Lag time between MCAT and application?

[Hastur]

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I'm beginning to see a problem with the hyperaccelerated class schedule (Postbac) I've chosen. Namely, the program will enable me to take the MCAT next summer (whee!) but between the studying and my other life obligations, I've had very little time for volunteering and haven't even tried shadowing yet.

I'm sure I'll get in a *little* over the course of the upcoming year, but probably not all that many hours. I know I could try to push it, but I know other students who are doing so - and my grades are doing better than theirs, so I'm hesitant to deviate from the course I'm on. 🙂

Which leads me to foresee my path going this way: I'll take the MCAT, finish the postbac with any extra classes I need, and *then* get in a good solid year or two with a lot of volunteering/shadowing/hospital work experience, and *then* apply.

But I have a couple of concerns. First, an MCAT score is good for three years, I know, but do schools look at "less fresh" ones any differently? - and finally, I'm worried that I won't have been volunteering/shadowing heavily over a long enough period of time; I'm likely to have about a year of doing this very lightly and then a year of heavier experience by the time I apply. I'm coming at this from a nontraditional background, so there's that.

 

[Mobius1985]

First, an MCAT score is good for three years, I know, but do schools look at "less fresh" ones any differently?

I'm worried that I won't have been volunteering/shadowing heavily over a long enough period of time; I'm likely to have about a year of doing this very lightly and then a year of heavier experience by the time I apply. I'm coming at this from a nontraditional background, so there's that.

MCAT scores are good for two or three years depending on the school. The "less fresh" ones are not viewed differently.

Adcomms will like to see at least a year of regular (weekly) clinical experience before you apply (four hours a week is typical), but about 1.5 years seems average, and some have many years of involvement. Your plan sounds fine.

P.S. Does your name imply that you are a redhead from Darkover?