Importance Decision - Need advice from SDN community

[Global Warming]

---

Members don't see this ad.

So I am in a dilemma and advice from people who knows this best would be great. An additional reason I am posting this thread is because it will allow me to separate the things that are actually important to trival things such as ego. Let me start w/ my current situation.

I already took Fall quarter off and used it to focus completely on MCAT studying. So far, it has been fantastic! I actually enjoyed waking up in the morning, working hard, and getting a little closer to MCAT success. However, my dilemma lies in the fact that this "focus time" is over, and Winter quarter has started. Unfortunately, I must take 5 classes because a few of these classes are recommended to me by my professor/PI. When he recommends, he is actually saying you must take the classes. So with course work, EC stuff, I am feeling a bit overwhelmed and I got a reality check. Okay, the situation is worst than just feeling overwhelmed. I have a mountain of work everyday, and the quarter has just started. My major requires numerous papers per class and I'll probably won't be able to simultaneously study for the MCAT and getting a 4.0. The problem is that my test date is April and I feel the clock ticking everyday. I'm losing confidence when doing practice passages (everyone knows how important confidence is for the test). The thought of waiting a year (I am currently a senior and will graduate at the end of the year) crossed my mind.

Reasons supporting waiting a year...

1) I will most likely have a publication for my research.
2) I will have enough units to hopefully leave the 3.8 club and break the threshold into the 3.9 range.
3) My volunteer is lacking (this will allow me to rack up 200+ hours by application time).
4) I will be able to present my research at different places.
5) Shadowing: I am currently shadowing a plastic surgeon and this will allow me time to expand this to many different specialties.
6) MCAT studying: This is important because I work best when I have time devoted solely to this. I do not believe this to be indicative of my performance in med school b/c although med school will be way more work, it will all be from 1 place. I currently feel bombarded from several directions (demanding PI, volunteering, courses, shadowing, MCAT).
7) Continuing my upward trend, I have nailed the past 5 quarters w/ 4.0. This will pretty much insure that this continues.
8) Being able to apply on June 2nd.
9) I already feel that I will have very strong LORs, but this will pretty much guarantee this. As long as I do not cuss out my profs.


Reasons supporting not waiting a year and stick w/ the plan.

1) Ego - I am a very rational person and I'm fully comfortable w/ admitting that my ego/pride is going to be hurt for waiting a year. Internally, I'll feel that I'm failing b/c I am deviating from the plan. This is definitely not good and waiting an extra year isn't a terrible thing. Average age for matriculation is 24 (is this correct? Who cares!!).

2) Will this look bad to ADCOM that I applied after graduating?

3) Possibly forgetting MCAT material? Although I don't think so b/c the stuff that I know, I feel like I actually understand the concepts very well and it is not something I'll forget. I spent a lot of time doing content review, slowly to insure that I know the material to this level.
------------------------------------------

Although the quarter has just started, my happiness level is very low. Believe it of not, just 2 months ago when I was purely studying for the MCAT, I was the happiest person on the planet. I believe that I am close to being able to finish my MCAT studying, maybe another solid month of pure studying. However, I am slowly realizing that this is impossible given my current situation. I thought that if I just spent less time per day, it would substitute for having other activities going on. False.

Waiting a year will make me a strong applicant and I honestly believe (depending on my MCAT score), that I will have a very strong chance at getting accepted somewhere. Furthermore, I'll have a decent chance at getting accepted at a good medical school.

Simply posting this has made me feel much better about the situation. Thank you SDN! 🙂

EDIT: Just realized that I English failed the title. I was upset!!!!

 

[armybound]

can you not move the MCAT closer?

 

[Global Warming]

can you not move the MCAT closer?

I will not be ready in the next 2-3 weeks. Also, I can't forget that I have coursework, which I must be enrolled in. I really want to preserve my Uptrend 4.0 thing. Like I said, I think I'll need about 1 more solid month of studying to be ready.

 

[armybound]

well I know you're overwhelmed right now, but it always seemed to me like the first few days of a new semester really scared me, then as time went on I realized it wasn't so bad. Maybe that will be the case for you.

