Help me make a decision..

[ck92]

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Hi everyone!
Although I am somewhat of a traditional applicant (I am a biological sciences major, 3.75 GPA, 3.70 sGPA), I am also non-traditional in the fact that I mainly just decided that I was going to try and go the MD route last year at this time. Since then, I have been working as an ED scribe gaining hands on clinical experience, and also work in a research lab with a professor at the local medical school. I have also approximately 100-200 hours volunteering in a hospital Med/Surg floor. I can get letters of rec from a physician that I work with and the professor I do research with, but it would probably be somewhat of struggle to get quality letters of rec from 3 of my actual professors at this point. I am set to take the MCAT on July 2nd (so my app would be late anyways). I am graduating in like 15 days and always had my heart set on applying in this cycle. Should I wait another year for a more well-rounded application? Someone please tell me this isn't the end of the world, because it kind of seems like it (I am about to be 22 yrs old this summer).

 

[LizzyM]

It will never be easier to get letters than right now. Pick 3 classes in which you have done well. If there are more than three, choose those that had the smallest class size and/or those in which you were required to write or to make presentations or group projects. Write a note asking the professor to write you a letter of recommendation. Note that the deadline is ___ so they know it doesn't have to be "this week" and attach to your message a copy of one of the papers or whatever that you wrote for that class. The professor should address your ability to succeed in professional school, your class participation, communication skills, teamwork, etc... the attributes that the professor has observed, not a regurgitation of your CV (if the professor does not have first hand knowledge of your volunteerism, employment, etc then it should not be in the professor's letter).

 

[mvenus929]

I agree with LizzyM in that you shouldn't have too much difficulty getting science LORs.

However, I want to address the idea that you have that taking a year off is the end of the world. It's not. Trust me. The average age for medical school matriculants is 24ish. If you take a year off to put together a better application or simply one that is in earlier, you will still be under this average age.

 

[ck92]

Okay, thank you for both of your inputs. I just feel as though I am a little behind and do not want to rush such an important thing in my life, even though it's unfortunate to have to wait another year. You don't think that a July 2nd MCAT will hurt my chances?

 

[LizzyM]

Okay, thank you for both of your inputs. I just feel as though I am a little behind and do not want to rush such an important thing in my life, even though it's unfortunate to have to wait another year. You don't think that a July 2nd MCAT will hurt my chances?

It won't help.... right now you should be studying your ass off which doesn't leave time for writing a good personal statement or polishing the little descriptions of your "experiences". If you don't start to tackle that until after July 2, then you are really late in the game (July 15th? Aug 1?) submitting your AMCAS and then it takes weeks and weeks to be verified and forwarded on to the medical schools and then you are under the gun to get secondaries submitted. If you are fabulous, you'll rise like cream to the top of the heap and get interviews but too often I see applications like your come to my attention in November when I have only a handful of interview invitations left to distribute.

 

[ck92]

Thank you for being honest. I think I might hold off on the application cycle this year, as disappointing as it is. I will still take my MCAT in July and then work the rest of the year to strengthen my letters of rec/volunteer/etc. I sincerely appreciate your help

 

[LostinLift]

Why is it disappointing? Take advantage of all this time and do things you want to do. I took 2 years off before applying and even though I was busy, it was 2 of the best years of my life. Can you become a scribe travel trainer for your company? Can you transfer to a new location and live somewhere you've never been to yet?

 

[Tradewinds]

It won't help.... right now you should be studying your ass off which doesn't leave time for writing a good personal statement or polishing the little descriptions of your "experiences". If you don't start to tackle that until after July 2, then you are really late in the game (July 15th? Aug 1?) submitting your AMCAS and then it takes weeks and weeks to be verified and forwarded on to the medical schools and then you are under the gun to get secondaries submitted. If you are fabulous, you'll rise like cream to the top of the heap and get interviews but too often I see applications like your come to my attention in November when I have only a handful of interview invitations left to distribute.

@LizzyM I am in a similar position as far as MCAT dates go, but have been working towards submitting my application first week of June so it will be verified by the time my MCAT scores are in (mid-August). Did you consider this option op? If you have started your personal letter etc it might be worth it.

Does this put me too far behind to be considered when the number of spots is still decent? My stats are 3.6-3.75 with post bac work at 3.85 and I am a practicing critical care RN with strong leadership/teaching ECs

 

[LizzyM]

@LizzyM I am in a similar position as far as MCAT dates go, but have been working towards submitting my application first week of June so it will be verified by the time my MCAT scores are in (mid-August). Did you consider this option op? If you have started your personal letter etc it might be worth it.

Does this put me too far behind to be considered when the number of spots is still decent? My stats are 3.6-3.75 with post bac work at 3.85 and I am a practicing critical care RN with strong leadership/teaching ECs

If you can juggle MCAT prep and writing the AMCAS application concurrently, then this approach works. Not everyone can juggle. (As a critical care RN, you already have a PhD in juggling. 😉 )

 

[Goro]

Strongly agree with my learned colleague. Apply with the best possible app, even if it means waiting a year.

It won't help.... right now you should be studying your ass off which doesn't leave time for writing a good personal statement or polishing the little descriptions of your "experiences". If you don't start to tackle that until after July 2, then you are really late in the game (July 15th? Aug 1?) submitting your AMCAS and then it takes weeks and weeks to be verified and forwarded on to the medical schools and then you are under the gun to get secondaries submitted. If you are fabulous, you'll rise like cream to the top of the heap and get interviews but too often I see applications like your come to my attention in November when I have only a handful of interview invitations left to distribute.

 

[DokterMom]

If the only reason your MCAT is set for July 2 is so you can apply this cycle --
and if you accept the logic that an application that is both 'rushed' and 'late' is sub-optimal --
and if you further consider that your GPA and ECs are 'good', then...

Consider taking a gap year as a given. Do it for highly positive reason of giving yourself enough time to buff and polish your experiences and application to present your best possible self. It could mean the difference between a 'mid-tier' cycle with a 'good' application and a 'maybe' result and a very successful cycle. So make that decision.

Then take a deep breath and consider if you still want to take that July 2 MCAT, or if you will be better served by waiting until September or even May. You've got time now, right? Make the decision to spend your extra time doing the things that will make you shine as an applicant. Add some 'unusual' activities or devote some time to enriching yourself as a person -- hobbies, travel, non-medical volunteering (that won't look like box-checking). Be sure to spend enough time shadowing real doctors to make certain that's the career you really do want. Try spending time with people who are sick, old or disabled and make sure you find it rewarding. (Mine these experiences for your personal statement.)

Above all, don't rush an application in just to avoid a gap year. Virtually every person on SDN who has taken a gap year has said it was one of the best things they ever did. And I'd bet most SDNers who rushed an application in that was not their best would advise you against doing that...

 

[mvenus929]

And seriously, you really only want to go through this process once. Going through it twice sucks so much. Put your best foot forward, and if you think that means waiting for a year, then do it. It'll only help your application.