Gap Year Ideas?

[gorays39]

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I'm a pre-med student at Notre Dame, going into my 3rd year. I currently have a 3.35 cGPA and a 3.0 sGPA. Not good, I know. I'm planning to improve my grades next year but still know that my chances at medical school are slim (best I can probably get is a 3.5 cGPA). I'm considering a gap year and am wondering which options would be best.

I've been considering employment (as a CNA, hospital scribe, etc), doing an SMP, doing a year of service, pursuing other one year master's degrees, etc. I'm still unsure which is the best option, it appears to be the SMP because of my bad GPA. Any advice/guidance on this?

I'm taking Biochemistry, Genetics, Animal Behavior, and two classes towards my minor (Education) next semester. I'm also planning to take the MCAT next June and have started reviewing material as of last month.

 

[deleted577188]

Honestly I would just keep taking science courses throughout UG to raise my science GPA. You need to get A's. As far as cum GPA, SDN encourages a 3.6-3.7+ but a 3.5 isn't bad at all.

 

[gorays39]

I'm planning to work hard at these upcoming science courses, but I'm just trying to come up with a plan for the future. I haven't gotten an A in any of my hard science classes thus far...

 

[GrapesofRath]

Don't think about plans for a gap year with 2 years left in college.

That science GPA isn't going to fly. Lucky for you you have 2 years. Maintain a 3.7(the average MD matriculant GPA) the next two years in both science courses and for your cumulative GPA and you can graduate with a 3.5/3.35. Not exactly ideal but you can work with that with a strong MCAT.

But alas you're ways away from that. Aim on acing these courses at all costs then take things from there. If you really can't get A's in science classes you need to re-consider career options but take things one step at a time.

 

[ZedsDed]

I'm a pre-med student at Notre Dame, going into my 3rd year. I currently have a 3.35 cGPA and a 3.0 sGPA. Not good, I know. I'm planning to improve my grades next year but still know that my chances at medical school are slim (best I can probably get is a 3.5 cGPA). I'm considering a gap year and am wondering which options would be best.

I've been considering employment (as a CNA, hospital scribe, etc), doing an SMP, doing a year of service, pursuing other one year master's degrees, etc. I'm still unsure which is the best option, it appears to be the SMP because of my bad GPA. Any advice/guidance on this?

I'm taking Biochemistry, Genetics, Animal Behavior, and two classes towards my minor (Education) next semester. I'm also planning to take the MCAT next June and have started reviewing material as of last month.

Depends if you're open to DO or not.

 

[ZedsDed]

I'm planning to work hard at these upcoming science courses, but I'm just trying to come up with a plan for the future. I haven't gotten an A in any of my hard science classes thus far...

This is a problem. I think you should pile up a bunch of A's over the next couple of years before you even think about an SMP, or med school for that matter. On a side note: if that profile pic is you, you might want to consider removing it.

 

[gorays39]

Depends if you're open to DO or not.

I'm open to DO. It's not ideal, but I'll do anything.

As for the A's, I'd love to pile a bunch of them, I just don't know how realistic it is.

 

[ZedsDed]

I'm open to DO. It's not ideal, but I'll do anything.

As for the A's, I'd love to pile a bunch of them, I just don't know how realistic it is.

It depends on what has prevented you from getting A's in the past. How much effort have you historically put into science classes?

 

[gorays39]

It depends on what has prevented you from getting A's in the past. How much effort have you historically put into science classes?

I don't really know how to quantify the effort I've put in, but I'm certainly studying hard. Getting C+'s in both semesters of Orgo really put me in the hole. I'm getting B's and B+'s in all my other science classes, with A's in the labs.

 

[ZedsDed]

I don't really know how to quantify the effort I've put in, but I'm certainly studying hard. Getting C+'s in both semesters of Orgo really put me in the hole. I'm getting B's and B+'s in all my other science classes, with A's in the labs.

The bad news is that your history of continued effort with little improvement may suggest that you have maxed out your academic prowess. The good news is that if there is room for improvement the distance between a B+ and an A is not insurmountable.

