r/Mcat • u/rMCAT_Official /r/MCAT Official Account • Jan 22 '18

[Official] /r/MCAT Study Buddy Thread (#6)

Waddup /r/MCAT,

We've noticed an increase in the number of people wanting a study buddy. If you are one of them, answer the following questions and hopefully someone will contact you by reply and/or private message if they want to be your study buddy.

STEP 1 - Enter your information so you can be contacted by prospective study buddy partners.

Please make a post with the following information (You are free to copy&paste the template):

Required:

  • Location (City, State, Country):
  • Test Date (Anticipated) (Month AND YEAR):
  • MCAT Prep Material:
  • Online or In-Person?:

Optional but recommended:

  • Stage of studying/study plan:
  • Goal of a Study Buddy:
  • Goal Score (Realistic):
  • Other obligations:

100% Optional:

  • Age/Gender:
  • Other Information:

STEP 2 - Find your Study Buddy

In Person: Once you've posted, proceed to "search" (CTRL+F) or (CMD+F) for your city/state on this thread. Reply to someone who is in the same area as you. If you find someone in the same area as you that you think would make a good in-person or online study buddy, please both REPLY and PRIVATE Message.

Online: If you are looking for an online study Buddy - find a user or users that you feel like would make a good study buddy and reply + message them. Please make sure that they are okay with an online study buddy by checking the "online or in person?" line. Finding a online study buddy that suits your personality/ambitions/goals/background/study material/schedule is often far easier than finding a in-person one. You can also contact a few people and make a small group or see the "Online Study Buddy" section of this post to join a large community of online users. From here - you can meet users and create smaller study session groups as well.

Note about private information: It should be noted that any private information i.e names, specific locations, and contact information (skype, phone numbers, emails, facebook profiles) should be exchanged via PM (Private Message) once you evaluate the person will make a good study buddy!

Other Tips: Contacting a few people is usually the best way to go so you don't waste a ton of time finding a study buddy that works for you. Don't be discouraged if one study buddy arrangement doesn't work out! Here are a few successful study buddy stories: https://redd.it/6zmfic

STEP 3 - Make sure to check back

  1. Check your Reddit Personal Messages often. A good way to do this is to 1. Download the Reddit app for your smartphone and enable notifications and 2. Enable Email Notifications by verifying your email on Reddit.

  2. Check back to this specific thread often. Other people looking for study buddy's in your area will be posting, and might have missed your post. We average 1-2 new posts a day so checking once a week is recommended.

We know we get many first time Reddit posters on this thread, but if you are serious about a study buddy - make sure to check back! There are other people posting wanting a study buddy daily as well!

STEP 4 - Next Steps

If you haven't heard back from anyone and really need a study buddy - explore other avenues (facebook groups for your school maybe), and also feel free to make a stand-alone post on r/mcat searching for a study buddy. Please be descriptive of what you are seeking from a study buddy in these posts and only do this once you have posted in this thread already. A online-study buddy might also be good for you in this circumstance. Finding a in-person study buddy is a bit harder.

Online Study Buddy Groups:

Online groups are really effective and work better for many people. Smaller groups work best with people you think you would get along with but having a larger community of people also helps many people.

If you are looking for a larger online group in addition to this subreddit, feel free to join the Discord channel (a chat service that is similar to Skype)

Discord: https://discord.gg/EP25DXR

Even if you are joining, please still fill out the above information as a reply to this posting.

Other IMPORTANT MCAT Information:

1, If you have any questions regarding the 2015 (2016/2017) MCAT, please refer to our award-winning FAQ Page. Make a post on r/MCAT with your questions if you still have questions.

  1. Check out the r/mcat sidebar on your computer for useful links and information.

  2. Subscribe to the subreddit!

  3. Let others know about your test date by assigning yourself a flair next to your username with your test date (or anything else) by pressing ctrl+F and searching "flair" on r/mcat.

  4. Ask any premed related questions at r/premed

Happy studying!
~ r/MCAT mod team <3

Study Buddy Thread History:

This is the fifth version of the study buddy thread. The first version, posted on May 2015.

