Need time line advice

[estradiol9]

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Hi all. I have a dilemma and need your advice 🙂.

I am TECHNICALLY a sophomore undergrad and suppose to graduate in May 2013 BUT I am ahead of the game with credits and if I remain a full time student and take a few summer classes, I could finish all my credits and graduate in August 2012. I was thinking about what I should do regarding my MCATs and application.. I can either try to get into medical school for September 2012 OR September 2013.

If I decide to apply for September 2012, I would have to submit my application by the (preferably early) fall of 2011 correct?

I have not taken my MCATs yet, but I have taken or am currently taking all the pre-req classes for MCATs except organic chemistry. I have not taken organic chemistry 1 or 2 yet. I was thinking of taking organic chemistry 1 this coming spring (spring 2011) and organic chemistry 2 in the summer right after (summer 2011). The problem with this is that I probably would not be able to take my MCATs until August or September 2011. How will this affect my application? I have heard it takes about a month just to get results back and I feel like my application process might be a little ... rushed.

On the other hand, if I apply to start medical school September 2013, I have until early fall of 2012 to finish my application and submit (and can also apply to an early decision program) but then I have a whole year off from school? I don't ever have free time and when I do, I have no idea what to do with it.

What are your suggestions?

 

[wristbandMD]

Hi all. I have a dilemma and need your advice 🙂.

I am TECHNICALLY a sophomore undergrad and suppose to graduate in May 2013 BUT I am ahead of the game with credits and if I remain a full time student and take a few summer classes, I could finish all my credits and graduate in August 2012. I was thinking about what I should do regarding my MCATs and application.. I can either try to get into medical school for September 2012 OR September 2013.

If I decide to apply for September 2012, I would have to submit my application by the (preferably early) fall of 2011 correct?

I have not taken my MCATs yet, but I have taken or am currently taking all the pre-req classes for MCATs except organic chemistry. I have not taken organic chemistry 1 or 2 yet. I was thinking of taking organic chemistry 1 this coming spring (spring 2011) and organic chemistry 2 in the summer right after (summer 2011). The problem with this is that I probably would not be able to take my MCATs until August or September 2011. How will this affect my application? I have heard it takes about a month just to get results back and I feel like my application process might be a little ... rushed.

On the other hand, if I apply to start medical school September 2013, I have until early fall of 2012 to finish my application and submit (and can also apply to an early decision program) but then I have a whole year off from school? I don't ever have free time and when I do, I have no idea what to do with it.

What are your suggestions?

I'm in a very similar situation, actually. For me, it comes down to: have I shadowed enough? Would an extra year (or two, in my case) benefit me as far as research or volunteer experience? Would I enjoy taking upper-level electives and/or completing an additional major and/or minor?

Evaluate yourself. If you applied to matriculate 2012, what are your chances? Now, what are your chances is you apply to matriculate 2013?

As far as free time, you could use that time to save money, gain more educational, research, or volunteer experience, or study abroad/travel. I would suggest doing something mentally stimulating though, rather than being lazy or partying for a full year.

 

[estradiol9]

I'm in a very similar situation, actually. For me, it comes down to: have I shadowed enough? Would an extra year (or two, in my case) benefit me as far as research or volunteer experience? Would I enjoy taking upper-level electives and/or completing an additional major and/or minor?

Evaluate yourself. If you applied to matriculate 2012, what are your chances? Now, what are your chances is you apply to matriculate 2013?

As far as free time, you could use that time to save money, gain more educational, research, or volunteer experience, or study abroad/travel. I would suggest doing something mentally stimulating though, rather than being lazy or partying for a full year.

I don't want to spend a year being lazy. I go crazy when I have a week off from classes. Plus I'm sure that somebody is bound to ask what I'm doing with my time at an interview so I want to make sure I am doing something productive.

I definitely think I would have a better chance of getting accepted somewhere if I apply the following year. I would have more time to put my application together, be able to apply earlier, apply for an early decision program, and have that extra time to participate in extra curriculars. Not to mention, I won't be as rushed to take my MCATs and will have more time to prep properly. But.. what.. can.. I.. do.. with all that time after I graduate?! I mean a year is a long time!

