I am trying to figure out if I should apply this year or take a gap year and retake my MCAT. I appreciate any feedback!
Education:
Current Junior at a public FL university, graduating Spring 2026
Biomedical Sciences Major, Sociology Minor
cGPA: 3.867
sGPA: 4.0
MCAT:
509 (128/125/128/128)
FLs were between 516 and 520
Demographics:
White male
Lived in FL my whole life. I have family in VA and CT, and I hope to end up in DC or VA.
First Time Applicant
Clinical:
250 as a volunteer at a children's hospital (continuing through cycle), 150 doing free screenings for the homeless, 75 as an intern at an orthopedic clinic, beginning a new position as a clinical assistant at the same orthopedic institute, 65 hospice volunteer (continuing through cycle).
Shadowing:
Cardiology (25 hours), Pediatrics (20 hours), Urologic Surgery (8 hours), Otolaryngology (12 hours), Reproductive Endocrinology (8 hours). All of these are ongoing
Research:
Nanoscience agriculture lab: project focused on developing an imaging system to detect pesticide residue. The point is to reduce the prevalence of pesticide overspray and pesticide poisoning incidence. No publications or posters.
General Volunteering:
~1500 hours, tons of different areas. The majority is in food banks, homeless shelters, mentoring, chemistry TA, and many other smaller areas.
Leadership:
President and founder of a club for neurological disorders, President of another non-health-related club, Chair of my college's leadership council, member of my university's leadership council, advisor for my college, orgo and gen chem TA, conduct board member, orientation counselor, mentor for my college, admissions coordinator for a leadership academy at my uni, board positions on two non-profits (one international), two board positions on a large campus agency.
Awards:
Recipient of my uni's highest student award, received a research grant from my institution, received my school's largest merit scholarship, President's list two semesters, Dean's list all other semesters
LORs:
1 from my professor for biochem and molecular biology, 1 from the orgo professor I TA for, 1 from the orthopedic surgeon I interned for, 1 from my university president*, 1 from my academic advisor/employer, and one from a professor whom I had for a leadership class.
Other:
Studying jewelry with the GIA, intramural football captain two seasons, and intramural basketball captain one season
I am hesitant to apply because of my MCAT score. Because I was so far below what I was getting on the FLs, I am considering retaking, but it took away so much from my time in leadership roles that I don't know if I can do it again. I think my leadership is where I shine, and a lot of organizations rely on me, so I am unsure about taking the time to study again for them and my own well-being. I would also prefer not to take a gap year, but I am not entirely opposed to it now that I have a clinical job lined up.
I have a letter lined up from my university president, but I know there are other people that I have worked for who know me better. Should I ask them or stick with the university president because he is so important?
I would appreciate any input on schools I should apply to. Like I mentioned above, I want to end up in DC or northern VA, so I plan on applying to schools around there. Here is what I have so far:
U Florida
Florida State
Univ. South Florida
Univ. Central Florida
U Miami
Nova MD
FIU
Georgetown
George Washington
UVA (unsure with my MCAT score)
VCU
Eastern Virginia
Virginia Tech
Thanks for reading!
Education:
Current Junior at a public FL university, graduating Spring 2026
Biomedical Sciences Major, Sociology Minor
cGPA: 3.867
sGPA: 4.0
MCAT:
509 (128/125/128/128)
FLs were between 516 and 520
Demographics:
White male
Lived in FL my whole life. I have family in VA and CT, and I hope to end up in DC or VA.
First Time Applicant
Clinical:
250 as a volunteer at a children's hospital (continuing through cycle), 150 doing free screenings for the homeless, 75 as an intern at an orthopedic clinic, beginning a new position as a clinical assistant at the same orthopedic institute, 65 hospice volunteer (continuing through cycle).
Shadowing:
Cardiology (25 hours), Pediatrics (20 hours), Urologic Surgery (8 hours), Otolaryngology (12 hours), Reproductive Endocrinology (8 hours). All of these are ongoing
Research:
Nanoscience agriculture lab: project focused on developing an imaging system to detect pesticide residue. The point is to reduce the prevalence of pesticide overspray and pesticide poisoning incidence. No publications or posters.
General Volunteering:
~1500 hours, tons of different areas. The majority is in food banks, homeless shelters, mentoring, chemistry TA, and many other smaller areas.
Leadership:
President and founder of a club for neurological disorders, President of another non-health-related club, Chair of my college's leadership council, member of my university's leadership council, advisor for my college, orgo and gen chem TA, conduct board member, orientation counselor, mentor for my college, admissions coordinator for a leadership academy at my uni, board positions on two non-profits (one international), two board positions on a large campus agency.
Awards:
Recipient of my uni's highest student award, received a research grant from my institution, received my school's largest merit scholarship, President's list two semesters, Dean's list all other semesters
LORs:
1 from my professor for biochem and molecular biology, 1 from the orgo professor I TA for, 1 from the orthopedic surgeon I interned for, 1 from my university president*, 1 from my academic advisor/employer, and one from a professor whom I had for a leadership class.
Other:
Studying jewelry with the GIA, intramural football captain two seasons, and intramural basketball captain one season
I am hesitant to apply because of my MCAT score. Because I was so far below what I was getting on the FLs, I am considering retaking, but it took away so much from my time in leadership roles that I don't know if I can do it again. I think my leadership is where I shine, and a lot of organizations rely on me, so I am unsure about taking the time to study again for them and my own well-being. I would also prefer not to take a gap year, but I am not entirely opposed to it now that I have a clinical job lined up.
I have a letter lined up from my university president, but I know there are other people that I have worked for who know me better. Should I ask them or stick with the university president because he is so important?
I would appreciate any input on schools I should apply to. Like I mentioned above, I want to end up in DC or northern VA, so I plan on applying to schools around there. Here is what I have so far:
U Florida
Florida State
Univ. South Florida
Univ. Central Florida
U Miami
Nova MD
FIU
Georgetown
George Washington
UVA (unsure with my MCAT score)
VCU
Eastern Virginia
Virginia Tech
Thanks for reading!
