Gap Year Options

[mdna]

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I'm a rising undergraduate senior and planning to graduate in the spring of 2014 with a Bachelors of Arts in Biology and Psychology. At the moment, my cGPA is a 3.4 and my sGPA is a 3.3. Honestly, that's a bit weak, which is why I'm going to wait to apply. I've been mulling over some options for what to do to make myself a competitive applicant and narrowed it down to two:

1) Take the GRE, get into a biomedical science masters program, do well, take the MCAT in the spring of my first year, and apply to medical school in the second year of the program

2) Get CNA certification in the summer after graduation, work as a CNA in the fall and spring while re-taking science courses and taking new ones, take the MCAT in the spring of 2015, apply in fall 2015

I'm leaning towards the first option, but the only thing holding me back is cost. Still, I managed to find a masters program at Florida Atlantic University where it'll cost $12000 in total because I'm a Florida resident.

However, based on your experience, which option I listed or other option for that matter would be best in your opinion?

 

[Wipeout416]

Take a practice MCAT, if its somewhat decent, study up and take a real one.. 3.4 is really great for DO, especially if you apply broad/early.

*This is thinking you get 27+ on the MCAT. Im pretty much in your shoes and scored a 29, so Ive applied this cycle.

 

[hallowmann]

I'm a rising undergraduate senior and planning to graduate in the spring of 2014 with a Bachelors of Arts in Biology and Psychology. At the moment, my cGPA is a 3.4 and my sGPA is a 3.3. Honestly, that's a bit weak, which is why I'm going to wait to apply. I've been mulling over some options for what to do to make myself a competitive applicant and narrowed it down to two:

1) Take the GRE, get into a biomedical science masters program, do well, take the MCAT in the spring of my first year, and apply to medical school in the second year of the program

2) Get CNA certification in the summer after graduation, work as a CNA in the fall and spring while re-taking science courses and taking new ones, take the MCAT in the spring of 2015, apply in fall 2015

I'm leaning towards the first option, but the only thing holding me back is cost. Still, I managed to find a masters program at Florida Atlantic University where it'll cost $12000 in total because I'm a Florida resident.

However, based on your experience, which option I listed or other option for that matter would be best in your opinion?

If it were me, I'd do the second option, mainly because its cheaper and gives you a fair amount of clinical experience. Realistically though, you should just take the MCAT next spring/summer, and if you do well (27+), just apply DO if that's what you are looking for. DO averages are 3.4/3.3/27, so you're in range and would have a good shot for LECOM or even Nova if you apply early.

If you are going for MD, I'd do the SMP, preferably at a school with a med school that guarantees an acceptance or even interview with certain stats (i.e. some form of linkage). I would go for an SMP though, and not a real masters, just because you should be in a good position for at least one of the FL MD schools if you do well on a 1yr SMP and get 30+ on your MCAT. If time isn't an issue, you can do a 2yr MS, but its really up to you.

 

[ToKingdomCome]

Look into medical scribing. It's a great option and you can make some money.

 

[mdna]

If it were me, I'd do the second option, mainly because its cheaper and gives you a fair amount of clinical experience. Realistically though, you should just take the MCAT next spring/summer, and if you do well (27+), just apply DO if that's what you are looking for. DO averages are 3.4/3.3/27, so you're in range and would have a good shot for LECOM or even Nova if you apply early.

If you are going for MD, I'd do the SMP, preferably at a school with a med school that guarantees an acceptance or even interview with certain stats (i.e. some form of linkage). I would go for an SMP though, and not a real masters, just because you should be in a good position for at least one of the FL MD schools if you do well on a 1yr SMP and get 30+ on your MCAT. If time isn't an issue, you can do a 2yr MS, but its really up to you.

I didn't know there were differences between SMPs and Masters in Biomedical Science programs so thanks for letting me know! The program I was seriously considering was that of Florida Atlantic University. It's a 2-year (30 credits in hard science) MS in Biomedical Science program, it's connected to their medical school, and I've heard good reviews from some alumni. Also, it's MUCH cheaper than the SMPs at Barry and Nova. Would that be as good as an SMP?

 

[hallowmann]

I didn't know there were differences between SMPs and Masters in Biomedical Science programs so thanks for letting me know! The program I was seriously considering was that of Florida Atlantic University. It's a 2-year (30 credits in hard science) MS in Biomedical Science program, it's connected to their medical school, and I've heard good reviews from some alumni. Also, it's MUCH cheaper than the SMPs at Barry and Nova. Would that be as good as an SMP?

I'm sure it would be fine, its just 2 yrs as opposed to 1 yr like many SMPs. That's the only downside in my opinion. If it is only $12,000 for the whole program, its probably the cheapest you'll find.

Do you know if there is any guarantee of an interview or anything like that? I'd imagine that at very least, you'd have a good shot at most FL programs if you do well in that (like >3.7).