Gap Year Options (Post Bac vs CC)

[hopefor2019]

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Hey everyone,

I'm currently a senior majoring in Kinesiology and I will be graduating spring 2019. I most likely will graduate with a 3.4 gpa which I know isn't that high. I recently decided that the PT route wasn't for me so I switched to MD route. Once I graduate, I will need to take Organic 1&2, Physics 2, and Biochem.

I have taken these classes at my university so far all with labs

• Bio 1 - (B)
• Bio 2 - (A)
• Chem 1 - (C)
• Chem 2 - (C)
• Anatomy - (A)
• Physiology - (A)
• Stats - (A)
• Microbiology - (B)
• Psychology - (B)

So my main question is if I should take the rest of the prerequisites at a community college once I graduate or should I do post bacc at university in my home state (TX). I will be graduating in 3 years instead of 4 years so I'm able to take a gap year to do what I need to do.

Also, what should I be adding to strengthen my application once its time for me to apply?

GPA: 3.4ish
Shadowing: 150 PT and OT (major requirement so I will need to find a MD to shadow next semester)
Work Experience: Office Assistant in the College of Public Health (2 years. Had to quit this semester because of heavy course load)
Extracurriculars:

• Volunteer in Histology Lab (45 hours)
• Volunteer in ER department (45 hours)
• Volunteer in Cardiopulmonary Rehab Center (45 hours)
• Volunteer in Cancer Center Waiting Room (45 hours)
• Volunteer at Women Shelter (50 hours)
• Pre medical activities council club (PMAC) (100 hours)
• Apart of the Kinesiology Club
• Went on a 1 week trip to Mexico with 2 PA, 2 MDs and 10 PA students from my university. Had a about 50 shadowing hours during this trip.

 

[BigBoss]

Do a post-bacc. Med schools will not take your app seriously if you take core science prereqs at a CC.


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[Catalystik]

I'm currently a senior majoring in Kinesiology and I will be graduating spring 2019. I most likely will graduate with a 3.4 gpa which I know isn't that high. I recently decided that the PT route wasn't for me so I switched to MD route. Once I graduate, I will need to take Organic 1&2, Physics 2, and Biochem.

I have taken these classes at my university so far all with labs

• Bio 1 - (B)
• Bio 2 - (A)
• Chem 1 - (C)
• Chem 2 - (C)
• Anatomy - (A)
• Physiology - (A)
• Stats - (A)
• Microbiology - (B)
• Psychology - (B)

1) So my main question is if I should take the rest of the prerequisites at a community college once I graduate or should I do post bacc at university in my home state (TX). I will be graduating in 3 years instead of 4 years so I'm able to take a gap year to do what I need to do.

2) Also, what should I be adding to strengthen my application once its time for me to apply?

GPA: 3.4ish
Shadowing: 150 PT and OT (major requirement so I will need to find a MD to shadow next semester)
Work Experience: Office Assistant in the College of Public Health (2 years. Had to quit this semester because of heavy course load)
Extracurriculars:

• Volunteer in Histology Lab (45 hours)
• Volunteer in ER department (45 hours)
• Volunteer in Cardiopulmonary Rehab Center (45 hours)
• Volunteer in Cancer Center Waiting Room (45 hours)
• Volunteer at Women Shelter (50 hours)
• Pre medical activities council club (PMAC) (100 hours)
• Apart of the Kinesiology Club
• Went on a 1 week trip to Mexico with 2 PA, 2 MDs and 10 PA students from my university. Had a about 50 shadowing hours during this trip.

1) Any reason you can't stay an extra year at your current school so you can keep your registration priority? If you are a non-degree student elsewhere, you will be the last group to register and it could take an extra year to get all the classes you need.

2) Shadowing physicians in an international environment isn't ideal. I suggest adding an office-based primary care doc, perhaps a DO physician in case you end up applying to DO schools, who like a DO LOR. Also, international medical relief trips aren't a great resource for volunteer activity, though it seems like you were mainly a passive observer getting in some shadowing time, rather than an active participant?

Add more nonmedical community service, like more hours at the Women's Shelter.

Teaching (maybe you did that in the Histo Lab?) and Leadership activities benefit an application, but aren't required. And a research activity would be nice to see.

 

[Catalystik]

Do a post-bacc. Med schools will not take your app seriously if you take core science prereqs at a CC.

The concern is that generally (though not universally) CCs are felt to have less course rigor and would not prepare you well to take the MCAT. Expect Biochem to be heavily tested. Considering your lower GPAs, having a strong MCAT score will be important to your chances at MD schools.

 

[Catalystik]

1) I currently go to school out of state and the tuition was raised last year which required me to take out loans. So, I rather not stay another year which would require me to take out a lot more loans. I would be able to pay out of pocket if I went to a school in state or CC.

I also have to get 150 more shadowing hours next semester so I'll be able to shadow a DO or MD at my university hospital. Does it matter what speciality that I shadow in?

3) I'll start looking for research or a TA position this week. Thank you for the response!

1) Understandable.

2) About 50 (US) shadowing hours are the average listed. Don't go overboard, when you could spend that time volunteering. Best specialties are Internal Med, Pediatrics, OBGYN, Psych, or family medicine, which are all considered "primary care". Try to get office-based hours as well as in-hospital time.

3) Sounds good.