Applying ED instead of taking a gap year?

[Flashfan]

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I have a hard time seeing a downside to this plan, so I need SDN's collective pessimism to give me a reality check.

I live in a state with a pretty straightforward ED program and strong in-state preferences (Indiana). I would really like the extra couple of months in the summer to study for the MCAT, taking it in June. I could then apply ED by August 1st to IU. If I get in, great. If I am deferred, I would take a gap year, working to strengthen my application with an extra year of research, volunteering, etc. I could still possibly get in later since they defer a lot of their in-state ED candidates. If I don't get in, I would then apply everywhere else the next year after a gap year or two or possibly start the SMP program (based on the feedback that I would get from IU on my weaknesses).

Assuming I have the stats to be competitive for EDP, what would be wrong with this plan? I would save money, have time to build my stats and not be considered a re-applicant at any other school. So SDN, why is this a bad idea?

 

[Aerus]

Go for it. The only down side with ED is that you'll have a late application for that cycle for other schools, but since you plan on taking a gap year anyways, there isn't really a flaw with your plan.

If your GPA is that low that you are considering an SMP, you might not be competitive enough for ED, though. Talk to the school and have them evaluate your chances first before you apply. Most schools actually offer this as they understand how late a person's application would be if they did not get in ED.

 

[Flashfan]

I doubt my GPA will be that low. I am sitting at a 3.9 with a 4.0 sgpa. The reason for me to do an SMP is because by teh time I apply I will only have the required science courses. I can't fit in cell or genetics until my senior year so I am worried that some schools will look at my app as a psych major and reject based on the lack of upper-level bio. My school is very small and the lab periods offered for Bio classes conflict with the times that my major classes are offered

 

[SN12357]

I doubt my GPA will be that low. I am sitting at a 3.9 with a 4.0 sgpa. The reason for me to do an SMP is because by teh time I apply I will only have the required science courses. I can't fit in cell or genetics until my senior year so I am worried that some schools will look at my app as a psych major and reject based on the lack of upper-level bio. My school is very small and the lab periods offered for Bio classes conflict with the times that my major classes are offered

An SMP would be an absolutely horrible idea in your position (if they even take you). A waste of money and a waste of time. Many people matriculate into medical school as non-science majors with only the prerequisites. It is not a problem during admissions.

If you do decide to apply ED talk to the admissions department first. ED is generally for candidates who are more competitive than the school's average matriculants who have very specific reasons for wanting to go to that one school. It is not like undergrad early decision.

 

[inycepoo]

I doubt my GPA will be that low. I am sitting at a 3.9 with a 4.0 sgpa. The reason for me to do an SMP is because by teh time I apply I will only have the required science courses. I can't fit in cell or genetics until my senior year so I am worried that some schools will look at my app as a psych major and reject based on the lack of upper-level bio. My school is very small and the lab periods offered for Bio classes conflict with the times that my major classes are offered

No SMP for you. You won't even get in with that high of a GPA lol. Don't need it. Non-science majors with the minimum of science classes get in all the time with good GPA, rocking MCAT, and diverse ECs (the last of which comes much more naturally as a non-bio major).

 

[Flashfan]

That is one of the reasons I really like the FlexMed program. I want to continue to study the social sciences and not be a "regular" premed, but I ultimately want to be a physician. The professors at my school also do all their research around plants, ecology, etc so I am not interested in the research there. The psych department studies effects for alcohol on short-term memory, etc. so I want to continue that.

But if lack of upper division science classes hold me back, would it make sense to do a master's or maybe just take a few upper division classes during a gap year?

 

[Ismet]

I am worried that some schools will look at my app as a psych major and reject based on the lack of upper-level bio.

This will not happen. People don't get rejected for lack of upper-level bio. You need the pre-reqs and do well enough on the MCAT. You don't need the SMP.

There are countless people in med school who majored in things like history, music, English, anthropology, etc. who did not have the time to take upper level science courses. For the most part, people are on a pretty level playing field when coming into med school. Sure there will be the person with a masters in micro or the person who majored in biochem--they might do better on the basic sciences. But the lack of upper division courses won't hold you back.

 

[inycepoo]

That is one of the reasons I really like the FlexMed program. I want to continue to study the social sciences and not be a "regular" premed, but I ultimately want to be a physician. The professors at my school also do all their research around plants, ecology, etc so I am not interested in the research there. The psych department studies effects for alcohol on short-term memory, etc. so I want to continue that.

But if lack of upper division science classes hold me back, would it make sense to do a master's or maybe just take a few upper division classes during a gap year?

