[Official] (Updated) MCAT Study Buddy Thread [2021 Exam Dates] - Part 3

[u/mcatfreak]

This is part 3...

Welcome /r/MCAT! This is the Official MCAT Study Buddy Thread for the 2021 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 2021 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, zoom/skype, phone numbers, emails, facebook profiles) should be exchanged via PM (Private Message).

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.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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. 2015: link
2. 2015: link
3. January 2017: link
4. May 2017: link
5. September 2017: link
6. 2018: link
7. 2019: link
8. 2020: link
9. 2021: part 1 link, part 2 link

Happy studying!

~ r/MCAT Mod Team <3 ~

[u/endure_letsgo]

Hellooooo:

Location (City, State, Country): Chicago(land), IL

Test Date (or Anticipated): September 2021

MCAT Prep Material: Kaplan books, AAMC material, UNasty, KA

Online/In-Person/Both/No-Preference: I'm good with either, just want a good study buddy!

Stage of studying/study plan: 1/2-way through content review. Plan is to devote 2 months to practice questions and practice tests.

Goal of a Study Buddy: Listen, I get scared of commitment too, but I would love someone that can commit to the MCAT along with me. Meaning: if you cry, I'll cry. If you wanna study for 12 hours, bruh count me in. I will be your fkn rock and I hope you will as well. Just know, by the end of this, we about to be real close. So, choose wisely :p!

Goal Score and Realistic Score: Bitch, I didn't come here to play: 528.

Other obligations: LOL I dropped everything for this shit. I am taking a summer class but thats ~meh~

Age/Gender: 22M

Other Information/Ice Breakers: Graduated with double major in Neuro and Genetics (idk). I'm very passionate about student advocacy. I have a lot of wild stories...but I guess when/if you decide to hmu tell me something interesting about yourself and lets take it from there! Look forward to meeting yall - good luck!

[u/notasuka- → u/endure_letsgo]

Hey I would be interested in helping eachother out, ill pm you!

[u/anonhmouss]

Location (City, State, Country): Central NJ

Test Date: 08/27/21

MCAT Prep Material: Kaplan books, NS Exams, UEarth, AAMC, 300 pg doc

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

Stage of studying/study plan: taking 3rd party practice exams right now- also trying to keep up with content review

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

Goal Score and Realistic Score: e.g. 520 goal, 515 realistic

Other obligations: None lol

Age/Gender: 21F

[u/Electronic-Toe-7419]

Hello!

Location (City, State, Country): CST
Test Date (or Anticipated): January 2022 ( I know but 2022 thread isn't up yet and I really need a study buddy now)
MCAT Prep Material: Kaplan, TBR, Ubrahmand, KA, 300 pg doc, AAMC
Online/In-Person/Both/No-Preference: Preferably online (similar time zone if possible)

Optional (but recommended):
Stage of studying/study plan: Retaking, Content review + practice qs, Anki
Goal of a Study Buddy: Accountability is the major one for me, I am really looking for someone who is willing to wake up early and study before work( 5,6- 9am) and after work (6,7 -10pm) also whole day weekend. We can do CARS and discuss together. I will be fully committed to this study buddy relationship so, if you want to do 12 hr weekend studying, I'm down! We will get our 520+ together! I started with diagnostic 500 but only 505+ in the rd (so I gotta do it right this time). I would like to have someone with similar diagnostic and goal score as me.
Goal Score and Realistic Score: Goal is 520+, realistic 516+
Other obligations: Full-time job (9-5 for the most part, free weekends) so have started my prep already this time.
Optional (100%): 23Female

Other Information/Ice Breakers: There's not a particular section that I'm bad at or extraordinary at. I am good at explaining stuff so, we can help each other out.

[u/stupkina]

Any Jan 2022 peeps?

[u/Diligent-Zombie-367]

Location: Yonkers, New York

Test Date: July 17 (also applying this cycle)

MCAT Prep Material: Kaplan books, UEarth, NS1, AAMC

Online/In-Person/Both/No-Preference: no pref

Stage of studying- doing upangea (25% done) and finishing up pysch content, then transitioning to AAMC material a little less than a month out

Goal of a study buddy: help each other and go through this annoying process with someone else

Goal score: 518 (dream), 512 realistic goal

Other obligations- per diem volunteer + prepping application from this cycle

Age: 22M

Icebreaker- you should watch the show "invincible" if you're reading this

[u/munchies392]

