take a year off after undergrad?

[streetlight]

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I know this is probably all over the forum, but I haven't really found an answer for my specific case (or maybe I haven't looked hard enough, I'm not sure).

I'm a rising junior at MIT and I just got my first C (it was a C+ but at MIT there are no qualifiers for + or -) in Orgo II. It blew my GPA from a 3.7 to a 3.5, and obviously I'm really pissed about this. People told me this doesn't exclude me from the top MD/PhD programs, but I'm not sure how much I believe that or not. Because I only have two terms left to boost my GPA back up, I was wondering if it would be wise to take a year off so that my senior year grades count and can weigh out this sore C.

I feel like I have everything else going for me except I can't jump over the GPA hump: MCATs this summer, have one tissue engineering publication and just sent out two first author clinical research manuscripts and two neuroscience manuscripts, multiple international conference first author posters/presentations, great leadership, and international volunteer work. During my year off, I could possibly work full time at the lab and work on getting out more publications.

Is it worth it though? Or will the C scar me for MD/PhD admissions despite any rebound work I can do, especially at the top schools? Also, the path is long and hard for MD/PhD students - taking a year off just makes it all that longer. Are there any thoughts on this?

 

[ClarinetGeek]

In my opinion, I will agree that the C isn't the greatest thing to have on your record, but I don't think it will scar you. I would definately use it as a learning experience. However, I don't think it should stop you from applying when you want. If you want to go ahead and take a year off, go right ahead, but if you would like to graduate and then start an MSTP go right ahead as well. I could be completely wrong on this, but here is what I am thinking. You are obviously going to a prestigious university so you have that going for you. Your research background is almost super star status, so I am not really sure that taking the year off is going to neccessarily enhance your application. How many more publications do you need? There is no way to erase the C, but more courses will eventually dampen the blow. You definately won't be the first md/phd applicant with a C in orgo II. I had a B in orgo II, but it was never mentioned. Granted I realize there is somewhat of a significant difference between a B and C. What I am trying to say is, people take a year off (or more) for various reasons. 1) to enhance or improve their application so they can be more competitive or 2) enjoy some time off. For you, by doing more research for a year, you really aren't going to improve your application. Most applicants have no pubs, muchless first author.

Wait to see what your MCAT score turns out to be first. I think generally an application can take a hit with either GPA or MCAT but not both. For it was my MCAT score that hurt me the most.

Are you starting your senior or junior year in the fall? I was little confused on timing here. If you are entering your junior year, you will have plenty of time to boost your GPA, especially with more advanced coursework. If you are a senior, you are planning on applying right now?

 

[mtlove]

I know this is probably all over the forum, but I haven't really found an answer for my specific case (or maybe I haven't looked hard enough, I'm not sure).

I'm a rising junior at MIT and I just got my first C (it was a C+ but at MIT there are no qualifiers for + or -) in Orgo II. It blew my GPA from a 3.7 to a 3.5, and obviously I'm really pissed about this. People told me this doesn't exclude me from the top MD/PhD programs, but I'm not sure how much I believe that or not. Because I only have two terms left to boost my GPA back up, I was wondering if it would be wise to take a year off so that my senior year grades count and can weigh out this sore C.

I feel like I have everything else going for me except I can't jump over the GPA hump: MCATs this summer, have one tissue engineering publication and just sent out two first author clinical research manuscripts and two neuroscience manuscripts, multiple international conference first author posters/presentations, great leadership, and international volunteer work. During my year off, I could possibly work full time at the lab and work on getting out more publications.

Is it worth it though? Or will the C scar me for MD/PhD admissions despite any rebound work I can do, especially at the top schools? Also, the path is long and hard for MD/PhD students - taking a year off just makes it all that longer. Are there any thoughts on this?

I can not really commit on your admissions questions, but I can commit on taking time off. NIH has an IRTA program that is designed for individual to pursue research full time after college. I am taking two years off (many PIs require two years) to participate in this program. In the past IRTAs have been successful at getting into MD/PhD programs so it can not hurt too much. If anything, it helps your application because you now have full time research over a long period of time with often a big named PI. I have not applied yet, so I can not comment on whether being older than the majority of the applicants is a down side (I have heard most applicants do not take time off).

My experiences at NIH have helped redefine my research interests, and you also have great exposure to leading scientists from all over the country. This experience has greatly influenced the list of schools I am interested in attending and it redefind my research interests. It has also been nice to play some during a year off, since you probably will not have this opportunity again until you retire.

Good luck deciding and feel free to PM me.

 

[streetlight]

Thanks both of you. I will be a junior in the fall so I would still have two terms of grades before I begin applying if I didn't take a year off to do more research. I guess I'll have to see how my MCAT goes, right now my summer is just research and MCAT truckin.

I think the benefit of the extra year is not for extra pubs (that's just maybe a secondary benefit), but to get more coursework in there for admissions committees to see. My GPA has been a downward trend and I want as much room to reverse that. Does that seem sensible?

