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Hello everyone. This is my first post to SDN. I have read many different threads, but haven't found any answers specific to my situation, so here it is, and I'm sorry it's so long.
Little background: I started college at a community college, and only went for two quarters. From those two quarters I got a 3.48 GPA. Then I got married, and my husband joined the military. After a couple years of being a military spouse, and working odd jobs, I decided to go back to school. I am currently 24 and a junior at a very small liberal arts school. I have maintained a 4.0 GPA thus far. It wasn't until the beginning of my sophomore year that I realized that medicine is the path for me, so I have been behind in all the EC's that would make me a competitive applicant. This year, I started doing research, I have been involved with volunteering (not medically related) for a little over a year, I'm shadowing an oncologist, and besides maintaining a good GPA, I know that I'm not that competitive of an applicant, and I really want to get into a good med school (duh).
It would be ideal to apply to med school this summer, so that I can matriculate right after undergrad. But in order to do that, I'll need to take the MCAT very soon. My class schedule is insane this semester (organic 2, physics 2, biochem, and animal physiology) and with research, homework, and working 20 hours/wk, I don't think I will be able to really study for the MCAT. In addition, my husband's contract will be up 6 months after I'm done with undergrad, and we are in no financial position to move to an entirely new place and rely solely on his income.
So I am thinking about waiting until the end of senior year to apply to medical school. My thought is that it will give me more time to get in some great EC's, and more time to study for the MCAT. Has anyone been in a similar situation, or have any advice?
Do medical schools look down on taking a year after undergrad?
What will be the best way to spend that extra year? Any unique ideas that will help my chances of getting into med school?
Thanks in advance!
Little background: I started college at a community college, and only went for two quarters. From those two quarters I got a 3.48 GPA. Then I got married, and my husband joined the military. After a couple years of being a military spouse, and working odd jobs, I decided to go back to school. I am currently 24 and a junior at a very small liberal arts school. I have maintained a 4.0 GPA thus far. It wasn't until the beginning of my sophomore year that I realized that medicine is the path for me, so I have been behind in all the EC's that would make me a competitive applicant. This year, I started doing research, I have been involved with volunteering (not medically related) for a little over a year, I'm shadowing an oncologist, and besides maintaining a good GPA, I know that I'm not that competitive of an applicant, and I really want to get into a good med school (duh).
It would be ideal to apply to med school this summer, so that I can matriculate right after undergrad. But in order to do that, I'll need to take the MCAT very soon. My class schedule is insane this semester (organic 2, physics 2, biochem, and animal physiology) and with research, homework, and working 20 hours/wk, I don't think I will be able to really study for the MCAT. In addition, my husband's contract will be up 6 months after I'm done with undergrad, and we are in no financial position to move to an entirely new place and rely solely on his income.
So I am thinking about waiting until the end of senior year to apply to medical school. My thought is that it will give me more time to get in some great EC's, and more time to study for the MCAT. Has anyone been in a similar situation, or have any advice?
Do medical schools look down on taking a year after undergrad?
What will be the best way to spend that extra year? Any unique ideas that will help my chances of getting into med school?
Thanks in advance!