Late MCAT and Rushed Schedule...Extra Gap Year??

[stressedpremedd]

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Hi! I was super indecisive throughout a decent bit of undergrad (currently a rising senior) about pre-med vs pre-nursing but finally sat down with an advisor, talked through, and solidly set on the premed path. However, I have a fair bit of catching up to do, and, based on my current schedule, to apply next cycle with just 1 gap year, I'd have to rush courses and apply without knowing MCAT scores which is not the best plan. I'm just not sure what I would do with a second gap year and am really hesitant to take one, even though it may be the better choice, because the idea of delaying more stresses me out and I don't know what I would do with the time. GPA is a little over 3.5, ECs and shadowing are solid, and I'm pretty good with standardized tests and am planning to start reviewing now through to next year so that I can review prereqs I'll be taking this year as I go, but it's a risk. Please please please any advice is welcome, sorry if this is a very amateur question, but at my university everyone makes taking a gap year sound like the end of the world, much less two.

 

[tekkenman11]

A gap year is the new traditional applicant.

 

[Lucca]

Seriously, taking a gap year is no problem. It is better to take 2 gap years and have the best app possible than applying before you’re ready. If you don’t even have an MCAT score yet you shouldn’t even be thinking about applying. You should be thinking about how you’re going to get a good mcat score.

As far as gap year activities I recommend working on either the most glaring deficit in your app (in terms of clinical XP / research / service) and/or something you’re passionate about or interested in doing but you won’t be able to do after med school starts.