Apply this year or gap?

[eggyolk4826]

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I got my MCAT score back today and did a lot better than I expected. My parents are very happy, but seem upset that I told them I still want to take 2-gap years. They want me to apply this upcoming cycle, but I really don’t feel prepared, and I think my app would be much more competitive with the extra year. With that being said, should I just go ahead and apply with these stats this upcoming cycle? My PS is pretty much all written, but I haven’t written anything for activities, and I’m worried about writing secondaries in time too.

ORM — will apply both MD & DO

3.75 cGPA/3.69 sGPA with upward trend

Biology/Neuroscience/Psych Major, graduated this past fall

514 MCAT

Clinical Hours:

• 1250 PCT on a BMT Unit
• 40 hours hospital volunteer, broke my foot and was on crutches for weeks so I had to quit mid-way through the semester :/

Research:

• 250 EEG lab, no poster/pubs
• I currently work as a CRA in a psychosis clinic, would have 400 hrs if I applied this year, and 2000+ for next year. I also am currently working on a poster for a couple conferences coming up, and I’m hoping I can get a pub out of it too.

Non-Clinical Volunteer:

• 100hrs with the Red Cross (Blood Donor Ambassador), could get 50-100 more by next year
• 80hrs food bank volunteer (could probably also get about 50 by next year

Other activities:

• 150 Leadership through pre-med club for women, I was service and fundraising chair for 2 years. Everything was pretty much centered around our philanthropy organization that supports women facing DV/SA. I also was a mentor for two years.
• 1300 hrs as a server

I also will already have about 4 LOR’s by this May, 3x from professors and 1x from my old nurse manager.


I’m mostly worried about how much research and volunteering will appear on my app as of now, as I’m definitely not at where I’d like to be for these two groups. I think having my research now will also be a big plus if I apply next year, especially because my app & PS is very focused on my interests in psychiatry. I struggled to be able to get a lot of volunteer experience in school, I didn’t have a car till after my sophomore year and there weren’t really any experiences other than some random events that would happen on campus for volunteering. I really like service and like both activities I do, but I’m afraid it will look like I did them just to check a box for medical school since I started them later. If anyone could give me some advice, it would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Faha]

Where is your state of residence? Do you have any physician shadowing hours?

 

[eggyolk4826]

Where is your state of residence? Do you have any physician shadowing hours?

OH, I have about 30 hrs of shadowing mostly surgical specialties, but some are virtual. I have an experience lined up & may also shadow some doctors at my new job, but I’m not sure if I could get many more hours before applying this year.

 

[Faha]

Virtual shadowing has minimal value so your shadowing hours are low. You should have 40+ hours of in person physician shadowing before you apply.
If you decide to apply this year I suggest these schools with your stats and current ECs:
Toledo
NEOMED
Wright State
Ohio State
Cincinnati
West Virginia
Oakland Beaumont
Wayne State
Western Michigan
Medical College Wisconsin
Rosalind Franklin
Ponce (St. Louis)
Alice Walton
Roseman
TCU
Belmont
NOVA MD
Wake Forest
Methodist
Virginia Commonwealth
Eastern Virginia
George Washington
Drexel
Temple
Jefferson
Penn State
Albany
New York Medical College
Vermont
Quinnipiac

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Get over 150 hours at your food bank or combine with other service orientation activities before you submit your application. Service orientation activities include shelter volunteer, job/tax preparation, legal support, transportation services, or housing rehabilitation. Otherwise your application could get screened out at most schools.