should i wait a year to apply?

[latebird]

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I'm sure some form of this question has been asked in the past but since I'm a non-traditional student I figured I might get a different answer.

I'm 26 and have just completed a two year post-bac pre-med program with a 3.94 gpa. I went to UCLA as an undergrad and majored in history with a 3.4 gpa (including a few C's in pre-med classes I dabbled in my freshman year). I've done extensive volunteer work in various medical settings for the past 6 years, and I've worked as an ER Tech (certified EMT) in a Level 2 trauma center ER for the past four years.

I feel like I've shot myself in the foot because I'm waiting until late August to take the MCAT. I was originally supposed to take it in July but due to a family crisis I have been distracted. Needless to say I also am far from completely my application. Which brings me to my question: part of me feels a huge sigh of relief when I think about simply tackling the MCAT in August and waiting to apply until next year.

I was thinking in the meantime I could just take more science classes, continue to volunteer and work full-time as a tech, and find a research project to do. Would waiting an extra year (on top of my two years off in between college and my post-bac program) hurt my application in any way? Or alternatively, would it be in my best interest to wait an extra year and get my application submitted in the first week of June?

I just feel so overwhelmed right now. Thank you for your advice.

 

[thoffen]

Not being complete until the end of sept. will make it a lot tougher, but if all your ducks are in a row it's nowhere near impossibly late. Just keep doing great activities that will strengthen your application if you don't make it this year.