I am a volunteer EMT currently. I suppose I could look for an EMT full time job and volunteer in a hospital or clinic so I have more health care experience/volunteering? Maybe I can find some sort of research opportunity? Shadow as many physicians as I can?

I'm having trouble thinking of anything else! I guess I could also decide to double major or minor in something and take classes that fall as well? I'm already a biology major/chemistry minor.

What would you do?

 

[Tin Man]

I'm totally with you on going crazy during free time.

I would definitely take time to make sure your application is as ready as you can make it before you submit it. Don't rush it. Don't forget that the application to med school is still an expensive process, and sending in a half-assed application isn't going to do much more than drop your bank account by a few hundred dollars for no reason.

Use your extra year productively, such as gaining a minor, a second major, or possibly getting a full-time job in the medical environment (good clinical experience). There are TONS of things you can do that will greatly help your application.

 

[Calipers]

1. If you believe that you would be stronger applying to matriculate in 2013, then do that. Applying to med school is not fun (it's very painful) and it's something that you only want to do once in your lifetime.

2. For your "year off," some suggestions
(a) 1 year Masters: some schools have combined BA/MS degree programs for those students who can finish their undergrad requirements in 3 yrs. Otherwise you can apply for a Master's program in Biology, Public Health, etc. Nice to have a couple of additional letters after your name.
(b) Research: Find the right lab with the right mentor and you could end up publishing in a year.
(c) Go Abroad: If you have money, that's great. If not, there are scholarships (e.g. Fullbright) that allow you to spend a year in another country. These can be super competitive.
(d) Get a job: money is always nice
(e) Service Corps or Teach for America

 

[Avoidthetiger]

Keep in mind that some medical schools start in July or August -- so you will need to check their schedule before applying. I would actually even go to say that must start in August.

Is there any way for you to take orgo 1and 2 this fall and spring -- that way you could take the MCAT in June or July and be more ahead of schedule. Unless you are a super competitive applicant, an September/October complete date may put you at a disadvantage -- especially considering your younger age too where you might not have had as much life experiences.

 

[reallyconfused1]

Im doing the same thing you did, and aside from the headache of finishing all my requirements this year, it isnt bad at all (double majoring supposedly doesnt really matter, but its always a nice thing). If you think you are fine, go ahead and apply.
For the applying early thing, if you put off your mcat until july/august its ok so long as you get your app verified before hand (apply to some state schools on june 1) then if you want to continue the process after seeing mcat scores go ahead otherwise back out. Prewrite secondaries and you can submit complete apps in aug/sept which isnt too bad. (end of august isnt a bad time to be complete, you wont be early, but you arnt late either)

 

[CougarMD]

The only thing you have talked about so far are the MCAT, prereqs, and graduating. What does the rest of your application look like? What state do you have residence in? What is your GPA? And, most importantly, what do your EC's look like?


It is generally in your best interest to wait a year for several reasons.

First, you may get lucky/be skilled and have a great MCAT, and feel like you are "getting it" on the first try. But if you don't, you will have pushed to apply when you weren't really ready. It is true that you can get your app verified and wait for your MCAT later. But if that MCAT is not good, you are now a reapplicant. This problem can partially be solved by only applying to one school that you don't care about to get your app verified, but it is my understanding that schools will still see that you have applied to medical school in the past, even if you haven't applied to their medical school. You may be put in the position of having an MCAT you don't want to apply with.


Also, If you are trying to do all of this so quickly, are you really having time for meaningful EC experiences? Secondaries are harder than you think if you have NOTHING to talk about. People keep asking me how I completed my secondaries so quickly while they were struggling with what to write. It is because I have a crapload of things to talk about. If you use up all of your good material in your personal statement, you will struggle later.


If you think that a year after graduation would be a year being "lazy" you may want to reevaluate what you're doing now. If you don't need to work, there are a lot of amazing volunteer jobs out there that could easily take up 20 hours a week of your time. Pick up two or three of those and make yourself a better applicant. Calipers had some great suggestions. Adcoms do like it when you have work experience even if it is not medically related; it shows that you actually can handle having a real job.

Finally, I would strongly advise against trying to take the MCAT without taking OChem. The two classes that I personally think prepare you best for the MCAT are Biochemistry and OChem. They help you with the type of thinking you need to do and also give you a great foundation of knowledge that you will have a hard time cramming in at the last minute.