Thanks for your replies, keep 'em coming - this really helps!

 

[xanthines]

If it makes you feel any better I got one C in gen chem and another C in history. My MCAT was Ok, but nothing to brag about. I still got into some decent MSTPs. I kicked ass in the lab and in my interviews, though (accepted everywhere I was interviewed).

-X

I know this is probably all over the forum, but I haven't really found an answer for my specific case (or maybe I haven't looked hard enough, I'm not sure).

I'm a rising junior at MIT and I just got my first C (it was a C+ but at MIT there are no qualifiers for + or -) in Orgo II. It blew my GPA from a 3.7 to a 3.5, and obviously I'm really pissed about this. People told me this doesn't exclude me from the top MD/PhD programs, but I'm not sure how much I believe that or not. Because I only have two terms left to boost my GPA back up, I was wondering if it would be wise to take a year off so that my senior year grades count and can weigh out this sore C.

I feel like I have everything else going for me except I can't jump over the GPA hump: MCATs this summer, have one tissue engineering publication and just sent out two first author clinical research manuscripts and two neuroscience manuscripts, multiple international conference first author posters/presentations, great leadership, and international volunteer work. During my year off, I could possibly work full time at the lab and work on getting out more publications.

Is it worth it though? Or will the C scar me for MD/PhD admissions despite any rebound work I can do, especially at the top schools? Also, the path is long and hard for MD/PhD students - taking a year off just makes it all that longer. Are there any thoughts on this?

 

[mtlove]

Thanks both of you. I will be a junior in the fall so I would still have two terms of grades before I begin applying if I didn't take a year off to do more research. I guess I'll have to see how my MCAT goes, right now my summer is just research and MCAT truckin.

I think the benefit of the extra year is not for extra pubs (that's just maybe a secondary benefit), but to get more coursework in there for admissions committees to see. My GPA has been a downward trend and I want as much room to reverse that. Does that seem sensible?

Thanks for your replies, keep 'em coming - this really helps!

In regards to senior year grades, I do not know if they will really help. U of Washington's med school claims that their GPAs do not include senior year grades (even though they are visible). I do not know if other schools do this too or not.

 

[ClarinetGeek]

Streetlight-

I didn't realize that you planned to take coursework during that time. I had assumed you planned to graduate in 4 years and then just work in a lab full time. I still don't think the extra time off is really neccessary. I could be completely wrong. If your MCAT is decent, I think you should apply when you want. I just don't think the year off is going to change your application significantly and improve your chances seeing that your research experience already seems to be quite stellar.

IF you happen to have some grades that continue screw up GPA, then you may want to consider a master program and work really hard to get some good grades.

At this point, there are few more things that need to fall into place, so just wait and see. Plan on applying next year and see what happens. Its easy to delay or worst case scenario reapply after taking time off.

Take care.

 

[streetlight]

Sorry I think I confused you again. By applying a year later, my senior year grades would be additionally included in my GPA. If I applied beginning of senior year, my GPA would include up to the end of my junior year. That's what I meant by getting extra coursework in. Sorry to confuse you.

Either way, I understand your point. Thanks!

 

[strangeglove]

You must ace the MCAT.

 

[AtmaWeapon]

U of Washington's med school claims that their GPAs do not include senior year grades (even though they are visible).

Can we get a source for this? What about for people who took a year off after college? Sounds kind of funky...why wouldn't they look at it or include it in the total GPA?

 

[ClarinetGeek]

"Sorry I think I confused you again. By applying a year later, my senior year grades would be additionally included in my GPA. If I applied beginning of senior year, my GPA would include up to the end of my junior year. That's what I meant by getting extra coursework in. Sorry to confuse you. "

No its just me not thinking it through. Forget about the senior grades not being included b/c they wouldn't be completed by that point. No you are right about that advantage. It is something to consider. Again, wait for the MCAT and then reevaluate. I

 

[mtlove]

Can we get a source for this? What about for people who took a year off after college? Sounds kind of funky...why wouldn't they look at it or include it in the total GPA?

http://www.uwmedicine.org/Education/MDProgram/Admissions/FAQ.htm

The exert is below. I also called the school to see if they really did not include senior year grades. They said they do include the grades for people that have completed their senior year, but the committee still sees the grades. Who knows if the MSTP committee does this too, but it is the case for the med school.



What is a weighted GPA?
The undergraduate GPA is weighted to give credit to applicants whose records show improvement as they progress through their undergraduate studies. Only the first three years are included in this calculation as most applicants have just begun their senior year. The weighted GPA is calculated on a standard 4-point scale with 4.00 representing an "A" average.

CUM. FRESHMAN GPA X 1 = A A+B+C
CUM. SOPHOMORE GPA X 2 = B 6 = WEIGHTED GPA
CUM. JUNIOR GPA X 3 = C