Add another gap year?

[frosty42]

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I'm coming to the painful realization that I didn't do nearly enough in undergrad in terms of volunteering. As of now I planned on taking two gap years - graduating soon (2020) and applying (MD only) in 2021 to enter in 2022. However, looking at my numbers of hours I feel like I might need to add another year to gain some more experience.
Here is what I have as of now:

Non-clinical volunteering
140 hrs teaching science lessons to elementary school students (all 4 years of undergrad)
27 hrs of peer tutoring for intro bio (only for 2 semesters)
10 hrs working at a therapeutic equestrian center (only started doing this my senior spring but got cut off due to coronavirus)

I don't have any clinical volunteering, I didn't even know that existed/ was a "requirement" until very recently.

Leadership
Captain of the equestrian team my junior and senior years
960 hrs over 4 years as a competitive team member
240 hrs in pure leadership role activities over 2 years

Clinical Experience
Working in a schizophrenia cognition lab for 3 years
I administered neuropsychological assessments to outpatients with schizophrenia at a psychiatric hospital (one-on-one, asking questions about their symptoms)
300 hrs total

Research experience
Completing a senior thesis in the schizophrenia lab in addition to my data analysis/ summer research experience in the same lab over the years (sophomore year and junior year plus one summer of an independent research project)
380 hrs total

Shadowing
I completed a month of shadowing a neurologist (DO) full-time in the summer before my freshman year, but I'm not sure if I should even bother including that since it was technically pre-college.
That would be about 70 hrs total

Stats
3.76 cGPA
3.78 sGPA
I'm planning on taking the MCAT in September

I had planned on gaining shadowing hours and working in a clinical position starting from post-graduation until I would (hopefully) enter med school, but due to COVID-19 that is highly unlikely.

I've applied to the Crisis Text Line to gain some volunteer hours with them, but the big gaps on my application won't be able to be filled for at least a few more months due to the pandemic.


Please give me some advice on ways to strengthen my application and when you think I should apply. I really do not want to take another gap year. I know a year isn't much in the grand scheme of things but I'd really prefer to apply when I had planned to if you think I have any shot of getting in.

 

[Alexander Brosef]

I've been working as a medical scribe for almost 2 years now, and while the pay isn't great, the experience really is. I probably have well over 3000 hours of clinical experience at this point from this job alone. Scribing has definitely reinforced my direction of going into medicine, and I've learned a lot about medicine, decision making, etc from the doctors that I've worked with. Plus, I got two really strong letters of recommendation from a couple of them. I'm not sure how feasible this would be for you, especially in the current climate when scribes aren't being hired much, but it's something to consider if we can come out of this pandemic soon. There's also a potential for finding some clinical volunteering connections this way which sounds like an area of concern for you. Just some food for thought.

 

[CorgiLoaf]

I've been working as a medical scribe for almost 2 years now, and while the pay isn't great, the experience really is. I probably have well over 3000 hours of clinical experience at this point from this job alone. Scribing has definitely reinforced my direction of going into medicine, and I've learned a lot about medicine, decision making, etc from the doctors that I've worked with. Plus, I got two really strong letters of recommendation from a couple of them. I'm not sure how feasible this would be for you, especially in the current climate when scribes aren't being hired much, but it's something to consider if we can come out of this pandemic soon. There's also a potential for finding some clinical volunteering connections this way which sounds like an area of concern for you. Just some food for thought.

Just curious - what does the "H" stand for in your signature? Post-interview holds? I didn't know those were a thing.

 

[StudentDoGter]

Maybe if you can, it could be helpful if you had some more non clinical volunteering in the community or to underserved groups. Just my humble opinion though 🙂. I definitely agree with the option to be a scribe too though, when the opportunity becomes available again.

 

[frosty42]

I've been working as a medical scribe for almost 2 years now, and while the pay isn't great, the experience really is. I probably have well over 3000 hours of clinical experience at this point from this job alone. Scribing has definitely reinforced my direction of going into medicine, and I've learned a lot about medicine, decision making, etc from the doctors that I've worked with. Plus, I got two really strong letters of recommendation from a couple of them. I'm not sure how feasible this would be for you, especially in the current climate when scribes aren't being hired much, but it's something to consider if we can come out of this pandemic soon. There's also a potential for finding some clinical volunteering connections this way which sounds like an area of concern for you. Just some food for thought.

Thank you, I’ll definitely consider becoming a scribe when the opportunity arises again. Do you scribe through a company like Scribe America or directly through a hospital/clinic? And out of curiosity, why did you choose scribing rather than some of the other clinical job options? I’ve heard differing opinions on all different positions so I’m interested in hearing about your experience!

