Advice on gap year options

[deleted889667]

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Hi all - I know that there are a million threads on here about gap years/gap year options, but I really do need some advice. Here is my background/where I stand:

• Public health major- 3.3 sGPA and 3.7 cGPA at a small liberal arts school in Mid Atlantic
• Haven't taken MCAT yet - I was late to the game in terms of deciding I want to go to medical school, all pre-reqs completed though. Will take it in early 2020.
• 400-500 hours clinical experience (working as a tech in a psychiatric hospital), 100 hours of shadowing
• 1000+ hours volunteering/community service (homeless shelter, habitat for humanity, mission trips, etc.)
• Little to no research experience

I was recently accepted to a one-year MPH program at Thomas Jefferson Univ, although I am not sure that this would be the best use of my time/money.

What would be the best thing for me to do in the next several months before I begin the application process to make my app as strong as possible?

Many thanks for the help!

 

[Catalystik]

Hi all - I know that there are a million threads on here about gap years/gap year options, but I really do need some advice. Here is my background/where I stand:

• Public health major- 3.3 sGPA and 3.7 cGPA at a small liberal arts school in Mid Atlantic
• Haven't taken MCAT yet - I was late to the game in terms of deciding I want to go to medical school, all pre-reqs completed though. Will take it in early 2020.
• 400-500 hours clinical experience (working as a tech in a psychiatric hospital), 100 hours of shadowing
• 1000+ hours volunteering/community service (homeless shelter, habitat for humanity, mission trips, etc.)
• Little to no research experience

I was recently accepted to a one-year MPH program at Thomas Jefferson Univ, although I am not sure that this would be the best use of my time/money.

What would be the best thing for me to do in the next several months before I begin the application process to make my app as strong as possible?

Many thanks for the help!

Improving your sGPA with a string of As in upper-level BCPM classes would be a better option than completing an MPH, by far.

Additionally, if you can add some leadership experience, perhaps through your community service, and/or teaching experience, try to do so.

Hopefully all your shadowing isn't incidental time in the vicinity if a doc. Some needs to be dedicated time so you get a full view of what docs do all day.

Be cautious about what you claim about mission trips on your application.

A research or lab experience isn't critical to your application when there is particular strength in another area of endeavor, but just one term's worth might be worth adding.

 

[carrots28]

Get a job doing research if you can. Take a few extra classes to show you can do well academically.

 

[deleted889667]

Improving your sGPA with a string of As in upper-level BCPM classes would be a better option than completing an MPH, by far.

Additionally, if you can add some leadership experience, perhaps through your community service, and/or teaching experience, try to do so.

Hopefully all your shadowing isn't incidental time in the vicinity if a doc. Some needs to be dedicated time so you get a full view of what docs do all day.

Be cautious about what you claim about mission trips on your application.

A research or lab experience isn't critical to your application when there is particular strength in another area of endeavor, but just one term's worth might be worth adding.

Great, thanks so much!

 

[deleted889667]

Get a job doing research if you can. Take a few extra classes to show you can do well academically.

Thanks so much!

 

[Peter Pan.]

Increase the science GPA with upper division level sciences. Study hard for MCAT. Also start Tinder and get laid frequently. Don’t know if there will be time during medical school.