About the Author

Bijoya Basu

Bijoya Basu (Bijou) graduated Cum Laude from Washington University in St. Louis, receiving her BS in Statistics and in Biology. After graduation, Bijou moved to Maryland where she spent one-year conducting research at the National Institutes of Health before matriculating into graduate school. Bijou is now part of the Case Western Reserve University Medical Scientist Training Program. After completing the first two years of medical school at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Bijou is now working towards her PhD in Genetics.

How to Explain a Gap Year During Medical School Interviews

8 min

5124 Views

A prospective medical school student being interviewed for medical school.

5124 Views

In the last decade, it has become much more common for applicants to take a gap year (or multiple) before completing their medical school applications. According to the 2020 AAMC survey of matriculating students, only 33.7 went directly from college to medical school. The number of students taking gap years...

What to Do the Day Before Your MCAT to Prepare

10 min

7502 Views

A student jogging in the park the day before his MCAT.

7502 Views

You did it. You have studied for the MCAT for months, one of the biggest exams that you have ever had to prepare for.   You have gone through all the Anki decks, read through all of the best MCAT resources, taken several practice exams, maybe even taken a lesson...

How to Customize an MCAT Study Schedule

16 min

3860 Views

A student studying with Laptop and bookfor MCAT.

3860 Views

The MCAT is an important part of your medical school application and allows medical admissions committees to interpret your academic data when comparing you to students from other institutions. The key to success on your exam begins with an effective MCAT study schedule, incorporating a few great MCAT study resources.

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