Graduating Senior! Need advice on what to do!

[remonde]

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[sector9]

Can you do research?

I would find a job rather than do a master's. The masters won't help you much with med school

 

[ppfizenm]

Okay so here's my situation.

I am currently a senior biology student (junior technically, but senior by credits). I did not know I was able to graduate until the end of this summer (I didn't pay attention to my course track). Therefore, I didn't apply to Medical school this semester, so I will have an extra year off until medical school to do whatever I want to do.

So the plan is to pursue a masters degree or enroll in some type of special post bacc program to use the extra year I have off. I want to do something constructive in this entire year, not just relax. I currently go to school in North Carolina and there is only one program in this state that will allow me to pursue upper-level courses (non-thesis masters program at NC State University). I was wondering does anyone know of any other programs that I could enroll in to use this year off productively? I want to go to medical school in the Fall of 2013, so I don't want to pursue a program that is longer than a year.

By the way, a few of my stats are:

Science GPA: 4.0
Overall GPA: 3.9
Research Assistant in a Molecular Neuroscience lab (2 years)
Organic chemistry teaching assistant (2 years)
Lead tutor in a CRLA recognized organization (1 year)
Hospital volunteering (2 years)
Shadowing and clinic experiences with disadvantaged clinics
Will be taking the MCAT in January 2012.

Thanks in advance for anyone's help!

Just get a job.

 

[FightinUruKai]

I don't think you need to do more classes. If you don't have a master's that you are really interested in, I don't think it would benefit you much.

Why don't you take the time to work, volunteer,and travel? I think that you would find that very fulfulling, and it's a perfectly acceptable way to spend a year..

 

[aSagacious]

Moving to 'what are my chances' forum.

 

[Catalystik]

Your GPA is excellent, so you don't need postbac work. A hard science masters would be of marginal usefulness, except as it provided reasearch or teaching opportunities, which you don't need. The only reason to engage in a masters would be if you need to delay educational loan repayment.

As has been mentioned, get a job, in research, a clinical milieu, Americorps or similar public service opportunity that comes with a stipend (and significantly enhances your application), or something that requires people skills. Meanwhile, do some nonmedical volunteering, keep your hand in clinically somehow, exercise your leadership, spend time with friends and family.