What to do between graduation and med school?

[flocculonodular]

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When I started my undergrad, I was certain I wanted to go to medical school. For a while it was literally all I wanted. I was obsessed. I had to set the curve for every test, I spent my weekends pouring over SDN and MD Applicants to see what stats got people in where, and I was constantly thinking of how every action, grade, and EC would be perceived by admissions committees.

As might be expected, I eventually burned out. I lost all interest in becoming a doctor. I swore off hoop jumping and stopped caring about grades. Whereas before, the end had been a grade, it was now the fulfillment of intellectual curiosity. Of course, I still performed well, but I was performing well for different reasons.

In any case, I am about to graduate with a degree and neuroscience and have finally reached a happy middle-ground between these two extremes. I am confident (in an entirely different way than before) that my interests would be fulfilled best by going to medical school.

So. The only issue confronting me now is what to do between the time I graduate and the time I apply to medical school, specifically, two years (because I have neither studied for nor taken the MCAT and will thus be unable to apply this summer). I was hoping anyone who had a moment could chime in with a few suggestions as what would best serve my interests.

TL;DR: After obsessing over medical school as freshman-junior in college, I became burned out and only recently (as a senior about to graduate) decided I really do want to go to medical school. I will be applying next summer and so I have two years before I would (hopefully) begin medical school. What should I do during that time?

Here's where I'm sitting so you have an idea of where I'm coming from:

• 3.8+ GPA
• 50+ hours shadowing a doctor
• 2 years of consistent community service (including 6 mo. in a clinical setting), but nothing in the previous two years.
• Contributing author of a poster that I helped present at a research conference
• 1 year of research
• 1 year of significant leadership experience

Thank you in advance for any and all replies!

 

[texahn]

place yourself around the destitute and realize how good you have it. there are tons of programs etc

 

[kansaskid]

Do the Peace Corps! Two years, great experience, learn a new language, looks good to med schools and is super fun!

 

[Ride Big Sky]

whatever you end up doing just remember you need to keep up those extras like shadowing and such because having the two most recent years devoid of those events would draw attention

 

[Marcus Brody]

A clinical job is two birds with one stone- money, and exposure. Also makes setting up shadowing much easier. You should shadow as much as you can. It's the one thing you can do that will prepare you, at least psychologically. People still shadow even the first two years of med school and the summers in between. Absolutely do not join the stupid peace corps. 🙄 (unless you have your heart set on it, I guess)

 

[Disinence2]

If I were you I would get a Masters.

Why can't you take the MCAT this summer? All you need are 4-6 weeks to study.

Remember each year you take off before med school means 1 less year of a physicians salary before retirement.

 

[Catalystik]

I would suggest another year of clinical experience and some form of community service regardless of whether it is through work or volunteering.

Community service (despite a stipend for living expenses) through Americorps (1-year commitment) or another similar organization enhances an application. Through this you can gain clinical experience or teaching.

 

[Thirteeen]

Go out and party like rock star! Have all the sex you can because you may not get any while in medical school.LOL You don't have to have a million hours of clinical experience to get into med school. My brother just got in and he had very little clinical experience. He did volunteer once in a while and shadowed an MD a few times and that's it. On SDN it is always recommended that you get a few heart surgeries under your belt if you want in. LOL