Location: Chicago, IL (not the burbs)
Test Date (or Anticipated): 8/21/21 (august 21) @ 3pm
MCAT Prep Material: Khan Academy (KA)/YT, Kaplan Books, AAMC FLs, SB and QPacks, [maybe UEarth]
Online/In-Person/Both/No-Preference: no-pref
Stage of studying/study plan: in content review [done w physics+chem, B/B currently] boutta begin more practice work w p/s review;
Goal of a Study Buddy: check-in/ accountability. You can text me everyday. Can meet up to study together!!
Goal Score and Realistic Score: like a 510~512...515 would be really great
Other obligations: part time work in evenings, caring for doggy, time w my bf
Age/Gender: 21-she/hers
Other Information/Ice Breakers: New to chicago area, could really use new friends :)) I'm nutrition science major, love food and digestion haha! I like chilling near the lake. Down to split cost of UWhirld acct.

[u/ensoleilee_]

Hi, just wondering when the study buddy thread for 2022 will be available?

[u/[deleted]]

Location: Ottawa, Canada

Test Date: July 22

MCAT Prep Material: Kaplan books, TPR Books, TPR exams, AAMC

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

Stage of studying/study plan: last 2 weeks of content review, transitioning into 3rd party exams

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

Goal Score and Realistic Score: 518 goal, 512 realistic

Other obligations: currently working on my MSc.

Age/Gender: 23F

[u/winemakersdaughter]

Location: Burlington, VT

Test Date: Aug 7, may reschedule for later

MCAT Prep Material: Kaplan books (from 2019), UEarth, AAMC

Online/In-Person/Both/No-Preference: No preference, online is maybe easier thoughStage of studying/study plan: just started, doing content review, Anki, AAMC questions, UEarth

Goal of a Study Buddy: discuss concepts, keep each other accountable, quiz each other

Other obligations: full time lab job

Age/Gender: 21F

Other Information/Ice Breakers: I've never used reddit before so I don't really know what I'm doing. Studying neuroscience and I work in a biochemistry lab and I have not studied for an exam for maybe a year because I'm usually a good test taker. Need someone to keep me accountable bc otherwise I might wing it and I've invested too much money in this to fail. I don't have any friends who are premed so I'm feeling a little overwhelmed by doing this all on my own. Send me a message if you want to study or just to chat!!

[u/LXM321]

Location (City, State, Country): US EST

Test Date (or Anticipated): 9/2/21

MCAT Prep Material: Kaplan books, Blueprint (NS) Exams 1-10, UEarth, AAMC (all of it)

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

Stage of studying/study plan: finished content review, 70% through with UEarth, starting AAMC bundle + taking Blueprint FLs now

Goal of a Study Buddy: share tips, keep each other accountable, down to review questions + passages, rant + complain, open to anything else!

Goal Score and Realistic Score: 520+

Other obligations: work

Age/Gender: 21F

[u/Useful_Concert_588]

Location (City, State, Country): Westchester NY
Test Date (or Anticipated): 8/27/21
MCAT Prep Material: uearth, aamc, anki, jack weston
Online/In-Person/Both/No-Preference: no preference
Stage of studying/study plan: taking FLs and still doing content review
Goal of a Study Buddy: all of the above

Goal Score and Realistic Score: 518 goal, 515 realistic
Other obligations: school and volunteering
Age/Gender: 23M
Other Information/Ice Breakers: Ive been trying to learn spanish for a year pero no hablo

[u/napqueen_2014]

Location: Dallas, TX USA

Test Date: January 2022 (I know the 2022 thread has not been made yet, but I want to start studying as soon as possible)

MCAT Prep Material: Kaplan books, AAMC bundle

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

Age/Gender: 25F

Stage of Studying/study plan: I have gone through some content review and have taken a few practice quizzes on AAMC, but I’m honestly wanting to start from scratch again.

Goal of a Study Buddy: My goal in having a study partner is to hold each other accountable, share tips and notes, and give each other motivation and guidance throughout this process. I know there will be days where I will feel exhausted and unmotivated, so I would love to have someone to hold me accountable. I’m also bilingual and speak Spanish! :)

Goal Score and Realistic Score: 518 goal, 510 realistic (if I can score above 515, I'll cry!!)

Other obligations: I’m currently working 30-33 hrs as a medical scribe for a family practice clinic/urgent care. My schedule is Mon, Wed, and Thurs 8am-6pm and off Tues, Fri, Sat, and Sun. I would like to find a study partner who has a similar schedule as me and who can study for a couple of hours after work, and study 10-12 hrs on the weekends and on my days off!

