Have you considered a gap year/break before applying?

[Caliber]

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I am considering a year break before applying to medical school for two reasons: finances and perfection.
I want to be more financially secure for emergencies and to have a very strong application. Plus, the MCAT is changing in 2015 (not sure what month), so what sense does it make to try and rush and take it and possibly do horribly on it? While I take this break, I am planning to commit to community service, studying,working, and spending time with friends and family after 4 years of undergrad.

How about you? Do you know anyone that has? Any advice?

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

Go ahead. You're not the first to take some time for themselves.

 

[EMDO2018]

MOST DO applicants are not 22 year olds right out of college. DO applicants tend to be non trads with some life experience. I graduated at 23, starting med school at 26. Guess I have taken 3 gap years.

 

[kevin2400]

When I was in your position these are some things I considered:
Once you start medical school, your life in the next decade or so is pretty much gone, so do everything that you always wanted to do before you go to med school, and sometimes an extra year would be nice.
But.... every year you wait is over 200k of potential physician salary you could of had!
Don't get burned out your gap year before med school because med school+residency will be stressful and the more time you stress out before med school is no bueno, so really, try to enjoy your time off!

 

[68quebec]

I'm in the same boat. Planning on US road trip from coast to coast round trip for 2-3 months. possibility of delaying another year of entry due to my wife's school option. however, i want to finish off mcat before they change though.

 

[Awesome Sauceome]

I did and it was the best decision I made. Instead of rushing to get an application thrown together I was able to spend this year working, getting more shadowing, and getting all of my LOR in order and stuff. Its a lot less stressful, I should be able to apply within the first couple if minutes. I think that's a win

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[Caliber]

When I was in your position these are some things I considered:
Once you start medical school, your life in the next decade or so is pretty much gone, so do everything that you always wanted to do before you go to med school, and sometimes an extra year would be nice.
But.... every year you wait is over 200k of potential physician salary you could of had!
Don't get burned out your gap year before med school because med school+residency will be stressful and the more time you stress out before med school is no bueno, so really, try to enjoy your time off!

This is so true. I really want to travel before I go to medical school but also save up some money and have that perfect application. I'm not too concerned with missing out on the salary, but I do see what you're saying: you're getting further behind by taking a gap year. I'm just burned, and I think a year will get me more focused. I think I'll be so much better off that way.


Thanks for the advice everyone. I'm more confident in my decision now.

 

[Dreamstoo]

I was at first but with a 3.3-3.4/3.3-3.4, I'll take my chances as a junior applying. I do plan on graduating a term early in senior year so if I get into medical school, I will have 3-4 extra months off before school starts.

 

[bcurtis]

I am doing exactly what you plan to do. I graduate in spring 2015 and I'm taking a year off for work, volunteer work, and working for LORs. Then taking the 2015 MCAT which I'm prepared for. This puts me applying for the 2016-2017 cycle which is fine by me. It shows discipline and that you've really planed your application tactics.

 

[Capitalmed]

I figured I would put in my 2 cents! I'm assuming OP is graduating this spring, but why not take the MCAT this year before it changes? I don't know about you (maybe you're a psychology major or another non-science), but I would rather take the MCAT without the new section! They have test dates through November 2014! That's A LOT of time to prepare! What I did after graduating in May 2012 was study that summer and took it in September, then started looking for jobs and shadowing different physicians! You can take most of the summer for yourself and still take the exam in November as long as you're ready by then! As others have said, taking gap years are common and many medical students have told me it's been worth it! I really think it is as I feel like I'm more centered and ready for my first year!

 

[Caliber]

I figured I would put in my 2 cents! I'm assuming OP is graduating this spring, but why not take the MCAT this year before it changes? I don't know about you (maybe you're a psychology major or another non-science), but I would rather take the MCAT without the new section! They have test dates through November 2014! That's A LOT of time to prepare! What I did after graduating in May 2012 was study that summer and took it in September, then started looking for jobs and shadowing different physicians! You can take most of the summer for yourself and still take the exam in November as long as you're ready by then! As others have said, taking gap years are common and many medical students have told me it's been worth it! I really think it is as I feel like I'm more centered and ready for my first year!

I'm a junior now.

I don't feel like I'm ready to just jump into the MCAT, and I've already made my decision to take the gap year. I'd rather spend time on something that's very important to me than just dive into it ya know? Thanks though.