MCAT/Application timeline dilemma

[ZSVDK_HNORC]

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I'm currently a junior on a 4.5 year graduation track because I switch majors my sophomore year and am behind in some prereqs. By the end of this year, the prereqs I will still need to complete are ochem I and II and physics I and II. So I'll be finished with my prereqs by the end of my senior year but I'll still need 1 more semester to graduate in Dec. 2015. Ideally I would like to graduate in Dec. 2015, and matriculate by Sept. 2016. But I don't know how realistic that is. Here's the options I see:

A) Take the MCAT in March 2015 during my senior year. Hopefully score well to immediately apply and matriculate Sept 2016.
B)Take the MCAT the summer after my senior year. Take a gap year and apply to matriculate in Sept 2017.
C) Take the MCAT the summer after my senior year then try and apply and follow my plan A.

My reason for hesitation to apply over the summer is because I'm not the strongest applicant and I would like to apply as early as possible:
3.3 cgpa, 3.1 sgpa
6.5 months CNA at a longterm care/rehab
No research
No shadowing
No substantial volunteering

This summer I will be shadowing around 100 hours worth. I'm also currently looking for a lab position on campus. I'm still trying to find a substantial non-clinical volunteer position that I like and can work for 4+ months.

So, do I try and cram everything in and follow plan A? Have a little more time to round out my application but apply late during mid summer and follow plan C? OR do I take a gap year and apply asap in 2016 to matriculate in 2017,plan B. Again, ideally I don't want to take the gap year. I believe 9 months between graduation in Dec. 2015 and starting med school will be a long enough break for me.

Thanks in advance.

 

[frosted_flake]

Plan B. Gotta get some of those EC's in. Take some extra courses to bring up that GPA as well 🙂
Good luck!

 

[Great White Buffalo]

I'm currently a junior on a 4.5 year graduation track because I switch majors my sophomore year and am behind in some prereqs. By the end of this year, the prereqs I will still need to complete are ochem I and II and physics I and II. So I'll be finished with my prereqs by the end of my senior year but I'll still need 1 more semester to graduate in Dec. 2015. Ideally I would like to graduate in Dec. 2015, and matriculate by Sept. 2016. But I don't know how realistic that is. Here's the options I see:

A) Take the MCAT in March 2015 during my senior year. Hopefully score well to immediately apply and matriculate Sept 2016.
B)Take the MCAT the summer after my senior year. Take a gap year and apply to matriculate in Sept 2017.
C) Take the MCAT the summer after my senior year then try and apply and follow my plan A.

My reason for hesitation to apply over the summer is because I'm not the strongest applicant and I would like to apply as early as possible:
3.3 cgpa, 3.1 sgpa
6.5 months CNA at a longterm care/rehab
No research
No shadowing
No substantial volunteering

This summer I will be shadowing around 100 hours worth. I'm also currently looking for a lab position on campus. I'm still trying to find a substantial non-clinical volunteer position that I like and can work for 4+ months.

So, do I try and cram everything in and follow plan A? Have a little more time to round out my application but apply late during mid summer and follow plan C? OR do I take a gap year and apply asap in 2016 to matriculate in 2017,plan B. Again, ideally I don't want to take the gap year. I believe 9 months between graduation in Dec. 2015 and starting med school will be a long enough break for me.

Thanks in advance.

Please note a lot of schools start in August, and some even in July. I took 4.5 years to graduate, completed in Dec. Gets really tough the last semester, so taking the "hard classes" before the last semester is highly recommended. Need to get your "story" on how your activities are moving toward medicine. And get that GPA up!! Good Luck.

 

[ZSVDK_HNORC]

Any more input?