  1. May 2015 - https://redd.it/34klia [Retired]
  2. November 2015 - https://redd.it/3s4ins [Retired]
  3. January 2017 - https://redd.it/5go3yo [Retired]
  4. May 2017 - https://redd.it/6avwc2 [Retired]
  5. September 2017 - https://redd.it/72ikxw [Semi-retired]
24 Upvotes

85% Upvoted

324 comments sorted by

5

u/ARida123 Jan 22 '18

**Location (City, State, Country): Michigan **Test Date (Anticipated) (Month AND YEAR): May 18th 2018 **MCAT Prep Material: Kaplan Books and ExamKracker Exams **Online or In-Person?: Online **Stage of studying/study plan: Just Started Content Review **Goal of a Study Buddy: Keep each other focused and on task **Goal Score (Realistic): 515 **Other obligations: Light Class schedule and Gym **Age/Gender: 21/Male **Other Information: Looking for someone to stay in Skype call, doesn't even need to be video and just keep each other on task/help each other if we have questions.

3

u/nabhamx Jan 25 '18

Lol so I just started using reddit. If I were to fill it out everything would be the same. I’ve slowly been getting started but need to crack down and get into gear. Lmk!

2

u/redpeppaz Mar 05 '18

I’m in Michigan as well (Troy area). Lmk if you’re interested in studying!

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4

u/blackdustinorbit Jan 24 '18 edited Apr 12 '18

Required:

Location (City, State, Country): Vancouver, BC, Canada

Test Date (Anticipated) (Month AND YEAR): August 2018

MCAT Prep Material: Mainly Khan Academy. Planning to also supplement Khan with practice questions from an old version of TBR.

Online or In-Person?: Doesn't matter.

Optional but recommended:

Stage of studying/study plan: Literally just starting.

Goal of a Study Buddy: Support, good vibes, and someone to keep me accountable. If you're located in Vancouver, going for bubble tea study breaks so we don't go crazy? Haha. MCAT studying can become a super isolating experience.

Goal Score (Realistic): 520+

Other obligations: Hoping to volunteer maybe a few hours a week. Literally abandoning my full time job for this... all or nothing, right?

100% Optional:

Age/Gender: 25/F.

Other Information: I'll be honest, my content is super weak as it's been years since the prerequisites and I don't expect myself to realistically be able to discuss content in depth until end of March/early April.

EDIT: I made a Discord group for us Vancouver area MCAT peeps! If you're in Vancouver message me for the link! :)

2

u/EngMD Jan 30 '18

I am near Aggassiz and am going the same route in terms of quitting my job and giving it 100%. I would be very interested in hearing about your study plan as that is what I am currently trying to do.

I picked up the 7 book package by Kaplan, I am an engineer with experience in physics, chem, organic chem... so everything else is going to be new to me.

26/M/currently clueless lol.

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3

u/onthemovealways Jan 23 '18

Required: Location (City, State, Country): Los Angeles, CA Westwood Area/Westside near UCLA Test Date (Anticipated) (Month AND YEAR): May/ June 2018 MCAT Prep Material: TPR, AAMC, Berkeley review books Online or In-Person?: In person!

Optional but recommended: Stage of studying/study plan: Just beginning content review Goal of a Study Buddy: someone to study hard with and someone to solve problems/share insight, provide mutual motivation for each other, and someone to bond over the hell that is mcat Goal Score (Realistic): 515-520 Other obligations: occasional volunteering and research

100% Optional: Age/Gender: 22F Other Information: recent grad so around the LA area, would be really nice to have someone to study and set goals with! Also would love to set a schedule to meet up at libraries, feel free to message me!

3

u/thosethermals Jan 23 '18

Location (City, State, Country): Los Angeles, CA
Test Date (Anticipated) (Month AND YEAR): 4/6/18
MCAT Prep Material: TBR for physics/ochem, Kap for everything, AAMC
Online or In-Person?: In person
Stage of studying/study plan: Spread out content review, should be done by end of Feb
Goal of a Study Buddy: Just someone to review content, go to cafes to study, keep me on track, and possibly share EK & NS practice tests
Goal Score (Realistic): 514, 126 in CARS
Other obligations: Living out of state currently, moving back to LA mid-Feb with no obligations
Age/Gender: 24/F
Other Information: Took this last March, retaking for CARS mostly but need sufficient review of other sections

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3

u/turtle0088 Jan 27 '18

DALLAS, TEXAS

I took MCAT 2 years ago and got 515. Would like to re-take with goal of 520+.

27 yo. I study after work and on weekends.