I say do everything you can to try to focus on the grades while staying caught up with the MCAT, then when your time comes around see if you feel ready for it or not. If not, push it back.

 

[Global Warming]

well I know you're overwhelmed right now, but it always seemed to me like the first few days of a new semester really scared me, then as time went on I realized it wasn't so bad. Maybe that will be the case for you.

I say do everything you can to try to focus on the grades while staying caught up with the MCAT, then when your time comes around see if you feel ready for it or not. If not, push it back.

Will this make me a non-trad?

I realize that my following statement sounds pretentious, but I would very much love to go to a top 10 school. I have 2 in mind. I honestly do not believe that I will get in if I apply this year, regardless of my MCAT score. However, I think that I'll actually have a slim chance if I apply next year.

 

[DendWrite]

EDIT: Just read your post. If you want to get into a top-10, TAKE A GAP YEAR. And realize that a top-10 is no sure thing even if you do. But you'll have to kill the MCAT, and you'll want to seriously beef up your volunteering / shadowing hours (maybe look at taking up a community volunteering position like a homeless shelter / free health clinic as well). You could also probably get another publication (or at least some substantial additional research time) during a gap year...which the top-10s like (but having a publication at all, which it sounds like you have, is a nice asset).

There's really nothing wrong with taking gap years. As long as you are doing something productive the ADCOM won't care. Really. They won't. I mean, depending on how much you like your lab job, that's enough time to pick up another publication, do another couple hundred hours of shadowing / volunteering, AND do something fun and entirely awesome, like backpack around Europe, go visit friends, save up money for med school, whatever you want. You pretty much won't have a break during med school to do fun stuff like that, and even less time in residency. Why not do it now?

I'd say apply if you are sure you can nail the MCAT. But if you have any doubt...why risk it? You have pretty superb stats otherwise and while I'm sure you could probably pull an average score on the MCAT with little trouble given your GPA, why not take the extra time if necessary and kill it? With the rest of your stats, it's completely possible that it could make the difference at some top-tier schools.

It also depends, though, on where you want to go. If you want only the best, you'll have to take the time to get the stats. If you'd be happy at a range of places, then I say apply now, unless there's a really pressing reason for you to skip a year, and go with it. In the long run, it will be insignificant (unless you long for a career in academic medicine where credentials from Harvard / Hopkins / insert top school here will help you out).

One other option, I suppose, is sticking around another year and picking up another major. I don't know how your school works and its requirements / etc. Honestly, I think this would be the least productive thing to do. I'd just graduate and pick up more volunteering / shadowing / research. And do some fun stuff too. But that's just me.

 

[armybound]

It won't really make you a nontrad. It's getting a lot more common these days.

But I agree with taking a year off. I took time off and loved it. It was nice to have a job, make some money, and experience real life before getting back into school. It really put things into perspective and gave me motivation to work hard.

 

[Global Warming]

EDIT: Just read your post. If you want to get into a top-10, TAKE A GAP YEAR. And realize that a top-10 is no sure thing even if you do. But you'll have to kill the MCAT, and you'll want to seriously beef up your volunteering / shadowing hours (maybe look at taking up a community volunteering position like a homeless shelter / free health clinic as well). You could also probably get another publication (or at least some substantial additional research time) during a gap year...which the top-10s like (but having a publication at all, which it sounds like you have, is a nice asset).

There's really nothing wrong with taking gap years. As long as you are doing something productive the ADCOM won't care. Really. They won't. I mean, depending on how much you like your lab job, that's enough time to pick up another publication, do another couple hundred hours of shadowing / volunteering, AND do something fun and entirely awesome, like backpack around Europe, go visit friends, save up money for med school, whatever you want. You pretty much won't have a break during med school to do fun stuff like that, and even less time in residency. Why not do it now?

I'd say apply if you are sure you can nail the MCAT. But if you have any doubt...why risk it? You have pretty superb stats otherwise and while I'm sure you could probably pull an average score on the MCAT with little trouble given your GPA, why not take the extra time if necessary and kill it? With the rest of your stats, it's completely possible that it could make the difference at some top-tier schools.

