Young Applicants

[decisionsx2]

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I noticed a lot of young (19-21) people applying to medical school. I was just wondering what the rush was and why hurry? 🙂

 

[gildas]

I noticed a lot of young (19-21) people applying to medical school. I was just wondering what the rush was and why hurry? 🙂

medical education take at least 7 years out of your life (including residency)

 

[Missterious1]

medical education take at least 7 years out of your life (including residency)

Waiting one or two years really isn't going to kill you though. I don't think there is really a big difference between finishing at 26 and finishing at 29. Might as well enjoy your 20's while you can.

 

[Mazework]

I know I want to be a doctor, I have decent grades, scores etc. Putting it off for a few years does not make any sense. Besides, what am I to do once I finish undergrad?

 

[NoktorNoL]

I noticed a lot of young (19-21) people applying to medical school. I was just wondering what the rush was and why hurry? 🙂

I'm just trying to go straight to med school from college...a lot of people are 20/21 when they graduate college and they are considered "traditional" applicants when applying to medical school.

 

[nintendo]

I've heard of a few med schools that stay away from the younger applicants (20 and younger). Only because making the commitment to med school requires a lot of thought and maturity and some schools can be ancy about investing in a younger applicant. On the other hand if you youngins have stellar grades than you'll probably get in before I do, even with all my maturity and what not.

 

[HumbleMD]

Heh, kind of a funny topic. I'm 21 and applying right out of undergrad (and am skipping tons of class for interviews - eek!). I've actually asked the question "why in the world are people waiting 1-3 years? " Post-bac programs aren't needed for me, and getting a random masters would be both pointless and useless. A 1 year job that would actually strengthen my app is quite difficult to get with only an undergrad degree. Also, I really don't plan on starting a family until GME is almost done, so there definitely is a big difference between 26 and 29. My question to these older folks applying is, do you really want to be 35 when you officially start your career/life?

 

[kapil_MD]

I've heard of a few med schools that stay away from the younger applicants (20 and younger). Only because making the commitment to med school requires a lot of thought and maturity and some schools can be ancy about investing in a younger applicant. On the other hand if you youngins have stellar grades than you'll probably get in before I do, even with all my maturity and what not.

I doubt the age would be such a big factor for admission.I'll be 20 when I finish undergrad. As long as you have the stats etc you'll be fine.

 

[Missterious1]

oops, when i meant is there a difference between 26 and 29, I meant finishing residency, assuming it was a 3 yr residency, not starting medical school. I will be starting med school at 24 (taking 2 years off) because I wanted to take time off to do things I probably won't be able to do for a looong while... the way I look at it is: I have the rest of my life to be a doctor, so a year or 2 away from school to do other things, incl things that could even strengthen my app, wouldn't matter much to me.

Taking a yr or 2 off doesn't detract from your application... it's becoming more common to take time off, and depending on what you do with your time, it could be really worthwhile... I've even heard adcoms say they wish time off was mandatory.

 

[fahimaz7]

I doubt the age would be such a big factor for admission.I'll be 20 when I finish undergrad. As long as you have the stats etc you'll be fine.

The adcom at Colorado says there's more discrimination agianst coming right out of college than there is the non-traditional 30+. They said they let in about 30% right out of undergrad.

I bet it's different for each school. But, I do know that reapplicants make up a large pool of acceptances as well as grad students.

 

[tthorst]

Heh, kind of a funny topic. I'm 21 and applying right out of undergrad (and am skipping tons of class for interviews - eek!). I've actually asked the question "why in the world are people waiting 1-3 years? Post-bac programs aren't needed for me, and getting a random masters would be both pointless and useless. A 1 year job that would actually strengthen my app is quite difficult to get with only an undergrad degree. Also, I really don't plan on starting a family until GME is almost done, so there definitely is a big difference between 26 and 29. My question to these older folks applying is, do you really want to be 35 when you officially start your career/life?

I think as long as you are happy it doesn't matter what your age is when you apply. I'm 27 and currently applying to medical school and I feel fortunate to have been able to experience a bit of life before seeking out a demanding education and career. I've been able to travel, get married, and work full time which have only boosted my application. I know for me personally, I wasn't ready to apply right out of undergrad. Just my two cents. 🙂

 

[learss]

I know I want to be a doctor, I have decent grades, scores etc. Putting it off for a few years does not make any sense. Besides, what am I to do once I finish undergrad?

Travel, read, take up a hobby. Have a life.

