Take a gap year or apply with 3.6?

[ahaha123]

So I am currently a junior and planning on applying this spring a year early because I took some summer classes last summer so I am pretty much almost done with all my credits. I have a 3.49 currently and if I continue getting the same grades I have been getting this past year, I will have a 3.64 when I graduate- I have had an upward trend as due to some health issues sophmore year I received a C in general Chem, but the next semester I got all A's and one B, and then took Orgo 1 and 2 in a summer session and got an A in both and in the labs. My question is, should I graduate in May and apply in June with 3.64, or should I stay another year and try to raise it to a 3.7? I know it's silly to decide without an MCAT and I haven't taken any MCAT Fl's yet, but I have been really working hard on content review and am taking it on March (26th). Any advice? (planning to apply MD and DO)

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[deleted1017883]

What are your ECs looking like + and have you taken the MCAT? I'm in a similar situation and am strongly considering a gap year or 2, so I would love to see what others think

 

[ahaha123]

What are your ECs looking like + and have you taken the MCAT? I'm in a similar situation and am strongly considering a gap year or 2, so I would love to see what others think

So I have like 100 combined nonclinical volunteer hours currently but I'm still volunteering so I'll probably have like 200-300 around application time. Clinical volunteering I am slacking in, I have like 20 hours but I just got a position at a clinic nearby so I'll start getting hours between now and application time. And I've had one research position for 2 years and another for half a year now.

I haven't taken the MCAT yet! Planning on taking it March 26th, studying for it now. Have you?

 

[M&L]

i got accepted to 4 schools with 3.6.....

3.64 or 3.7 seriously isnt worth an extra year. MCAt and ECs are more important to consider. I say go ahead and apply

 

[dienekes88]

So I am currently a junior and planning on applying this spring a year early because I took some summer classes last summer so I am pretty much almost done with all my credits. I have a 3.49 currently and if I continue getting the same grades I have been getting this past year, I will have a 3.64 when I graduate- I have had an upward trend as due to some health issues sophmore year I received a C in general Chem, but the next semester I got all A's and one B, and then took Orgo 1 and 2 in a summer session and got an A in both and in the labs. My question is, should I graduate in May and apply in June with 3.64, or should I stay another year and try to raise it to a 3.7? I know it's silly to decide without an MCAT and I haven't taken any MCAT Fl's yet, but I have been really working hard on content review and am taking it on March (26th). Any advice? (planning to apply MD and DO)

To be honest, not all 3.6s are created equal. If you are a 3.6 from MIT, that's different from a 3.6 from community college.

I had a 3.5 or something and I applied to about 30 schools. Having said that, I only got 4 interviews and got into 2 schools.

 

[M&L]

To be honest, not all 3.6s are created equal. If you are a 3.6 from MIT, that's different from a 3.6 from community college.

I had a 3.5 or something and I applied to about 30 schools. Having said that, I only got 4 interviews and got into 2 schools.

i had 3.6 from community college/transfer to a 4 year cheap state school. MCAT 511. Yes, my ECs were good, but no publications, nothing crazy amazing.

 

[M&L]

i think it really just depends on how smart you are about your school list, and about your strengths/weaknesses. But 3.6 is totally doable.

 

[ahaha123]

i think it really just depends on how smart you are about your school list, and about your strengths/weaknesses. But 3.6 is totally doable.

If you're okay with it would you mind sharing what your school list was with me?

 

[dienekes88]

i had 3.6 from community college/transfer to a 4 year cheap state school. MCAT 511. Yes, my ECs were good, but no publications, nothing crazy amazing.

i think it really just depends on how smart you are about your school list, and about your strengths/weaknesses. But 3.6 is totally doable.

I can agree with that. Just gotta be smart about your list.

 

[LaughingGas10]

If you're okay with it would you mind sharing what your school list was with me?

There is not one size fits all for school lists.

You can certainly get advice here from somebody like @Faha who is doing an amazing job offering very pertinent school lists.

The school list ideal for you will depend on several metrics, academics, state of origin, URM/ORM, EC etc.

 

[deleted889094]

Hard to say without MCAT. But I haven't met too many people who seemed to regret their Gap year. I took 2 and I regret nothing. It was super nice and allowed me to work a little, get married, and take a break from school. Med school can always wait a year - especially if it helps you build your app for that school you really want

 

[Blueprint Med School]

If you have an upward trend, then a 3.64 will be enough to be competitive as long as you have an average MCAT.

 

[M&L]

If you're okay with it would you mind sharing what your school list was with me?

absolutely, but there is no point in doing that if you don’t know your MCAT
My schools - all VA (my instate), all DC, MD, VT, ETSU, WVU, All low ranked Phili, UNC, CT. A few southern schools that I had no business applying to .
My acceptances were from ETSU, Drexel, VT, EVMS, waitlisted in WV (took myself off waitlist after EVMS acceptance “).

 

[ahaha123]

absolutely, but there is no point in doing that if you don’t know your MCAT
My schools - all VA (my instate), all DC, MD, VT, ETSU, WVU, All low ranked Phili, UNC, CT. A few southern schools that I had no business applying to .
My acceptances were from ETSU, Drexel, VT, EVMS, waitlisted in WV (took myself off waitlist after EVMS acceptance “).

Yeah, I know this is pretty baseless for me without a MCAT.
Thanks so much- I actually live in VA and go to an instate VA school for undergrad currently! And am also hoping to go to an instate medical VA school or atleast stay nearby if I can get in, so that's really helpful.

 

[M&L]

Yeah, I know this is pretty baseless for me without a MCAT.
Thanks so much- I actually live in VA and go to an instate VA school for undergrad currently! And am also hoping to go to an instate medical VA school or atleast stay nearby if I can get in, so that's really helpful.

Well we definitely have options . I am very happy in EVMS so if you have questions about it - feel free to pm me

 

[Goro]

So I am currently a junior and planning on applying this spring a year early because I took some summer classes last summer so I am pretty much almost done with all my credits. I have a 3.49 currently and if I continue getting the same grades I have been getting this past year, I will have a 3.64 when I graduate- I have had an upward trend as due to some health issues sophmore year I received a C in general Chem, but the next semester I got all A's and one B, and then took Orgo 1 and 2 in a summer session and got an A in both and in the labs. My question is, should I graduate in May and apply in June with 3.64, or should I stay another year and try to raise it to a 3.7? I know it's silly to decide without an MCAT and I haven't taken any MCAT Fl's yet, but I have been really working hard on content review and am taking it on March (26th). Any advice? (planning to apply MD and DO)

Maintain that rising GPA trend, do well on MCAT and apply!!!! No need for a gap year.

 

[natalux]

I have 2 As to excellent schools with a 3.57/3.53! Focus on doing really well on the mcat