What to do during the glide year?

[jules0328]

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I have practically exhausted my brain in thinking what to do about the glide year. Before I was absolutely sure that I wanted to study medicine, I took physics I, bio I, and chem I at a community college. Now, that I have done well in them, and know that I can accomplish good grades, I have applied to a Post Bacc to finish up the rest of the classes. However, since I have already three classes under my belt, I will be finished with the rest of my pre-reqs in no time, since I plan on going full time. I will most likely be taking the April 2005 MCATs, and taking Orgo II in the summer ( know it sounds like a crazy idea, but I hope to do well if that is all I am concentrating on for one month).

My dilemma is, what to do about the glide year, I am going to be applying to schools for the Fall of 2006. Unfortunately, I cannot go to a linkage program at this point. I have already all of the hospital experience/research experience I need at this point, having worked as an Clinical Exercise Physiologist at a city hospital for two years and having done research there. I have huge loan amounts to pay and want to make sure that I defer them as long as possible. So, do I take some classes, such as Genetics or perhaps retake Anatomy & Physiology II (I didnt do well on that class, I got a C+ due to a death in my family that semester). However, I would have to take these classes at a community college level, I simply cannot afford a private 4 year school for one class. Financial aid does not cover such costs for one class, and I dont have the pocket change to cover it.

How will adcom's view the fact that I have finish pre-reqs at a 4 year school and now I will be taking other science (electives) at a community college level? I know my story is long, bear with me. 😀

 

[stinkycheese]

If you're in debt... why add to it? Get a job. You can never have "enough" hospital experience!

 

[medicomel]

Let's bump this.

I'm wondering the same thing. Which is more important, taking a class during the glide year, or to continue with the ECs?

 

[bringinit247]

I think it would be best to take the year off from school entirely, because med school will be all the school you could ever use in a lifetime. Take the year to work in a clinical setting, save some money, and party like a mofo. That way, you'll be refreshed by the time medical school starts, have some money in your pocket, and have great clinical experience to boot. IMHO.

 

[medicomel]

sounds like kicka$$ advice to me!

it's just that i know some folks who are loading up on more higher-level sciences even though they've already submitted their application. i worry about being competitive when other nontrads are going waaaaay above and beyond the requirements.

🙁

 

[jules0328]

sounds like kicka$$ advice to me!

it's just that i know some folks who are loading up on more higher-level sciences even though they've already submitted their application. i worry about being competitive when other nontrads are going waaaaay above and beyond the requirements.

🙁

Right guys, I too think I should work. But, the biggest dilemma is loan deferment. I have a Masters degree in Exercise Physiology and I can probably find a job in something, but I dont want to pay my loans back, I want to save money, so I am a bit at a loss. What to do?????

 

[medicomel]

I think you can fill out some forms to defer because of cash flow problems. Talk to your fin aid office or lender.

If you're not able to make the scheduled payments, your lender may grant you a forbearance; this is income-sensitive and reduces your payment amts.
I would make sure this wouldn't affect a total deferral of federal loans once you matriculate to medical school.

 

[stinkycheese]

Right guys, I too think I should work. But, the biggest dilemma is loan deferment. I have a Masters degree in Exercise Physiology and I can probably find a job in something, but I dont want to pay my loans back, I want to save money, so I am a bit at a loss. What to do?????

Why not pay what you can this year? You'll get a deferral once you start school. Don't take courses just because you don't want to work. That's such a waste of money!

 

[medworm]

Complete non-sequitur...

but do take a vacation (2 weeks) and some time off to spend with friends and family.

At least that's what I plan to do, knowing that I won't see them much once I'm in med school.

 

[medworm]

Let's bump this.

I'm wondering the same thing. Which is more important, taking a class during the glide year, or to continue with the ECs?

Do both if you can. If you're almost done with the prereqs and have taken the MCAT, you can go back to industry (a real job) as one advisor told me.

 

[Superflyjsc]

You can take some of your required hardcore science classes at community college? I thought that was unacceptable for med schools?

 

[jules0328]

You can take some of your required hardcore science classes at community college? I thought that was unacceptable for med schools?

i dont think its unacceptable...I have not taken all of my pre-reqs at a community college, I plan on finishing them up at a 4 year college. I really wanted to make sure that I could handle the coursework (even if it was at a community college level) before I made the full plunge into a post bacc program. I have talked to doctors and med students, taking courses at comm. college can be looked at in many different ways.

I am also not looking to go into Harvard or Yale Med school.