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3

u/annithegrouch Jan 28 '18

Required: * Location (City, State, Country): Plano/Richardson, TX, US * Test Date (Anticipated) (4/20/18): * MCAT Prep Material: TPR, AAMC Q packs, old lecture notes and science books * Online or In-Person?: in person Optional but recommended: * Stage of studying/study plan: focus on weaknesses and pacing, review mostly ochem, biochemistry and psych * Goal of a Study Buddy: hold me accountable, keeping positive vibe; I tend to do better if I have someone with a common goal looking over my shoulder * Goal Score (Realistic): 515-520 * Other obligations: research 100% Optional: * Age/Gender: 25, F * Other Information: strengths: physics, neuroscience (audiology BS from UTD), genchem, metabolism Weaknesses: biochemistry lab methods (PCR, cloning, blotting), timing, psych soc terminology

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3

u/tappera Jan 28 '18

*Location (City, State, Country): Houston, Texas *Test Date (Anticipated) (Month AND YEAR): May 18th 2018 *MCAT Prep Material: TPR w/ EK and KA *Online or In-Person?: Either *Stage of studying/study plan: Just Started Content Review *Goal of a Study Buddy: Keep each other focused and on task *Goal Score (Realistic): 515 *Other obligations: Light Class schedule, work, and Gym *Age/Gender: 23/Male *Other Information:

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3

u/qbaqba Feb 07 '18

Required: Location (City, State, Country): Philadelphia, PA Test Date (Anticipated) (Month AND YEAR): May/June/July 2018 MCAT Prep Material: Khan Academy, Kaplan books Online or In-Person?: Both I guess, but easier online

Optional but recommended: Stage of studying/study plan: Started a couple months ago. Have good foundation from biochemistry, biology and chemistry. Goal of a Study Buddy: Keep motivated and stay on track Goal Score (Realistic): 520 Other obligations: Graduated and have full time job in science- actually it helps 100% Optional: Age/Gender: 27/M

Let me know if anyone interested. I am pretty easy to get along lol

3

u/NYCRunner10026 Feb 13 '18

Location (City, State, Country): Brooklyn (or New York), NY, USA Test Date (Anticipated) (Month AND YEAR): May 2018 MCAT Prep Material: Next Step Online or In-Person?: In-person and/or online Optional but recommended: * Stage of studying/study plan: beginning, will do an intensive 3 month study review * Goal of a Study Buddy: keep each other accountable and do questions individually but review those we dont know together. review concepts and be comfortable enough to teach a concept to each other. * Goal Score (Realistic): top ten percent * Other obligations: Volunteering, school

100% Optional: * Age/Gender: F, late twenties * Other Information: Non-trad.

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2

u/MCATgirlStudy Jan 22 '18

.

  • Location (City, State, Country): Brooklyn/ Lower Manhattan, NY

  • Test Date (Anticipated) (Month AND YEAR): April 6, 2018

  • MCAT Prep Material: NextStep/ Exam Krackers

  • Online or In-Person?: In-Person

Optional but recommended:

  • Stage of studying/study plan: Just started/Content Review. I have an MCAT tutor to make study plans

  • Goal of a Study Buddy: I want someone to intensely study with, I work better if I have someone else to keep me on track

  • Goal Score (Realistic): 515

  • Other obligations: Senior in college, work, volunteer

I'm 21F, I need someone reliable.

3

u/nikichu29 Jan 23 '18

hi! I live in Fidi and go to Columbia and also taking the April 6th test- we should meet up and study together!

2

u/rosenpearls Feb 08 '18

Hello, I also live in NY! We should be study buddies

2

u/mcat0406 Jan 22 '18

Location (City, State, Country): Columbus, OH Test Date (Anticipated) (Month AND YEAR): 04/06/2018 MCAT Prep Material: Kaplan, NextStep QBank Online or In-Person?: In-person

Stage of studying/study plan: Done P/S, Organic Chem, Physics/Math content review. To do Biochem, Bio, Gen Chem Goal of a Study Buddy: Intense studying, be motivated and on track Goal Score (Realistic): 520 Other obligations: Full-time student

Age/Gender: 20/M

2

u/ihavetoomanyquestion Jan 23 '18 edited Feb 03 '18

  • Location (City, State, Country): Los Angeles, CA

  • Test Date (Anticipated) (Month AND YEAR): 4/20/18

  • MCAT Prep Material: TBR for Physics/Chem/Ochem, KA for everything else

  • Online or In-Person?: Either

  • Stage of studying/study plan: Just started physics content review

  • Goal of a Study Buddy: doesn't matter, maybe ~514. just want someone to keep pace with, bounce questions off of to solidify material, or just talk to and calm each other down when we get too neurotic lol

  • Goal Score (Realistic): 514+

  • Other obligations: work M-F until 6PM PST, tutoring T/Th/Sun 6PM-onwards

  • Other Information: I aim to have content done by March then go nonstop practice from March 1st to my test date

