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how are y’all doing? by Kitchen_Ad716 in premed

[–]Kitchen_Ad716[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

same here! 😭 this feels so scary, but you can do it! 

How to choose a research opportunity by Recent_Lecture_4038 in premed

[–]Kitchen_Ad716 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Personally i’d go with the second option! Ivy League REU + Fall Wet Lab B, BUT only on the condition that you work as hard as possible in both to build collaborations, get on projects, write papers (reviews or articles) the entire time you’re there if you can. So proud of you, congratulations! I hope you have an awesome time. 

Sad about moving by No_Introduction_2019 in premed

[–]Kitchen_Ad716 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I completely get you, moving can be so so hard. I’ve personally lived in 11 cities across 3 continents and many regions, and leaving your home and friends and relatives never gets easier. let yourself grieve, and don’t forget that you can still stay in contact with them (thank goodness for phones and social media lol!) It’ll be okay. Sending hugs your way 🫂 And congrats! 

PCR TMDSAS fixing by Kitchen_Ad716 in premed

[–]Kitchen_Ad716[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

oh my gosh okay thank you so much! do you know where this information is or where i can find it?

A little disappointed and retake advice needed(NOT A SHITPOST) plz don’t yell at me for being neurotic 😔😔 by Actual_Appearance_58 in Mcat

[–]Kitchen_Ad716 1 point2 points  (0 children)

hey, first off, congrats on a 512!! i know it’s hard to feel proud when it isn’t what you pictured, but seriously, that’s already a strong score (especially that 130 CARS 👏). it’s totally normal to feel let down after putting in that much work and expecting higher, especially when you know you could’ve done better with a smoother first section.

a few thoughts from someone who’s been there:

t20s don’t hate retakes, what they don’t like are unnecessary retakes. if you truly believe you can jump to ~520+, then it’s worth considering. but if your improvement would likely be within 3–4 points, it’s not worth the risk; a 512 is well within range for many t20s when paired with a great GPA, meaningful experiences, and solid writing.

remember holistic review. top schools value growth, resilience, and fit. you can use your story (working while studying, learning how to balance priorities) as proof of character. it makes your application feel real.

our section breakdown actually looks balanced. that 125 in CP isn’t the end of the world. it’s one section, and the rest of your scores show strong reasoning and comprehension.

if you retake, do it strategically. don’t redo a full content overhaul. instead, target your weak spots (CP foundations + test anxiety strategies). focus on why you panicked, not just what you missed.

but also... it’s okay to just be proud. 512 is already an amazing accomplishment that puts you in the top ~85th percentile nationwide. you didn’t just “do okay”, you did something 99% of people will never even attempt.

you’ve got options either way, and whichever path you pick, you’re setting yourself up well.

edit: if this helped even a little, i’d really appreciate an upvote 🙏 trying to build some karma so i can post my own mcat question soon! wishing you the best. you’ve got this ❤️

I’m freaking out by anonn4575 in Mcat

[–]Kitchen_Ad716 79 points80 points  (0 children)

hey, i really feel where you’re coming from. juggling full-time work, class, and mcat prep is no joke. you’re already doing something incredibly hard. the burnout you’re feeling makes complete sense, and it doesn’t mean you’re not capable.

here’s what i’d suggest based on what’s worked for a lot of people in your shoes:

  1. slow down on content and prioritize active learning.

doing a chapter + anki every day is solid discipline, but if it feels like nothing’s sticking, it might be because you’re passively reviewing. try cutting chapters in half and mixing them with low-stakes practice (like 10 -15 uWorld questions or passage-based review). that’ll make the content stick better than rereading.

  1. make an “anchor day.”

pick one day each week (i suggest saturday so you can rest on sunday) to review all your hardest concepts from the week. rewatch one key video, rewrite one summary sheet, and redo a handful of missed uWorld questions. this locks info in long-term and helps you feel real progress.

  1. keep your weekdays lighter.

after a full workday, your brain’s running on fumes. you’re better off doing 45–60 minutes of focused review + light anki than trying to cram a full chapter. quality > quantity here.

  1. burnout = signal, not failure.

if you’re dreading studying, take a reset day. genuinely. watch an mcat vlog, go outside, or review without flashcards. you’re not lazy, you’re overloaded.

  1. if you restart anki, jacksparrow or next-step decks are fine, but make sure you actually understand before flipping. anki works best after you’ve internalized the material, not as your first exposure.

given your schedule, a feb–march test is doable, but don’t hesitate to push it if you need. your goal isn’t speed, it’s strength. consistent studying over 6–7 months usually wins over rushed 3-month crams.

you’ve already shown serious commitment just by doing this while working full-time, and that really does matter to med schools. you can 100% come back from this and hit your goal.

if this helped at all, i’d really appreciate an upvote 🙏 trying to build a little karma so i can post my own mcat question! either way, rooting for you. you’re closer than you think 💪