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Looking for some advice or stories from those in similar situations. Figure even writing this all out will help me make a decision so would appreciate any additional input.
A while ago, I scoffed at the idea of taking a year off since I thought it would push me too far out of the academic game and would be difficult for me to jump back in on top of my game. After going through a little of the application season, I'm getting some cold feet and am reconsidering a gap year.
Things I'm considering:
When will my app be complete?
I don't get my MCAT scores back for another week now but my committee letter won't be uploaded until the end of August at the earliest. While this won't really make me super late, I would lose the benefits of getting an app in early.
How competitive is my app?
I'm pretty confident in my app as a whole and think my chances to get into a medical school are decent. That being said, I am by no means a 4.0/45 student and thus there is always room for improvement. My MCAT should be around a 36 based on AAMC FLs but we shall see. My GPA could use a year of improvement but don't feel it will hold me back. My ECs are very good. LORs could definitely be better most because I am nervous some will be rushed. Holding off a year will get me my app in fully complete EARLY, my GPA increased (hopefully), more ECs (including some more clinical volunteering, I have about 200 hours but want to do more anyways). Would also allow me to focus on developing stronger relationships with those I had asked to write me an LOR.
I feel as if I rushed into this application season a little bit. As if I have all the pieces to make a pretty good application but am pressed on time to put it all together. If I take a year off, I can do a proper job of this and give myself the best chance of getting in. Would almost feel as if I am cheating myself the opportunity to go to a great medical school (although I would be happy with any).
What will I do during my gap year?
Initially, this is what scared me off since the prospects of just having a year off is unheard of for most students who have never taken any sort of gap year. However, after thinking about it, there is really so much I could do. I've started up an SAT tutoring company that I could do full time. I will try and get a job at an MCAT tutoring company if my scores are good enough. I have a few developing projects (some of my ECs) that could definitely use my time.
I would also plan to enroll in a local 4 year state university as a non-matriculating student to take a few classes relating to medical school (anatomy and physiology, etc.) just to stay in academic mode.
How will being a re-applicant hurt my chances?
This worries me. Since I have submitted my primary but no secondaries, AAMC would consider me a re-applicant and I am nervous this may negate any sort of progress I make over the next year.
It would also be nice to have some time off away from the everyday rigors of full time university and medical school.
Despite all of this, its another year until I achieve what I've been working towards for years.
It's a very weird mix of emotions for me right now. I am DYING to go to medical school so much so that I am soaking up all information posted in school threads from last year about orientation week and curriculum, etc. At the same time though, I am also now DYING to take a year off and tutor full time among other things I really enjoy doing.
A few questions, if applicable:
What did you do during your gap year?
How did you come to that decision?
What was the hardest part of that decision?
Was it worth it?
Would it be wise for me to only apply to 2-3 schools this application season since I would be considered a re-app anyways? There are a few schools I would definitely want to take an opportunity to attend over a gap year (as in, the schools I would be targeting next year as well) based on location, proximity, etc.
I have the next week or so to really make a decision since otherwise I will want to start getting my secondaries submitted. Not sure whether I should wait to see what my MCAT score is before I do so..
A while ago, I scoffed at the idea of taking a year off since I thought it would push me too far out of the academic game and would be difficult for me to jump back in on top of my game. After going through a little of the application season, I'm getting some cold feet and am reconsidering a gap year.
Things I'm considering:
When will my app be complete?
I don't get my MCAT scores back for another week now but my committee letter won't be uploaded until the end of August at the earliest. While this won't really make me super late, I would lose the benefits of getting an app in early.
How competitive is my app?
I'm pretty confident in my app as a whole and think my chances to get into a medical school are decent. That being said, I am by no means a 4.0/45 student and thus there is always room for improvement. My MCAT should be around a 36 based on AAMC FLs but we shall see. My GPA could use a year of improvement but don't feel it will hold me back. My ECs are very good. LORs could definitely be better most because I am nervous some will be rushed. Holding off a year will get me my app in fully complete EARLY, my GPA increased (hopefully), more ECs (including some more clinical volunteering, I have about 200 hours but want to do more anyways). Would also allow me to focus on developing stronger relationships with those I had asked to write me an LOR.
I feel as if I rushed into this application season a little bit. As if I have all the pieces to make a pretty good application but am pressed on time to put it all together. If I take a year off, I can do a proper job of this and give myself the best chance of getting in. Would almost feel as if I am cheating myself the opportunity to go to a great medical school (although I would be happy with any).
What will I do during my gap year?
Initially, this is what scared me off since the prospects of just having a year off is unheard of for most students who have never taken any sort of gap year. However, after thinking about it, there is really so much I could do. I've started up an SAT tutoring company that I could do full time. I will try and get a job at an MCAT tutoring company if my scores are good enough. I have a few developing projects (some of my ECs) that could definitely use my time.
I would also plan to enroll in a local 4 year state university as a non-matriculating student to take a few classes relating to medical school (anatomy and physiology, etc.) just to stay in academic mode.
How will being a re-applicant hurt my chances?
This worries me. Since I have submitted my primary but no secondaries, AAMC would consider me a re-applicant and I am nervous this may negate any sort of progress I make over the next year.
It would also be nice to have some time off away from the everyday rigors of full time university and medical school.
Despite all of this, its another year until I achieve what I've been working towards for years.
It's a very weird mix of emotions for me right now. I am DYING to go to medical school so much so that I am soaking up all information posted in school threads from last year about orientation week and curriculum, etc. At the same time though, I am also now DYING to take a year off and tutor full time among other things I really enjoy doing.
A few questions, if applicable:
What did you do during your gap year?
How did you come to that decision?
What was the hardest part of that decision?
Was it worth it?
Would it be wise for me to only apply to 2-3 schools this application season since I would be considered a re-app anyways? There are a few schools I would definitely want to take an opportunity to attend over a gap year (as in, the schools I would be targeting next year as well) based on location, proximity, etc.
I have the next week or so to really make a decision since otherwise I will want to start getting my secondaries submitted. Not sure whether I should wait to see what my MCAT score is before I do so..