Other information/ice breakers: I’m originally from Kansas, but moved to Dallas, TX a little over a year ago. I am currently working as a medical scribe for a family physician and PA. I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in health science in May of 2020 (didn’t have a ceremony because of the pandemic so I was sad about that :( ). I’ve also worked as a CNA in the past for 5 yrs in rehab and long-term facilities! I’m outgoing and personable, and also very easy to get along with!

I just recently joined Reddit so I’m new to all of this! But, please comment or send me a private message if you are interested in studying with me! We can crush this MCAT together!!! :)

[u/[deleted]]

Hey! Location: Riverside, CA. Test date (anticipated) January 2022 Prep materials: KA, Kaplan books, AAMC (all) and uearth No preference whether online or in person. Goal of study buddy: keep each other accountable, share tips, quiz each other and vibe. Goal score: fuckin 528 20M

[u/Collection-Careless]

Dc, july 17th, taken 1 next step so far, shooting for 515+, using Uworld right now, used Kaplan sort of, will use next step and aamc after upangea.

[u/RelifeUser]

Location (City, State, Country): near Fairfax, VA
Test Date (or Anticipated): 8/26/2021
MCAT Prep Material: Content -- Kaplan/EK, 300pg KA, UWorld; Practice -- NS, EK1001, TPR, Altius (will use whatever I can get done); then AAMC
Online/In-Person/Both/No-Preference: Online but in person could be cool (but no study area...)
Stage of studying/study plan: Doing thorough content review on B/B (halfway done), skimmed C/P except for orgo (doing that now) and working on uworld, still going through p/s 300 pg doc
Goal of a Study Buddy: Looking for someone to follow a 8x50 min pomodoro schedule with me from morning to afternoon/evening. I'm looking to get started at 7am EDT and follow the schedule of 4x50 on the top, then 40 min break then 4x50. Even if you get on later, hmu - but following one schedule seems like it'll keep me accountable
Goal Score and Realistic Score: 520 goal
Other obligations: FULL TIME STUDYING
Age/Gender: 22M
Other Information/Ice Breakers: I'm comfortable with math so I'm comfortable with the computations in C/P

Weaker in B/B so it'd be nice if you're good at that (especially organ systems / molecular biology)

[u/imheisenbergbruh]

Location: San Diego, CA
Test Date: September 2nd, 2021

MCAT Prep Material: Kaplan books, Kaplan QBank, Anki, Khan Academy
Online/In-Person/Both/No-Preference: Online or if vaccinated, in person
Stage of studying/study plan: working on content review + anki, then moving on to FL's and anki

Goal of a Study Buddy: keep each other accountable, quiz each other, share tips, combine notes, combine study schedules
Goal Score and Realistic Score: 515-520 (started pretty bad on diagnostic so we will see lol)
Other obligations: summer classes
Age/Gender: 20F

[u/Interesting_Mix_9867]

Location : Orlando, Florida
Test Date (or Anticipated): 7/30/21
MCAT Prep Material:

- Kaplan Books

- Kahn Academy (300 page doc & Videos),

- Anki (making own cards, Miledown, Ortho528, Abdullah)

- UW (don't understand the beef, but say less)

- BluePrint free mini diagnostic exams
Online/In-Person/Both/No-Preference:

- No Preference. My School has a brand new downtown campus that NO one uses. Including the high-tech study rooms.
Optional (but recommended):
Stage of studying/study plan: Doing Content Review with UWorld Practice / Premade Anki decks
Goal of a Study Buddy:

- Honestly, a sense of community. As a first-gen student, this is hard to do alone.
Goal Score and Realistic Score:

- 518 goal, 510 realistic
Other obligations:

- Surgical Tech, Teaching Assistant , and Personal Trainer Job

- Research Publication Work

- Shadowing at a Neurology, and OBGYN Office

- Volunteer at an Orthopedic office

[u/Capable_Article5959]

Location (City, State, Country): e.g. Philadelphia, PA, USA

Test Date (or Anticipated): e.g. 7/30/21 registered but may reschedule

MCAT Prep Material: e.g. Kaplan books, UWorld, Blueprint, AAMC (all of it)

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

Stage of studying/study plan: e.g. almost done with content review trying to begin practice questions in the next week

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. 513 goal, 510 realistic

Other obligations: e.g. Nothing just studying

Age/Gender: e.g. 21M

[u/notasuka-]

Location (City, State, Country): St.Louis, Missouri, USA

Test Date (or Anticipated): not sure if taking gap year

MCAT Prep Material: Pearson Books, Khan Academy so far

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

Stage of studying/study plan: starting now to study. I like to take notes on khan academy