 

[learss]

Heh, kind of a funny topic. I'm 21 and applying right out of undergrad (and am skipping tons of class for interviews - eek!). I've actually asked the question "why in the world are people waiting 1-3 years? Post-bac programs aren't needed for me, and getting a random masters would be both pointless and useless. A 1 year job that would actually strengthen my app is quite difficult to get with only an undergrad degree. Also, I really don't plan on starting a family until GME is almost done, so there definitely is a big difference between 26 and 29. My question to these older folks applying is, do you really want to be 35 when you officially start your career/life?

Why not start my career at 35? Age is really just a number. I knew when I graduated from college, that I wanted to work on Wall Street. I now HATE finance. Do I want to be stuck in a job that I hate for the rest of my life? NO. Over the past few years, I have had the opportunity to travel to alot of countries, made some great friends, have a few crazy experiences, etc. I don't have any regrets and know without a doubt that I have enjoyed my 20s (27 now).

 

[_ian]

A lot of people are 21 when they finish undergrad, and for them, I understand applying. I would be 22, and I think I would apply to matriculate a few months after undergrad if I was absolutely certain of what I wanted to do, but I'm not. It'll also be nice to not have to worry about secondaries and interviews while taking classes, and an extra year of extracurriculars on your app never hurt anyone...

What I don't understand are the kids who graduate in three or fewer years specifically to get to medical school a year early. Either they spent their summers taking classes rather than doing something more productive, or they missed out on some really cool classes beyond the requirements for their major... or both. I really don't see the point.

 

[t-funk]

I'm not applying to med school until I am 29 which means I won't finish residency until I'm about 38 or so. To me, this has nothing to do with the beginning of my life! My life and even my career and my progression as a contributing member of society began a long time ago when I was still a teenager. I'm slightly confused as to how the termination of a residency really signifies the beginning of my life??? I have already done so many more important things than that!! Med school is just another step along that progression!!

 

[FamousPotatoes]

I've actually asked the question "why in the world are people waiting 1-3 years?"... My question to these older folks applying is, do you really want to be 35 when you officially start your career/life?

We're waiting because the experiences that we accrue in our time off will make us better doctors.

I am in the middle of my 2nd year after graduation and am currently applying. I have taken time to travel around the world, worked in graphic design, get a research job at NIH, beef up my clinical exposure and just enjoy life as a carefree 20something. I have gained valuable experience in the real world outside of medicine that will help me relate to my patients. I will enter medical school next fall energized and ready to excel. I've also had the best year+ of my life.

Starting 2 years after graduation doesn't mean waiting until 35 to start my life, I did that at 21. The people going straight into medical school are the ones waiting until they're 27.

 

[nintendo]

getting a random masters would be both pointless and useless. A 1 year job that would actually strengthen my app is quite difficult to get with only an undergrad degree. there definitely is a big difference between 26 and 29. My question to these older folks applying is, do you really want to be 35 when you officially start your career/life?

I was young when I graduated undergrad, I now have a master's in physiology and am also doing some research that i think is very interesting and since I have a master's I'm given a lot more respect from my team than the undergrad volunteer working with us. I'm now 22, still younger than the average (skewed though -- a lot of my classmates will still be younger than me) but looking back I can't believe how not ready for med school I was when I graduated. I will be a stronger med student, prob do better in school and have a better career overall for taking a couple of years before applying. My own experiences and the fact that I know an extremely intelligent kid who got shafted when he applied at 19, but got in to multiple schools when he applied at 21, are why I wonder whats the rush.

Also how did 26 vs. 29 go to 26 vs. 35? Im not going to be 35 when I start my career and I took two years off!

And I just read potatoes comments..exactly!

 

[alwaysaangel]

I've actually asked the question "why in the world are people waiting 1-3 years?

I'm taking a year off for a lot of reasons. Not so much because I'm not sure I wanted to be a doctor. But because I am financially independent and couldn't afford to pay for school and applying at the same time, and because I want a year off a school so I can really appreciate it more.

Granted I can't see myself waiting until I was 26 to apply (but thats just because I'm a woman and want to be home at least part time when my kids are young - which means that getting in the high 30s to have my first kids would be a bad idea), but at the same time I can't imagine having gone straight into medical school.

Like my premed counselors have told me - they've never had someone come back and say they regretted taking a year off - but they constantly have people regretting not.

 

[Mazework]

The problem is that taking a break and travelling sounds great in theory. the colleges will then want to know what you were doing during the "break". That would put us at a disadvantage. Just look at the spectacular resumes on SDN.

 

[baylormed]

Don't hate us because we are young. 😀

I will be 20 when I graduate, freshly 21 when I enter medical school (provided I get in...😴 ). I don't want to take a year off, because there is nothing I want to do with a year off. I wish I could say I would travel, but I don't have the resources to do so, and mission work doesn't interest me, just because I don't believe in preaching one's religion down other people's throats (I believe in helping in other more significant/tangible ways). I really don't want to go into graduate school. I really don't want to work in anything else (and I've had my share of jobs, very varied...so I'm not just saying that).
Also, if I graduate medical school at 24 (again, provided I do get in this year), I'll be potentially earning money by 24 once I start residency, and I could be out of my debt by early 30's, earlier if I manage my money well. So, there IS an advantage.

