Will my gap year raise flags?

[Condensed_milk]

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So I graduated in August of 2019 and spent September - January studying for the MCAT while doing research and volunteer work on the side. I applied this cycle (2019-2020) with no A's.

After my MCAT, I worked part time at a daycare and as a private tutor and for a few weeks and lined up a paid research position over the summer. Obviously that job (and my side gigs) got kiboshed by the big Corona, so I won't have a lot to show for the next few months in terms of employment - will still be volunteering and have a different project lined up with the college of public health. In the Fall, I'm going to be starting my MPH and applying after my first year (2021-2022 cycle).

I'm just worried that this 1st gap year will be looked at in a negative light, I had money saved up so I would have time to study with flexible research and volunteering schedules, but I'm afraid that the lack of employment will be a red flag. What do you think?

 

[proudofmykids]

No red flag. Ppl will know what happened during the pandemic.

 

[GreenDuck12]

Based on what you wrote above, it sounds like you applied this cycle but took the MCAT in January?

Lack of employment is not a red flag as long as you can articulate what you were doing with your time. Taking time off for the MCAT is fine. Volunteering and conducting research are fine. Playing Fortnite - less fine.

 

[Condensed_milk]

Based on what you wrote above, it sounds like you applied this cycle but took the MCAT in January?

Lack of employment is not a red flag as long as you can articulate what you were doing with your time. Taking time off for the MCAT is fine. Volunteering and conducting research are fine. Playing Fortnite - less fine.

I retook a score, first MCAT was summer 2018. I knew my score was a weak point so I wanted to rectify that for future applications cycles if I didn't get in.

 

[GreenDuck12]

I retook a score, first MCAT was summer 2018. I knew my score was a weak point so I wanted to rectify that for future applications cycles if I didn't get in.

That makes much more sense. It's fine to say that you were studying for the MCAT and volunteering/conducting research during this time. I doubt it will be an issue in your application as long as you have all the pieces together.