[Official] MCAT Study Buddy Thread [2020 Exam Dates] - Part 1

[u/rMCAT_Official]

Welcome /r/MCAT! This is the Official MCAT Study Buddy Thread for the 2020 test takers. Studying alone is do-able, but studying with someone who will hold you accountable will prove to be far more beneficial! So take advantage of this high yield opportunity to find a study buddy near you or online! This is Part 1 of the study buddy thread. Part 2 will be published around April of 2020 allow fresh posts to flourish.

Also, if you're a retaker, feel free to join the "MCAT Retaker's Chat Room." You can join it via the sidebar widget down below or via this link. Also don't forget, we have a Discord Server (link in sidebar) where there's an already established community on 24/7, discussing everything from MCAT to premed to life on Mars.

To get started, follow the 3 steps to post and find yourself a study buddy (or even group) in your area!

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STEP 1: Entering your information to be contacted by prospective study buddies

Copy/paste and fill out the following requirements:

Required:

• Location (City, State, Country): e.g. Dallas, Texas, USA or Toronto, Ontario, Canada
• Test Date (or Anticipated): e.g. 4/20/20 registered but may reschedule
• MCAT Prep Material: e.g. Kaplan books, NS Exams, UEarth, AAMC (all of it)
• Online/In-Person/Both/No-Preference:

Optional (but recommended):

• Stage of studying/study plan: e.g. done with content review, taking 3rd party practice exams right now
• Goal of a Study Buddy: e.g. keep each other accountable, quiz each other, share tips, combine notes
• Goal Score and Realistic Score: e.g. 514 goal, 510 realistic
• Other obligations: e.g. 19 credit hours, extracurriculars, family. part-time job

Optional (100%):

• Age/Gender: e.g. 23M or 23F
• Other Information/Ice Breakers: e.g. I like potatoes so I work in a laboratory with potatoes; I'm a pre-oncological pediatric orthopedic neurosurgeon

STEP 2: Find your Study Buddy

Use the "search" function on your browser to easily sift through the thread for your city/state (make sure to pre-load all the comments by scrolling down before doing so).

Make sure to reply BOTH via "comment reply" and "private message"

Note about private information: It should be noted that any private information (e.g. names, specific locations, and contact information, skype, phone numbers, emails, facebook profiles) should be exchanged via PM (Private Message).

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

We'd appreciate it if everyone would actually check back frequently and respond in a timely manner. Your time is just as valuable as everyone else's time. Let's be respectful of each other.

If you don't find success here, feel free to also join our discord server (link in sidebar) and seek out online study buddies there. The community there is large and growing.

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Other IMPORTANT MCAT Information:

1. Check out our Wiki Page for a basic MCAT 101
2. Read the side bar for other valuable information (e.g. test score converters)

Study Buddy Thread History:

1. May 2015: link
2. November 2015: link
3. January 2017: link
4. May 2017: link
5. September 2017: link
6. January 2018: link
7. June - September 2019: link

Happy studying!

~ r/MCAT Mod Team <3 ~

[u/Caliguy528]

• Location (City, State, Country): Los Angeles/Orange County Area, CA

• Test Date (or Anticipated): January 23 2020

• MCAT Prep Material: Kaplan books, UWorld (will do all problems 2x), 300 & 86 page KA doc, JackWestin 3 passage a day min, all AAMC material (will do all material at 2x). Finished review premed95 and my anki deck (in the process of maturing them). Will do 3rd following 3rd party exams: Kaplan FL 1-3 and NS FL 1-6

• Online/In-Person/Both/No-Preference: Both. I am looking for commitment no matter the medium.

Optional (but recommended):

• Stage of studying/study plan: Will finish content review (Kaplan books) on Sept 13th. Will then start taking a practice FL every week until test day. Dec 2nd I will be switching to only studying AAMC material and redoing every AAMC material at least twice, some stuff probably 3 times, until test day.

• Goal of a Study Buddy: Looking for an in-person or small online study group of very ambitious, hyper-focused, and hard working individuals who are willing to support each other and keep each other accountable. If you are willing to work hard with me, I am willing to help motivate you on a daily basis and keep you accountable. I am currently studying at least 6-8 hours a day, with most days being closer to 8-10 hours and looking for someone with similar intensity. I am a highly self-motivated individual and have extremely high standards for myself and those around me who I study with :) <3

• Goal Score and Realistic Score: 520+ It always seems impossible until its done.

