I'm flying to Connecticut because I procrastinate.

A few days ago I realized that in my ultimate act of procrastination I had yet to sign up for the MCAT I'd planned on taking September 8.  Typically, premed students are advised to sign up at least 6-8 weeks in advance, but because this will be the second to last test date of the year, I'd been told to sign up as soon as I could.  I've previously been told I exhibit somewhat of a type A personality who has everything together, but in this instance, I pushed back my decision for months.

In May, I planned on taking the exam in September.  I could have signed up then, but since I wasn't sure about my study plan, I pushed back the decision of dates.  In June, I submitted my two week's notice to the doctor's office where I was employed to allow ample time for studying.  In July, once I'd settled on a date,  I debated whether to sign up to take it in San Francisco, near my home, or in San Diego, my home away from home.  But I couldn't bring myself to book the test.  Maybe it was a little bit of denial: if I don't sign up, it won't happen, and if it doesn't happen, I can't fail.  Either way, when I realized I needed to sign up for this test if I intended to take it this year, I logged into the website and attempted to view all the remaining California test dates.

There weren't any.  At all.  "Ok," I said to myself, "check neighboring states."  None.  None in California, Oregon, Washington, or Nevada for the end of August or September.  The nearest I could find was Arizona, but since I knew I'd have to travel for this exam, I put that state on the back-burner.  I began checking through states where I had relatives, one at a time, until I found one where I knew I'd feel comfortable, and I could easily get to the test center.  Where, you ask, am I taking my MCAT?  Connecticut.  A mere 2,991 miles from my home.  Not exactly ideal, but definitely going to be just fine.  My best friend lives in New Haven, and there's a test center 10 minutes from her apartment.  I immediately called her, and she welcomed me in, volunteered her car, and offered to do anything she could to help me do well.  What a blessing.  Now, five weeks away from possibly the most painful exam I'll take, I'm finally registered for the MCAT, my flights are booked, and I'll be squeezing in a bit of a vacation afterward.  Maybe that's the silver lining to make up for the complicated stress-ball that came from a little procrastination.  And maybe next time I'll learn my lesson and work to maintain my type A reputation. 

A quick shot of us in front of an AMAZING New Haven restaurant.  Yum!