Meow

Apparently, the MCATs expire 3 years after you take them, to the day. I discovered this... ooooo.... exactly 3 years after I originally took the MCATs.

Awesome.

So now, medical school isn't the "well, I'll apply and if I get in, I'll make the decision whether or not to go" event. If I have to study and take this bitch of an exam again, I'm sure as hell going to medical school.

After browsing the AAMC website and reading about the "new" MCAT, I learned that what was once a 10 hour hell, was now compressed into a 5 hr and 5 min brisk quiz. (4 hr and 20 min if you don't utilize the built-in breaks - score!) With the transformation from paper to computer (and therefore the elimination of proctors and paperwork), and the removal of useless sections, this exam has become suddenly less intimidating. I mean, 4 hours... that's how long the GRE's are "supposed" to take. And you don't even have to study for the GRE's. Well at least not until 9pm the night before.

OK, so I know you still have to study for the MCATs and I am fully prepared to do so. I yanked the heavy brown box containing my Kaplan gear out from the deep dark depths of my closet and blew the dust off. The practice exams, writing samples, and lesson books sent shivers up my spine. Am I ready to do this... again? MCATs are for juniors in college, who are currently taking O-chem, physics, and biology. Not for grad students who haven't seen steriochemisty in 4 years. Yikes indeed.

Thankfully, the exam is offered something like 22 times/year now, versus twice/year. I've registered for the July 13 exam, in Colorado. Partly because I have to be in Colorado anyway that weekend, but mostly because that is where I'm happiest. This gives me just about 2 solid months to study, given that my finals end about mid-May.

So what was once a Summer of a laid-back job and plenty of pool-side sun-bathing, has now become a locked-in fun-filled basement studying ordeal. (Enough hyphenations for you?) Good thing I want to be a doctor and not a writer.

(And no, I did not draw that picture myself.)

Spoons and All

Nothing like driving into State College on a warm Friday afternoon with the whole weekend ahead of you.

Convert?

I think so.

Points

1. My black iPod rocks my world.

2. Yes, it's Saturday night. I'm doing laundry, blogging, and I've been in my pajamas since about 7pm. I am perfectly OK with this.

3. I should've been a business major with a minor in fashion design. Do you have any idea how much wedding planners make?? (Not going to happen Megan, sorry)

4. If I could, I'd delete the option to comment anonymously. Just a suggestion. I have no idea who you guys are. Which is alright, until you try to start referring to one another. As if I'm not enough of a confused individual.

5. And I can't stress it enough, how I can't wait to be sitting outside at the cafe on Blue/White weekend.

repeat performance anyone?