Hello! I'm new to SDN and this is my first post. I apologize if my formatting is off!
I’m an ORM rising junior in NY, trying to choose between applying straight through (applying end of junior year) or taking a gap year. I was looking for some outside perspective.
Stats:
4.0 GPA (projected at least 3.95 by app)
clinical: 1000+ (projected 1500 by app)
volunteering: 150 (projected 250 by app) (weakest point of my app, in my opinion)
shadowing: 100
research: 700+ (7 posters, projected 9 by app)
leadership: 550+ (teaching assistants, science club leadership)
If I apply straight through, I would study for the MCAT part-time in the fall, full-time over winter break, and possibly continue part-time in the spring before testing between January and April 2026. 510+ is realistic for me to hope for (just have to sacrifice my social life). I get to save time, but I’d need to juggle a tough course load, MCAT prep, securing LORs, and writing essays.
If I take a gap year, I could take the MCAT in the summer before senior year and have the full summer to study. A score of 515+ would be realistic to hope for.
My Main Questions:
1. Is a potentially higher score (515+) worth delaying a year if I’m content with the rest of my app at this point?
2. How manageable is MCAT + heavy coursework + primary/secondary essays all in one semester/year?
3. Would the gap year allow me to get into much more competitive schools, or would the difference be marginal? (510+ is realistic for me to hope for)
Please let me know your thoughts!
I’m an ORM rising junior in NY, trying to choose between applying straight through (applying end of junior year) or taking a gap year. I was looking for some outside perspective.
Stats:
4.0 GPA (projected at least 3.95 by app)
clinical: 1000+ (projected 1500 by app)
volunteering: 150 (projected 250 by app) (weakest point of my app, in my opinion)
shadowing: 100
research: 700+ (7 posters, projected 9 by app)
leadership: 550+ (teaching assistants, science club leadership)
If I apply straight through, I would study for the MCAT part-time in the fall, full-time over winter break, and possibly continue part-time in the spring before testing between January and April 2026. 510+ is realistic for me to hope for (just have to sacrifice my social life). I get to save time, but I’d need to juggle a tough course load, MCAT prep, securing LORs, and writing essays.
If I take a gap year, I could take the MCAT in the summer before senior year and have the full summer to study. A score of 515+ would be realistic to hope for.
My Main Questions:
1. Is a potentially higher score (515+) worth delaying a year if I’m content with the rest of my app at this point?
2. How manageable is MCAT + heavy coursework + primary/secondary essays all in one semester/year?
3. Would the gap year allow me to get into much more competitive schools, or would the difference be marginal? (510+ is realistic for me to hope for)
Please let me know your thoughts!
