APPLYING after 4th yr vs. 3rd yr of college

[drkang]

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Do most students apply after their fourth year rather than thrid year or the other way around?

I plan to apply after fourth year, hopefully to make my application stronger, but during the time I am applying, when I am not probably in school anymore, what do post-4th years do with thier lives? Just appliying and a job maybe?

 

[drkang]

Do most students apply after their fourth year rather than thrid year or the other way around?

I plan to apply after fourth year, hopefully to make my application stronger, but during the time I am applying, when I am not probably in school anymore, what do post-4th years do with thier lives? Just appliying and a job maybe?

bump

 

[runrunrudolph1]

Do most students apply after their fourth year rather than thrid year or the other way around?

I plan to apply after fourth year, hopefully to make my application stronger, but during the time I am applying, when I am not probably in school anymore, what do post-4th years do with thier lives? Just appliying and a job maybe?

I think most people apply during the fall of their senior year, that way they can be sure to start medical school right away. Now, if you want to apply later and take the year off, know that this is not uncommon- most people either work on their MCAT during that year, many travel, others take classes (all in all strengthening your application) and yes most of these in conjunction with work.

 

[mnoon1]

i think a lot of people plan to apply their third year but end up waiting until their fourth

you can get a job, strengthen your app by shadowing/volunteering, and take some graduate level courses

 

[artx2008]

The best time to apply is after the third year. This way you don't have a gap year between college graduation and the start of medical school.

 

[Tatastrophy]

I am a senior now, just finishing up my interviewing season.
I found that ~70% of other interviewees at the places I went have been out of school for at least a year. Smart cookies I say.
I thought that my way was the right way to go about applying because I didn't want a gap year and I felt my course load was light enough. A light course load can still become very overwhelming when you miss many (too many) classes to keep up.
I would seriously advise you to either wait until you are out of school or only apply if you are not taking any classes for your major during the fall semester. It can really become hell 🙁

 

[Aromatic Amine]

I am going to be applying my 4th year, hoping that my MCAT and GPA are at somewhat competitive levels. It's a tough call, but one that comes accordingly to the situation.

most however, apply summer between junior and senior year.

 

[dw2158]

i think a lot of people plan to apply their third year but end up waiting until their fourth

you can get a job, strengthen your app by shadowing/volunteering, and take some graduate level courses

not really true... none of your "gap year" stuff goes on your app if you're only taking one gap year. your apps go out right after you graduate. if you need to strengthen your app, you should probably take at least a couple of years to do so.

i applied two years out. best decision i ever made.

 

[magicmage88]

not really true... none of your "gap year" stuff goes on your app if you're only taking one gap year. your apps go out right after you graduate. if you need to strengthen your app, you should probably take at least a couple of years to do so.

it's true... the only thing that goes on ur primary is everything you've done up until u graduate.. however, in the secondaries, depending on when u receive them and when u send them, u can add stuff that you're doing during the yr and whatnot. im also a graduating a senior who'll be applying after i graduate. so i was planning on becoming certified as an EMT-B, doing full-time research, working at a hospital, shadowing or volunteering. there's a lot to do during that time off and it's a great interview topic =]

 

[Catalystik]

The average age for starting med school is 24. The smart choice is to apply when your application is the best it can be, OP, so don't feel you need to rush yourself just because your friends are doing so.

 

[mvenus929]

I applied between my junior and senior year. I would've had a really hard time in med school had I been accepted that cycle. So, I took a full year off to strengthen my application, and am now applying again. I don't regret it in the least, and I'll still be younger than a sizable portion of my class (I'll turn 23 in my first year).

Apply when you feel like you're ready for med school. You don't want to burn out.

 

[Gifted Hands]

The average age for starting med school is 24. The smart choice is to apply when your application is the best it can be, OP, so don't feel you need to rush yourself just because your friends are doing so.

very true. Most people in my school took 1 or more years off. It's becoming more and more common and it's easier to avoid burnout. Don't rush into applying between junior and senior year. Time off won't hurt you, it may help you!

 

[Gifted Hands]

I applied between my junior and senior year. I would've had a really hard time in med school had I been accepted that cycle. So, I took a full year off to strengthen my application, and am now applying again. I don't regret it in the least, and I'll still be younger than a sizable portion of my class (I'll turn 23 in my first year).

Apply when you feel like you're ready for med school. You don't want to burn out.

so true

 

[whatuthinkin]

Who cares what everyone else does? Start when you are ready and know you have a strong application.

 

[KG216]

I finished undergrad and started grad school in the fall. I applied this year, during my 2nd (and final) year in my masters program. I will be 24 when I start in the fall.

Taking time off can be great, but don't forget about the slightly annoying things- like loans coming out of in schoold deferment 👎(if you have them).

Some of the applications or interviewers will ask what you did during your time off (the specific schools escape me at the moment, but I did see it on applications). If you do wait until after you graduate, try and fill that time with activities that strengthen your application- they like to see that you were still involved in volunteering/shadowing...etc.

Although I went right from undergrad to grad school and won't really get a "break" before med school in the fall, it gave me extra time to work on the areas of my application that needed improvement. I became involved with alot of different organizations, did a lot of shadowing...etc.

Either way, I agree with most of the people here- do what feels right to you. Nothing is worse than rushing into it or burning out. Good luck

 

[Global Warming]

I will be applying this year, which is senior year. I want my year off to accomplish a few things that I'll never have a chance to do again for the rest of my life.