Another Year-Off Question!@#

[travoltage]

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I know many people have posted similar questions to this one, but I really need some advice. I feel as if im walking in the dark with no sense of direction on what to do. I took my MCAT in july, did very poorly on it (i choked, anxiety related w/e) so im planning on taking my retake of the mcat in january so i can still apply in this cycle (i applied to some schools who take january mcat scores). with that being said, if i dont get in this year, ill have a year off. what do i do in that year off? i have boiled it down to three options:

1. get a job as a pharm sales rep, emt, cna, med tech, research in univ/hospital

2. spend another year at my undergrad univ getting a second degree and boosting my gpa (current science gpa: 3.5, overall: 3.4)

3. getting a masters (hopefully at a top notch univ) which would take anywhere from 1-2 years and could help boost my gpa as well...however i would need to take the GRE for this, relatively soon

i have good lor's, good volunteering and exposure...i guess what i would like to know what would everyone else do? does anybody have any other kinds of suggestions? any advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Chocolate Bear]

Looks like you have a solid app, assuming you finally get an MCAT score you're happy with. If you don't, try again.

If you do, GO MAKE SOME MONEY!!! Get a job that pays well, and if it helps your app, then that's gravy. If you want to do research later, than try for a research job. If you can land a spot, go with pharm sales. Your bank account will probably thank you, making it that much easier to apply and travel next year. If you like the environment, do EMT. Med tech usually isn't fun, but you'll learn a lot about hospitals.

It doesn't look like you need a GPA boost or another degree. With a solid app, be confident that next year will work out. Spend time researching schools and hopefully visit a couple in the meantime (if any are close to you). Or don't, and just travel for fun!

By this time next year, you'll probably be glad you had a year off. Good luck!

 

[aliDO]

I definitely would not get a masters. Medical schools do not care about master's degrees or the gpa obtained during them. It would just be a waste of money (especially at a top notch university's tuition rate). I don't really think you need to take more classes either, unless you want to apply MD too. I would just make some money. If I don't get in this year I'm going to work and retake the MCAT only. Pharm sales pays great, but is sometimes a hard gig to land and isn't everybody's cup of tea. Just try to make some money, and like Chocolate Bear said, if it helps your app. them great, but don't worry too much if it doesn't. Just retake and try to continue with some volunteer work so you have some more things to add your your app. good luck and i'm sure there is still hope for you this cycle!

 

[CDO2012]

Don't get a masters, I would just work and gain some medically related experience, then apply really early the next year and you'll have a better chance of getting in.