Back Up Plan

Started by spanglish
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Retake the mcat, get a job (a job in research would help), continue to volunteer/shadow. A masters is not really worth it.
 
Better yourself in the year(s) you have off if you don't get in. Retakes, MCAT improvement, volunteer, travel...grow and mature as a person. These are all things (I believe) an adcom will look favorably upon.
 
Don't do the masters. I think it's a waste of time and money especially if you have a high GPA. Why don't you think you'll get in this cycle? You're GPA is above most if not all averages for D.O schools. How did you do on the MCAT? Me personally I wouldn't take a year, definitely not two, years off. I'm perfectly fine with doing podiatry (although the school I'm looking at has a high MCAT average that now rivals D.O schools so it really isn't a backup) if the MCAT goes south. However, everyone is different, there are some people who will just go M.D and not even consider D.O. There are some people who are die hard D.O believers and won't do anything else. Everyone is different go with what you think is right for you.
 
Your GPAs are good. How's the MCAT? Retake it if it's not up to par. Moreover, RELAX. There are people in their 40s starting first year right now. Try to avoid another gap year, but it ain't worth the Caribbean.
 
Taking the MCAT in September. Just worried about it. And since I am going to be late in the application, I need to do relatively well (28+) for a good shot. I am thinking of a backup incase I dont do well.

Also I could perhaps retake it in January but that would be a bigger stretch.
 
I wouldn't bother with the master's. If you miss being in school, take a course each semester at the uni. Find a job that you could see yourself doing for the next year or two.

Alternatively, if you have no obligations, go backpacking across Europe or something. Keep a journal. It'll give you something to write about in your personal statement.
 
Carl Seitan said:
I wouldn't bother with the master's. If you miss being in school, take a course each semester at the uni. Find a job that you could see yourself doing for the next year or two.

Alternatively, if you have no obligations, go backpacking across Europe or something. Keep a journal. It'll give you something to write about in your personal statement.
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I know people who did this after they got into medical school during their gap year. A girl I used to work with went for about 2 weeks before she started her job during her gap year. She recommends taking a gap year and said: 1) get a job if you can (even if it is not completely medically related) 2) research/volunteer 3) Travel for 2-3 week 4) Just don't sit around your house for a year not doing anything lol. She had a blast during her gap year and now goes to my undergrad's medical school.
 
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