I suggest you spend the summer thinking long and hard about what has prevented you from getting A's in the past, and give it one more shot. Keep your mind open to other things over the next year or so, in case this doesn't work out. If you get a 3.7+ in mostly science classes over the next year, we can then start to talk about any postbacc work you might need to do. For now, just focus on doing well.

 

[GrapesofRath]

I don't really know how to quantify the effort I've put in, but I'm certainly studying hard. Getting C+'s in both semesters of Orgo really put me in the hole. I'm getting B's and B+'s in all my other science classes, with A's in the labs.

Difference between studying hard and smart. And many people who think they are studying hard aren't studying as hard as they think they are.

But poor performance in Ochem is hardly a reason to quit on medicine alone. If you can get B+/B's you can get A/A-'s. Shift your priorities and attention. Keep perspective.

While Med Schools might not really account much for it Notre Dame is a top 20 school with some of the best in the country.I wouldn't worry about your abilities being maxed out just yet. If your stats are competitive from Notre Dame you'll do fine in med school.

 

[gorays39]

The bad news is that your history of continued effort with little improvement may suggest that you have maxed out your academic prowess. The good news is that if there is room for improvement the distance between a B+ and an A is not insurmountable.

I suggest you spend the summer thinking long and hard about what has prevented you from getting A's in the past, and give it one more shot. Keep your mind open to other things over the next year or so, in case this doesn't work out. If you get a 3.7+ in mostly science classes over the next year, we can then start to talk about any postbacc work you might need to do. For now, just focus on doing well.

So if my sGPA doesn't improve that much would I be out of reach for post-bacc programs? Because from what I've seen, most of them have a minimum GPA of 3.0

I really hope I haven't maxed out my academic abilities. Of course a stellar MCAT is a must, which is why I've already started reviewing. Are you saying that med school wouldn't be a good idea for me at all? I'm a pre-med major, so I don't really have a lot of other opportunities.

 

[gorays39]

Difference between studying hard and smart. And many people who think they are studying hard aren't studying as hard as they think they are.

But poor performance in Ochem is hardly a reason to quit on medicine alone. If you can get B+/B's you can get A/A-'s. Shift your priorities and attention. Keep perspective. Don't think about whether you have maxed out your abilities right now.

The studying hard vs. smart thing is what my father always said. I guess he's worth listening to. I guess I have to look at my study strategies to see if I can improve. Do you have any general recommendations for studying for science courses? I've heard office hours help, I've never been.

 

[GrapesofRath]

So if my sGPA doesn't improve that much would I be out of reach for post-bacc programs? Because from what I've seen, most of them have a minimum GPA of 3.0

I really hope I haven't maxed out my academic abilities. Of course a stellar MCAT is a must, which is why I've already started reviewing. Are you saying that med school wouldn't be a good idea for me at all? I'm a pre-med major, so I don't really have a lot of other opportunities.

Chill out. Do your best the next year, re-adjust your priorities then re-evaluate. Like I said you go to a top 20 school; get your stats competitive for MD or DO and if you get in you'll do fine there.

 

[GrapesofRath]

The studying hard vs. smart thing is what my father always said. I guess he's worth listening to. I guess I have to look at my study strategies to see if I can improve. Do you have any general recommendations for studying for science courses? I've heard office hours help, I've never been.

Uh yeah that's probably a problem right there. Office Hours help. Meeting and getting help with TAs for classes help. Forming study groups with people who are doing well. All these things make a difference. Active learning is the key with all studying.

 

[gorays39]

Uh yeah that's probably a problem right there. Office Hours help. Meeting and getting help with TAs for classes help. Forming study groups with people who are doing well. All these things make a difference. Active learning is the key with all studying.

Active learning has been a challenge, I'd say. I've always ended up studying alone because I don't really know people. Next semester I'll be abroad, so hopefully I can get a fresh start finding a group to work with.

 

[GrapesofRath]

Active learning has been a challenge, I'd say. I've always ended up studying alone because I don't really know people. Next semester I'll be abroad, so hopefully I can get a fresh start finding a group to work with.

