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- Nov 15, 2013
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Hi everyone, this is my first time posting on here. I need some guidance on whether taking a year off after undergrad would be better for me applying to MD schools. I am currently a junior at a private engineering school in MA. Here are some stats:
-Major: biomedical engineering
-GPA: 3.75 right now (I have planned it out and hope to have a GPA of a high 3.7/ low 3.8 by the end of the year)
Research:
By the time of application in June:
-1 year of clinical research at Brigham and women's hospital under psychiatrist (1 poster presentation; most likely 3rd author publication)
-9 months research assistant at neurology lab at UMass medical school for ALS
Both of the doctors I work under will be writing recommendations which I expect to be very good
-Volunteering: 100 hours in surgery department
-Shadowing: 17 hours of shadowing neurosurgeon (in surgery and in ICU); I am going to be sitting in on surgeries my next upcoming break so it should be an addition 40 hours
-I'm leaving for Thailand in December for 3 months to work on developing a waste management system for a specific Bangkok slum (group of four students from my school is working with 4 Thai university students and sponsor); with presentation and report
-I've been in habitat for humanity since freshman year; went to build houses last Christmas break in New Orleans
-in biomedical engineering society and pre health society
I'm taking the MCAT in April and starting to study soon. I took a practice test BEFORE any studying this summer and got a 28. I plan on studying a lot and highering that score.
I don't have my heart set on top medical schools, I just want to get in. At my school we do major specific research our senior year (with publication). Obviously if I applied at the end of this year I would not be able to put this on my application. I'd prefer to not take a year off if I do decently well on my MCAT. I don't mind taking a year off to do research if it will really increase by chances. What does anybody think about whether it would be really beneficial or not to take a gap year and gain more experience? Also what are some schools anyone would suggest (either with gap year or not)?
Thanks!!
-Major: biomedical engineering
-GPA: 3.75 right now (I have planned it out and hope to have a GPA of a high 3.7/ low 3.8 by the end of the year)
Research:
By the time of application in June:
-1 year of clinical research at Brigham and women's hospital under psychiatrist (1 poster presentation; most likely 3rd author publication)
-9 months research assistant at neurology lab at UMass medical school for ALS
Both of the doctors I work under will be writing recommendations which I expect to be very good
-Volunteering: 100 hours in surgery department
-Shadowing: 17 hours of shadowing neurosurgeon (in surgery and in ICU); I am going to be sitting in on surgeries my next upcoming break so it should be an addition 40 hours
-I'm leaving for Thailand in December for 3 months to work on developing a waste management system for a specific Bangkok slum (group of four students from my school is working with 4 Thai university students and sponsor); with presentation and report
-I've been in habitat for humanity since freshman year; went to build houses last Christmas break in New Orleans
-in biomedical engineering society and pre health society
I'm taking the MCAT in April and starting to study soon. I took a practice test BEFORE any studying this summer and got a 28. I plan on studying a lot and highering that score.
I don't have my heart set on top medical schools, I just want to get in. At my school we do major specific research our senior year (with publication). Obviously if I applied at the end of this year I would not be able to put this on my application. I'd prefer to not take a year off if I do decently well on my MCAT. I don't mind taking a year off to do research if it will really increase by chances. What does anybody think about whether it would be really beneficial or not to take a gap year and gain more experience? Also what are some schools anyone would suggest (either with gap year or not)?
Thanks!!