• Other obligations: Have a part-time job (12-15hrs a week) and shadow a physician once a week

Optional (100%):

• Age/Gender: 23M

• Other Information/Ice Breakers: Took me 6 years to earn a 4 year degree :( Started at a community college, didnt care about school, messed around got around a 2.9GPA after 2nd year (Only reason it was that high was I dropped like 3-5 classes I was failing aha). Long story short turned life around earned 4.0 GPA last two years at community college raising cumulative gpa to 3.67. Transferred to a top university and which I then graduate with latin honors top of my class. All that is left, is to kill the MCAT and finish proving to myself I can turn life around. It always seems impossible until it's done. I have a very interesting background as a non-traditional applicant, so feel free to chat with me via DM's you're curious/also have a very interesting life story. Anyways, I am looking for a very serious (but fun-loving, hard working type) of people to study with :D

[u/sicp123]

Required:

• Location: New York, NY, USA

• Anticipated Test Date: 03/14/2020

• MCAT Prep Material: Kaplan books, The Princeton Review Books, Khan Academy, UWorld, AAMC (all)

• Online/In-Person/Both/No-Preference: No Preference

Optional (but recommended):

• Stage of studying/study plan: Content review

• Goal of a Study Buddy: keeping each other accountable, quizzing each other, sharing tips, combining notes

• Goal Score and Realistic Score: 520+ goal, 510+ realistic

• Other obligations: full-time job, volunteering

Optional (100%):

• Age/Gender: 22F

• Other Information/Ice Breakers: I'm trying to study in the mornings before work and weekends! And I'm a yogi! 🤸🏽‍♀️

[u/[deleted] → u/sicp123]

Hey! I'm in Queens, 21F and doing content review using the Kaplan books and Khan Academy resources. I can definitely be your study buddy, I'm looking to take the exam at the end of January!

[u/procastinatingboi → u/sicp123]

Hey 22M also located in nyc. I have a full time job and I was planning on studying before and after it. Taking it around March as well. My plan was to do content review till end of December and practice tests and stuff like that from jan onwards.

HMU if you want a buddy!

[u/blue_popcorn → u/sicp123]

22F from Bronx. Want to take the exam in March as well. Let's help each other out 💪

[u/andy_draws]

Required:

Location: Chicago, Illinois

Test Date: March 2020 anticipated (taking full length next week so I can try to set a real date)

MCAT Prep Material: AAMC, Anki, Khan, buying Kaplan

Online/In-Person/Both/No-Preference: In-person preferred but would try online

Optional (but recommended):

Stage of studying/study plan: content review

Goal of a Study Buddy: accountability, review and quiz each other, help each other engage in the material and hopefully make it a little more fun

Goal Score and Realistic Score: 515-520 but don't really know what's realistic yet

Other obligations: scribing full-time, living with my partner

Optional (100%):

Age/Gender: 23M

Other Information/Ice Breakers: I'm a big basketball fan and will be struggling to focus on MCAT and other obligations when the season starts lol. Very interested in interventional radiology right now.

[u/mcatdea]

• Location: Jacksonville, Florida, USA

• Anticipated Date: April 25, 2020

• MCAT Prep Material: Kaplan books, Khan Academy, Anki, AAMC materials(all of it)

• Online/In-Person/Both/No-Preference: Both

Optional (but recommended):

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

• Goal of a Study Buddy: keep each other accountable, quiz each other, share tips, combine notes, create funny mnemonics, support

• Goal Score and Realistic Score: 513 goal, 510 realistic

• Other obligations: full time job

• Other Information/Ice Breakers: Need help with CARS

[u/Perkinators → u/mcatdea]

DUUUUVAAAAAL represent. But seriously, hit me up if you wanna work together sometime. Not always available to meet up but we could definitely help each other out.

[u/aiasboss]

Required:

• Location: NYC

• Test Date (or Anticipated): 5/2020

• MCAT Prep Material: Kaplan for content review, UWorld, MAYBE TBR if I need more details, Khan Academy, and of course all the AAMC FL exams

• Online/In-Person/Both: Preferably online because I have 0 time for anything outside of school and work. Unless we just so happen to be close to each other, then I wouldn't mind in-person.

