Should I take a semester off to study for the MCAT?

Question

With the number of credits I have, I will receive my degree midterm. Should I take a semester off to study so that I can finish in the summer?

BTW, I am a sophomore who already has 90 credits.

Answer 1

I studied for the MCAT for 2 months over the summer, and scored high enough to get immediate admission to one school and wait list on the other. I NEVER thought about taking a semester off to study for that test...nor did anyone else that I graduated with. If you're a science major anyway, you are reviewing for it in your classes. All you need to do is buy one of those $80 books by Kaplan or the Princeton Review and go over their test taking tips and take TONS of practice tests. The MCAT isn't testing your KNOWLEDGE but your thinking. There are some freestanding knowledge questions, but there are more based on passages, so the info is right there. If you feel more comfortable taking a semester off, go ahead. But honestly, I don't think an admissions committee will look favorable on that. Their reasoning will be "he/she had to take a semester off to study for the MCAT while everyone else just did it during school or the summer". You don't want to make it look like a problem area because they WILL ask you why you took the semester off. Just my opinion.

But if that helps you get a 30 on it....great. Go for it. You are probably young and have your whole life to go to med school. Don't rush anything.

Answer 2

WELL, with those credits, yes it will be a good idea. Why dont you enroll in a third party course. They do a good intensive review and practice.

Answer 3

How do you already have 90 credits?  I would continue and just take this MCAT as practice and then when it comes to the second one then either take off or continue.