When To Consider To Apply...Non-Traditional Student

[mishamo]

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Hey Everyone,
I am new here and hope that someone could give me some advice.
I am in my Junior year of College (but really only in my sophomore year in my Major).
I will be done with my pre-reqs in Spring 2016 but after that I still need to go for 3 semesters to college to complete my major.
This means I would graduate in FALL of 2017.
Now my question is first, when should I take the MCAT, right after my pre reqs are done even though that means that I am 3 semesters away from applying? Or should I wait?
Secondly, Since I am not done in summer 2017 as most people, what are my options?
Right now I feel like I need to wait no matter what to apply for the 2018 circle, which would leave me hanging for a full year.
Are there any other options that I don't see right now?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Misha

 

[referee3]

You have a built in gap year. Congratulations! Gap years are awesome never think of them as a bad thing.

 

[mishamo]

Phhh... I'm not getting younger....
Thats what I worry about.

 

[MightBeACylon439]

What do you do professionally? Is it clinically related? You could use that gap year to get a lot of good shadowing and clinical experience in.

Furthermore, how old are you? As a nontrad myself I am 30 and interviewing right now, meaning IF I am accepted I will be starting at age 31. Most physicians I talk to say that's still a pretty good age to get into medicine (though interviewing I sometimes feel I'm interviewing next to babies they look so young!). So age might not be as much of a factor as you think.

 

[referee3]

Phhh... I'm not getting younger....
Thats what I worry about.

None of us are. Remember this is a marathon not a sprint

 

[mishamo]

I work in a Nursing Home as a CNA, and I am 28 which means I will be 31 (OMG) by the time I will apply.
I suppose I should inform myself I if could do more research with my University, or simply work and try to safe up money.
I guess I was hoping that some programs would start in Spring, and I would be able to start right away. I know everyone goes through that to some extend but it is scary to think that I would not know for another year if I can do what I want to do.

 

[MightBeACylon439]

You have plenty of medical exposure as a CNA, do research if you want though for most D.O. schools I don't see it as imperative (I have five interviews this cycle...and no research experience to speak of).

I would concentrate on finishing school strong and studying hard for the MCAT. Do that, and you'll be just fine.

Your age being considered...I wouldn't worry about it. You'll be about my age, and I know there are plenty of people who do it who are older.

 

[cdistel]

Ill be 33 when I start this August, age is just a number