It also depends, though, on where you want to go. If you want only the best, you'll have to take the time to get the stats. If you'd be happy at a range of places, then I say apply now, unless there's a really pressing reason for you to skip a year, and go with it. In the long run, it will be insignificant (unless you long for a career in academic medicine where credentials from Harvard / Hopkins / insert top school here will help you out).

One other option, I suppose, is sticking around another year and picking up another major. I don't know how your school works and its requirements / etc. Honestly, I think this would be the least productive thing to do. I'd just graduate and pick up more volunteering / shadowing / research. And do some fun stuff too. But that's just me.

I feel that if I rushed the MCAT and took it in april, I'd be able to pull an average score 28-30. However, if I had more time, I think that I will be able to do well.

I definitely wouldn't pick up another major, but would use the time to really beef up my app. I do not feel that a single year in my life will be significant in the grand scheme of things. Rather than being a MD at 26, I'll be one at 27. This is an ego issue...

There is this something that I would strongly want to accomplish and having a year off will allow me to do it. If I get accepted in 2010 and start 2011, I do not think I will ever have this opportunity again in my entire life.

EDIT: Having thought about it, I realized that sharing this year off activity will not violate my anonymity. Something happened to my parents recently that will make them unable to work. I wanted to work (I already have a high-paying job in line) that will allow me to pay off the rest of their house. I just need time to accomplish this (about a year).

 

[Global Warming]

It won't really make you a nontrad. It's getting a lot more common these days.

But I agree with taking a year off. I took time off and loved it. It was nice to have a job, make some money, and experience real life before getting back into school. It really put things into perspective and gave me motivation to work hard.

I think I will share this experience. Personally, I really love school and waiting a year will ultimately not impact my amount of time spent in UG. However, it will mean that I'll probably have 6 months to spend on research and doing vol/shadowing. These are perfectly fine too! I feel very passionate about my research and I really want to see it through...

 

[DendWrite]

I feel that if I rushed the MCAT and took it in april, I'd be able to pull an average score 28-30. However, if I had more time, I think that I will be able to do well.

Yeah...28-30 is NOT going to cut it at a top-10. If it's what you really want, I'd study like all hell for the MCAT and try to beef up your app like you mentioned in other ways. Plus, like you said, you are on the cusp of a 3.9 and you are almost done with school. I mean, sure, the difference between a 3.88 and a 3.90 is pretty marginal, but it does look better (and feel better) to be in the 3.9-4.0 range. I think that with a 3.9 / 35ish MCAT plus the additional year you'd be a competitive applicant for top-10s, but again there's really no guarantees there -- it's pretty arbitrary. Apply early though, good LORs and PS and you have a good shot I'd say. Best of luck.

 

[Global Warming]

Yeah...28-30 is NOT going to cut it at a top-10. If it's what you really want, I'd study like all hell for the MCAT and try to beef up your app like you mentioned in other ways. I think that with a 3.9 / 35ish MCAT plus the additional year you'd be a competitive applicant for top-10s, but again there's really no guarantees there -- it's pretty arbitrary. Apply early though, good LORs and PS and you have a good shot I'd say. Best of luck.

Agreed. This is why I realize that perhaps waiting a year will give me the best possible shot at a top 10. I totally understand that even w/ a 3.9 and 35 MCAT and top notch ECs, it will still be a slim chance. Truthfully I will be happy at any med. school, but this is something that I have worked very hard for. I have been through many life changing experiences and somehow managed to escape w/ minimal damage and not being shot/stabbed. Although I realize the chance to be slim...I would love to be able to maximize this slim chance.

 

[BennieBlanco]

So I am in a dilemma and advice from people who knows this best would be great. An additional reason I am posting this thread is because it will allow me to separate the things that are actually important to trival things such as ego. Let me start w/ my current situation.

