What to do in the year off?

[stayclassy]

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Hey everyone,

I'm reapplying to medical school this upcoming cycle. I applied this cycle but haven't heard from any schools really. The main reason for this is that I didn't complete most of my secondaries until November (half because I was unmotivated and half because I wasn't confident). Anyway I am between either doing the Tulane SMP masters or getting a research/clinical job. I was really just looking for some advice in what to do for the year off.

Stats:
cGPA: 3.6
sGPA: ~3.5
MCAT 28P (9PS,8V,11Bio) - Retaking in April
No research experience*
Lots of clinical exp. and ECs

Thanks

 

[AldousHux]

I'm taking a year off currently.

I spent three months doing research in Chile, three months working in a hospital in India, and will be spending 1 month in mozambique doing conservation research and one month in a yet to be determined central american country working on my spanish while volunteering. You can have lots of options.

If you or anyone wants any website or organization information, pm me.

 

[KippocalypsE]

Hey everyone,

I'm reapplying to medical school this upcoming cycle. I applied this cycle but haven't heard from any schools really. The main reason for this is that I didn't complete most of my secondaries until November (half because I was unmotivated and half because I wasn't confident). Anyway I am between either doing the Tulane SMP masters or getting a research/clinical job. I was really just looking for some advice in what to do for the year off.

Stats:
cGPA: 3.6
sGPA: ~3.5
MCAT 28P (9PS,8V,11Bio) - Retaking in April
No research experience*
Lots of clinical exp. and ECs

Thanks

I say work on your MCAT fully until you take the test again in April. Then follow up with a possible research/clinical job in the mean time while applying for the masters program. If you get in the program, do that full time with a possible part time job. I think it's more important to get a 4.0 during your masters course if you want to reapply.

 

[stayclassy]

bump:

im really looking for something interesting to do in the year off that will give me some legitimate life experience. any advice would be appreciated.

 

[Compass]

For a stay at home experience, try EMT?

 

[stayclassy]

BUMP

So to update, I've found two jobs in the meantime (ER Scribe and Study Coordinator for a Clinical Research trial). I'm looking for more applicant-relevant advice now.

I'm looking for some advice on which schools to apply to. I just retook my MCAT and got a 30S as a retake (originally 28P). I just graduated with a 3.6 (3.5 sci) from a FL university. I know the best way to have a great shot is to apply early so I am just looking for advice on which schools to look into.

I have lots of ECs and clinical experience now (check my MDapps link). I would honestly say I'm strong in all areas except my PS (which im working on) and my numbers.

Below are the schools im applying to. 1 asterisk is a school I applied to, 2 asterisks indicate a school that I finished the secondary for:

**Florida State University College of Medicine

*University of Florida College of Medicine

*University of Miami Miller School of Medicine

*University of Central Florida College of Medicine

**University of Vermont College of Medicine

**New York Medical College

**Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University

Tulane University School of Medicine

Brown Medical School

The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences

Georgetown University School of Medicine

Louisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans

*University of South Florida College of Medicine

Creighton University School of Medicine

Albany Medical College

Drexel University College of Medicine

Temple University College of Medicine

University of Texas Medical School at Galveston

University of Texas Medical School at San Antonio

Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine

Any advice would be appreciated (schools to add or subtract, how to improve my app more)

 

[link2swim06]

I would trying working at a hospital that is near you or do some research

 

[dragonfly99]

Good job on the MCAT retake.
You improved.
I think it should be good enough to help you.
You really didn't apply last year...I mean applied so late and to so few places I think it was kind of fruitless.
The two jobs you have should help, if you sell yourself the right way on the application.

Would just work on making sure you have solid LOR's, and perhaps try to drag up your GPA a little.

With the GPA being borderline, I would consider taking a class in night school (upper level biology, or really anything to drag up your GPA). Could take one in the summer, one in the fall, etc. It won't change the GPA much, but will show you are going to keep on working on doing anything you can to improve your application...just make sure you get an A or A-.

Definitely apply to all your Florida state schools, and apply ASAP.

 

[stayclassy]

Good job on the MCAT retake.
You improved.
I think it should be good enough to help you.
You really didn't apply last year...I mean applied so late and to so few places I think it was kind of fruitless.
The two jobs you have should help, if you sell yourself the right way on the application.

Would just work on making sure you have solid LOR's, and perhaps try to drag up your GPA a little.

With the GPA being borderline, I would consider taking a class in night school (upper level biology, or really anything to drag up your GPA). Could take one in the summer, one in the fall, etc. It won't change the GPA much, but will show you are going to keep on working on doing anything you can to improve your application...just make sure you get an A or A-.

Definitely apply to all your Florida state schools, and apply ASAP.

The problem is that I have 143 credits - I took 2 science classes last semester and my GPA jumped from only a 3.58 to a 3.60. The night classes really won't do anything, but I'll look into nonetheless.

I'll write more later, in a rush