Question/Advice About Gap Year

[nolookpass]

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So I just graduated in May and am currently on my gap year. I was planning on taking the MCAT in June/July but things got in the way/I felt rushed, which ended up ruining my plan of only taking one gap year. I submitted my primary app and all.

I have registered for the January MCAT and have been studying and doing well. I might even move up my test date to November. Coincidentally the one school I added on my primary app accepts MCAT scores from the November test. I may just take the MCAT in November and just apply to that one school and test my luck since I already paid for the primary.

Since getting into that 1 school is a long shot since it'll be so late, I have to start thinking about what to do during my second gap year. Right now I am sporadically working at my lab as I continue studying for the MCAT (Main focus is MCAT for now). I plan on getting a full time clinical job after taking the MCAT in January. So my question is what would be better continue working that job from January 2015-August 2016 (assuming I start med school August 2016) or applying for a SMP program (anything else you guys can recommend) for the fall of 2015. My GPA is 3.52 from a known university (low side) and my MCAT lets assume is going to be good (31-34 only basing this on my AAMC performances so far). What would be more beneficial for me?

Sorry for the long winded post. I really appreciate the advice. And if there is a better subsection to post this on, let me know.

 

[seizurecrow]

Is your primary app already verified? If not, withdraw. You won't be considered a reapplicant the next time you apply.

 

[nolookpass]

Is your primary app already verified? If not, withdraw. You won't be considered a reapplicant the next time you apply.

Ignorant about this, but what is wrong with being a reapplicant and I submitted in June so yea it is verified . Just having the primary submitted and verified makes you an applicant, even without submitting the secondary?

Advice about the other stuff still accepted. Thanks for informing me about something new though seizure. Appreciate it.

 

[seizurecrow]

I believe you'll only be considered a reapplicant at schools that have previously received your primary. Many secondaries ask if you're a reapplicant and expect those who are to have improved in some way. I'd wait to hear from other members, though.

 

[kyamh]

I would start drafting an essay about how much you have matured in your gap year such that you no longer rush into major decisions without thinking them through all the way - this will be your explanation for why you are a reapplicant. If you submitted in June, you should have already known whether you would be up for taking the exam in a month. If you didn't realize the disadvantage you would put yourself at as a reapplicant, you didn't do your research....applying to med school is rough business :\

 

[nolookpass]

I would start drafting an essay about how much you have matured in your gap year such that you no longer rush into major decisions without thinking them through all the way - this will be your explanation for why you are a reapplicant. If you submitted in June, you should have already known whether you would be up for taking the exam in a month. If you didn't realize the disadvantage you would put yourself at as a reapplicant, you didn't do your research....applying to med school is rough business :\

It's only one school and it was just to get my app verified, so I'm not too concerned about that . Not a top choice or anything. And unforeseen things occurred, but I get your point. Definitely noted. Would I still be considered a reapplicant even if my secondary wasn't submitted?

Anyway, any advice on the other question by any of you guys. This turned into a reapplicant question , but I definitely appreciate the info.

 

[kyamh]

It's only one school and it was just to get my app verified, so I'm not too concerned about that . Not a top choice or anything. And unforeseen things occurred, but I get your point. Definitely noted. Would I still be considered a reapplicant even if my secondary wasn't submitted?

Anyway, any advice on the other question by any of you guys. This turned into a reapplicant question , but I definitely appreciate the info.

Oh, cool, you're in the clear 🙂

Good choice on just applying to the one school! Yes, you'll be a reapplicant at that one school, but w/e. Enjoy your gap year, it can be one of the best years of your life 😉

Edit: I would go for the job. How much would your GPA increase, realistically? If you can get above a 3.6, then it MAY make sense, but if not then it would be less useful and less fun (and less fun to write about)

 

[nolookpass]

Oh, cool, you're in the clear 🙂

Good choice on just applying to the one school! Yes, you'll be a reapplicant at that one school, but w/e. Enjoy your gap year, it can be one of the best years of your life 😉

Appreciate it, but that's the issue, not sure what exactly to do during this extra gap year. Starting this January I will be working full time, getting more clinical experience, but I'm not entirely sure what to do the fall of 2015. Should I continue with the full time job, or apply to SMP's and attend one in the fall of 2015, or are there other options such as taking classes at my local city universities etc. My GPA is on the lower end but not terrible (3.52). I do know a SMP is somewhat of a last resort, so I'm not sure if I'm at that point yet, but my GPA could use some helping. And this conditions are assuming I do well on my MCAT either in November or January (based on how I'm doing so far).

 

[mvenus929]

I would suggest that you work through your second gap year. When you do apply, apply to appropriate schools with lower averages and relatively few reaches. Focus on making sure you have good clinical experience, and work on any other deficits in your application in the meantime.

 

[nolookpass]

I would suggest that you work through your second gap year. When you do apply, apply to appropriate schools with lower averages and relatively few reaches. Focus on making sure you have good clinical experience, and work on any other deficits in your application in the meantime.

Appreciate it. However the only deficiency in my application that I can think of (assuming my MCAT is good of course) would be my GPA. The extra clinical experience would be great for me personally, but I do have a good amount already.

 

[nolookpass]

Any other advice regarding this gap year thing would definitely be appreciated. Not sure what exactly to do/what's the best route for me.

Thanks

 

[seizurecrow]

Honestly I don't think your gpa is low enough to warrant a SMP. It's not very competitive, but it's ok for many schools. With a solid MCAT you'd be fine. Get some additional research in if you can and check the msar to see where you stand at different schools.

 

[JohnFe]

Focus all your energy to the MCAT then go on and focus on your ECs. Q.Q

 

[nolookpass]

Honestly I don't think your gpa is low enough to warrant a SMP. It's not very competitive, but it's ok for many schools. With a solid MCAT you'd be fine. Get some additional research in if you can and check the msar to see where you stand at different schools.

Appreciate it and yea I think I'll go away from the SMP route. Are there any ways to boost up a GPA that would be useful? I'm out of school just graduated btw. Would taking classes at another institute do any good? I have plenty of research. I'm actually on my way to getting a publication this fall.

Focus all your energy to the MCAT then go on and focus on your ECs. Q.Q

I'm definitely focusing on my MCAT, but the doubt of what I'm going to do after lingers and it bothers me, but I definitely see your point. I just want a solid plan to follow.

Thanks all.

 

[relhaopyla]

I believe you'll only be considered a reapplicant at schools that have previously received your primary.

 

[seizurecrow]

I believe you'll only be considered a reapplicant at schools that have previously received your primary.

Lol that's word for word what I said.

 

[nolookpass]

Lol that's word for word what I said.

Yupp, it looks like that's what most people have been saying. Anyway, I'm not worried about that at all. I just applied to one school that I didn't care for much. Just did it to get my app verified, but then I couldn't take the exam because things came up. So I'm not worried about that at all. More worried about my unwanted extra gap year . Thanks for the info though.