What to do with a year off

[Tenacious N]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I plan on applying to medical school for the 2009 session, and I'm trying to determine what to do in the time between. I will need to work and I'm considering getting a job in the healthcare sector. At this point, I'm really interested in PM&R and I would like to get a job at a rehabilitation clinic (preferably here in Austin) to have more exposure this kind of medicine in a clinical setting. My thinking is that this would a good learning experience as well as something that would look great on an updated application and perhaps future residency programs. What I want to know is if this a wise path or should I pursue something else?

 

[Green Grass]

If you can find the job you are looking for, go for it. The fact you are truly interested in it, I think it would be a great experience for you. If that doesn't work out, you could potentially look into some other jobs that are entry level or something within your undergraduate education. It doesn't necessarily have to be within healthcare either. Good luck with the process!!

 

[gman33]

How to best spend that time depends on your application.
If you are confident you will be accepted; take whatever job interests you and will best line your pockets.
If you are not sure about your chances, you may want to take some additional classes or retake the MCAT in case you need to reapply.

Some more info is needed to give better advice.

 

[confused app]

I have a question. I just graduated and I'm in the process of reapplying.. I'm trying to figure out what to do for the next year but I don't know what the best option would be! I have a 3.7 GPA and a 26 MCAT. I'm already registered to retake the MCAT..but I do not have a plan for next year. I've just been accepted to the IMS program at Drexel where you take medical school courses but I'm stuck as to whether I should do this program or get a research/hopital job and take a few postbac courses instead....any suggestions?

My thing is that although the program at Drexel seems great and it would look great to take and hopefully excel in med school courses, I don't necessarily need the gpa booster. Also, my MCAT is 2 weeks after the program's orientation and the beginning of classes which will cut into my studying. If I didn't do the program I would still take a few postbac courses to show that I can (hopefully) do well in upper-level classes and if I did research (i've already done 2 years of research) I would definitely plan on trying to do a thesis. I'm not sure which path would be best :-/

 

[michellejmcnama]

I have a question. I just graduated and I'm in the process of reapplying.. I'm trying to figure out what to do for the next year but I don't know what the best option would be! I have a 3.7 GPA and a 26 MCAT. I'm already registered to retake the MCAT..but I do not have a plan for next year. I've just been accepted to the IMS program at Drexel where you take medical school courses but I'm stuck as to whether I should do this program or get a research/hopital job and take a few postbac courses instead....any suggestions?

My thing is that although the program at Drexel seems great and it would look great to take and hopefully excel in med school courses, I don't necessarily need the gpa booster. Also, my MCAT is 2 weeks after the program's orientation and the beginning of classes which will cut into my studying. If I didn't do the program I would still take a few postbac courses to show that I can (hopefully) do well in upper-level classes and if I did research (i've already done 2 years of research) I would definitely plan on trying to do a thesis. I'm not sure which path would be best :-/

I don't think that you should do anything that will interfere with studying for your MCAT. Increasing an MCAT score is actually harder than many people think.

 

[DocTTT]

I have a question. I just graduated and I'm in the process of reapplying.. I'm trying to figure out what to do for the next year but I don't know what the best option would be! I have a 3.7 GPA and a 26 MCAT. I'm already registered to retake the MCAT..but I do not have a plan for next year. I've just been accepted to the IMS program at Drexel where you take medical school courses but I'm stuck as to whether I should do this program or get a research/hopital job and take a few postbac courses instead....any suggestions?

My thing is that although the program at Drexel seems great and it would look great to take and hopefully excel in med school courses, I don't necessarily need the gpa booster. Also, my MCAT is 2 weeks after the program's orientation and the beginning of classes which will cut into my studying. If I didn't do the program I would still take a few postbac courses to show that I can (hopefully) do well in upper-level classes and if I did research (i've already done 2 years of research) I would definitely plan on trying to do a thesis. I'm not sure which path would be best :-/

Post-Bacc programs like the Drexel IMS are intended to strengthen credentials such as your GPA. Due to the 3.7 you achieved in undergrad, granted that you did well in your pre-med classes, I would agree that you do not need the GPA boost. I think you should focus on scoring well on the MCAT that you are taking in less than two months now. I believe that would be more beneficial to your cause unless you have a really strong desire to go to Drexel Med in which case doing very well at IMS would look good for that particular school. Otherwise I would save the money and study for the MCAT. Good luck!

 

[gman33]

What's your BCPM gpa?
If it's in the same range, there is no reason to do that program.
Get that MCAT 32+ and you'll be fine.
Don't take the MCAT again until you are scoring in that range on multiple practice tests.
Also, figure out if there are any other weaknesses in your app (volunteering, LORs, etc).

 

[confused app]

Thank you everyone for your input, it helped a lot. My bcmp is about a 3.59-3.6. My freshman year grades were what kind of hurt my bcmp (didn't do as well in gen. chem as i hoped) but I received mostly A's and few A-'s in my upper-level science courses. I think I am just going to focus on my MCAT hardcore and raise that score.

Another question I had was, I have a lot of extracurricular experience in both medical and non-medical activities, however I think for the next year I should still increase my medical exposure. With a B.S. degree in biology and about 2 years of research experience, what sort of jobs do you suggest I could get (most preferably in a hospital setting)?

 

[rightfooted]

I have a similar question in what I should do in this gap year. I have a 30 MCAT and 3.7 GPA (3.68 Science GPA). I have about two years of college research experience and am a EMT-B. What kind of job can I get that will permit me to take time off for medical school interviews? I am concerned that most jobs will not be tolerant of that.

 

[side effect]

I have a similar question in what I should do in this gap year. I have a 30 MCAT and 3.7 GPA (3.68 Science GPA). I have about two years of college research experience and am a EMT-B. What kind of job can I get that will permit me to take time off for medical school interviews? I am concerned that most jobs will not be tolerant of that.

There is no reason a private ambulance company wouldn't let you take time off for medical school interviews. They will understand. If they don't, find another company. I work for a private and although I'm going to quit soon, for the past 2 years they have let me take months at a time off for school and then come back whenever I wanted. Also, look into ER Technician jobs. If you work as an EMT, MOST jobs WILL be tolerant of it, because they understand (somewhat) what it means to go on a medical school interview.