Can I afford to wait another year? Cancer didn't care about my app timeline :(

[Imogen]

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Hi everyone,

I am a 2010 graduate with a 3.8+ GPA and no MCAT score to speak of yet (my old score expired but it was just above a 30). I've had a long battle with cancer, during undergrad and after, but as of this month, I've beaten it! Yay!

I'm left feeling really hollow about that victory because I'm pretty sure I'm going to have to wait to apply to medical school next year. I was trying for the July 26th MCAT, but it's been hard to study during treatments, etc and I'm really feeling like it's not going to go well. It's so late in the application cycle that I know the "usual" advice is to wait a year and apply early/ on time. However, I'm nervous about all of my prerequisites, coursework, etc, being another year older.

I took my pre-reqs in 2003-2005. My last science class was taken in 2010. I got As in all of my prerequisite work and I only graduated 2 years ago, which is not that long, I know, but I'm worried that waiting another year - pushing it to a 3 year gap will look bad. Will I have to retake coursework? I really cannot afford to pay for more "pre-med" classes, and frankly, I find it kind of ridiculous that I'd have to do that if I have a recent MCAT score to support that I haven't forgotten how to do well at basic science.

My undergrad institution is not the most helpful about this situation. One advisor told me I needed a post-bacc but then when I pointed out that I had a very strong GPA and had only graduated 2 years ago, he changed his mind and said it was probably fine. But by then the seed of worry was planted 🙁

I've called up various schools about pre-requisite expiration and all of them (the ones I've spoken to) have said it's not a problem. However, I know that on SDN there's a list of some schools that DO have prereq expiration dates and I just get really worried about my application looking too old.

So question break down:

1) Is a 3 year gap (graduated in 2010, applying in 2013) too long?
2) Is it ok that my some of my coursework is a bit older provided my grades were strong and I had some pretty extenuating circumstances?
3) Would it be better for me to just suck it up and take an August MCAT and apply this cycle, rather than wait another year?

I'm panicking about this quite a bit right now. I've just been working towards medical school for so long... I don't want my application to be screwed because I wasted so much time being sick!

Btw, this was the post I wrote last year, upon finding out that I would have to restart chemo and expecting to be applying for admission this year:

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=835655

Now that things might be delayed for another year, I don't know if the advice I'll get will be any different.

Thanks all!

 

[qwerty2012]

I would suck it up and take it, your gpa is good.
However, if you apply now, you would be considered as a late applicant and an August mcat isn't helping either.

 

[soundnin]

i've never heard of prereqs expiring (has anyone else?). i was 5 years out from undergrad when applying and it was never an issue. i mean, you're going to take the same courses in med school regardless of when you took your prereqs...

 

[dally1025]

3 years between graduation and medical school doesn't really need an explanation but having cancer certainly qualifies as a legitimate one! If I were you I would wait a year and make your application good rather than submitting late. Take the MCAT when you're ready rather than taking it so you can apply this cycle. Battling cancer makes you memorable but that won't help if your stats aren't up to par (ie low MCAT because you weren't as prepared as you could be). Relax, focus on doing well, and take the exam when you're ready.

 

[Ruhroh]

At least you have a killer personal statement story. Try being a middle class guy with perfect health, it sucks.

In all seriousness good luck to you. Your experiences will make you empathetic and a great doctor in the future.

 

[Imogen]

At least you have a killer personal statement story. Try being a middle class guy with perfect health, it sucks.

In all seriousness good luck to you. Your experiences will make you empathetic and a great doctor in the future.

Oh Ruhroh... you know, I used to think the same way. I was like, my life is so BORING! Who's going to let me into med school when all these other people are so interesting/ have overcome stuff/ have saved small African villages?

Then I got sick and my whole perspective changed, of course. You don't have to have a great story to get in. Plenty of my friends who are now in med school are some of the most "boring on paper" people, but they're nice, empathetic, and will be excellent physicians. You'll be ok too.