 

[Alexander Brosef]

Thank you, I’ll definitely consider becoming a scribe when the opportunity arises again. Do you scribe through a company like Scribe America or directly through a hospital/clinic? And out of curiosity, why did you choose scribing rather than some of the other clinical job options? I’ve heard differing opinions on all different positions so I’m interested in hearing about your experience!

I'm currently a Chief Scribe for ScribeAmerica and have been around for a while, so I'm happy to answer any questions you have about the company, hiring process, etc. That being said, I've heard that contracting directly through a hospital/clinic generally pays better, sometimes significantly. I chose scribing because some of my friends had had great experiences with it, and I knew that I would get some really great clinical hours. I also wasn't sure if I wanted to apply last cycle or this cycle, so I wanted something that could be shorter term with less initial investment. I can't speak much to any other clinical jobs, but I do always recommend scribing because of how much I've enjoyed it. Other people will swear by other jobs like CNA, caregiving, etc, but I think it all comes down to personal preference and how much you want to put into being certified, etc.

 

[Alexander Brosef]

Just curious - what does the "H" stand for in your signature? Post-interview holds? I didn't know those were a thing.

Yeah it's a thing

 

[CorgiLoaf]

@jewel68 Honestly, you can probably apply next year. ~150hrs of non-clin volunteering is okay (tutoring is teaching, not volunteering). It'll be great if you can get some non-clin volunteering for the underserved. I know soup kitchens/food pantries are in dire need of volunteers right now.

For shadowing, get some hours in with an MD primary care doc. The summer before Freshman year does count.

For clinical experience, it depends how much actual patient contact you had for your research position. If it's significant, you can actually separate out the "patient contact" hours and list them as volunteer/employment - clinical. Clinical volunteering isn't necessary if you had patient contact through research or employment. A full year of full-time clinical employment is more than enough though so you definitely don't need 2 years.

Of course, everything hinges on your MCAT score. Spend your downtime right now acing the rest of your classes and beginning MCAT prep.

 

[EdgeTrimmer]

I am not an adcom, but I think you have enough volunteering hours. General SDN advice is 200+ in each but it also comes down to how articulate you are in the essays. Good MCAT score is essential.

 

[frosty42]

@jewel68 Honestly, you can probably apply next year. ~150hrs of non-clin volunteering is okay (tutoring is teaching, not volunteering). It'll be great if you can get some non-clin volunteering for the underserved. I know soup kitchens/food pantries are in dire need of volunteers right now.

For shadowing, get some hours in with an MD primary care doc. The summer before Freshman year does count.

For clinical experience, it depends how much actual patient contact you had for your research position. If it's significant, you can actually separate out the "patient contact" hours and list them as volunteer/employment - clinical. Clinical volunteering isn't necessary if you had patient contact through research or employment. A full year of full-time clinical employment is more than enough though so you definitely don't need 2 years.

Of course, everything hinges on your MCAT score. Spend your downtime right now acing the rest of your classes and beginning MCAT prep.

I signed up to volunteer to deliver food to individuals in my area at high risk for COVID-19 and work for a food pantry nearby so I'm just waiting to hear when/if they need me. I plan to continue volunteering with a therapeutic equestrian center in my area working with individuals with autism spectrum disorder once things open up again so those will all definitely add to my non-clinical hours.

My research position was 90% working with patients. I spent 4 hrs per week for 3 years interviewing schizophrenia patients about their symptoms so I definitely plan on using it in the clinical section of the application.

I've started studying for the MCAT and will take it in September.

Thanks so much for your feedback!

 

[CorgiLoaf]

If that is the case, then you honestly might be fine applying this cycle - if you take the MCAT in July and do well.
Clinical experience is necessary; clinical volunteering is not.

 

[frosty42]

If that is the case, then you honestly might be fine applying this cycle - if you take the MCAT in July and do well.
Clinical experience is necessary; clinical volunteering is not.

Hmmm...I've definitely considered it, but with trying to finish out my classes & senior thesis right now, I wouldn't be able to dedicate as much time as I'd like to preparing for the MCAT and to writing my application. I've been planning on my two gap years for a while now so I'm just going to stick with the plan and strengthen my application, but thanks again!

 

[CorgiLoaf]

Sure, just letting you know what I think. I hope you enjoy your gap years and good luck next cycle!

 

[FutureSurgical]

I’ll provide a little insight: I’m in my 4th year out of college and am starting med school this fall. I had the same issue as you: little volunteer hours coming out. I had to focus on GPA repair and did only little volunteer gigs here and there while finishing my degree. I met with a few different adcoms at different state schools a while back and they all told me it really isn’t just about the number of hours. We care about the quality of hours too. One school even told me they’d rather see someone have 200 hours doing something meaningful they can write and talk about than someone with 1000 hours that wrote “I cleaned linens and restocked rooms.” I know a lot of volunteer hours can be reduced to that, but you have to use the time to your advantage. I think I had around 300 total hours from volunteering after I graduated and I got accepted.