Need advice for specific glide year situation

[deleted752061]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I'm about to apply to med schools this upcoming cycle (matriculating 2018) and looking for any opinions on how to handle my specific glide year situation. I'm a CA resident and, due to a vet family member, I have a full tuition waiver that applies exclusively to UC medical schools. However, in order to get free tuition for a year, I need to make under 10k the year prior. I'm incredibly lucky to have this benefit so I'll obviously be applying to all the UC's, but I'm also aware of how competitive they are. I'm a non-trad with 3.6 cGPA/3.85 sGPA and I expect MCAT to be 510-515.

I'm debating what to do for the next year (my application/glide year): find a job for the year (most likely research or something clinical) and disqualify myself for a full year's tuition ($35k) if I am accepted into a UC or move home to save money, remain under the salary limit, and maybe volunteer to fill my time (I'm worried this may be looked down on my app).

I realize this is a relatively unique situation, but I'm really just trying to get some perspective on it. Any advice would be helpful!

 

[aalamruad]

I'm about to apply to med schools this upcoming cycle (matriculating 2018) and looking for any opinions on how to handle my specific glide year situation. I'm a CA resident and, due to a vet family member, I have a full tuition waiver that applies exclusively to UC medical schools. However, in order to get free tuition for a year, I need to make under 10k the year prior. I'm incredibly lucky to have this benefit so I'll obviously be applying to all the UC's, but I'm also aware of how competitive they are. I'm a non-trad with 3.6 cGPA/3.85 sGPA and I expect MCAT to be 510-515.

I'm debating what to do for the next year (my application/glide year): find a job for the year (most likely research or something clinical) and disqualify myself for a full year's tuition ($35k) if I am accepted into a UC or move home to save money, remain under the salary limit, and maybe volunteer to fill my time (I'm worried this may be looked down on my app).

I realize this is a relatively unique situation, but I'm really just trying to get some perspective on it. Any advice would be helpful!

If you want to put all your eggs in the UC basket, consider working with underserved patient populations in the inland empire or in NorCal since UCR and UCD love applicants who work in those respective areas

 

[deleted752061]

If you want to put all your eggs in the UC basket, consider working with underserved patient populations in the inland empire or in NorCal since UCR and UCD love applicants who work in those respective areas

Thanks for the input. Yes, I'm definitely trying to emphasize CA roots and working with underserved in my app. I've read that UCR has an incredibly specific matriculant pool with ties to the school, but UC Davis should be right in my wheelhouse if I'm lucky. Still not sure if it's worth it to risk a year without salary for a chance of paid tuition.