 

[Yoseph101]

Wait a year and go somewhere and do something fun. You beat cancer. the MCAT and medschool aren't going anywhere and from what I've read gap years aren't looked down upon. And even if they were you would have a good excuse anyways.

 

[unnamedlord]

Yeah just take a year off and relax. Maybe do some work, catch up with friends and travel cuz very few people get a second chance! Take your MCAT in March or so and apply next year!

 

[Praefectus]

Oh Ruhroh... you know, I used to think the same way. I was like, my life is so BORING! Who's going to let me into med school when all these other people are so interesting/ have overcome stuff/ have saved small African villages?

Then I got sick and my whole perspective changed, of course. You don't have to have a great story to get in. Plenty of my friends who are now in med school are some of the most "boring on paper" people, but they're nice, empathetic, and will be excellent physicians. You'll be ok too.

There's a village in Angola that has a policy to name their first-born sons after me. It's no big deal, though. Somebody had to save them.

 

[Imogen]

3 years between graduation and medical school doesn't really need an explanation but having cancer certainly qualifies as a legitimate one! If I were you I would wait a year and make your application good rather than submitting late. Take the MCAT when you're ready rather than taking it so you can apply this cycle. Battling cancer makes you memorable but that won't help if your stats aren't up to par (ie low MCAT because you weren't as prepared as you could be). Relax, focus on doing well, and take the exam when you're ready.

So I was really more concerned about the 3 year gap plus the fact that I had a medical leave in the middle of undergrad (so I started my first prereqs in 2003, despite graduating in 2010 and taking my last science class in 2010. Maybe it doesn't matter and I'm just way over analyzing this... Technically, my graduation date wasn't that long ago.

Any other opinions/ input?

I know a small number of schools, like Thomas Jefferson and Duke do have 5-7 year limits on prerequisites (which frankly is what scared the crap out of me). I guess this isn't the norm for most though? Like I said, I did call a few of my top choices to check up on this and they all said there was no expiration, but I still couldn't help worrying that it might "look bad" that my coursework was a little older.

Thanks so much to everyone who responded.

 

[FlaminHotER]

I've never heard of prereq's expiring


Don't rush it.

Apply next year

Study up for the Mcat for next spring

Having cancer gives you more than a legitimate reason for the time gap

Have fun and enjoy life right now. You beat frickin cancer!!!

Beer for you!

 

[WorldChanger36]

Hi everyone,

I am a 2010 graduate with a 3.8+ GPA and no MCAT score to speak of yet (my old score expired but it was just above a 30). I've had a long battle with cancer, during undergrad and after, but as of this month, I've beaten it! Yay!

I'm left feeling really hollow about that victory because I'm pretty sure I'm going to have to wait to apply to medical school next year. I was trying for the July 26th MCAT, but it's been hard to study during treatments, etc and I'm really feeling like it's not going to go well. It's so late in the application cycle that I know the "usual" advice is to wait a year and apply early/ on time. However, I'm nervous about all of my prerequisites, coursework, etc, being another year older.

I took my pre-reqs in 2003-2005. My last science class was taken in 2010. I got As in all of my prerequisite work and I only graduated 2 years ago, which is not that long, I know, but I'm worried that waiting another year - pushing it to a 3 year gap will look bad. Will I have to retake coursework? I really cannot afford to pay for more "pre-med" classes, and frankly, I find it kind of ridiculous that I'd have to do that if I have a recent MCAT score to support that I haven't forgotten how to do well at basic science.

My undergrad institution is not the most helpful about this situation. One advisor told me I needed a post-bacc but then when I pointed out that I had a very strong GPA and had only graduated 2 years ago, he changed his mind and said it was probably fine. But by then the seed of worry was planted 🙁

I've called up various schools about pre-requisite expiration and all of them (the ones I've spoken to) have said it's not a problem. However, I know that on SDN there's a list of some schools that DO have prereq expiration dates and I just get really worried about my application looking too old.