I already took Fall quarter off and used it to focus completely on MCAT studying. So far, it has been fantastic! I actually enjoyed waking up in the morning, working hard, and getting a little closer to MCAT success. However, my dilemma lies in the fact that this "focus time" is over, and Winter quarter has started. Unfortunately, I must take 5 classes because a few of these classes are recommended to me by my professor/PI. When he recommends, he is actually saying you must take the classes. So with course work, EC stuff, I am feeling a bit overwhelmed and I got a reality check. Okay, the situation is worst than just feeling overwhelmed. I have a mountain of work everyday, and the quarter has just started. My major requires numerous papers per class and I'll probably won't be able to simultaneously study for the MCAT and getting a 4.0. The problem is that my test date is April and I feel the clock ticking everyday. I'm losing confidence when doing practice passages (everyone knows how important confidence is for the test). The thought of waiting a year (I am currently a senior and will graduate at the end of the year) crossed my mind.

Reasons supporting waiting a year...

1) I will most likely have a publication for my research.
2) I will have enough units to hopefully leave the 3.8 club and break the threshold into the 3.9 range.
3) My volunteer is lacking (this will allow me to rack up 200+ hours by application time).
4) I will be able to present my research at different places.
5) Shadowing: I am currently shadowing a plastic surgeon and this will allow me time to expand this to many different specialties.
6) MCAT studying: This is important because I work best when I have time devoted solely to this. I do not believe this to be indicative of my performance in med school b/c although med school will be way more work, it will all be from 1 place. I currently feel bombarded from several directions (demanding PI, volunteering, courses, shadowing, MCAT).
7) Continuing my upward trend, I have nailed the past 5 quarters w/ 4.0. This will pretty much insure that this continues.
8) Being able to apply on June 2nd.
9) I already feel that I will have very strong LORs, but this will pretty much guarantee this. As long as I do not cuss out my profs.


Reasons supporting not waiting a year and stick w/ the plan.

1) Ego - I am a very rational person and I'm fully comfortable w/ admitting that my ego/pride is going to be hurt for waiting a year. Internally, I'll feel that I'm failing b/c I am deviating from the plan. This is definitely not good and waiting an extra year isn't a terrible thing. Average age for matriculation is 24 (is this correct? Who cares!!).

2) Will this look bad to ADCOM that I applied after graduating?

3) Possibly forgetting MCAT material? Although I don't think so b/c the stuff that I know, I feel like I actually understand the concepts very well and it is not something I'll forget. I spent a lot of time doing content review, slowly to insure that I know the material to this level.
------------------------------------------

Although the quarter has just started, my happiness level is very low. Believe it of not, just 2 months ago when I was purely studying for the MCAT, I was the happiest person on the planet. I believe that I am close to being able to finish my MCAT studying, maybe another solid month of pure studying. However, I am slowly realizing that this is impossible given my current situation. I thought that if I just spent less time per day, it would substitute for having other activities going on. False.

Waiting a year will make me a strong applicant and I honestly believe (depending on my MCAT score), that I will have a very strong chance at getting accepted somewhere. Furthermore, I'll have a decent chance at getting accepted at a good medical school.

Simply posting this has made me feel much better about the situation. Thank you SDN! 🙂

EDIT: Just realized that I English failed the title. I was upset!!!!

I would wait. Prepare well for the MCAT. Don't rush, work hard in the off year and make yourself strong.

You look much better as a 1st time STRONG applicant than a 2nd time applicant who pulled his act together.

 

[riverjib]

So I am in a dilemma and advice from people who knows this best would be great. An additional reason I am posting this thread is because it will allow me to separate the things that are actually important to trival things such as ego. Let me start w/ my current situation.

I already took Fall quarter off and used it to focus completely on MCAT studying. So far, it has been fantastic! I actually enjoyed waking up in the morning, working hard, and getting a little closer to MCAT success. However, my dilemma lies in the fact that this "focus time" is over, and Winter quarter has started. Unfortunately, I must take 5 classes because a few of these classes are recommended to me by my professor/PI. When he recommends, he is actually saying you must take the classes. So with course work, EC stuff, I am feeling a bit overwhelmed and I got a reality check. Okay, the situation is worst than just feeling overwhelmed. I have a mountain of work everyday, and the quarter has just started. My major requires numerous papers per class and I'll probably won't be able to simultaneously study for the MCAT and getting a 4.0. The problem is that my test date is April and I feel the clock ticking everyday. I'm losing confidence when doing practice passages (everyone knows how important confidence is for the test). The thought of waiting a year (I am currently a senior and will graduate at the end of the year) crossed my mind.