I don't feel less mature than any of my fellow 22 y/o applicants, if anything, I feel MORE mature than SOME of them, and proof of that is that I've done well in college and handled responsibility (a job + school and volunteering) well.

I don't see why you feel that because you are 22-24 while applying, anyone younger than that must be out of their minds. It's a personal choice to decide whether you feel ready for medical school or not.
👍 I feel ready now...so I'm applying now. 👍

 

[OB/GYN Sim]

Ill be 21 when i enter medical school and i have a 5 year residency planned Ortho so ill be 30 when im done. The things i want to experince in life i have and i will while also finishing medical school. I want to start a family buy a house and all these things will take place after medical school so waiting would just be prolonging the process of gettting to where i want to be not adding anything to it. Thats just my 2 cents.

 

[Johnny_one_eye]

Why not start my career at 35? Age is really just a number. I knew when I graduated from college, that I wanted to work on Wall Street. I now HATE finance. Do I want to be stuck in a job that I hate for the rest of my life? NO. Over the past few years, I have had the opportunity to travel to alot of countries, made some great friends, have a few crazy experiences, etc. I don't have any regrets and know without a doubt that I have enjoyed my 20s (27 now).

Does anyone want to be stuck in a job they hate for the rest of their life? I don't think so. what if I can't wait to start this career and I have no interest in "having a few crazy experiences in other countries?" Sounds like a huge waste of time personally. I mean I'm sure it's fun and all, but I don't have the money or interest to party my 20s away just because it'll be fun. Personally I argue it wouldn't be all that much fun, but that's just because I despise being an unproductive sack. If I'm interested in this career enough, what's the point of wasting the next 5-10 years of my life doing a bunch of random activities? I'll just start ASAP, thanks 😎

 

[FamousPotatoes]

The things i want to experince in life i have and i will while also finishing medical school.

I have always found that the most valuable experiences are the ones I didn't see coming. Doesn't it strike you as a little closed-minded that you are 20 years old, not having experienced adult life outside of academia, and yet you are absolutely sure that there is nothing out there of value for you to experience that doesn't lie directly on the path to becoming an orthopaedic surgeon?

 

[musiclink213]

I was 20 when I graduated from my undergrad (finished high school in 3 years because they ran on credits, and thanks to extra music classes every cycle, I had more credits than I knew what to do with). Right now, I'm taking a year off, but not by choice. Although, I have to say I am actually pretty happy with how it turned out. I spent my summer traveling through Europe, my current job provides me with never a dull moment, and some great stories for ym friends and interviewers. I get to relax a bit before starting med school. And, having this time off I think will allow me to appreciate being in med school that much more. While my job is OK for a year, I can't imagine doing it day in and day out for years on end.

I will be 22 when I (hopefully) start med school, so I guess I would still me young, but having the year off will prepare me for the different people I might meet in the future, I think. I'm working in the most dangerous school in the city according to our dept. of education, so if I can survive there, I think I'll survive anything, and be able to deal with most any patient that I will see.

I used to wish that I got into med school last year, but now, I'm starting to realize it's a good thing I didn't. I plan on doing some more traveling come May, and I think having some time off and working will really teach you to appreciate the oppurtunity to be in med school so much more. I also have time to myself to improve my skating, I can perfect my magic act on the students at the school, it's pretty fun actually. I think I'll recommend that everyone take at least a year off before starting med school, because you'll probably never have the time to do half the things you want to do later. And because I have flexible schedule, I get to visit all the cities I always wanted but never had time or money. Fortunatly, my job pays real well, so I can afford to go where I want for the most part, although how much I'll have left for med school at the end is up for grabs.

And i realize this is a rambling post, and I apologize for that. But i've been trying to figure out what to do with ym students tomorrow, because I'm going to an elementary school for the first time, and I've only ever been in one high school so far, so yea. BTW, I work as a sub, so that's why I get a flexible schedule.