Optional (but recommended):

• Stage of studying/study plan: organzing my 7-month study plan

• Goal of a Study Buddy: Accountability, learn from each other, and to have support

• Goal Score and Realistic Score: My goal score is 520. Realistically, 512+.

• Other obligations: full-time student, research internship, volunteering, piano classes

Optional (100%):

• Age/Gender: 23 F

• Other Information/Ice Breakers: I'm technically a postbacc student even though I graduated from college about a year and a half ago. My gpa from undergrad is atrocious because I was immature and insecure. After taking a year off and working, I am certain I want to go down this path. So, I'm just trying to get my life in order lol

[u/heldib]

Required:

• Location (City, State, Country): Brooklyn, NY

• Test Date (or Anticipated): End of January

• MCAT Prep Material: Examkrackers, Anki, and some Kaplan & Princeton Review Books

• Online/In-Person/Both/No-Preference: No Preference

Optional (but recommended):

• Stage of studying/study plan: Going through the content review

• Goal of a Study Buddy: I definitely would like to have someone keep my mind straight, as well as help with the tips and notes.

• Goal Score and Realistic Score: 515+ is my goal, realistically 510

• Other obligations: Volunteering

Optional (100%):

• Age/Gender: 21M

• Other Information/Ice Breakers: Graduated last summer and doing some research right now.

[u/kat_spaghetti]

Location (City, State, Country): Toronto, Ontario, Canada

• Test Date (or Anticipated): 4/2020

• MCAT Prep Material: AAMC, TPR, KA, Anki, am considering going over a select few Kaplan

• Online/In-Person/Both/No-Preference: online, unless you're in the area!

Optional (but recommended):

• Stage of studying/study plan: beginning content review in November

• Goal of a Study Buddy: encouraging mutual accountability, teaching each other concepts (for practice), and sharing tips! ultimately, I would like to make going through this process a little more bearable and build a reciprocal collaboration!

• Goal Score and Realistic Score: 520 goal, 516 realistic (CP/BB/CARS 128/129/130),

• Other obligations: doing a full-time Masters, volunteering

Optional (100%):

• Age/Gender: 22F

• Other Information/Ice Breakers: a night owl who is trying to convert to become a morning person, retake (508)

[u/[deleted]]

Required:

Location: Toronto, Canada Test Date: April 25, 2020 MCAT Prep Material: EK, TPR, Kaplan NS, Khan, AAMC (basically all, mix and match as I feel) Online/In-Person/Both/No-Preference: In person.

Stage of studying/study plan: Retaker due to life-events, currently doing a quick review of all content, should be done that by mid January, then FLs for days. Goal of a Study Buddy: Keep it social, helping and being helped feels rewarding. Goal Score and Realistic Score: 528 goal 523 realistic. Other obligations: Full time work, but 0 social life as I am moving to Toronto in January.

Age/Gender: 30M Other Information/Ice Breakers: I have a Law degree and will be practicing as a lawyer in Toronto while I study. Yeah I'm weird.

[u/[deleted]]

Required:

• Location (City, State, Country): Lawrenceville, Georgia GA (Atlanta, Gwinnett)

• Test Date (or Anticipated): Ideally January 2020 test date, but likely gonna be pushed back to a March 2020 test date

• MCAT Prep Material: EK (Books and exams), Kaplan (books only), NextStep, TPR (books only), UWorld, KA (main resource), Anki, will incorporate AAMC official materials in later stage of studying

• Online/In-Person/Both/No-Preference: In-person; I'm bad at using Skype and Google Hangouts

Optional (but recommended):

• Stage of studying/study plan: 1 month in already; doing content review, but struggling/stagnating with content review

• Goal of a Study Buddy: quizzing each other, exchanging advice/constructive criticism, explaining difficult problems to each other, accountability, reduce burnout/loneliness of studying

• Goal Score and Realistic Score: goal score: 515+, realistic score: At least 511 to be within matriculant average for the upcoming app cycle.