FlexMed or not, you do not need to gun for all the upper-division science courses to get into a top-tier med school via the normal route. Listen to the other people here, man! Erase dat uninformed preconception in your mind, flush it down the toilet like a pile of regurgitated buffalo diarrhea from a raccoon's anus, and hope that waste management in your area can handle the poison. That $#!+ is toxic. Pun intended.

You are blessed with the insight to pursue non-medical interest while you have time, as well as the curiosity to venture into subjects outside of medicine unlike the majority of premeds. Don't waste that gift by trying to fit yourself back into the cookie cutter model of taking more upper-level classes during a gap year and thus WASTING THE OPPORTUNITY MORE THAN LINDSAY LOHAN WAS ON SATURDAY NIGHT. Use the gap year to do what you love, not try to fit into some idealistic model that you think adcoms want to see.

I have lots of feelings.

 

[mvenus929]

But if lack of upper division science classes hold me back, would it make sense to do a master's or maybe just take a few upper division classes during a gap year?

I'm not sure how many times you need to hear this for it to sink so, so I'll say it again. Lack of upper division science courses will not hold you back. Your GPA will not hold you back. The things that will hold you back are a low MCAT score (which can be fixed by more studying), or a lack of interest in medicine (which you avoid by doing things to make sure being a physician is what you want to do with your life and being able to articulate why).

 

[rain4venus]

Just one point I noticed from your OP...
As I understand it, you count as a re-applicant for all the places you apply the second time around IF you apply to any school you applied to on your first round of apps. I couldn't tell from the OP if you were planning on applying at IU again in the second cycle, but if you do, you would likely come up as a re-app at all the schools you apply to. If you don't apply to IU, you would not be considered a re-app at most schools unless they specifically ask (like in secondaries) if you've ever applied to medical school before.

Of course, even being a re-applicant will not necessarily be a problem as long as you actually improve your application in the year between applications


Also, what everyone else said. SMPs are for converting your money into GPA. If you already have the GPA, then you ought to keep the money. You class schedule will not reduce your chance to get in med school as long as you have all the pre-reqs.

 

[Ebadya1]

If I am going away to study abroad spring of my sophmore year does that conflict with interviews for FLexMed? ALso, my highschool transcript is not very strong, do you think this will be decrease my chances of acceptance. SAT 1930. 3.7 GPA. Thanks

 

[Ebadya1]

i am a psych major with a concentration in biopsych with a spanish minor as well. I am a freshman so I still dont have a GPA.

 

[Mt Kilimanjaro]

If you break 30 on the MCAT, have some clinical experience, and have volunteered doing anything during college, IU will take you EDP.

Set up an in-person meeting with their admissions office to make sure you have everything you will need.

Although I think taking time off before medical school is always a good idea, your plan to spend time and money taking more classes of any sort is not a good one.

 

[inycepoo]

If I am going away to study abroad spring of my sophmore year does that conflict with interviews for FLexMed? ALso, my highschool transcript is not very strong, do you think this will be decrease my chances of acceptance. SAT 1930. 3.7 GPA. Thanks

Yes, it conflicts.

Those stats are significantly below what would be competitive for FlexMed. I don't have my crystal ball with me, but yes, it "will decrease your chances of acceptance" for sure. The average accepted applicant has a >2150 and >3.9 GPA for high school stats.

I would take it easy as a freshman. You've so much to experience, and it's not worth thinking about this stuff right now.

 

[Ebadya1]

Yes, it conflicts.

Those stats are significantly below what would be competitive for FlexMed. I don't have my crystal ball with me, but yes, it "will decrease your chances of acceptance" for sure. The average accepted applicant has a >2150 and >3.9 GPA for high school stats.

I would take it easy as a freshman. You've so much to experience, and it's not worth thinking about this stuff right now.

Thanks! I was just wondering because i need to decide whether or not to take summer classes. But I guess if I do get called for an interview(unlikely) I can always explain my situation right? Thanks for the help!

 

[inycepoo]

Read the entirety of this thread: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/flexmed-2013.993341/

Then you'll realize why I'm saying this is too early for any suppositions of any sort to be made. If you're not the type of premed they're looking for, there's nothing to be done. Harsh, but true..

 

[Ebadya1]

Read the entirety of this thread: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/flexmed-2013.993341/

Then you'll realize why I'm saying this is too early for any suppositions of any sort to be made. If you're not the type of premed they're looking for, there's nothing to be done. Harsh, but true..

Thank you! Just read the thread, to be honest I am just going to try, who knows, I just might make the cct. And if not There will always be those lovable MCATS to study for.

 

[inycepoo]

Thank you! Just read the thread, to be honest I am just going to try, who knows, I just might make the cct. And if not There will always be those lovable MCATS to study for.

I'm not saying you won't make the cut. I'm just informing you of what FlexMed is actually about. It's not a free pass to med school.