Gap Year

[nextgen007]

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Hey everyone! I am currently looking to see if there are any postbac programs without a glide year? I really am trying not to set myself behind by 2 years and would really really appreicate anyone that could give me some advice...what are MCAT scores needed, GPA, etc? I am super insanely stressed out and honestly want to show medical schools all I have got, I just started off to a rocky start due to personal issues, and just want to figure out how to not take away two years more because of it. Thank you in advance. Can anyone walk me through the timeline of things that would need to happen for a program that would not have a gap year?

In addition, I was planning on maybe just doing a health care consulting job in the gap year, but still want to apply to medical schools next June (I will be graduated as an undergrad). What are other options I have. I plan on hopefully raising my science GPA to maybe a 3.2/3.3 and my overall GPA to potentially a 3.6, and I am planning on taking my MCAT soon so i'll have my score avaliable in July.

Any other options or advice would be greatly appreciated as well.

 

[chaim123]

Whats the point of doing a post-bac if those grades aren't available to strengthen your application? It seems like you could use a good GPA boost, but if you apply before the grades are out, then what's the point? Whether you do a one or two year post bac, you need to get those grades back before you are ready to apply.

 

[nextgen007]

How exactly should I improve my application then, since I really don't want to take 2 years off..

 

[chaim123]

How exactly should I improve my application then, since I really don't want to take 2 years off..

What grades are you talking about? Your current grades or postbac grades?

 

[nextgen007]

My current grades, I have not taken or applied to a postbac program because I don't want to wait two years before starting medical school.

 

[chaim123]

My current grades, I have not taken or applied to a postbac program because I don't want to wait two years before starting medical school.

It may be best for some adcoms to reply to you and give you some advice. If you don't want to take two years off, then that means you want to apply to medical school in the June after your senior year, and matriculate one year later. Therefore, you won't be able to strengthen your application past your graduation - I don't know enough about you to give you advice except to say that your GPA is low for both MD and DO schools.

For linkage programs, which you inquired about but then deleted your post on - you apply through a special agreement with your school AFTER you have post bac grades to show. Usually it is a 2 year post bac program, and you apply during your second year. You are right, there is no glide year. But you would still be taking 2 years off. You can't use a school's linkage program without taking the year off to complete the post bac coursework first.

 

[Melchizedek]

It may be best for some adcoms to reply to you and give you some advice. If you don't want to take two years off, then that means you want to apply to medical school in the June after your senior year, and matriculate one year later. Therefore, you won't be able to strengthen your application past your graduation - I don't know enough about you to give you advice except to say that your GPA is low for both MD and DO schools.

For linkage programs, which you inquired about but then deleted your post on - you apply through a special agreement with your school AFTER you have post bac grades to show. Usually it is a 2 year post bac program, and you apply during your second year. You are right, there is no glide year. But you would still be taking 2 years off. You can't use a school's linkage program without taking the year off to complete the post bac coursework first.

ehhhhh not necessarily true. EVMS and Drexel both have 1 year SMP programs that you apply to their linked medical schools the fall of the program. EVMS will only consider you for application at the end of the program (May) whereas Drexel will consider you for interview depending on your first semester grades, and then accept you from there if your second semester continues to be good. In either case, if you do well in the program you attend the medical school without a glide year.

EDIT to add: Forgot Temple's ACMS 1 year program. They interview you at the beginning and if accepted, you have a spot in the next year's medical school class provided you hit the grade requirement during the ACMS year.
and Gtown's GEMS as long as we are talking about functional linkages.

 

[chaim123]

ehhhhh not necessarily true. EVMS and Drexel both have 1 year SMP programs that you apply to their linked medical schools the fall of the program. EVMS will only consider you for application at the end of the program (May) whereas Drexel will consider you for interview depending on your first semester grades, and then accept you from there if your second semester continues to be good. In either case, if you do well in the program you attend the medical school without a glide year.

EVMS doesn't have an official linkage I think. They just say that successful students are generally successful in getting into their medical school.

 

[Melchizedek]

EVMS doesn't have an official linkage I think. They just say that successful students are generally successful in getting into their medical school.

I'm glad you pointed that out. I think thats the company line because med schools on the whole are trying to phase out linkage.
As far as I know from a friend currently in their program: he was advised to submit an AMCAS application to EVMS mid way through fall semester (after 2/3 rounds of exam grades were in), interviewed mid spring semester, and is supposed to hear a final decision in the early weeks of June after his final grades are in.
Could be N=1 but I think its still functionally a linkage.