So question break down:

1) Is a 3 year gap (graduated in 2010, applying in 2013) too long?
2) Is it ok that my some of my coursework is a bit older provided my grades were strong and I had some pretty extenuating circumstances?
3) Would it be better for me to just suck it up and take an August MCAT and apply this cycle, rather than wait another year?

I'm panicking about this quite a bit right now. I've just been working towards medical school for so long... I don't want my application to be screwed because I wasted so much time being sick!

Btw, this was the post I wrote last year, upon finding out that I would have to restart chemo and expecting to be applying for admission this year:

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=835655

Now that things might be delayed for another year, I don't know if the advice I'll get will be any different.

Thanks all!

You had cancer... CANCER. You are fine apply when you are ready and if med schools think you need a refresher they alone will tell you. Best of luck.

 

[Pattycake25]

Hi everyone,

I am a 2010 graduate with a 3.8+ GPA and no MCAT score to speak of yet (my old score expired but it was just above a 30). I've had a long battle with cancer, during undergrad and after, but as of this month, I've beaten it! Yay!

I'm left feeling really hollow about that victory because I'm pretty sure I'm going to have to wait to apply to medical school next year. I was trying for the July 26th MCAT, but it's been hard to study during treatments, etc and I'm really feeling like it's not going to go well. It's so late in the application cycle that I know the "usual" advice is to wait a year and apply early/ on time. However, I'm nervous about all of my prerequisites, coursework, etc, being another year older.

I took my pre-reqs in 2003-2005. My last science class was taken in 2010. I got As in all of my prerequisite work and I only graduated 2 years ago, which is not that long, I know, but I'm worried that waiting another year - pushing it to a 3 year gap will look bad. Will I have to retake coursework? I really cannot afford to pay for more "pre-med" classes, and frankly, I find it kind of ridiculous that I'd have to do that if I have a recent MCAT score to support that I haven't forgotten how to do well at basic science.

My undergrad institution is not the most helpful about this situation. One advisor told me I needed a post-bacc but then when I pointed out that I had a very strong GPA and had only graduated 2 years ago, he changed his mind and said it was probably fine. But by then the seed of worry was planted 🙁

I've called up various schools about pre-requisite expiration and all of them (the ones I've spoken to) have said it's not a problem. However, I know that on SDN there's a list of some schools that DO have prereq expiration dates and I just get really worried about my application looking too old.

So question break down:

1) Is a 3 year gap (graduated in 2010, applying in 2013) too long?
2) Is it ok that my some of my coursework is a bit older provided my grades were strong and I had some pretty extenuating circumstances?
3) Would it be better for me to just suck it up and take an August MCAT and apply this cycle, rather than wait another year?

I'm panicking about this quite a bit right now. I've just been working towards medical school for so long... I don't want my application to be screwed because I wasted so much time being sick!

Btw, this was the post I wrote last year, upon finding out that I would have to restart chemo and expecting to be applying for admission this year:

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=835655

Now that things might be delayed for another year, I don't know if the advice I'll get will be any different.

Thanks all!

I can understand your position. I would recommend reaching out to various medical schools and discussing it with them. Frankly, I don't think you would have a problem, but I can obviously see why you'd prefer to hear that from someone in the Admissions Office of the schools you're trying to get into. Congratulations on your victory over cancer!!!

 

[Leofet]

I'm going to echo others and say that you should take your time. I want to pat you on your back for overcoming such an obstacle! Congratulations!

 

[von Matterhorn]

First off, congrats on beating cancer, that is awesome.

Secondofly 🙂D), you can still easily apply this cycle and have a chance at admittance. I listened to SDN last year and wasted a year of my application cycle by not applying because everyone said it was late and not to apply. I now have a third personal friend of mine who applied AFTER August with average/mediocre stats that is starting med school this fall. If you want in this round, give it a shot.

