Can't decide, would like some input please

[shiny786]

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First of all, I'm new, this is my first post, so if it's in the wrong place, sorry!

Basically I'm a junior at a 4-yr uni...<edited>

To take a gap year or not to take a gap year, 'tis the question...

 

[shiny786]

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[1cor1311]

Also, I know that if you take a gap year, you have to do meaningful stuff in that year, not just take a year off. If I do it, I plan on getting a job, continuing volunteering at the hospital and maybe continue research too... and I'm not thinking about the gap year because I don't feel ready for med school, I just want to be a strong enough candidate that I only have to do the whole application process once hopefully.

Assuming your GPA remains that high, and your mcat reflects your GPA (solid score) you should be fine to apply this next cycle, and have a great shot at SF. That is of course assuming you will also having great LOR's, personal statement, secondaries, continue your EC's during the school year and expanding on them (how did you make this activity better / what role did you have in the activity / club? leadership important roles etc.), , and doing something with the research, presenting posters, getting published etc. Maybe someone can correct me if i am wrong, however i heard by word of mouth UCSF looks high upon research.
Gap year will strengthen your application if you do the things you said, but do you really need it? if your solid enough why spend another year building an application that was strong enough already. Again this depends on where you want to go, how badly, and what you are willing to settle for.

Others who know more about these things can chime in on this thread. This is just off the top of my head. Im a cali resident too best of luck.

 

[Girly X]

I don't believe there is a med school out there that does not love applicants who took a year (or more) off. But, yes you have to use that time to do meaningful activities that you will learn from and that will strengthen your app.

 

[Goobs]

During my interview at ucsf the Dean said there are more non-traditional students who had gap years than there are students straight from college.

Sent from my ADR6425LVW using Tapatalk 2

 

[darkjedi]

If you do a gap year and you manage to do something amazing with it, you are in significantly better standing than the general applicant pool. Something like 63% of my class has taken at least a year out, which is a number that my school seems to pride itself on. I can't imagine UCSF would be any different.

I always recommend people taking at least a year out before med school, even if their application is perfect. I find that those with some time between college and med school to be more even keeled, mature and all around happier than those straight out of college.

 

[FSU2013]

If everyone jumped off a bridge.....

In all seriousness though, it sounds like you'd have a strong chance of getting into a decent MD school. I wouldn't voluntarily take a year off. The next 4 years of med school are tough and if residency is all it's cracked up to be - it'll be rough, too. I (personally) would rather get through that so that you don't have to put off a family/life. Also, it's financially a poor decision - you are trading whatever income you would make next year for the income you'd have as your last year as a practicing physician (i.e. your highest annual salary).

Good luck.

 

[Freesia88]

First of all, I'm new, this is my first post, so if it's in the wrong place, sorry!

Basically I'm a junior at a 4-yr uni (cGPA3.95, sGPA slightly lower; more than 1 yr volunteering at hospital, just started research, etc)

Originally I was planning on taking the MCAT in May 2013 and submitting my application by early July 2013 so I wouldn't take a year off. I was planning on applying to all the CA schools (in-state) and maybe a few OOS.

However, everyone I know is taking a gap year, and now I've started considering it too. (I'd probably take the MCAT later in summer 2013). I feel like I could get better/strong LOR out of it (because I'd have more time for them), more MCAT studying time, more leadership experience, and just a stronger overall application.

But I've heard some schools don't really like gap years--have you guys heard this about any California schools? (UCSF is my dream school)
Sorry this became such a long post! Thanks.

Why do you want to take a gap year? Because you feel there is more preparation/growing up you'd like to do before you'd be ready to apply? Or because it seems to be the thing to do and medical schools like it?

 

[shiny786]

Thanks for the input,
1cor1311: I have also heard that UCSF likes toresearch, but that it’s more on the getting published side—which I don’t thinkcan happen by this next cycle.

If everyone jumped off a bridge.....

In all seriousness though, it sounds like you'd have a strong chance of getting into a decent MD school. I wouldn't voluntarily take a year off. The next 4 years of med school are tough and if residency is all it's cracked up to be - it'll be rough, too. I (personally) would rather get through that so that you don't have to put off a family/life. Also, it's financially a poor decision - you are trading whatever income you would make next year for the income you'd have as your last year as a practicing physician (i.e. your highest annual salary).

Good luck.

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[tiedyeddog]

No one will care if you did a gap year. Just have a good explanation for what you did during the years.

 

[shiny786]

Why do you want to take a gap year? Because you feel there is more preparation/growing up you'd like to do before you'd be ready to apply? Or because it seems to be the thing to do and medical schools like it?

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