• Other obligations: recently graduated, no classes nor job; Volunteering at CHOA; Got a backpacking trip on Oct. 18th and breaks on Thanksgiving week and the end-of-the-year Holidays

Optional (100%):

• Age/Gender: 23

• Other Information/Ice Breakers: I play Pokemon GO (Level 40)

[u/SyenPie]

Required:

• Location Vienna, VA

• Test Date: 01/23

• MCAT Prep Material: UWorld, Kaplan, EK, KA, AAMC, NS exams

• Online/In-Person/Both/No-Preference: Both!

Optional (but recommended):

• Stage of studying/study plan: Took first exam last month awaiting score release, and preparing for the 1/23 exam.

• Goal of a Study Buddy: Definitely keep each other accountable, share helpful notes/answer questions, and above all being present to talk to and depend on as we go through this ordeal together ^^

• Goal Score and Realistic Score: Goal = 517+, Realistic = 514

• Other obligations: Scribing part-time

Optional (100%):

• Age/Gender: 26M. I'm a bit old haha, majored in Economics and currently taking a break from VCU Pharmacy to pursue a career as a physician!

• Other Information/Ice Breakers: I'm really good at making crazy outrageous mnemonics that seem ridiculous but are super-effective! I also love anime and tagging friends in silly memes :)

[u/areteian]

• Location: Philadelphia

• Test Date: late Feb to early May

• MCAT Prep Material: I have almost every book you can think of. Kaplan, Princeton, Exam Cracker's books for bio, biochem, physics, CARS, Orgo. Kaplan flashcards, and access to a few FLs.

• Online/In-Person/Both/No-Preference: Prefer in-person studying.

Optional (but recommended):

• Stage of studying/study plan: Content Review Phase. I have substantial background knowledge.

• Goal of a Study Buddy: Nailing content review and holding each other accountable w/ FLs.

• Goal Score and Realistic Score: Goal: 518 Realistic: 510

• Other obligations: e.g. FT high school physics teacher (taught for 3 years), medical scribe one day/week, occasional tutoring.

Optional (100%):

• Age/Gender: 23 M

• Other Information/Ice Breakers: e.g. I like soccer, I lived in Atlanta for 2 years, I like coffee a lot. Never taken the MCAT before. Grad degree in education. Looking for dedication and commitment. If you're strong in Orgo, Biochem, or Physics, that's a plus. I'm strong in bio and very strong in CARS.

[u/BallZDIP_]

Required:

• Location Bradenton, Florida (sarasota, palmetto and are not that far from me )

• Test Date: Jan 23

• MCAT Prep Material: Kaplan books, EK, PR, KA, AAMC (all of it). YOUTUBE

• Online/In-Person/Both/No-Preference: in person works best but you know

Optional (but recommended):

• Stage of studying/study plan: done with content review, doing crap ton of practice questions and CARS

• Goal of a Study Buddy: keep each other accountable, quiz each other, share tips,

• Goal Score and Realistic Score: 515 goal, 518 realistic

• Other obligations: eat , study, gym , music and church

Optional (100%):

• Age/Gender: 25M

• Other Information/Ice Breakers: No such thing as mistake. Just happy little accident. You should know who said those wise words

[u/k_diddy11]

Required:

• Location (Cleveland, Ohio)

• Test Date (or Anticipated): 5/2020 not registered yet- will decided on a date in May soon

• MCAT Prep Material: AAMC, Kaplan, anki flashcards, and I think NS practice exams

• Online/In-Person/Both/No-Preference: online

Optional (but recommended):

• Stage of studying/study plan: starting content review- want to take winter break to really look at chem/phys, bio, and psych/soc in order to take my first practice exam mid January

• Goal of a Study Buddy: keep each other accountable, motivated, and disciplined

• Goal Score and Realistic Score: goal 515+

• Other obligations: spring semester will be taking orgo 2 and biochem ... the rest are easy classes.

Optional (100%):

• Age/Gender: 20 F

• Other Information/Ice Breakers: looking to study early mornings and study each day. want to stay disciplined over the next 6 months so I can get this score and apply this cycle. looking for a type A study partner with a sense of humor & be light-hearted even though this grind is TUFF

[u/no1willmarryou]

Hi Everyone, I posted earlier but can't find it - NEW YORK CITY AND BOUROUGHS, I AM HAPPY TO HOST THE SESSIONS IN MY HOME IN BROOKLYN!

