Gap Year Options

[nextgen007]

Hey everyone!

I am a senior and my GPA is a 3.53 and I have had a lot of family issues that have just gotten in the way of me being able to take my MCAT earlier and apply to medical schools this past June. I am desparately in search of a gap year option. I have been looking into consulting for a healthcare company, but i'm not entirely sure if that would be the best option. I would greatly appreciate any tips on potential opportunities I could apply to for me to pursue after graduation in May. I will be applying to medical schools in June 2019. I willl take my MCAT in January and I just want to get as many options presented for me as possible. Thank you in advance.

 

[crazymedguy123]

I don't think you are a nontraditional student, but it depends on what experiences you had in college. You should most likely look into clinical experiences (EMT, scribing, CNA, MA, etc.) and/or volunteering (either clinical or nonclinical). Your GPA is at the MD/DO borderline so where you should apply will really depend on what you are capable of scoring. Working as a consultant won't hurt your app but it does not fulfill adcom's desire to see you work with patients or work with people in need.

 

[precisiongraphic]

Hey everyone!

I am a senior and my GPA is a 3.53 and I have had a lot of family issues that have just gotten in the way of me being able to take my MCAT earlier and apply to medical schools this past June. I am desperately in search of a gap year option. I have been looking into consulting for a healthcare company, but i'm not entirely sure if that would be the best option. I would greatly appreciate any tips on potential opportunities I could apply to for me to pursue after graduation in May. I will be applying to medical schools in June 2019. I willl take my MCAT in January and I just want to get as many options presented for me as possible. Thank you in advance.

I think you should focus 100% on your grades from now to graduation to up your GPA which, at this moment, is the most likely to keep you from getting into med school. Do not study for the MCAT with the intention of taking it before you are scoring in the MD-achievement range, which for a 3.5 is probably 515 or so - this means studying after gradation. I also advise a gap year.

My advice:
*Finish your undergrad degree with As for the rest of the year.
*Graduate in May 2019
*Spend a whole 4-6 weeks immediately after graduation studying for and taking the MCAT June or July 2019
* During your one day a week off from MCAT studying, look for a job. Sure if you can walk into a consulting job do that - but if you don't already have heavy clinical experience, I'd say to take something easy to get. I'd advise scribing as the easiest to get. CNA is good but you need training so if you strike out for scribing, look for a one-week CNA training class that will start right after your MCAT test date.

This means that you need a gap year because there is no way you can take classes, work, study for and take the MCAT and get all your personal statements and secondaries written before applying in July. Applicants try to rush all these every year (see posts by @gonnif ) and are hampered by a late (August/September) application with borderline stats. Late applications are ok for 3.9/518 people - maybe - but not as good for those who need more experience and who have lower scores. You can also use the gap year to increase your volunteering experience as well as clinical experience as already discussed.

Don't rush it or you risk wasting money on a failed cycle and having to do it all again on a reapplicant year. Do it once and do it right.