Reasons supporting waiting a year...

1) I will most likely have a publication for my research.
2) I will have enough units to hopefully leave the 3.8 club and break the threshold into the 3.9 range.
3) My volunteer is lacking (this will allow me to rack up 200+ hours by application time).
4) I will be able to present my research at different places.
5) Shadowing: I am currently shadowing a plastic surgeon and this will allow me time to expand this to many different specialties.
6) MCAT studying: This is important because I work best when I have time devoted solely to this. I do not believe this to be indicative of my performance in med school b/c although med school will be way more work, it will all be from 1 place. I currently feel bombarded from several directions (demanding PI, volunteering, courses, shadowing, MCAT).
7) Continuing my upward trend, I have nailed the past 5 quarters w/ 4.0. This will pretty much insure that this continues.
8) Being able to apply on June 2nd.
9) I already feel that I will have very strong LORs, but this will pretty much guarantee this. As long as I do not cuss out my profs.


Reasons supporting not waiting a year and stick w/ the plan.

1) Ego - I am a very rational person and I'm fully comfortable w/ admitting that my ego/pride is going to be hurt for waiting a year. Internally, I'll feel that I'm failing b/c I am deviating from the plan. This is definitely not good and waiting an extra year isn't a terrible thing. Average age for matriculation is 24 (is this correct? Who cares!!).

2) Will this look bad to ADCOM that I applied after graduating?

3) Possibly forgetting MCAT material? Although I don't think so b/c the stuff that I know, I feel like I actually understand the concepts very well and it is not something I'll forget. I spent a lot of time doing content review, slowly to insure that I know the material to this level.
------------------------------------------

Although the quarter has just started, my happiness level is very low. Believe it of not, just 2 months ago when I was purely studying for the MCAT, I was the happiest person on the planet. I believe that I am close to being able to finish my MCAT studying, maybe another solid month of pure studying. However, I am slowly realizing that this is impossible given my current situation. I thought that if I just spent less time per day, it would substitute for having other activities going on. False.

Waiting a year will make me a strong applicant and I honestly believe (depending on my MCAT score), that I will have a very strong chance at getting accepted somewhere. Furthermore, I'll have a decent chance at getting accepted at a good medical school.

Simply posting this has made me feel much better about the situation. Thank you SDN! 🙂

EDIT: Just realized that I English failed the title. I was upset!!!!

I wouldn't rush. I'm feeling the burn of the encroaching MCAT, though I haven't set a date just yet. I plan to apply in June, or July at the latest. If my MCAT is not good enough, I'll take a second year off rather than applying late in the game, because I really can't afford that particular roll of the dice.

I know someone who just enrolled in a Caribbean school because he had his bachelor's (very good GPA) and screwed up on his MCAT and applied late and didn't make it last year. He worked for another year, took his MCAT, and only improved by one point before applying in late August or early September. He was a bit over-confident about his chances, and made an impulsive decision when he hadn't heard back (weeks after submitting his secondaries in December) that he'd jump at the (nowhere full) scholarship they offered rather than doing it all over again.

Over the past year, I've learned from his mistakes. I had a family tragedy last spring that brought my GPA down from a 3.9x to a 3.7x. My GPA was still good, but there was a significant downward trend, so I waited and looked into gap-year jobs. I had a 4.0 this semester in 21 credits of upper-level science classes, but if I don't break a 30 on the MCAT by June at the latest, I'll probably defer my application another year, and focus on studying the MCAT while working.

That's just my approach. Plenty of people make it with less than stellar GPA's or MCAT scores get in every year. I don't want to spend thousands of dollars on the AMCAS and secondaries only to have to reapply in June 2011 for 2012 admissions. I'd rather wait until my investment will yield the best possible return.

Don't worry about when you're applying. Med schools don't mind you taking time off from school to improve your application. Just make sure you DO improve your application after you graduate.