Is it possible to apply to medical school 3 years after graduating college?

[streampaw]

I am a sophomore in college and I just feel like I will never be able to do all the EC's that med schools want, while getting a competitive GPA. That's why I am also considering taking 3 years off after graduating just to fit in EC's such as non-clinical volunteering and clinical volunteering. I am already volunteering in a research lab right now in college (it is so I can do honors thesis my senior year, cuz I am in honors college, and I want to get a publication to have a chance at my state med school, and it is a biochem lab), and I am already working part-time as a tutor, but honestly, IF I add ANY other EC I feel like I will not have enough time to study appropriately. I don't know what is wrong with me, like, maybe I have ADHD or something?
I need to study 2-3 hours a week for EVERY credit hour I take, in order to be succesful. And I have to get at least 8.5 hours of sleep to be able to function, if I get less than that, then I will not be able to concentrate during the day, let alone study. I also have to live with my parents and commute to my university, because that is the only way they will pay for it, and I have to take the bus, which takes a lot of time during the day to commute.
I might also start a club during college, but that is it. Can I take 4 years off after college, do clinical+non-clinical volunteering+shadowing during those 3 years, and then apply to medical school? I will be graduating college at 20, by the way (don't ask how, let's just say I'm already on a 5 year plan). So if I take 3 years off after that to get the needed EC's, and apply, then I'll be 23 when I apply, and 24 when I enter medical school. Also, I would really prefer to go to my state school, and my state school prefers older applicants, and I would do anything to go to my state school.

So do you think this is a good idea or not? I don't know what to do, I feel like I have a really low IQ.

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[SN12357]

I am a sophomore in college and I just feel like I will never be able to do all the EC's that med schools want, while getting a competitive GPA. That's why I am also considering taking 3 years off after graduating just to fit in EC's such as non-clinical volunteering and clinical volunteering. I am already volunteering in a research lab right now in college (it is so I can do honors thesis my senior year, cuz I am in honors college, and I want to get a publication to have a chance at my state med school, and it is a biochem lab), and I am already working part-time as a tutor, but honestly, IF I add ANY other EC I feel like I will not have enough time to study appropriately. I don't know what is wrong with me, like, maybe I have ADHD or something?
I need to study 2-3 hours a week for EVERY credit hour I take, in order to be succesful. And I have to get at least 8.5 hours of sleep to be able to function, if I get less than that, then I will not be able to concentrate during the day, let alone study. I also have to live with my parents and commute to my university, because that is the only way they will pay for it, and I have to take the bus, which takes a lot of time during the day to commute.
I might also start a club during college, but that is it. Can I take 4 years off after college, do clinical+non-clinical volunteering+shadowing during those 3 years, and then apply to medical school? I will be graduating college at 20, by the way (don't ask how, let's just say I'm already on a 5 year plan). So if I take 3 years off after that to get the needed EC's, and apply, then I'll be 23 when I apply, and 24 when I enter medical school. Also, I would really prefer to go to my state school, and my state school prefers older applicants, and I would do anything to go to my state school.

So do you think this is a good idea or not? I don't know what to do, I feel like I have a really low IQ.

Yes, it is possible. This entire subforum exists because people apply to medical school 2, 5, 10, 20 years after their undergrad.

Given your posts in pre-allo and the fact that you are SEVENTEEN, a gap year or two is probably a good idea just to get some more maturity and perspective.

 

[streampaw]

Yes, it is possible. This entire subforum exists because people apply to medical school 2, 5, 10, 20 years after their undergrad.

Given your posts in pre-allo and the fact that you are SEVENTEEN, a gap year or two is probably a good idea just to get some more maturity and perspective.

I will be taking 2 gap years, but I am wondering if I should take 4 gap years instead of 2...

 

[SN12357]

I will be taking 2 gap years, but I am wondering if I should take 4 gap years instead of 2...

It almost hurts to say this, it's so far from the usual advice, but you need to stop trying to think so far ahead. Take things one day, one month, one year at a time. Stop trying to make all the decisions of your life at 17. The universe will laugh at you.

I know how hard it is to believe this when you're 17, but at 20, 23, 26...you'll barely recognize the person you were now. You cannot fully plan for who you will be in the future, so it's pointless to try. Right now you want to go to medical school. Concentrate on making sure that primary decision makes sense, and let the other things unfold as time passes.

