Should I take a gap year?

[xsoppy]

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I am currently a junior, I have a 3.91gpa (at a decently ranked state school). If I were to apply at the end of this year I would have about 150 clinical hours, 75-100 nonclinical, 60ish shadowing, average leadership, good amount of research with at least a co-authorship. My biggest concern is the MCAT, I'm currently in physics 1 and biochem so my options are:

Take it in late January
Pros: Get 5 weeks of winter break dedicated only to the MCAT
Cons: Must start studying during this semester while I'm in hard classes, won't have taken physics 2

Take it in May
Pros: All pre-reqs completed, will have an easier schedule when I start studying
Cons: Won't have any time only dedicated to studying

Take it next September
Pros: Get all summer to dedicate to studying
Cons: Forced into a gap year (would strongly prefer not to take one)



I'm really conflicted and would really appreciate any advice. Thanks for your time

 

[Catalystik]

I am currently a junior, I have a 3.91gpa (at a decently ranked state school). If I were to apply at the end of this year I would have about 150 clinical hours, 75-100 nonclinical, 60ish shadowing, average leadership, good amount of research with at least a co-authorship. My biggest concern is the MCAT, I'm currently in physics 1 and biochem so my options are:

Take it in late January
Pros: Get 5 weeks of winter break dedicated only to the MCAT
Cons: Must start studying during this semester while I'm in hard classes, won't have taken physics 2

Take it in May
Pros: All pre-reqs completed, will have an easier schedule when I start studying
Cons: Won't have any time only dedicated to studying

Take it next September
Pros: Get all summer to dedicate to studying
Cons: Forced into a gap year (would strongly prefer not to take one)



I'm really conflicted and would really appreciate any advice. Thanks for your time

I suggest a blend of the above. Study intensely over winter and spring breaks, planning to take the May MCAT, but also set aside regular study times through the spring semester, say, all the weekends. Cutting down on weekend fun would be worth it in the long run if you won't be forced into waiting the extra year to apply.

 

[xsoppy]

I suggest a blend of the above. Study intensely over winter and spring breaks, planning to take the May MCAT, but also set aside regular study times through the spring semester, say, all the weekends. Cutting down on weekend fun would be worth it in the long run if you won't be forced into waiting the extra year to apply.

In that scenario would I be better off taking the MCAT in late March/April so that I don't risk forgetting things I studied over winter break? Thanks for this suggestion I hadn't thought about this.

 

[Fall_of_Dorian_Gray]

I also want to say that physics is becoming less and less a focus in the MCAT than it was pre-2015, as a general trend. This doesn't mean that there won't be any physics questions (I remember 2 physics related passages on mine), but as long as you've covered Newtonian physics and electromagnetics/circuits I think you'll be more or less fine (unless you're going for like a 528...).

There is a published list of subjects covered by the new MCAT if you google it that will give you a better idea.

As a side note, I know that taking an extra year seems like a drag when you may go directly into med school. But, if you do end up taking that gap year, I personally felt that I've grown exponentially as a person while working "in the real world." It's something that can inform/reaffirm why you want to go into medicine and teach you gratefulness/humility once you actually get in. (I still haven't gotten in FYI so I might be a bit biased haha)

 

[crazymedguy123]

Plan to take the MCAT closer to the start of the cycle (April/May) like Catalystik said. But, I think you should warm up to the idea of a gap year in general. Taking a year to gain more clinical experience, volunteer experience, and to just grow up more is usually seen favorably by medical schools.

 

[Catalystik]

In that scenario would I be better off taking the MCAT in late March/April so that I don't risk forgetting things I studied over winter break?

Yes, I think it's reasonable to move up the MCAT timeframe if Physics II is the only prerequisite you'd be taking that term.

 

[Goro]

I am currently a junior, I have a 3.91gpa (at a decently ranked state school). If I were to apply at the end of this year I would have about 150 clinical hours, 75-100 nonclinical, 60ish shadowing, average leadership, good amount of research with at least a co-authorship. My biggest concern is the MCAT, I'm currently in physics 1 and biochem so my options are:

Take it in late January
Pros: Get 5 weeks of winter break dedicated only to the MCAT
Cons: Must start studying during this semester while I'm in hard classes, won't have taken physics 2

Take it in May
Pros: All pre-reqs completed, will have an easier schedule when I start studying
Cons: Won't have any time only dedicated to studying

Take it next September
Pros: Get all summer to dedicate to studying
Cons: Forced into a gap year (would strongly prefer not to take one)



I'm really conflicted and would really appreciate any advice. Thanks for your time

May.

 

[xsoppy]

May.

So you don't think I need to take a gap year? I just met with my premed advisor who said I should take a gap year but apparently they tell every student that.

 

[Turkishking]

Do what you feel is right

 

[Goro]

So you don't think I need to take a gap year? I just met with my premed advisor who said I should take a gap year but apparently they tell every student that.

Take the exam when you are 100% ready for it. I think that by May you should be ready.

The smart thing is not to listen to your advisor. The road to medical school is littered with the festering corpses of students who did and found out that the information they'd been given was lousy. The wise LizzyM

 

[xsoppy]

Take the exam when you are 100% ready for it. I think that by May you should be ready.

The smart thing is not to listen to your advisor. The road to medical school is littered with the festering corpses of students who did and found out that the information they'd been given was lousy. The wise LizzyM

Alright thanks for your advice I appreciate it

 

[Fall_of_Dorian_Gray]

Take the exam when you are 100% ready for it. I think that by May you should be ready.

The smart thing is not to listen to your advisor. The road to medical school is littered with the festering corpses of students who did and found out that the information they'd been given was lousy. The wise LizzyM

Alright thanks for your advice I appreciate it

Although I did advocate a gap year, I agree that UG premed counselors are more or less not very knowledgeable. Think about it this way, the premed, who doesn't know much cause they haven't gone through the process themselves or maybe did so VERY long time ago, will always err on the side of caution. Of COURSE, they're going to say take a gap year because they can't give you concrete advice. They might also have an interest in encouraging only the "most likely" students to apply so that the school can brag a premed reputation.