Seeking gap year degree advise.

[Genta]

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Hello,

I apologize for typos. I am typing this from my phone, while at jury duty (oh joy haha).

I am seeking advise on a gap year program. I live in westbury, NY on long island. Over the past 5 months I have applied to a bunch of DO programs and have been rejected from two, while waiting for a response from two more (there is hope lol). I did apply very late (november) and I do not think I will have an acceptance this year.

Now, I will be appying again for the 2016 cycle, but I still have a year to kill. I have been extremely depressed about not being in school and not working towards an advanced degree. My options are:

Apply for TouroCOM's interdisciplinary masters, which offers a 3.5 GPA acceptance to their DO program following the masters.

Second option is to apply for a masters in biomedical science at a local university. I do not believe the deadline has past yet.

Third option is to apply to my undergraduate university for an ms in biology with heavy research.

My current stats are 3.4 GPA, 28 MCAT, little research experience and a little shadowing/community service. My goal in one of these programs it to boost my GPA and volunteer on the side.

The reason behind my lack of ECs is due to working 2-3 jobs, while attending undergrad full time. My family had some financial issues and I did not want my parents paying for any of my education. I just don't think this is a good response for med schools.

If anyone has some advise for me please offer it. I don't want to reapply to DO programs and without a plan to work towards something that shows determination/change.

 

[costales]

You might want to mosey over to the premed forum as your questions might be better answered there (by people who have up-to-date info about the process at various schools).

 

[s5260205]

You should build on your ECs and not waste money on doing a Master's program. Your stats seem fine for most DO schools, and the problem lies mostly in the lack of ECs and late application. Apply on June 1st in the upcoming cycle. Re-read your personal statements and secondary essays. Check to see if any of your LORs are sub-par and replace with new ones if available.

 

[TankTuck]

You should build on your ECs and not waste money on doing a Master's program. Your stats seem fine for most DO schools, and the problem lies mostly in the lack of ECs and late application. Apply on June 1st in the upcoming cycle. Re-read your personal statements and secondary essays. Check to see if any of your LORs are sub-par and replace with new ones if available.

Good advice. DO schools will be wanting you to be well rounded. Don't enter a masters unless it is really what you want to do, but with med school on the horizon do you really want to do a masters? Enter the real work, get some medical experience (easier said than done) and learn on the side, in your free time. Your MCAT and GPA are fine, but you want more EC's. I would suggest getting additional shadowing experience as well, as it was brought up in every one of my interviews and you don't just want to say um, um... After graduating, I entered an EMT course. I would suggest doing this at a local community college if it interest you. It allowed me to really experience the field, while learning some cool things. I volunteered on a 12 hour ambulance shift 2-4 times a month, while working on the side. I also lucked out and the osteopath who was treating me allowed me to shadow him, then hired me as an office manager. Great source for LOR, but you don't need to be a office manager to get a good one. I am not sure if you have a LOR from a DO yet, if not this should be first priority, along with shadowing. Also, it is never to early for self-reflection. Your interviewers will mostly be asking questions like "tell me about yourself," "what abilities or experiences do you have that will allow you to succeed in medical school" or "why do you want to be a physician and not a ___." Know yourself and why you are motivated towards a career in medicine or you will feel like a fool. Good luck! I can answer any specific questions you might have and rmember, this was just how I got an acceptance, everyone does it differently. Highlight your individuality.