 

[Chip N Sawbones]

If you keep your grades up and study diligently for the MCAT you won't need years worth of ECs to get into med school. At some point you will need to get some clinical experience if you haven't already, but that doesn't have to be a giant commitment. Four hours a week stocking the blanket warmer in your local ER for six months will be more than enough. You'll also need to pick up some shadowing hours, but again that doesn't have to be a big deal. 20-40 hours from now until whenever you apply will be plenty. Remember that every year you delay getting into med school will mean one less year you have to do a doctor's job and earn a doctor's salary. Taking four gap years when you don't have to could easily cost you half a million dollars in total lifetime earnings. I know you want to go to your state school, and I agree that OHSU is a good med school, but when you start looking at others, you will find others you like just as much. Besides, nothing is certain in the admissions process. You might take a few gap years, apply when you're older, and still not get into OHSU. For now, keep studying and keep those grades up. In a few years after you've done that and taken the MCAT, post a new thread on the WAMC forum and we'll advise you on whether you need to spend any time on gap years or not.

 

[wholeheartedly]

I agree that you seem to be over thinking and stressing about this. You can apply at any age and I don't think a gap year, maybe two will hurt you at all. But 4 seems a bit much for someone in your shoes. I think doing fewer hours for a longer period looks better for volunteering, but ppl do do shorter times and get in. Can you do some volunteering each of your summers? Are you getting the grades you want right now?

 

[C.glabrata123]

Streampaw, you're 17 and keep posting crazy hypotheticals about medical school, your boyfriend in law school, and an 8 year LDR. Stop asking questions like this on every forum on this site. You obviously don't have a low IQ if you're in college right now. Sit back, focus on school and the fun things you like doing and take your time. Stop asking us what you should do and go out there and do. You'll be fine. Just keep your academics up. And don't do ECs just to get credit for them on an application. Do things you like.

Please just stop. You're asking people that are applying to medical school now, after having had whole careers, marriages and children, whether or not it's possible to apply 3 years after graduating. Obviously it is.

 

[DrCharlemagne]

Please just stop. You're asking people that are applying to medical school now, after having had whole careers, marriages and children, whether or not it's possible to apply 3 years after graduating. Obviously it is.

This. I'm five years out from undergrad. I have been accepted by one school already. Focus on ECs you love, worry less about an SO who won't compromise to stay with you, and study like a mad fool.

 

[BurberryDoc]

Yes, it is absolutely possible. I graduated college in 2010. I applied to MD this current cycle, and I've been accepted to 2 schools. Technically, I have taken 3 gap years but come matriculation in Summer '14, that will make it 4 gap years total. PM me if you want to ask me some specific questions, I'd be more than happy to help. (Disclaimer: currently in a hellfire of exams/papers/projects, so I probably won't be able to get back to you until after November 14th.)

 

[cabinbuilder]

I started applying 7 years after I got out of college. Matriculated on the 3rd try, 8 years later.

 

[TheLadyVanishes]

I graduated in 2010 and was accepted this year. Many of the other applicants I met on the interview trail had taken 1-2 gap years.

 

[mulberry]

You are still so young. Your mind might change about the school you want to go to. Plus, do you really wan to be in the same state your whole life? There are other parts of this world that you might want to explore 🙂

 

[PreMedRookie]

I am a sophomore in college and I just feel like I will never be able to do all the EC's that med schools want, while getting a competitive GPA. That's why I am also considering taking 3 years off after graduating just to fit in EC's such as non-clinical volunteering and clinical volunteering. I am already volunteering in a research lab right now in college (it is so I can do honors thesis my senior year, cuz I am in honors college, and I want to get a publication to have a chance at my state med school, and it is a biochem lab), and I am already working part-time as a tutor, but honestly, IF I add ANY other EC I feel like I will not have enough time to study appropriately. I don't know what is wrong with me, like, maybe I have ADHD or something?
I need to study 2-3 hours a week for EVERY credit hour I take, in order to be succesful. And I have to get at least 8.5 hours of sleep to be able to function, if I get less than that, then I will not be able to concentrate during the day, let alone study. I also have to live with my parents and commute to my university, because that is the only way they will pay for it, and I have to take the bus, which takes a lot of time during the day to commute.
I might also start a club during college, but that is it. Can I take 4 years off after college, do clinical+non-clinical volunteering+shadowing during those 3 years, and then apply to medical school? I will be graduating college at 20, by the way (don't ask how, let's just say I'm already on a 5 year plan). So if I take 3 years off after that to get the needed EC's, and apply, then I'll be 23 when I apply, and 24 when I enter medical school. Also, I would really prefer to go to my state school, and my state school prefers older applicants, and I would do anything to go to my state school.

So do you think this is a good idea or not? I don't know what to do, I feel like I have a really low IQ.

Are you a sophomore or a junior? Previously you said you were a junior.