Plain Confused

[Cells4life]

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hey everybody,

im just plain confused and baffled ....my dilemma is that is that i just graduated this semester with an average gpa (ie almost 3.6), and am planning to take the September 8 MCAT..i just started studying today but now i'm doubting myself...my plan is to take the MCAT only once and since September is the last MCAT date for MD schools this will be my only shot and I do not want to delay another year as it is, but i also plan to to apply to DO schools.. i mean i keep seeing everyone saying that is ubber late...i haven't even started my AAMCAS yet, still waiting on some final grades, and hopefully should be obtaining LORs this summer...i am hoping someone has some sort of advice or input or maybe someone went through something like this, any help would be appreciated! thanks!

 

[iniquus]

There's no need to rush. Take a year off and make your application even stronger--submit things "on time." You'll be more mature with time off from college.

 

[tabascosauce]

i agree there is no rush if you continue to do things that help your application or continue to be involved with the community. getting a job is fantastic as well seeing as they like ppl who have some business sense and professionalism. plus, it helps a lot with paying for the application.

 

[Cells4life]

thanks for the responses....the problem is that I am currently taking a year off and I don't want to take another year off, making it two years in total

 

[addo]

If you submitted today, youd be way early, but taking the mcat in september for your app to be completed in October when the scores come out, leaves you at a disadvantage. By the time youre complete most schools will probably have most of the interviews through the end of november booked.

Taking a year off is nice, but taking 2 off without definite plans would be a pain. If you got the money to apply this cycle, do it, but dont be disappointed if you need to reapply.

If you could schedule the mcat for the end of july or early august youd be better off, and still have about 2 months to study.

 

[Cells4life]

umm i was thinking applying to DO schools this cycle and if i do well enough apply to MD the following year and deferring the DO school or is that not possible? and even with taking the two years...i dont plan on doing a masters or any more schooling i would hopefully land a job...would that look twice as bad?

 

[addo]

umm i was thinking applying to DO schools this cycle and if i do well enough apply to MD the following year and deferring the DO school or is that not possible? and even with taking the two years...i dont plan on doing a masters or any more schooling i would hopefully land a job...would that look twice as bad?

and taking 2 years off to work does not look bad

 

[ridethecliche]

umm i was thinking applying to DO schools this cycle and if i do well enough apply to MD the following year and deferring the DO school or is that not possible? and even with taking the two years...i dont plan on doing a masters or any more schooling i would hopefully land a job...would that look twice as bad?

I don't think you know what you're talking about.

Deferring isn't easy.

 

[juliedi]

First of all, when I first saw this thread I thought the title was " Palin Confused" and I was like hmm, what did she do this time...

But anyway, OP I agree with the advice given. While it's definitely possible to get in this cycle even applying as late as September, if it were me I'd take another year off and really build up my app. What have you been doing in your year off? Is it a job you'd like/wouldn't mind continuing for another year?

 

[mvenus929]

Trust me, you only want to apply once. Becoming complete in October will put you at a disadvantage, especially if you don't do so hot on the MCAT. If your application isn't killer strong in other areas, you will likely have to apply again. You're far better off taking another year to get things together and knock your application out of the park.

And taking two years off isn't a big deal. If you already have a job, it will just allow you to save up some extra cash for moving expenses and whatnot. It's getting the job that's the hard part.

 

[Astarael]

Why not just push your MCAT date up, if you want to apply this year? Even if you started studying today, you could probably be ready to take it by the end of July or the beginning of August (if you put in a pretty decent amount of work every day). That'd be way better than waiting until September. You could sign up for an earlier date, and if your practice scores aren't good enough, you would just cancel it.

 

[young2sj]

First of all, when I first saw this thread I thought the title was " Palin Confused" and I was like hmm, what did she do this time...

But anyway, OP I agree with the advice given. While it's definitely possible to get in this cycle even applying as late as September, if it were me I'd take another year off and really build up my app. What have you been doing in your year off? Is it a job you'd like/wouldn't mind continuing for another year?

I read the title as Palin Confused as well.

I agree with the majority of the responses here. It'd probably be disadvantageous to submit on the later side of the process.
Take a year off and continue to build your application, and relax a little.
😎

 

[Hello678]

Why did you push the MCAT so far back if you are already taking a year off? You probably took the pre-reqs a few years ago, so you will have to prep more than the people who are just coming out of the pre-reqs. I think you just planned this out very poorly, and you will be at a disadvantage if you wait till Sept. to take the MCAT.

 

[Cells4life]

thats exactly what it was a poor case of planning and no job lined up either so far at least.. thanks anyway

 

[iniquus]

It's better to apply once with confidence after taking 2 years off, than taking two years off and applying twice because you didn't make a school the first time.

 

[Cells4life]

with the 2 years off... if i am not doing a masters program, SMP or enrolled in some type of schooling will adcoms view this in a negative manner?