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I’m currently in my 2nd/3rd gap year, graduated in Aug 24’. Was a NICU PCA from Sep 2024 - March 2025. Currently an ENT MA since 03/2025 (1.5 years at this point). Around 3k clinical hours. Reason for gap years is due to caregiving from terminally-ill dad and low GPA (3.68/3.6). I’ve been anxious to take the MCAT, but plan to take in April 2027 for AAMC app 27-28.
I’ve been reevaluating my direction for medical school. I understand any medical school will make me a doctor, but I also want to match into competitive specialties (specifically Neurosurg or ENT) and I’m under the impression that if I’m able to get into a good medical school, residency matching would be easier. I really enjoy my MA job at the moment. Good/stable work environment and I LOVE interacting with patients. Also, since I’m living at home, it helps with my savings for med school (low-income).
However, I feel that I need to get ahead of the game for specialty matching and get publications. I’ve seen on social media how there’s an increasing emphasis on having publications, whether that’s poster, manuscripts, case reports, actual papers, etc. I’ve been looking into CRC positions that’s out of state (I’m slightly conflicted whether I should take CRC positions from top ranking schools or any schools that publish often, but I don’t know how I would know who publishes often) because 1) the city I grow in, I don’t feel like I could grow as a person and it’s the same circle of people, so I’m bound to run into the insufferable cliques of medicine 2) I’m not comfortable with the living situation with my mother. Since my dad passed away, he was the only thing that really kept peace between us, but she’s quite a Tiger Mom. My social life is limited and I just want to grow as a person.
As of the past few weeks, I’ve been window shopping CRC/Research tech positions. I understand those positions wouldn’t even guarantee me getting publications, especially if I’m working for potentially a 1.5 years. But I feel like it’s the right next step for me. I’m currently 25 y/o and leaning onto the decision of wanting to move somewhere to grow more as an individual. However, I don’t know what’s the best way to seek opportunities that would lead me to publications and stability. I also have around ~800 hours of research in the past and I only had two poster presentation as a result of it. From my experience, I know I won’t I enjoy research work as much as I would as a working directly with patients. I don’t have anyone to guide me and I always hear how hard it is to move as well, which makes me hesitate on this option.
Would it be more impressive to have publications during my gap year or should I continue being an MA for the next 1.5 years, even though I already know that I want to be a doctor? Even though I have an inclination, I don’t know if I’m being too rash for a decision that would not result well.
Thanks!
I’ve been reevaluating my direction for medical school. I understand any medical school will make me a doctor, but I also want to match into competitive specialties (specifically Neurosurg or ENT) and I’m under the impression that if I’m able to get into a good medical school, residency matching would be easier. I really enjoy my MA job at the moment. Good/stable work environment and I LOVE interacting with patients. Also, since I’m living at home, it helps with my savings for med school (low-income).
However, I feel that I need to get ahead of the game for specialty matching and get publications. I’ve seen on social media how there’s an increasing emphasis on having publications, whether that’s poster, manuscripts, case reports, actual papers, etc. I’ve been looking into CRC positions that’s out of state (I’m slightly conflicted whether I should take CRC positions from top ranking schools or any schools that publish often, but I don’t know how I would know who publishes often) because 1) the city I grow in, I don’t feel like I could grow as a person and it’s the same circle of people, so I’m bound to run into the insufferable cliques of medicine 2) I’m not comfortable with the living situation with my mother. Since my dad passed away, he was the only thing that really kept peace between us, but she’s quite a Tiger Mom. My social life is limited and I just want to grow as a person.
As of the past few weeks, I’ve been window shopping CRC/Research tech positions. I understand those positions wouldn’t even guarantee me getting publications, especially if I’m working for potentially a 1.5 years. But I feel like it’s the right next step for me. I’m currently 25 y/o and leaning onto the decision of wanting to move somewhere to grow more as an individual. However, I don’t know what’s the best way to seek opportunities that would lead me to publications and stability. I also have around ~800 hours of research in the past and I only had two poster presentation as a result of it. From my experience, I know I won’t I enjoy research work as much as I would as a working directly with patients. I don’t have anyone to guide me and I always hear how hard it is to move as well, which makes me hesitate on this option.
Would it be more impressive to have publications during my gap year or should I continue being an MA for the next 1.5 years, even though I already know that I want to be a doctor? Even though I have an inclination, I don’t know if I’m being too rash for a decision that would not result well.
Thanks!
