Should I stay another year?

[knight2016]

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To give you more information about myself, I am a currently Sophomore at a state University. I am on the E-Board for a pre-health organization, mentor middle/high school students, volunteer at a clinic, and am currently working on shadowing and research. Due to a car accident over the Summer, lack of planning and bad advisement, I am thinking about staying an extra 1-2 semesters. My science GPA isn't too competitive right now (about a 3.3/3.4) and my overall is around a 3.6. I have a decent amount of science and math classes left (Orgo 2, Bio 2, Physics 1&2, Physiology, Biochem, Stat, Calc, and maybe Microbio) on top of taking the MCAT. So is it worth staying up to an extra year and only taking 1 or 2 core science classes a semester or should I take on more to graduate on time? Are any of you staying at your undergrad University for longer than the traditional 4 years and have any advice for me? Of course I don't want to graduate later than planned, but I'm thinking that this may be the best option. Thanks in advance!

 

[Pacna]

If those are all of the core science courses you need, then you can take 2 per semester and graduate in 2 years.

 

[knight2016]

Yes, but I planned on taking the MCAT summer 2015 and applying that Fall to matriculate Fall '16. So the Orgo 2, Bio 2, Physics 1&2 and Biochem would need to be taken before I take the MCAT right? So that means I have 2 semesters left to take those classes, some of which wouldn't be wise to take together from what I've heard on top of taking a prep course and other obligations. This also doesn't include the classes that are required for my major (for example Physiology is a prereq for Pathophysio 1&2). And also my main concern was bringing up my science GPA as much as possible before I apply.

 

[Catalystik]

Applying in the fall after a late summer MCAT is a bad plan. It automatically puts you at a disadvantage in the application process. Cramming activities/classes together when your priority is to get a great GPA is another plan that could backfire and leave you worse off. Take your time and do it right.

 

[dancingmate]

I would matriculate Fall 2017. You will have 2 years to finish your courses, and you can take your MCAT sometime your senior year (January/February 2016). If you need to retake, you could retake April/May 2016, and still be fine in applying early for the 2016-2017 cycle. As the above poster said, it is not a good idea to apply in the fall after a late summer MCAT. Take a year off as you apply. That way, you can focus on your senior year grades and won't have to worry about missing too much class/lectures during interview season.

 

[Chir0nex]

To give you more information about myself, I am a currently Sophomore at a state University. I am on the E-Board for a pre-health organization, mentor middle/high school students, volunteer at a clinic, and am currently working on shadowing and research. Due to a car accident over the Summer, lack of planning and bad advisement, I am thinking about staying an extra 1-2 semesters. My science GPA isn't too competitive right now (about a 3.3/3.4) and my overall is around a 3.6. I have a decent amount of science and math classes left (Orgo 2, Bio 2, Physics 1&2, Physiology, Biochem, Stat, Calc, and maybe Microbio) on top of taking the MCAT. So is it worth staying up to an extra year and only taking 1 or 2 core science classes a semester or should I take on more to graduate on time? Are any of you staying at your undergrad University for longer than the traditional 4 years and have any advice for me? Of course I don't want to graduate later than planned, but I'm thinking that this may be the best option. Thanks in advance!

Are you willing to do summer classes? If so I would say do:
Summer 2014-Physics 1&2
Fall 2014-Bio 2, maybe physio or biochem
Spring 2015- Orgo 2, stats
Fall 2015- Calc, plus study for MCAT
Jan 2016- Take MCAT
Spring 2016- Take whatever you want/write application stuff/set up gap year
Summer-Fall 2017- Apply and take a gap year.


This actually is almost identical to what I ended up doing, and it lets you graduate on time without having to overload on science courses. Summer physics is quite doable, and it was never an issue at interviews. The gap year gives you a lot of flexibility to make some money, do research, and generally relax a bit before med school. Just make sure you are able to do something productive.

Oh, and as far as the MCAT goes, you need very little from orgo 2. So depending on your confidence levels, you could try and get bio 2 and orgo done in your Junior fall, and then set up to take it spring of junior year which may let you avoid having to do the new version of the test (not sure when it gets phased in).