20-25 while studying for MCAT. Do you think taking this job would be a good idea. Do you think someone can work 20-25 hrs a week and still devote adequate time to MCAT prep. I've always had to put more time into studying for standardized tests b/c they are not my strong suit, so I am unsure what to do. Your advice would be much appreciated. Thanks.

I'd say its doable. Just remember to find time for yourself and AVOID BURNOUT AT ALL COSTS. Studying too long for the MCAT will do this to you, trust me. Also, I was working 40 hours/week plus taking a prep course. Not really a good idea if you don't find something to do to distract you and help you relax, ie exercise, going out, friends, etc. Very stressful.

Good luck!

 

[xffan624]

Hello all,

I would like your advice re: working while studying for MCAT. I'm currently in a career changer part-time postbac program which will conclude in December. I have an opportunity to become a medical scribe. I am currently doing a little research, shadowing one day a week and volunteering on weekend. I would have to work 32-38 hours a week in this job, however it would also become my glide year job so I won't have to worry about finding a job while studying for MCAT next winter/spring. I believe that I will be able to reduce my hours down to 20-25 while studying for MCAT. Do you think taking this job would be a good idea. Do you think someone can work 20-25 hrs a week and still devote adequate time to MCAT prep. I've always had to put more time into studying for standardized tests b/c they are not my strong suit, so I am unsure what to do. Your advice would be much appreciated. Thanks.

I worked in a full-time 40 hour a week position (one that sometimes had extended hours or weekend work), played on a softball team, and practiced taekwondo three times a week. I studied for six months for the test, mostly on the weekends and after work (sometimes on slow days during work, helped cause I had my own office, lol). Scored a 34Q (11 PS, 11 BS, 12 VR). I used the available books (mostly Kaplan and TPR) and online practice tests that came with the books.

You can do it, but you have to study smart (i.e. maximize your study time) and hard.

 

[SpaceLeftBlank]

Hello all,

I would like your advice re: working while studying for MCAT. I'm currently in a career changer part-time postbac program which will conclude in December. I have an opportunity to become a medical scribe. I am currently doing a little research, shadowing one day a week and volunteering on weekend. I would have to work 32-38 hours a week in this job, however it would also become my glide year job so I won't have to worry about finding a job while studying for MCAT next winter/spring. I believe that I will be able to reduce my hours down to 20-25 while studying for MCAT. Do you think taking this job would be a good idea. Do you think someone can work 20-25 hrs a week and still devote adequate time to MCAT prep. I've always had to put more time into studying for standardized tests b/c they are not my strong suit, so I am unsure what to do. Your advice would be much appreciated. Thanks.

I think you can. Physicians have to study for and take standardized tests while they're working much more ruthless hours than that (my wife recently took Step 3 and the ABSITE within about a week of each other, and the surgery boards are this August.)

 

[mspeedwagon]

I think the MCAT is definitely a "know thyself" test. As I'm studying for it I'm learning:
- I'm not a great standardized taker. I need more time than most.
- I'm not focused enough to self-study. A course is great to keep you focused.
- Work alone is fine, but taking a class and traveling makes life tough and leads to faster burnout.
- It's hard to decipher what to memorize. Read biology books for understanding and then use review outlines. Don't take extensive notes.
- 20 hrs per week is a good number to aim for. 4 hrs a day for 5 days and then plan a catch-up day.
- Knowing what I know now I wish I had taken a class further ahead of the MCAT and given myself 6 months (not all my pre-med courses are recent).
- I'm taking 4 wks off leading up to the test date to do practice tests. Again, wish I could do this a little in advance since if I'm not scoring in my target, I'm going to have to push back my test date.

I think with 4 months and 20-25 hrs a week of studying (taking the last few wks off to take practice tests). We shall soon find out how it works out for me (2 months away currently).

 

[ErrantWhatever]

I would do it not only b/c it's feasible but also b/c it can be a huge pain finding a decent glide year job.

 

[CrazyCPA]

It's doable. I work a full-time job, take 9-10 hours in my postbac program, volunteer and shadow a few times a month (and somehow still make time for a few date nights with the wifey each week). I did an 8-9 weeks of MCAT prep with one week of that being a self-imposed boot camp where I did not work or have class. I was a little disappointed in my score (30) as it was lower than my practice tests by a few points, but my postbac program offers an assured admission component and I met that requirement.

The scribe programs are a great activity for your app. I would say go for it, but make sure you leave sufficient time to study for the MCAT. I will say I was severely burned out by the time I took the test and it might have hurt my score a little.

 

[Lactobacillus]

Yes, it's doable. Will you do it is the more pertinent question? We can do nothing but reassure you that others have gone down this path.

I'm 30, married, work 40-50 hrs/week in an IT/consulting field and I'm finding enough time to devote to SN2d's schedule pinned at the top of the MCAT forum. I gave myself the full 4 months and I get one day per week as a break. It is ALOT of information but if you really want it, you'll make it happen. My wife is understanding and knows some nights I need to stay up until 11-12 to finish my passages/reading material.

I'm saying all of this because I want you to know that it is definitely doable, but you must make that call. No one else can do it for you.

Pretty much the same for me. I'll add you just have to devote the time. I wake up 1-2 hours earlier than I have to and stay up an extra hour or two each night, as well as commit a chunk of weekends for any catch-up.

 

[Fifty 3rds]

Pretty much the same for me. I'll add you just have to devote the time. I wake up 1-2 hours earlier than I have to and stay up an extra hour or two each night, as well as commit a chunk of weekends for any catch-up.

Exactly. I wake up between 4:30-5:30 am and stay up as late as it takes. If I'm feeling burned out, I take more breaks while reading through chapters or doing passages.

I usually am in bed by 9:00 but sometimes it's 10:30-11:30. It's a sacrifice that is difficult while doing it but well worth it when you wake up and find yourself caught up.

Plus, once you devise a (realistic) plan, have faith in it. Just because you aren't getting the scores you had hoped for, don't give in to the negative thoughts. Continue with your review and look at it as a way to get better. These problems do not matter, what matters is that you learn from them.

I'm preaching to myself as well, I let my scores get to me too much. I want to celebrate when I see an increase but I need to look at missed problems/passages as opportunities for improvements.