Welp if you wanna change your academic performance you know where to start. It won't be easy. But change never is.

 

[gorays39]

Welp if you wanna change your academic performance you know where to start. It won't be easy. But change never is.

Understood, thank you. I have a bad tendency to never ask questions in class or to other people, and I always just try to figure it out on my own. It put me in a bad place in Orgo, since I was always falling behind.

 

[ZedsDed]

So if my sGPA doesn't improve that much would I be out of reach for post-bacc programs? Because from what I've seen, most of them have a minimum GPA of 3.0

Those programs are 1-2 years of continued undergrad classes. The next two years are essential your "program." When I talk about "postbacc" programs for you I am primarily referring to SMP's, which would eat you alive with your current study habits.

I really hope I haven't maxed out my academic abilities. Of course a stellar MCAT is a must, which is why I've already started reviewing.

I wouldn't worry about the MCAT now. In your position, I would kill the next two years and then take the MCAT after I graduate. A poor MCAT score would probably be the proverbial nail in the coffin.

Are you saying that med school wouldn't be a good idea for me at all? I'm a pre-med major, so I don't really have a lot of other opportunities.

No, that's not what I'm saying. Only you can judge how much potential you have. I decided along time ago that engineering was not for me, only you can decide where your strengths lie. For all I know you will be a wonderful physician some day. Based on the little you have posted here, I think it is more of a problem of tactics than ability.
It concerns me that you don't know what your major is, as there is no such thing as a "pre-med" major. Couple that with the fact that you never ask questions and have never been to office hours, and one can easily conclude that you are not applying yourself efficiently. Look up study habits of A students, visit your school's learning center, and basically just do whatever you need to do to fix this now.

Edit: There's one more thing I want to add. If the changes you make are not painful (long hours of studying, cutting back on your social life, etc.), then you are not doing enough.

 

[gorays39]

Those programs are 1-2 years of continued undergrad classes. The next two years are essential your "program." When I talk about "postbacc" programs for you I am primarily referring to SMP's, which would eat you alive with your current study habits.

I wouldn't worry about the MCAT now. In your position, I would kill the next two years and then take the MCAT after I graduate. A poor MCAT score would probably be the proverbial nail in the coffin.

No, that's not what I'm saying. Only you can judge how much potential you have. I decided along time ago that engineering was not for me, only you can decide where your strengths lie. For all I know you will be a wonderful physician some day. Based on the little you have posted here, I think it is more of a problem of tactics than ability.
It concerns me that you don't know what your major is, as there is no such thing as a "pre-med" major. Couple that with the fact that you never ask questions and have never been to office hours, and one can easily conclude that you are not applying yourself efficiently. Look up study habits of A students, visit your school's learning center, and basically just do whatever you need to do to fix this now.

My major is called "Science Pre-Professional", it's essentially a pre-med major.

If I take the MCAT after graduating, then wouldn't I only be applying to med school a year after? If so, wouldn't I need to think of something to do during the gap year, like an SMP or something? Forgive me if I sound obtuse. I'm very stressed out by this hole I've dug myself in, I have literally nothing I could do with my major besides go to medical school.

EDIT: I don't really have a social life.

 

[ZedsDed]

My major is called "Science Pre-Professional", it's essentially a pre-med major.

That sounds like a soft, generic science major; very similar to the "health sciences" major at my school. I hope it allows you to take molecular bio, immunology, virology, and classes of that nature. If so, great. The classes you are going to need to ace going forward are the hard-core upper division science classes. If not, you are going to have to figure out a way to get into hard science classes.

If I take the MCAT after graduating, then wouldn't I only be applying to med school a year after?

Correct. You need to understand that you are in a bind, and you don't get to dictate the terms by which you redeem yourself. You are years away from being ready for med school. As a certain AdCom member is fond of saying, this process is a marathon, not a race.

If so, wouldn't I need to think of something to do during the gap year, like an SMP or something? Forgive me if I sound obtuse. I'm very stressed out by this hole I've dug myself in, I have literally nothing I could do with my major besides go to medical school.

