gap year and prereq q

[mouthwash4hobo]

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first, i'm not sure the point of a gap year. is it more about grades or time off?

second, is it better to get prereqs done earlier or later? i'm trying to put a schedule together where i will graduate spring 12' (nontrad going back) and my senior year would basically have half my prereq courses unless i take them during summer sessions.

 

[Catalystik]

Applying after you graduate may allow for more GPA improvement, if you need it. It could also be done deliberately to permit completion of a research project, build one's ECs, to give one a breathing space before med school begins, to allow for a year of employment to help pay off debt, to establish residency in another state, etc.

You can't apply without an MCAT score. You can't take MCAT until you (nearly) complete the prerequisites. Taking coursework over the summer may help to decompress the essential coursework and let you take the MCAT enough sooner that if your score isn't what you'd aimed for, you have time to retake before the application season begins in June.

 

[alexlex143]

first, i'm not sure the point of a gap year. is it more about grades or time off?

second, is it better to get prereqs done earlier or later? i'm trying to put a schedule together where i will graduate spring 12' (nontrad going back) and my senior year would basically have half my prereq courses unless i take them during summer sessions.

it could be about both. it depends on when you apply too. obviously if you don't want or need that gap year, there's no point to it. I'm not going to apply until either my fourth year or after I graduate, leaving me with a gap. I'm doing that to give me a chance to raise my GPA since it's not too pretty right now.

If you're ECs aren't too strong, that gap year allows you that time to build your application into a more competitive one. If you need more clinical experience, you can add more hours and gain more experience. If your MCAT score is low, it gives you time to study more for it and to retake it for a better score. Some people like to take that time for themselves--taking a break from school, studying abroad, mission trips, working, traveling, etc. You can make a lot of use of that year.

As far as taking pre-reqs earlier or later is up to you. I don't think there's really any advantage to taking them earlier or later unless you want to start med school right away. If that's the case, you would probably want to take them as early as possible to give you enough time to study and get a good score on the MCAT.

Make sure you take some upper division courses too aside from the pre-reqs. Some schools don't require you too but it will build a strong application and give you a chance to work on your GPA if needed.

 

[mouthwash4hobo]

Applying after you graduate may allow for more GPA improvement, if you need it. It could also be done deliberately to permit completion of a research project, build one's ECs, to give one a breathing space before med school begins, to allow for a year of employment to help pay off debt, to establish residency in another state, etc.

You can't apply without an MCAT score. You can't take MCAT until you (nearly) complete the prerequisites. Taking coursework over the summer may help to decompress the essential coursework and let you take the MCAT enough sooner that if your score isn't what you'd aimed for, you have time to retake before the application season begins in June.

yeah that didn't click until after I posted.