Gap Years: How long is too long?

[eagle311]

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Hi Everyone,

So I graduated in the summer 2012 with my B.A. and I plan to apply to DO school in 2015. I needed the time in between to make money in order to help my parents pay my undergraduate loans/pay my own, save up for med school apps, and retake some sci classes. I also needed the time to process everything mentally-family divorce, shortsale on home, teenage sister became pregnant, etc. This delayed the app process and the mcat even one year further than I originally hoped. This being said, I want to know this can affect my chances of getting in?

Since 2012 I have been working 3 part-time jobs (5-30 hrs/week), volunteering for a rape crisis hotline, hospice, couple of health fairs, retook 3 classess with the addition of 3 new ones, shadowed many docs (even explored other areas like optometry)and just recently landed a substitute teacher gig. I am taking the MCAT this year. I just feel like I had so much time on my hands and that I should have been doing MORE with my time?? Anyone else relate??

 

[Awesome Sauceome]

I dont think there is ever a "too long." I think as long as you continue to work towards the goal and your EC's show that, then you are in fact a more qualified applicant. Consistently every year there are people in their 30s and stuff that get into schools. If it took you even 2 or 3 years to find your path whereas someone else knew by junior year, its all good. Everyone has a different story to tell, but as long as you keep growing and investing your time in places that clearly show that you are working towards a field in medicine, then you are solid.