<p>Hey guys,</p>
<p>I am currently going into Soph year, so far so good with the GPA. Im interested in studying abroad, but not really sure when to do it. Doing it during the semester is pretty much out of the question, because I want to do orgo and physics at my university. The problem is that I have no research experience as of yet, so i was planning on pursuing a research program next summer, and going abroad after jr year. </p>
<p>People have told me that going abroad summer before sr. year is tough, because of all of the applications and things that need to be done for med school. I am not planning on taking a year off. I also have to juggle in the MCATS somewhere along the line. Any advice with regards to my planning would be much appreciated</p>
<p>Perhaps you could go some tine during senior year?</p>
<p>ill have interviews though…im thinking of finding a research program abroad, that would seem to solve my problem</p>
<p>i just came back from being abroad the summer after soph year. i have to study for the mcat during the school year now, but i get time to work on apps next summer.</p>
<p>i have friends who studied abroad the summer before senior year, and got their apps in later than everyone else. the thing was, they’re geniuses, so still got into amazing schools. </p>
<p>and do study abroad. totally worth it.</p>
<p>It depends on when your school semester ends and how long you want to be abroad. I know of a number of people who did a month-long study abroad during one of their summers (essentially one summer session). If you go abroad for the first summer session after your junior year, you’ll be back by early-ish June. You don’t want to be working on your secondaries while you’re abroad, but working on your amcas probably wouldn’t be that big of a deal (and you can start working on your personal statement at any time, since it never changes, which only leaves entering everything into the form and getting your transcripts and such sent).</p>
<p>I went the first semester of my junior year, which my pre-med advisor said was the “least worst time.” Honestly, I wouldn’t give up my semester in Italy for anything, and I think that it absolutely made me a better medical school applicant (in the sense that I had more that I could talk about on interviews).</p>
<p>What if you switched those summers–study abroad after sophomore year, then get involved with research during/after junior year? Sure your app might seem to be lacking, what with little research experience, but if it’s the only way you can fit in what will likely be the trip of a lifetime–I say go for it! I studied abroad and LOVED LOVED LOVED it.</p>
<p>My kid couldn’t fit in a semester, but she was able to do a 6 week language immersion Maymester through her LAC in Salamanca and Madrid , Spain. Knocked out the remaining language requirements for her school. She had a ball and was still able to get some other things done in the summer. I’d look for something like that.</p>
<p>D. did abroad for about 5-6 weeks after her soph. spring semester. got 6 credit hours for it (did not need them, but why not?). She never took summer classes, so her summers were free to do anything. In regard to Research, it is much easier to get position and Grants at your school then outside. D. has been doing it for couple years during academic year. The same goes with job and volunteering. Everything seems to be much easier to get at her college than at home. Best wishes.</p>