 

[Melchizedek]

Hey everyone! I am currently looking to see if there are any postbac programs without a glide year? I really am trying not to set myself behind by 2 years and would really really appreicate anyone that could give me some advice...what are MCAT scores needed, GPA, etc? I am super insanely stressed out and honestly want to show medical schools all I have got, I just started off to a rocky start due to personal issues, and just want to figure out how to not take away two years more because of it. Thank you in advance. Can anyone walk me through the timeline of things that would need to happen for a program that would not have a gap year?

In addition, I was planning on maybe just doing a health care consulting job in the gap year, but still want to apply to medical schools next June (I will be graduated as an undergrad). What are other options I have. I plan on hopefully raising my science GPA to maybe a 3.2/3.3 and my overall GPA to potentially a 3.6, and I am planning on taking my MCAT soon so i'll have my score avaliable in July.

Any other options or advice would be greatly appreciated as well.

Didn't realize I never addressed the meat of your questions:
GPA: 3.0 to 3.4 is typically the range for MD SMP's. Not too familiar with the DO SMP's.
Most SMP's want MCAT scores that are decent but not high
Drexel IMS - 75th percentile across the board (but will accept you if you submit application with lower scores, provided you retake the MCAT before the spring. But that involves MCAT studying while in the SMP which is a disaster and a topic for a thread all on its own).
Georgetown GEMS - 499 for admission (eyeroll here because what they don't publicly tell you is that you need a ~510 to actually make the requirement for linkage)
Temple ACMS and EVMS - Don't publicly release MCAT requirement AFAIK.

How far into your undergrad career are you?
If you are a junior, you should have enough time to pull together an application to go into an SMP the fall after your senior year. If you are a senior then the problem is that all of these programs (exception of EVMS) have June 1st application deadlines. Not only will you have to have a personal statement, LOR, Transcripts, etc ready to roll RIGHT NOW, but also a July MCAT is not going to be soon enough for them to make a decision and admit you this year. EVMS has "rolling" admissions (you send in the primary before June 1st and they only review you after you get all your materials in but by July you're basically interviewing for a waitlist spot.)

 

[nextgen007]

Didn't realize I never addressed the meat of your questions:
GPA: 3.0 to 3.4 is typically the range for MD SMP's. Not too familiar with the DO SMP's.
Most SMP's want MCAT scores that are decent but not high
Drexel IMS - 75th percentile across the board (but will accept you if you submit application with lower scores, provided you retake the MCAT before the spring. But that involves MCAT studying while in the SMP which is a disaster and a topic for a thread all on its own).
Georgetown GEMS - 499 for admission (eyeroll here because what they don't publicly tell you is that you need a ~510 to actually make the requirement for linkage)
Temple ACMS and EVMS - Don't publicly release MCAT requirement AFAIK.

The problem is that all of these programs (exception of EVMS) have June 1st application deadlines. Not only will you have to have a personal statement, LOR, Transcripts, etc ready to roll RIGHT NOW, but also a July MCAT is not going to be soon enough for them to make a decision and admit you this year. EVMS has "rolling" admissions (you send in the primary before June 1st and they only review you after you get all your materials in but by July you're basically interviewing for a waitlist spot.)
Sorry bud, (if you're not applying this cycle) I think you're looking at, at least 2 gap years at this point 🙁

I haven't graduated undergrad yet, I have one more year, so do you think maybe if I increase my science GPA and overall GPA, there's a chance for me to just apply next June...? I will really try my hardest with MCAT and everything else in my application will be solid. I will increase my gpa as much as possible as well...

 

[nextgen007]

See above, I edited.

I'm sorry, just wanted to clarify, so if I wanted to go to Temple's program, I would have to apply by June (to start classes next August 2019?)

 

[Melchizedek]

I'm sorry, just wanted to clarify, so if I wanted to go to Temple's program, I would have to apply by June (to start classes next August 2019?)

You would take your MCAT summer 2018, application would open October 2018, you would apply by June 1st of 2019 (But sooner is always better. Aim for ~Jan-Feb since you want to have your next fall grades factored into your GPA), if accepted, start a program August 2019, if successful in the program, start medical school August 2020.

:sidenote: are you URM?

 

[nextgen007]

You would take your MCAT summer 2018, application would open October 2018, you would apply by June 1st of 2019 (But sooner is always better. Aim for ~Jan-Feb since you want to have your next fall grades factored into your GPA), if accepted, start a program August 2019, if successful in the program, start medical school August 2020.

:sidenote: are you URM?

Gotcha! Makes sense, I am hoping to do well enough so I do not have to take the MCAT in January again, but if worst case scenario I do, then i'll just submit everything ASAP. and I am an Asian- Indian, would that count? @Melchizedek

 

[nextgen007]

Gotcha! Makes sense, I am hoping to do well enough so I do not have to take the MCAT in January again, but if worst case scenario I do, then i'll just submit everything ASAP. and I am an Asian- Indian, would that count? @Melchizedek

What exactly are your thoughts regarding my scenario here? Especially considering the fact that I really don't want to take two years off?