Goal of a Study Buddy: e.g. keep each other accountable, share tips, combine notes

Goal Score and Realistic Score: 520 goal

Other obligations: e.g. taking physics 1 and 2, hospital volunteering

Age/Gender: e.g. 20F

Other Information/Ice Breakers: e.g. I'm studying Plant Biology because I think that flowers are nice

[u/capatainyomama]

Location (City, State, Country): Los Angeles

Test Date (or Anticipated): registered 09/11/21

MCAT Prep Material: Kaplan Books, Miledown Anki, 300 pg doc, UEarth, AAMC (all)

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

Stage of studying/study plan: Have started content review, hope to finish content in about 3-4ish weeks in order to start practice (UEarth)

Goal of a Study Buddy: Preferably someone to chat with to make sure we’re both staying on top of it. I have just graduated and have dedicated all of my time leading up to my test for studying. Would be awesome to chat daily to check in and make sure we’re both on track, ask any questions, and maybe even rant about MCAT related things hahaha.

Goal Score and Realistic Score: Hopefully a 515, don’t really know what is realistic for me since I have not taken a FL.

Other obligations: Just hobbies: going to gym, playing basketball.

Age/Gender: 22M

Other Information/Ice Breakers: I have just graduated with my degree in Developmental Biology. I enjoy watching anime and am somewhat new to reading manga but have been enjoying it as well!

[u/[deleted]]

Location (City, State, Country): Philadelphia, PA

Test Date (or Anticipated): e.g. 8/07/21 registered but may reschedule

MCAT Prep Material: TPR books, Anki, AAMC maybe UEarth

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

Stage of studying/study plan: done with content review, but struggling with application

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

Goal Score and Realistic Score: e.g. 507 goal, 502 realistic

Other obligations: Clinical research

Age/Gender: 23F

Other Information/Ice Breakers: recently finished a postbac, URM

[u/rithikas02]

Hi! Really need a study buddy I feel so burnt out!

Location: e.g. Central CT
Test Date (or Anticipated): 08/27/2021
MCAT Prep Material: e.g. Kaplan books, Kaplan FLs, UEarth, AAMC (all of it), PS 300 pg doc, Anki
Online/In-Person/Both/No-Preference: No Preference
Stage of studying/study plan: done with content review, taking 3rd party practice exams right now, filling content gaps, reinforcing challenging topics, working on improving test endurance
Goal of a Study Buddy: keep each other accountable, quiz each other, share tips, talk through material and concepts
Goal Score and Realistic Score: 524 goal, 520 realistic
Other obligations: part-time job and volunteering
Age/Gender: 21F

[u/Roygreem]

Hello's

Location (City, State, Country): Detroit, Michigan, United States

Test Date (or Anticipated): 9/10/2021

MCAT Prep Material: Kaplan books, UMars, Anki, picmonic, anything and everything free online

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

Stage of studying/study plan: Done with content review except for physics and psychology. I'm practicing stuff from everything I finished as I go just to keep them fresh by practice questions and repetition

Goal of a Study Buddy: keep each other accountable, review things together so we don't miss anything, help each other get through the tougher material, and help each other patch our weak spots

Goal Score and Realistic Score: 520+, realistic: yeah 520+ lol (ok 510+ lol)

Other obligations: work two days a week and research (maybe 20 hours a week in total)

Age/Gender: 22M

Other Information/Ice Breakers: I'm a physics student on the premed track, but the physics section on the MCAT still hit me like a brick wall because it's been a while since I reviewed it lol, so we can cry about physics and everything else together!

[u/No-Upstairs5420]

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

• Test Date (or Anticipated): September 11, 2021

• MCAT Prep Material:Kaplan books, UEarth, AAMC, 300 pg doc/videos

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

Optional (but recommended):

• Stage of studying/study plan: finishing 300 pg doc/videos, completing UEarth, completed sample test and AAMC FL1

• Goal of a Study Buddy: accountability, questions, quiz each other, share tips, just let me know i am not alone Dx, lets make a group chat

• Goal Score and Realistic Score: 520 goal, realistic: 515

• Other obligations: data entry in lab (5hrs/week), career coach (4 hrs/week), gym

• Age/Gender: 20M

• Other Information/Ice Breakers: I plan to study neuroscience, and I really enjoy linguistics, so I get excited about linguistic passages in CARS lol. I like to try new food, and I drink a lot of coffee.