Help needed. Family circumstance. Applying next summer. Please :/

[THEWORLDCUP]

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Hi everyone. I finished my junior year at UF and need some advice. My father passed away during this last academic year due to a cancer diagnosis and it was a very difficult situation. I was always planning on applying this cycle but my family responsibility skyrocketed, I was not in the right mindset, and I was not prepared for the MCAT or the application cycle in general. Here is my situation followed by my question. We just sold our home , my mother and younger brother are planning to move across the country and really need me to work to support them, help them get situated ect. She asked me to move with them in the fall( technically the first semester of my senior year) work and help them till the following spring where I would return to my uni full time. If i took a semester off this semester and returned in spring and took an extra fall during my " gap year" would that be an issue? In addition to working I can get more clinical experience and shadow some more. Because I am applying next june would this be an issue? I already finished all my prereqs. I would take my MCAT in January before it changes.

My credentials: I have 86 credits ( had to take it a bit lighter due to my dads diagnosis)
cumilative gpa: 3.9
BCPM gpa: 3.94
4 semesters of Biochemistry Research
- recieved $1000 scholorship and $500 grant
2 summer of Biomedical engineering Research
400 hours of shadowing across different specialties
Director of a non profit foundation ( hundreds of hours)
Getting my clinical experience this year.

So essentially. If i took the fall semester off during my senior year due to family issues. Returned in spring and took an extra summer and fall to graduate , would that be seen in a negative manner even though it is " understandable" or would it be okay to committee. Sorry for the long post. Thanks guys.

 

[cupcakesandcadavers]

your father passed away. of course it is okay.
sincere condolences.

 

[THEWORLDCUP]

Appreciate it . My pre- med advisor said although it is understandable " there are many applicants that won't have that gap in education and they will see that " , made me a little concerned I guess. But thanks for your reply

 

[Laureatebarrel]

You do what you need to do. No need to worry.

 

[DokterMom]

Taking time off now to support your family in that way is probably the best thing you can do. It tangibly demonstrates your concern for others and willingness to sacrifice, and incidentally, also avoids damaging your stellar academic record. It's a wise and generous course of action, and I can't see how it would hurt you unless you fail to return to school.

I'm so sorry for your loss --

 

[Catalystik]

If i took the fall semester off during my senior year due to family issues. Returned in spring and took an extra summer and fall to graduate , would that be seen in a negative manner even though it is " understandable" or would it be okay to committee.

It will not be seen as a negative at all, provided the committee is aware of your circumstance and a reference is made to it in (at least) one of your LORs so they can attest to it. Alternatively, you can cover the situation in a Secondary essay, but a more objective witness than yourself would be preferable.

 

[allantois]

Don't loose your Florida residency. UF is one of the top 5 feeder institutions for MD schools and top 6 for DO, it's strange that your adviser would tell you that taking your circumstances.

 

[THEWORLDCUP]

It will not be seen as a negative at all, provided the committee is aware of your circumstance and a reference is made to it in (at least) one of your LORs so they can attest to it. Alternatively, you can cover the situation in a Secondary essay, but a more objective witness than yourself would be preferable.

Thanks for your help . My concern was that it was that it was a large gap of no courses close to my application cycle , and that over 4 years I will only be applying with around 100 credits or so , but it's reassuring to know it is okay . I think I'll be able to get a job as a medial assistant in an internal medicine physicians office hopefully , and do come clinical volunteering at a non profit to fill the time . Thanks so much

 

[THEWORLDCUP]

Don't loose your Florida residency. UF is one of the top 5 feeder institutions for MD schools and top 6 for DO, it's strange that your adviser would tell you that taking your circumstances.

Yeah I'm keeping my Florida Residency , Florida schools are fond if Florida residents from what I hear aswell

 

[Lamel]

Some schools have requirements to have 90 credits by the time of application, that's it, so you will be fine.

The issues and pursuits of the world will go on, but in times like this you need to focus on things that really matter; help your family and don't worry about it affecting your medical school chances. Adcoms are people and if you just give your reason, they will understand.