Gap year and mcat plan

[GCS-15]

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Hey everyone,
I'm graduating from a UC and need to retake my mcat (got ~ 505).
My stats/ECs are ok: 3.75cgpa/3.7sgpa; lots of clinical work, volunteering, internships, patient care, research etc. I want to apply to med school June 2017

I need some help about when I should take my mcat: should I try to take it this year sept, or study longer and take it in January? (I really want to get 510+)
Jan would allow me to study more but I'm not sure if studying for 5+ months would be too much. Also, I plan on working after the mcat so I'll be able to get less work experience if I start in Jan vs starting after sept. Will this really matter tho for med schools? Will it look bad that there was a period of inactivity after graduation and I was just studying for the mcat and not doing much else?

Thanks!

 

[GCS-15]

bump

 

[Hospitalized]

You've taken the test once. You should be able to judge how much time is appropriate. I would take it in September just in case you need to retake again. You should be actively trying to get clinical employment now that you've graduated, or at least continue research.

 

[GCS-15]

Will it look really bad if I just study until January, take it, then work until I apply? Not sure how this 6 month period of inactivity from June to Jan will affect my chances. I feel like having more time would take some pressure off and I could study more, but by taking the test in Jan, I would also be missing ~ 3 months of possible employment/volunteering/anything else.

 

[Jersanta]

Are you graduating this coming fall or spring 2017?

I think retaking on September would be good. You've managed to break 500 on the exam already, so you should be able to improve by taking these next 3 months to review the main sections/materials you struggled (while other material are still fresh). This will give you ample time if a 3rd retake is necessary too (most likely you won't need it).

By getting the MCAT over with as early as you can, this gives you more time to ramp up your resume (if needed) and/or find time to relax and enjoy life!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using SDN mobile

 

[To be MD]

Hey everyone,
I'm graduating from a UC and need to retake my mcat (got ~ 505).
My stats/ECs are ok: 3.75cgpa/3.7sgpa; lots of clinical work, volunteering, internships, patient care, research etc. I want to apply to med school June 2017

I need some help about when I should take my mcat: should I try to take it this year sept, or study longer and take it in January? (I really want to get 510+)
Jan would allow me to study more but I'm not sure if studying for 5+ months would be too much. Also, I plan on working after the mcat so I'll be able to get less work experience if I start in Jan vs starting after sept. Will this really matter tho for med schools? Will it look bad that there was a period of inactivity after graduation and I was just studying for the mcat and not doing much else?

Thanks!

This is advice is given all the time and may or may not be helpful to you, but... only take the MCAT when you're ready to take it.

Aim for September, use your exam scores from practice exams you've never taken, assess your readiness, and, if you're not ready, wait until Jan. or March or whatever amount of time it takes for you to do well.

 

[GCS-15]

Are you graduating this coming fall or spring 2017?

I think retaking on September would be good. You've managed to break 500 on the exam already, so you should be able to improve by taking these next 3 months to review the main sections/materials you struggled (while other material are still fresh). This will give you ample time if a 3rd retake is necessary too (most likely you won't need it).

By getting the MCAT over with as early as you can, this gives you more time to ramp up your resume (if needed) and/or find time to relax and enjoy life!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using SDN mobile

I'm graduating in 2 weeks. I think 2 and half months should be sufficient, but just feel like I'll be rushing a little bit and what if I'm able to study for an extra 3 months and have a higher score. The main thing I'm worried about is the tradeoff between more study time and how this period of inactivity would look when I answer secondary questions from med schools.

You have a good point - I really want to get this over with, but at the same time, I don't want to have to take it in sept, then again in Jan if I don't do well.

 

[Jersanta]

Well like many have said, take the MCAT when you're ready. But since you don't have to worry about classes during fall, then you can take it even october-novemember if you want (middle ground).

If you choose to take it in January and wanna avoid being "inactive" for a long period, then stay relatively active with clinical volunteering and/or research. Keep in mind you also have a whole application year to be active too.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using SDN mobile

 

[GCS-15]

Well like many have said, take the MCAT when you're ready. But since you don't have to worry about classes during fall, then you can take it even october-novemember if you want (middle ground).

If you choose to take it in January and wanna avoid being "inactive" for a long period, then stay relatively active with clinical volunteering and/or research. Keep in mind you also have a whole application year to be active too.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using SDN mobile

I wish I could take it in october, but sept is the last month to take it for this year :/

 

[Jersanta]

Oh dang, well a big factor for the MCAT is your confidence. So whether it takes 3 months or 6 months, will depend up to you! Good luck to whichever you choose!

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