re-applicant: what do I do In my gap year?

[med112]

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So this last cycle I applied as a traditional student to 26 schools and interviewed/waitlisted at 2 with these stats:
3.58 cgpa (3.6 when I updated the schools and got a second interview)
3.49sgpa.
514 mcat
400+ hours non-clinical volunteering
50ish hours shadowing
50ish hours of clinical volunteering
300+ hours research
+ECs/leadership

Right now, for gap year options, I'm in contact with a PI at the NIH ( for the IRTA post-bacc program and have an acceptance to Penn's post-bacc specialized studies program. I'm thinking that I for sure need to get more clinical experience and improve my grades, but I've love any insight on what routes to do so with. I'm also hoping to start working as an EMT wherever I end up in the fall. I did take a 2017 mcat and am planning to take two gap years so I'll have to retake.
What are some other factors i should look at/ what should I be looking to improve? What programs might be better for what i need to improve? Thanks!

 

[LiftingMed]

When did you apply? When were secondaries submitted? School list?

 

[Osteosaur]

It took me a few tries with similar stats to you. I know its disappointing. By the look of it your ECs are "average" for a premed (impressive for everyone else), and your stats are low-average. You really need some kind of wow-factor to show you're a cut above.

-Research is a fine gap year job if you are going to be making some money and can get a poster or publication. I think its a good experience, but you have to like research. I did. A lot of people don't or force themselves into it because they think its needed. A lot of SDN adcoms reiterate it is not.

-EMT for clinical experience might be good? Everyone does it but if clinical volunteering is a concern it beefs up your hours.

-Postbacc seems risky to be honest. You're not so low that you need it to prove you can do the work. You'll be spending a lot of money to MAYBE get your 3.6 to something higher. It can also go lower.

My recommendation with your grades would to look into DO. You'll be a big fish in that application pool.

 

[med112]

When did you apply? When were secondaries submitted? School list?

I applied this last cycle, submitted primaries within a week and secondaries within a week of when I got them.
School list
Penn state
Drexel
Evms
Georgetown
gw
Geisinger
Wvu
Jefferson
Temple
Pitt
Albert Einstein
Cornell
Brown
Nyu LI
Tufts
Boston
Ohio state
Rosalind Franklin
St. Louis
Washu
Umich
Wisconsin
Albany
Rochester
Tulane
Nymc

 

[med112]

Thanks! I’ll definitely be applying to DO next year as well. I’m not super into research but I don’t mind it, so pretty on the fence on that

 

[Hi_I'mPaul]

You definitely need more clinical experience [either paid or volunteering], 50 hours won't cut it. I'd try to get a minimum of 150 hours. If you can also do research, that's a bonus for MD schools. If you apply DO, then you'll be fine.