 

[chaim123]

What exactly are your thoughts regarding my scenario here? Especially considering the fact that I really don't want to take two years off?

You are not URM. As for the MCAT - rushing it and doing poorly is only going to make you take more time off. Don't take it until you are ready to take it. The goal is to take it once and only once.

 

[Melchizedek]

What exactly are your thoughts regarding my scenario here? Especially considering the fact that I really don't want to take two years off?

You haven’t given us exact numbers with your current cGPA. Without knowing all that and other factors all I can do is guess. Best case scenario you take the MCAT this summer and score around a ~510 and then you pull your cGPA up to a 3.6 which would actually put you in a decent place (depending on EC’s and Volunteering) to apply straight to medical schools and SMP’s as a backup. With a 3.2/3.3 sGPA I have some confidence in you that you’d be able to get a 510 but only if you work hard.

You are not URM. As for the MCAT - rushing it and doing poorly is only going to make you take more time off. Don't take it until you are ready to take it. The goal is to take it once and only once.

100% agree with this. If you don’t think you’re ready to take this summer, study up this fall (winter break is a great time to dedicate to MCAT studying) and take it in January.

 

[nextgen007]

You haven’t given us exact numbers with your current cGPA. Without knowing all that and other factors all I can do is guess. Best case scenario you take the MCAT this summer and score around a ~510 and then you pull your cGPA up to a 3.6 which would actually put you in a decent place (depending on EC’s and Volunteering) to apply straight to medical schools and SMP’s as a backup. With a 3.2/3.3 sGPA I have some confidence in you that you’d be able to get a 510 but only if you work hard.


100% agree with this. If you don’t think you’re ready to take this summer, study up this fall (winter break is a great time to dedicate to MCAT studying) and take it in January.

The only reason for my low science gpa is because of hardship experienced, which is definitely discussed and seen on my transcript with several hardship withdrawals, I don't believe it was in any way related to my understanding of the material if that makes sense? @Melchizedek

 

[Melchizedek]

The only reason for my low science gpa is because of hardship experienced, which is definitely discussed and seen on my transcript with several hardship withdrawals, I don't believe it was in any way related to my understanding of the material if that makes sense? @Melchizedek

Oh man i’m sorry to hear that 🙁 I hope whatever it was has been resolved.

Like I said we don’t have the whole picture so it’s up to you to make the decision. If you can understand the material better than what your numbers reflect, with a 3.6 cGPA a 510 is a reasonable goal (it puts you above ~60% of other applicants) which is a decent spot for mid to low tier med schools. Your chances only go up the higher you score.

 

[nextgen007]

Oh man i’m sorry to hear that 🙁 I hope whatever it was has been resolved.

Like I said we don’t have the whole picture so it’s up to you to make the decision. If you can understand the material better than what your numbers reflect, with a 3.6 cGPA a 510 is a reasonable goal (it puts you above ~60% of other applicants) which is a decent spot for mid to low tier med schools. Your chances only go up the higher you score.

Thank you! 🙂 Appreciate all the help! I will probably have to take it this June and I will give it my all of course; however, if all does not go as planned, I will go for another shot in January and see where my chances are there. Hopefully, I am looking forward and thinking if since I am taking a large number of science classes, this could help my sGPA go up along with my cGPA as well. Based on MCAT scores, I belive I might apply for the program you mentioned, allowing me to start medical school in 2020, otherwise I might take my shot and just focus on improving my gpa for the next 20 some credit classes! Do you think that sounds like a generally decent approach to my circumstnace. I know I have a better idea of what I should be going into and what I can achieve; however, just as a general approach given the information you have of me, does that seem logical?

 

[chaim123]

Thank you! 🙂 Appreciate all the help! I will probably have to take it this June and I will give it my all of course; however, if all does not go as planned, I will go for another shot in January and see where my chances are there. Hopefully, I am looking forward and thinking if since I am taking a large number of science classes, this could help my sGPA go up along with my cGPA as well. Based on MCAT scores, I belive I might apply for the program you mentioned, allowing me to start medical school in 2020, otherwise I might take my shot and just focus on improving my gpa for the next 20 some credit classes! Do you think that sounds like a generally decent approach to my circumstnace. I know I have a better idea of what I should be going into and what I can achieve; however, just as a general approach given the information you have of me, does that seem logical?

I think its risky, so be prepared for pitfalls along the way. But if those are risks you are willing to take then that is a personal decision.