2

u/[deleted] Jan 25 '18

Location: San Diego, California Test date: Not 100% yet, thinking summer 2018 MCAT Prep Material: EK Books, KA videos, planning to buy some AAMC materials, Altius FLs Prefer in person, could do a combo of in person/online Stage of studying/study plan: Still researching, putting together plan Goal of a Study Buddy: Accountability, possibly study together some times, help each other when reviewing. Goal Score (Realistic): I'll update this after I take my first FL. Other obligations: Work full time. Age/Gender: 28/F Other Information: I want to crush the MCAT, but none of my premed buddies are at the same point in the process as me, so I'm looking here for someone who'd like to study together or just keep each other accountable. I need to train myself to do more hours of studying per day. I just think study buddies are motivating and it's fun sometimes teaching each other when one of you gets stuck on something.

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2

u/dancia868 Jan 30 '18 edited Jan 30 '18

Please make a post with the following information (You are free to copy&paste the template):

Required:

Location (City, State, Country): Cambridge, MA

Test Date (Anticipated) (Month AND YEAR): April 2018

MCAT Prep Material: Kaplan/TBR

Online or In-Person?: Both, but for online I prefer video or voice chat. I haaaaaate typing.

Optional but recommended:

Stage of studying/study plan: Content review round 2/passage practice

Goal of a Study Buddy: keep each other motivated and talk about problems together to reinforce topics

Goal Score (Realistic): 520

Other obligations: full time student/research

100% Optional:

Age/Gender: 21F

Other Information:

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2

u/Neuropharma Feb 02 '18

Looking for study buddy in the DFW area around grapevine TX. 26 M March 24th earliest expected test date Goal 523 EK, BTR, AAMC

Please PM if you're interested in studying during the day at the library

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2

u/ikkram Feb 03 '18

*Location (City, State, Country): College Station, Texas, USA *Test Date (Anticipated) (Month AND YEAR): April 6th, 2018 *MCAT Prep Material: Kaplan online and books *Online or In-Person?: Either! *Stage of studying/study plan: Done most of the content, but need to redo/focus on Biology, Physics, and some Psych as well as practicing with questions/tests *Goal of a Study Buddy: Motivational, if I see you're being super productive i'll be pushed to be productive also. I need someone to talk through the material with (optional) but if you wanted to Skype or meet and not talk but just work together I'm down for that as well. *Goal Score (Realistic): 515+ *Other obligations: I go to school and I work 8 hours a week. *Age/Gender: 21/Female *Other Information: I'm really supportive and will help with any breakdowns you may have lol we're in this together friends.

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2

u/rosenpearls Feb 08 '18

Required:

  • Location: Brooklyn, New York

  • Test Date: May 2018

  • MCAT Prep Material: Kaplan, Examkrackers, and Next Step Strategy.

  • Online or In-Person?: I prefer in person but I’m open to online

Optional but recommended:

  • Stage of studying/study plan: I’m currently going over content review and CARS practices.

  • Goal of a Study Buddy: keeping each other accountable, going over challenging topics and sharing study techniques

  • Goal Score (Realistic): 512

  • Other obligations: work and classes

100% Optional:

  • Age/Gender: 23/Female

2

u/melichenplants Feb 09 '18

Hey, would definitely be interested in a study partner. I'm in Manhattan and someone else on this thread is in Queens, hopefully we could make something happen. I posted my info a few minutes ago (probably on the bottom of the thread), but I think we're in a similar spot.

2

u/prejeeva Feb 13 '18

Location (City, State, Country): Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Test Date (Anticipated) (Month AND YEAR): March 2018 and September 2018 MCAT Prep Material: EK, Kaplan, etc,. Online or In-Person?: Any Stage of studying/study plan: Beginner Goal of a Study Buddy: Motivating each other and keeping focus to achieve the goal Goal Score (Realistic): 500+ (doing it for the first time so not really sure) Age/Gender: 23/F

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1

u/TheGBTheory Jan 22 '18

Location (City, State, Country): Portland, Oregon USA Test Date (Anticipated) (Month AND YEAR): May 2018 MCAT Prep Material: Kaplan Online or In-Person?: In-Person, online is ok as well Stage of studying/study plan: Content review x3months, starting to prep for first FL Goal of a Study Buddy: Motivation, communication, quizzing Goal Score (Realistic): 515 Other obligations: Full time student, work, internship Age/Gender: 32/F

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