As it was said above....applying is a crappy process. Only do it once, and do it right.

 

[estradiol9]

The only thing you have talked about so far are the MCAT, prereqs, and graduating. What does the rest of your application look like? What state do you have residence in? What is your GPA? And, most importantly, what do your EC's look like?


It is generally in your best interest to wait a year for several reasons.

First, you may get lucky/be skilled and have a great MCAT, and feel like you are "getting it" on the first try. But if you don't, you will have pushed to apply when you weren't really ready. It is true that you can get your app verified and wait for your MCAT later. But if that MCAT is not good, you are now a reapplicant. This problem can partially be solved by only applying to one school that you don't care about to get your app verified, but it is my understanding that schools will still see that you have applied to medical school in the past, even if you haven't applied to their medical school. You may be put in the position of having an MCAT you don't want to apply with.


Also, If you are trying to do all of this so quickly, are you really having time for meaningful EC experiences? Secondaries are harder than you think if you have NOTHING to talk about. People keep asking me how I completed my secondaries so quickly while they were struggling with what to write. It is because I have a crapload of things to talk about. If you use up all of your good material in your personal statement, you will struggle later.


If you think that a year after graduation would be a year being "lazy" you may want to reevaluate what you're doing now. If you don't need to work, there are a lot of amazing volunteer jobs out there that could easily take up 20 hours a week of your time. Pick up two or three of those and make yourself a better applicant. Calipers had some great suggestions. Adcoms do like it when you have work experience even if it is not medically related; it shows that you actually can handle having a real job.

Finally, I would strongly advise against trying to take the MCAT without taking OChem. The two classes that I personally think prepare you best for the MCAT are Biochemistry and OChem. They help you with the type of thinking you need to do and also give you a great foundation of knowledge that you will have a hard time cramming in at the last minute.


As it was said above....applying is a crappy process. Only do it once, and do it right.

I live in New Jersey. My overall GPA is a 3.75 and my science GPA is a little higher. I am a biology major/chemistry minor. As a sophomore, I have about 400 or something hours of volunteer experience and health care experience, which I hope to continue to participate in. I also have a part time job. I am a member of various clubs/organizations at my school and have a couple e-board/leadership positions within them. I also have a few honor society/dean's list things going on. I am planning on applying to my university's honors college this semester. I can't say whether or not they will accept me, but I have met their requirements for applying so I hope I will. *fingers crossed* I applied for various research/pre-med internships my freshman year with no success but I am planning on applying again this year. Again, I'm not sure if I will achieve success with that. I have a couple physicians that I have spoken to about shadowing that were welcoming to the idea but I have yet to start shadowing. I was also considering pledging a sorority on campus but decided to hold off until next semester to make a decision about that.

Also, I would never let myself take the MCATs without taking all the courses first! That's why I started to freak out about not having that much time between organic chemistry II and my MCATs. BUT I think I am going to listen to everybody's advice and take some more time on my MCATs and application process and try to matriculate in 2013. I'm just not quite sure what I'll do with my time off yet!

 

[gravitywave]

I don't want to spend a year being lazy. I go crazy when I have a week off from classes.

there are a bunch of people like this in my class. they almost seemed afraid to take the year off because they were all about school, and didn't want to get out of that groove.

that's fine and dandy, but I've never met or heard of a doctor that wished they could have gotten to medical school a year sooner. on the other hand, you always hear about the ones who went straight through and wished that they had taken some extra time along the way.

Coug's remarks are well-made; when it comes time to fill out apps and interview, it never hurts to have more life experience to talk about. and it really doesn't matter what you do, or even how successful you were doing it, so long as you pursue it in good faith and can say you've explored something you thought would be interesting.

in my opinion, if you have to ask yourself whether or not you should take another year, the answer is that you should.

 

[moxche]

Don't apply Early Decision. Just apply early to a lot of early-accepting schools and you will be much better off.

 

[estradiol9]

Don't apply Early Decision. Just apply early to a lot of early-accepting schools and you will be much better off.

Why do you say that? If I can get accepted to the school I want to attend the most... what's the point of wasting time/money applying for other schools?