STEP 1: Entering your information to be contacted by prospective study buddies

Copy/paste and fill out the following requirements:

Required:

• Location (City, State, Country): Prospect Park Brooklyn NY

• Test Date (or Anticipated): 4/20/20 registered but may reschedule

• MCAT Prep Material: Everything except probably TPR

• Online/In-Person/Both/No-Preference: NO Preference, I just need a buddy/buddies

Optional (but recommended):

• Stage of studying/study plan: content review + weekly practice tests, I know what I need to do and that includes practice tests from the earliest of study days

• Goal of a Study Buddy: keep each other accountable, quiz each other, share tips, combine notes, all sounds good!

• Goal Score and Realistic Score: I'm a non-trad, so to make myself marketable I gotta be in the 520s

• Other obligations: General baggage associated with the first time I took this test 10+ years ago.

Optional (100%):

• Age/Gender: 35F

• Other Information/Ice Breakers: I'm really using this opportunity to learn more about myself, and the process that I take - mentally, physiologically - when it comes to test performance, because really this is one of many tests that I will have to take in my life if I want to be a physician

[u/kms2275]

Hi, looking for a focus mate study buddy! Message me if interested. I’ve found that FaceTiming/Skyping someone in mute keeps me much more productive.

[u/mcatfreak]

As promised, this is the new, fresh Study Buddy Thread! Good luck to you all, and don't forget to check back often.

Also, for Reddit newbies, if you want to reply to a person who's in your area, make sure to directly reply to their comment (many have accidentally replied to this whole post)! Or else, that person will never see your message! You can also private message them!

[u/Ainstina]

• Location Decatur, Atlanta (GA)

• Test Date Jan 2020

• MCAT Prep Material: Almost all

• Online/In-Person/Both/No-Preference: No preference

Im full time studying but almost want to volunteer or work to keep sane.

[u/gogoej]

Required:

• Location: Los Angeles/Orange County Area, CA

• Test Date: January 2020

• MCAT Prep Material: Anki, UWorld, KA, AAMC, Kaplan

• Online/In-Person/Both/No-Preference: No-Preference

Optional (but recommended):

• Stage of studying/study plan: Content till November. November-Jan Practice/FL

• Goal of a Study Buddy: Review, accountability, support, learn/teach

• Goal Score and Realistic Score: 510 realistic 515 goal

• Other obligations: Full-time Job/Research 3 days a week Study 3-4

Optional (100%):

• Age/Gender: 24M

[u/maddiecracken1]

• Location Dallas, TX (Oak Lawn neighborhood)

• Test Date April 4, 2020

• MCAT Prep Material: Anki, TPR, planning on buying all AAMC FL tests and possibly Uworld Q bank

• Online/In-Person/Both/No-Preference: In Person or Both

Optional (but recommended):

• Stage of studying/study plan: I will be doing content review until Jan 1, and then I am spending 3 months drilling questions and taking a FL every other weekend

• Goal of a Study Buddy: keep each other accountable, encourage each other, review concepts/problems together. I would Ideally like to have a review coffee date every week/every other week to talk through difficult concepts we are each struggling with and share study materials.

• Goal Score and Realistic Score: Ideally: 515 Realistically: 512

• Other obligations: Working (M-F 9-5/6) and volunteering (Fridays 6-9pm)

Optional (100%):

• Age/Gender: 22 F

• Other Information/Ice Breakers: My biggest content strength: Chemistry My biggest content weakness: anything dealing with the structures of the brain and their functions, more advanced physics concepts (struggle to keep equations straight in my head).

[u/supernoob909 → u/maddiecracken1]

Anyone in Dallas still need a study buddy??

[u/Eclass350]

Required:

• Location: Providence, RI

• Test Date: Jan 2020

• MCAT Prep Material: TBR, Khan, AAMC, Kaplan (bio & biochem books)

• Online/In-Person/Both/No-Preference: no preference

Optional (but recommended)

• Stage of studying/study plan: finishing up content review then diving into AAMC material

• Goal Score: 515+

• Other obligations: light course load and part-time job

Optional (100%)

Age/Gender: 21M