Say you spend the summer after you graduate studying for the MCAT, then you take the MCAT around September, then you apply to SMPs for the coming academic year around December or so. After that, you would need to finish the SMP, and apply the following year. So, in that scenario, you would be looking at two more years of undergrad, followed by a gap year, followed by an SMP, followed by another gap year, followed by med school. But we are not even at the point of needing an SMP yet, so this involves way too much speculation. If you ace the next two years, and if you really crush the MCAT (or if you are open to the idea of DO), then you can hopefully avoid doing an SMP. Take a deep breath, I'm sure you will figure it out in the end.

 

[gorays39]

That sounds like a soft, generic science major; very similar to the "health sciences" major at my school. I hope it allows you to take molecular bio, immunology, virology, and classes of that nature. If so, great. The classes you are going to need to ace going forward are the hard-core upper division science classes. If not, you are going to have to figure out a way to get into hard science classes.

Correct. You need to understand that you are in a bind, and you don't get to dictate the terms by which you redeem yourself. You are years away from being ready for med school. As a certain AdCom member is fond of saying, this process is a marathon, not a race.

Say you spend the summer after you graduate studying for the MCAT, then you take the MCAT around September, then you apply to SMPs for the coming academic year around December or so. After that, you would need to finish the SMP, and apply the following year. So, in that scenario, you would be looking at two more years of undergrad, followed by a gap year, followed by an SMP, followed by another gap year, followed by med school. But we are not even at the point of needing an SMP yet, so this involves way too much speculation. If you ace the next two years, and if you really crush the MCAT (or if you are open to the idea of DO), then you can hopefully avoid doing an SMP. Take a deep breath, I'm sure you will figure it out in the end.

Yes, it allows you entry into any of the Bio major courses, but with more flexibility. I opted out of the bio major because I originally had a second major but decided to drop it this summer, as I was no longer interested in it. My plan is to take Biochem, Genetics, Animal Behavior, Physics II, Cell Bio, Embryology, Virology, and at least 2 other science courses before I graduate.

I see your point about the MCAT. I just need to justify to my family, who is funding my premed education, why taking the year off is necessary. What could I do during that time? I guess I misunderstood how an SMP works, my bad, but I need to have a plan for something during that one year stretch of time.

 

[ZedsDed]

Yes, it allows you entry into any of the Bio major courses, but with more flexibility. I opted out of the bio major because I originally had a second major but decided to drop it this summer, as I was no longer interested in it. My plan is to take Biochem, Genetics, Animal Behavior, Physics II, Cell Bio, Embryology, Virology, and at least 2 other science courses before I graduate.

I see your point about the MCAT. I just need to justify to my family, who is funding my premed education, why taking the year off is necessary. What could I do during that time? I guess I misunderstood how an SMP works, my bad, but I need to have a plan for something during that one year stretch of time.

If your family is floating you, working and volunteering during that year may help.

If your family is skeptical, tell them to come surf SDN and see what the process is like. Seriously.

An SMP is an audition for med school. You take med school courses, usually at a medical school, in which you are curved against the medical school class average. Check out the postbacc forum if you want to learn more.

 

[gorays39]

If your family is floating you, working and volunteering during that year may help.

If your family is skeptical, tell them to come surf SDN and see what the process is like. Seriously.

An SMP is an audition for med school. You take med school courses, usually at a medical school, in which you are curved against the medical school class average. Check out the postbacc forum if you want to learn more.

I'll show my family this thread. I don't know if they'll float me after I graduate, that isn't part of our agreement. But perhaps I'll look into a health-related job or a volunteer opportunity for that time. They think I'll just sit around if I take a gap year, they don't get that it's really necessary for me to take one...

 

[ZedsDed]

I'll show my family this thread. I don't know if they'll float me after I graduate, that isn't part of our agreement. But perhaps I'll look into a health-related job or a volunteer opportunity for that time. They think I'll just sit around if I take a gap year, they don't get that it's really necessary for me to take one...

Sounds good, good luck