Need some help with my timeline for application

[MrDrProf]

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Hey everyone,

I'm a junior chemistry major who has decided to go to medical school after a long time of thinking, volunteering, and shadowing.

I previously was going to apply to chemistry graduate school, but sort of lost my interest in it. I have all the prerequisites, except biochemistry, since that is a senior level class for chemistry majors. So I don't think I could study for the MCAT this summer. I have a strong upward trend, and if it continues, I believe I should graduate with a 3.56 sGPA and 3.52 cGPA. Not the best, but I had some stuff going on years II to III, but thankfully that is in past.

I'm not really sure how to plan out my application. I know that I have to do a gap year, and would probably do an informal DIY post-bacc, but also when would I have to take the MCAT in order to apply for the Fall 2018 admission cycle? Would it be something like:

1. Graduate
2. Study for MCAT during summer
3. Take MCAT in fall
4. Do volunteering / shadowing / coursework / work during fall and spring DIY post bac
5. Apply in early june

But that seems like two years, would it more like:

1. Study for MCAT during winter break and spring semester
2. Take MCAT in spring
3. graduate
4. apply in early june
5. Do volunteering / shadowing / coursework / work during fall and spring DIY post bac while doing secondaries and such

Sorry for my ignorance. I looked over some posts but still sort of confused.

Thank you very much!

 

[Lannister]

If you want to matriculate in Fall 2018, you will have to take the MCAT by May/June 2017. Earlier is better, but don't take it before you're ready.

 

[Goro]

I'll add to my learned colleague by saying that the MCAT is a career-deciding, high stakes exam. Do NOT take it until you are 100% ready for it.
And start shadowing and doing patient contact volunteer work NOW.

 

[MrDrProf]

A few thoughts

1) Is you goal to get into medical school or to get into medical school quickly?
2) You impress medical schools by doing well, not by doing it fast
3) Dont rush the MCAT, take it when you are ready to rock it
4) You need volunteering, shadowing, etc BEFORE you submit the primary application. Motivation, commitment and an understanding of the profession you are entering is expected prior, else can you make a decision to do so.
5) A postbacc AFTER you have submitted your primary, has no impact on your GPA.
6) Not applying until your 25 or later is fine. Dont get caught up on "keeping on schedule"

You need an extra year to this timeline if you want the GPA of a postbacc to have impact on your GPA.

Ahh. Thank you very much. I was sort of confused with the time line. It's not that I want to get in quickly, I just want to get in. I'm trying to see if a master's program would be good to do and the time line and such. Since I am going to take a majority of the graduate level biology classes as an undergraduate, but unfortunately I won't be able to graduate with a sGPA greater than 3.56 because of some performance issues when I had a lot going on sophomore year.

 

[Cookiess]

If you're planning on starting medical school in the fall of 2018, you'd have to apply during June of 2017 which is around the time you'll be graduating. That means you'll need to prep for the MCAT during the winter of your senior year and take it during the spring of your senior year. You could take Biochem during the upcoming fall.

I also agree with the others, I would start volunteering and shadowing now. Apply when you are ready. So if this means taking an additional year of DIY postbac classes to raise your overall GPA and BCPM GPA before applying, then go for it.

 

[MrDrProf]

Thanks everyone! I understand it better! I think I should be ready to study for it during the winter / spring, which will be after my tough semester, with classes that should be helpful on the MCAT. The spring will be an easier semester which will hopefully allow for a great MCAT score, and if I don't get in I can always reapply after the DIY post bacc and a great MCAT. Thanks everyone! I have started volunteering this week and it is great, also going to shadow which I can't wait to do! Thank you everyone!