 

[calvnandhobbs68]

Don't worry at all about the pre-reqs. You have an extremely legitimate reason for any question they bring up about any gap you've taken. A very sincere congratulations and I hope you have nothing but good times ahead.

 

[Imogen]

Thanks everyone, for your feedback. I got a slightly different response from the non-traditionals when I asked this over on that forum. Some of them suggested I take a course or two to show "recent work"... which was what I was afraid people would say I needed to do (so my other courses/GPA aren't good enough now!?). But as none of the actual med schools that I called suggested that this was necessary I think I'd probably be ok without. I really really hope so.

I'll be honest, it was a little scary to hear them say that over there. As is, I'm already scraping together enough money for apps, plus I have significant student loan debt from undergrad, and obviously during my illness I wasn't really able to work. It's hard for me to stomach the idea of paying for additional classes... I mean I guess I'd do it if I really had to... but again, as the MCAT score expires, I find the idea of needing to take additional classwork to be really bizarre. While I get that more classes are always nice to have, at any stage, 1) I'm not made of money and 2) my medical treatments were really expensive. I hope med schools can understand my need to get a job at this point.

 

[obgyny]

So I was really more concerned about the 3 year gap plus the fact that I had a medical leave in the middle of undergrad (so I started my first prereqs in 2003, despite graduating in 2010 and taking my last science class in 2010. Maybe it doesn't matter and I'm just way over analyzing this... Technically, my graduation date wasn't that long ago.

Any other opinions/ input?

I know a small number of schools, like Thomas Jefferson and Duke do have 5-7 year limits on prerequisites (which frankly is what scared the crap out of me). I guess this isn't the norm for most though? Like I said, I did call a few of my top choices to check up on this and they all said there was no expiration, but I still couldn't help worrying that it might "look bad" that my coursework was a little older.

Thanks so much to everyone who responded.

I'll be honest, it was a little scary to hear them say that over there. As is, I'm already scraping together enough money for apps, plus I have significant student loan debt from undergrad, and obviously during my illness I wasn't really able to work. It's hard for me to stomach the idea of paying for additional classes... I mean I guess I'd do it if I really had to... but again, as the MCAT score expires, I find the idea of needing to take additional classwork to be really bizarre. While I get that more classes are always nice to have, at any stage, 1) I'm not made of money and 2) my medical treatments were really expensive. I hope med schools can understand my need to get a job at this point.

Congrats on beating cancer!!! 🙂 When to apply is completely up to you, but if you're really tight on money, it will just be more of a gamble to apply this cycle. You could get a job for this next year off to save up for apps/pay your debt, take your time with your app/MCAT, etc. However, I'd understand if you just want to apply now and give it a shot. I also took a huge gamble applying with my low MCAT score (and CA resident). Many people on SDN and in real life told me not to apply. It worked out better than I imagined, so that goes to show how unpredictable med school admissions can be.

As for prereq's expiring, I heard some places have a 10 year limit (don't remember where I saw this), but I have no idea what schools they were. Even if there are places with prereq limits, you could just avoid that issue by not applying to those places. I wouldn't think it would matter when you took the prereq's, especially if you do decently on your MCAT. As for your time off, you can just explain about your illness (very legitimate reason to take time off!). And taking 3 years off isn't bad or all that uncommon these days. I took 2 years off, and a good chunk of my prereqs were taken 5-6 years before I applied. Most secondaries will ask what you've been doing since you graduated, but again, that can be explained. It's not like you've been sitting on the beach all day for 3 years or something.

Good luck!

 

[watchergub]

I don't think you need to take any additional coursework. You have a very strong undergrad GPA, you graduated only 2 years ago - yeah I know your pre-req classes were technically before that - but I don't think schools are really going care about that when you've had such a recent graduation date, and you have a really good story and I think have shown a lot of perseverance.

If you can get a decent MCAT score I think everything will be ok even if you apply next year. Just my opinion.