should I take a Gap year? 3.65 GPA 515 MCAT

[anyschool]

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[jd989898]

200+ mentoring underprivileged youth.
SMDEP
2 semesters as an ochem tutor.
80 hour shadowing.
1 year of research
1 summer research program
Volunteered at hospital all Jr year.

Should I take a gap year because I don't have extracurricular activities.

but you just listed your extracurricular activities. What do you mean?

 

[wanderingorion]

Gap year starting now or next year?

 

[wanderingorion]

Gap year starting now or next year?

Because I applied this year with very similar EC and stats. I say go for it.

 

[anyschool]

but you just listed your extracurricular activities. What do you mean?

Because I dont even very much clinical experience and can't fill all 15 spots on the application.

 

[aalamruad]

Because I dont even very much clinical experience and can't fill all 15 spots on the application.

Few people fill all 15 slots, and you have solid shadowing and a whole year of volunteering at a hospital (both clinical experience), in addition to other decent EC's.

 

[wanderingorion]

Because I dont even very much clinical experience and can't fill all 15 spots on the application.

1st: You don't have to fill all the spaces if you have enough to say about the ones you have.
2nd: You can gear that year of hospital volunteering as both clinical and volunteering. Along with your shadowing, you should be fine IMO.

 

[TheStallion16]

If you're contemplating taking a gap year because you're afraid you won't get in, then you definitely should not. Your stats are good, you have some solid shadowing, research, and volunteering. While my GPA is higher, my MCAT is significantly lower and I'm still applying. You can't get in if you don't try.

 

[DokterMom]

Your stats and ECs are good - so don't wait for that reason.

But if you haven't written your PS, lined up your LORs and filled out your primary application, you're LATE, so should take a gap year for that reason.

 

[anyschool]

thanks lads

 

[Hopeful_vet]

Your stats and ECs are good - so don't wait for that reason.

But if you haven't written your PS, lined up your LORs and filled out your primary application, you're LATE, so should take a gap year for that reason.

^^This.

If you're applying this year you should be submitting ASAP. You won't be verified until Labor Day the way it is.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

 

[SPD5]

200+ mentoring underprivileged youth.
SMDEP
2 semesters as an ochem tutor.
80 hour shadowing.
1 year of research
1 summer research program
Volunteered at hospital all Jr year.

Should I take a gap year because I don't have extracurricular activities.

Speaking from personal experience, I would definitely take a gap year. My stats were pretty similar (3.6 GPA, 516MCAT) worked as a tutor and research assistant on two different studies, and had around 700 hours of volunteering and shadowing. Applied around this time after I got my MCAT scores back to 16 schools, only got two interviews, got waitlisted at both schools, finally got an acceptance. I know applying late hurt me, and I've found that most schools want applicants who are older and have life experience that they can relate back to medicine. You're going to be a great doctor someday, but take a gap year, let yourself live a little bit outside of the pressure cooker that is medicine, bulk up your extracurriculars, and just take a year to enjoy yourself.