Clinical Gap Year?

[Hazydance]

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Hello All,

I am planning on taking a gap year to do multiple things including gaining some valuable clinical experiences
that I am currently lacking.
My concern is that when I apply to medical school during my senior year, I have not had many clinical experiences yet, and wanted to know how the Adcom would look upon this and if there was a way that I can tell them what I will be doing in the meantime.

Thank you.

 

[EaglesontheWarpath]

If you don't have any clinical experiences at all by the time you apply, it's a red flag, but on the amcas app you can indicate projected hours for the upcoming year. Also, you can talk about new experiences/clinical hours in your secondaries, on interview day, as well as update letters which you can send throughout the application year (e.g. new publication, etc.) In short, there is a way you can tell them what you are planning to day in your off year.

 

[Rainbow Zebra]

If you don't have any clinical experiences at all by the time you apply, it's a red flag, but on the amcas app you can indicate projected hours for the upcoming year. Also, you can talk about new experiences/clinical hours in your secondaries, on interview day, as well as update letters which you can send throughout the application year (e.g. new publication, etc.) In short, there is a way you can tell them what you are planning to day in your off year.

Remember, you have to get through the door to do any "updates" (some schools don't accept updates unless you get an interview). Better to have this information on your AMCAS, as school usually interview only about 10-15% of all applications received.. Maybe that means taking a gap year. Average age is 24 these days, straight from undergrad to med school has become the minority of students. And these are the folks you are competing with for an interview. You really only want to do this once, and do it right.

 

[Acoustica]

If you haven't had clinical experiences how does anyone know (including yourself) that you like being in a hospital/clinic/patient care setting? I would hold off on applying until you've gotten some clinical experience to back up the numbers. I've heard stories of people who stellar numbers who did not get interviews because they did not have any clinical experience. I would start NOW.