Seeking advice: 1 or 2 gap years before reapplying?

[shashashaa]

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Hi all!

I am a Texas resident and applied in the current cycle with a 511 MCAT (very skewed) and 3.8 GPA. I got 2 IIs with 1 waitlist and 1 still unresolved, which I am assuming is going to be a rejection at this point. I retook my MCAT this January and made a 518. Now, my question is: should I take a year between application cycles to improve my application or go ahead and reapply this cycle?

My concerns: Getting out of Texas is high priority for both me and my spouse & ensuring my MCAT remains valid and doesn’t expire.

What I will do with an extra gap year: continue pursuing a recent research opportunity (likely with publications), work full time as an EMT, and continue volunteering with an underserved population.

Thanks in advance for reading my long post and all advice is very much appreciated!

 

[Faha]

Where did you apply this cycle and where were your interviews ?

 

[shashashaa]

Looking back, my school list was a bit strange and uninformed. However, it is worth noting that I have strong Florida ties.

I applied to all Texas MD schools (did not complete secondaries for UTRGV & El Paso due to location preferences) and Baylor

OOS:
Penn State
UConn
Colorado
Utah
University of Florida
FIU
Charles E. Schmidt

Interviewed at UTMB and McGovern. I actually left both feeling very good and got excellent feedback from all interviewers! I was waitlisted at McGovern and assume silence from UTMB is a rejection.

 

[DoctorDragon22]

You need to apply to a wider range of schools. You applied very randomly to schools which have a high in state preference. You need to add more private schools to your list. Here are some for example.

Georgetown
Creighton
EVMS
Rosalind Franklin
NYMC
Geisinger
Albany
George Washington
Drexel
Cal North State

This is a short list but it is a better list than you used this cycle. If you apply this cycle you could probably get into a school. You should also apply to DO as a back up.

 

[shashashaa]

Thanks for the feedback!

If I take an extra gap year and drastically increase my research experience (I spoke to my PI and they’re interested in helping me get publications as well), increased my non-clinical volunteer experience (from 150 to 500+ hours over 18 months), and invested in personal hobbies (like pursuing my dream of being a competitive bodybuilder), do you think it would make me significantly more competitive?

My main hesitation with taking 2 gap years is that the median MCAT scores are rising each cycle and I don’t want my new score to become less competitive by postponing.

Thanks again for your insight!

 

[DoctorDragon22]

If this is your first cycle then I would just jump right back in for the 2019-20 cycle. I think that your GPA and scores have you in a competitive spot. You just need to probably practice interviewing, get more non-clinical throughout the year and make sure your PS and secondaries are strong.

 

[JSReed]

Things I'm seeing straight off the bat (as an accepted med student but no adcom experience):

• Did you apply DO? are you averse to this? Definitely a way to get out of texas, and you've got great scores
• A bit surprised you didn't get more interviews with those scores. How are you ECs? How do you interview? These would be things to ask of schools where you interviewed--will be most indicative of your next steps in addressing gaps
• IMO strong florida ties don't really mean all that much. If you get an interview you can talk about them, but no one's going to give you an interview because you have ties. What they care about is where you pay taxes (or where your parents do).
• Dont worry about your mcat becoming non-competitive. You're in the ~98th percentile, little will change in a couple of years.
  
• Whats your PS like? Is it generic like everyone elses about liking science and wanting to help people? Is there some way you can throw in a twist or a non-directly-medical aspect that will make you stand out but also highlight why you'll be a good doctor?
• The above will determine whether you need another year or not. I feel like you don't, but ask your interviewers.