Preparing for the MCAT during the summer months is a choice that many pre-medical students make – and for good reason. Summer prep provides several advantages over simultaneously juggling coursework with MCAT review during the school year. However, students should also understand that summer prep can be more difficult in certain situations. Below are four questions to consider when debating whether or not to prepare for the MCAT over the summer:
1. Are you able to effectively multitask and prioritize?
One significant difference between preparing for the MCAT during the school year versus preparing for the MCAT during the summer is that summer prep often allows you to focus solely on MCAT review. Studying for the MCAT during the academic year – while also taking courses and participating in various extracurricular activities – requires well developed time management and prioritization skills.
If you currently struggle to manage multiple commitments during the school year (as is common for many pre-medical students who are stretched quite thin), then you may benefit from preparing for the MCAT during the summer months. Free of distractions, you will be better able to truly focus on this crucial exam.
MCAT
Picking the Right Medical School Program
There’s a popular phrase, “If you’ve seen one medical school… you’ve seen one medical school.” Every school is completely different, so it’s a good idea to thoroughly research what programs would be best for you before you start the application process.
What are you looking for?

When you’re deciding which medical schools to apply to, consider some of the same factors you weighed when applying to college: Are you looking for a public or private university? Do you want to attend school in your home state or out-of-state? You may also narrow your choices by considering the specialties offered or even which clubs and organizations are available to med students.
Strategies for Success on Retaking the MCAT
Retaking the MCAT requires a different approach to prep than your first time around. Because … Read more
Managing Anxiety on Test Day
Taking the MCAT can be a nerve-wracking experience. In fact, many students develop significant test … Read more
What If You Don’t Get In?
Unfortunately, roughly half of all applicants to American allopathic medical schools will not receive an … Read more
6 Ways to Be Productive While Studying
Life as a med student is a blur of tests and clinicals with many nights … Read more
Top 5 Reasons Applications Get Rejected
In 2013, roughly half of all medical school applicants did not receive an acceptance letter. … Read more
Leveraging Pre-Med Learning Experiences for Success
Pre-medical students can – and should – take advantage of the many opportunities available to … Read more
What Can You Learn From Reflecting on Your MCAT Test Day Experience?
The MCAT is a significant hurdle that all students who wish to attend medical school must overcome. However, even after you have successfully completed the exam, you can continue to learn from your testing experience by reflecting on the test day itself.
Below are four areas of reflection that can provide you with additional insight about your future as a physician. Do not neglect to consider them!
1. How you learn best
Many students experiment with a variety of study and test-taking strategies when preparing for the MCAT. After identifying which methods are most successful, they ultimately settle on a framework that works best for them. Throughout this process, you will likely discover how you study most efficiently and most effectively, which is an invaluable tool as you move forward to medical school.
Studying Medicine Abroad in English – Caribbean and Europe
Studying medicine at English-taught medical schools overseas could provide good opportunities for some students.
10 Things to Do to Prepare for Applying to Med School
Keep these things in mind this year to help you prepare for your medical school application process.
Should You Retake the MCAT? A Guide to Evaluating Your Score
Deciding to complete the MCAT for a second time is a decision that can have a significant impact on your chances of being admitted to medical school. It is vital that you correctly assess your first MCAT score to determine if retaking the MCAT is best for you. As a general rule of thumb, if your result is five or more points below your goal score, you should consider sitting for the exam again. However, there are also several factors to examine before solidifying your decision.
Want to Skip the MCAT? Check Out These Programs
Early assurance programs (EAPs) allow dedicated students to apply to to medical school early, sometimes without taking the MCAT.
5 Strategies to Make the Most of Your MCAT Studying Efforts
For an exam as important and comprehensive as the MCAT, it’s vital to do everything you can to prepare in the most effective and efficient manner possible. Below are five strategies to maximize the value of your MCAT studying efforts.
Six Ways to Make the Most of Your Summer
Make the most of your summer to round out your medical school applications.
Practical Advice for the Medical School Applicant
As students begin to prepare for the next cycle of medical school application, I want to review some of the practical pieces of advice that every applicant should know. The actual process of applying to medical school is resource intensive: it costs thousands of dollars, hundreds of hours, and will strip you of many relaxing weekends that you would have otherwise enjoyed. Since you’ve made the decision to apply, here are some things that will help you make the best of it.
Remember that your MCAT score is a number. Your GPA is a number. These two things make up a major component of your application and you can’t change either of them now. You can’t change your letters of recommendation, either. The personal statement is a modifiable aspect of your application at this point, so you want to make sure to do a good job on it. But what else is there?
The answer to this lies in the details. This is what separates a good application from an excellent application. It is also what could separate a marginal application from one that gets an interview invitation. Every year, there are a few key mistakes that really put some students at a disadvantage. When schools are looking to offer acceptances, they are not only looking for good students. In addition to being smart, they are looking for people who will one day care for patients and be their colleagues. It is no surprise that those selected to become student doctors are usually meticulous, mature, intelligent, team players, and caring. Your application needs to reflect this.
You're Not Alone: Mental Health Issues During Medical School
Confidential help is available for the upwards of 1 in 4 medical students who meet the criteria for depression.
9 Things to Do Before Applying to Medical School
Think about including these steps in your path to medical school:
1. Work or volunteer in the medical field. Working or volunteering in a health care-related environment or organization will not only enhance your medical school application, it will benefit you. It’s a chance to see if you enjoy working in the health or medical field, network with like-minded peers, take on increased responsibility and leadership roles, and build your resume.
Consider internships and research opportunities at health care facilities or research institutions in your local community. Shadowing a doctor or health professional is another good way to find out if a career in medicine is right for you. Research and leadership positions on campus are also a great way to build your application and test out this career path.
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Post Undergrad: Getting Ready for Medical School or a Gap Year
For many students interested in a career in medicine, the period after the final year of undergraduate education represents a time of transition to medical school or to furthering their experiences and their education in preparation for applying to medical school. This month’s article from the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) focuses on those two pathways.
MCAT® Exam Registration: 10 Tips from the Experts
In just a few short weeks, registration for the June 2014 through January 2015 MCAT exam dates will open. We understand that registration can seem overwhelming! While we can’t promise that you won’t experience any wait time during registration, we do have some tips to help you BEFORE you even login to the registration system to make things a little easier and quicker.