 

[FamousPotatoes]

I have no interest in "having a few crazy experiences in other countries?" Sounds like a huge waste of time personally. I mean I'm sure it's fun and all, but I don't have the money or interest to party my 20s away just because it'll be fun. Personally I argue it wouldn't be all that much fun, but that's just because I despise being an unproductive sack. If I'm interested in this career enough, what's the point of wasting the next 5-10 years of my life doing a bunch of random activities? I'll just start ASAP, thanks

I work 40 hours a week in medical research. I have taken a 4 credit hour class every "semester" since I have graduated. I volunteer 4-6 hours a week in an ER, and 1 hour a week with an after school program for innercity kids. I play in enough organized sports leagues that I am on two teams during every season. Oh my god, I am such an unproductive sack! Even when I was studying for MCATs, working on a senior thesis and taking a full course load I wasn't this busy (or happy). And I still find time to make a ton of new friends and spend time with them 4 nights a week.

A gap year (or two) is what you make of it. In my case it has been incredibly enjoyable and incredibly productive. It has strengthened my app, given me real-world experiences that make me a more well-rounded person, and recharged my scholastic batteries to prepare me for med school.

 

[learss]

Does anyone want to be stuck in a job they hate for the rest of their life? I don't think so. what if I can't wait to start this career and I have no interest in "having a few crazy experiences in other countries?" Sounds like a huge waste of time personally. I mean I'm sure it's fun and all, but I don't have the money or interest to party my 20s away just because it'll be fun. Personally I argue it wouldn't be all that much fun, but that's just because I despise being an unproductive sack. If I'm interested in this career enough, what's the point of wasting the next 5-10 years of my life doing a bunch of random activities? I'll just start ASAP, thanks 😎

Didn't know enjoying life was a waste of time. I didn't party most of the time. My "crazy" experiences were: falling out of canoe in the Zambezi river, almost being attacked by an elephant, horseback riding outside of Maachu Pichu, meeting Nelson Mandela, etc. I also worked, and volunteered. I was a Big Sister.

I personally don't care if you want to start medical school, not your career ASAP. Thats your choice. However, what will be missed by taking a year off?

Yes, I want a career in medicine, but I don't want my career to defined who I am.

 

[t-funk]

Oops, I also didn't know that working a full-time professional job since I was 21, buying my first house at 21, raising two beautiful children, traveling and experiencing life, having friends and parties, volunteering, etc. was being an unproductive sack. Thanks for the info.

 

[Johnny_one_eye]

my response wasn't insinuating that everyone who takes a year or two or ten off is an unproductive sack.

 

[FamousPotatoes]

You were saying that you couldn't think of anything to do with a year off so that would keep you from being an unproductive sack. We're just saying that there's plenty!

 

[HumbleMD]

Galileo must be laughing.
I'm guilty of it too, but I love how most of these debate posts turn into "this is what I chose to do and this is why it's better than what you chose, and why I'm going to get into med school and you aren't."

People applying right out of undergrad indeed do not have the experience nor the desire of taking a gap year (or alternate career).

However, people in their gap year obviously do not know what it's like to, nor have the mind-set to go straight into med school (and retire earlier), unless they tried to and couldn't get in.

We've got completely different, subjective P.O.V.'s on the whole thing, so I cringe when I see someone asserting theirs over others.

(aside, who'd want to go to Colorado anyways? Their OOS tuition is like $70K/year)

 

[Johnny_one_eye]

I know there's plenty I can do that would be productive, helpful, and good. But if my goal is to be a physician, and I'm sure it's what I want to do, why spend time doing something else. I can totally see why you would want to spend time doing worthwhile activities (although to be honest, learss79's activities do not seem particularly worthwhile, sounds more like vacationing outside of 'work' and being a Big Sister). My point was that if I want to start right away, why would you act like that's a bad idea?

In fact, I am in a "year off" since I wasn't accepted last year, but if given the choice, I wouldn't take this over matriculating this fall. I'm trying to be productive and improve my application this year in case i'm in another year off next year. My point was that if these people have busted their asses to do what it takes to be a med student, why should you encourage them to do otherwise if they know it's what they want to do. Each person should make this decision for themselves.

 

[t-funk]

Personally, I think it's great that people know exactly what they want to do at such a young age and if going to medical school if what they want, then all the more power. I always thought I wanted to be a physician but I'm the type of person who likes to test my options before jumping in. (And I wanted to have a family while still in my twenties.) To me though, I get so sad when I see such young people defining themselves by their careers and saying their life won't even start until their residency is finished. There are so many more important things than in life than that. It's who you are and not what you are that is important! I know it sounds cliche but it's really true!!

 

[CardiacIntensivist]

I noticed a lot of young (19-21) people applying to medical school. I was just wondering what the rush was and why hurry? 🙂

It's easier to keep the momentum going. Also, it seems like it's a lot easier to apply while in school because I won't have to answer extra questions about what I've been doing with my time out of school and I will also have more access to my pre-health advisor.

 

[HumbleMD]

Personally, I think it's great that people know exactly what they want to do at such a young age and if going to medical school if what they want, then all the more power. I always thought I wanted to be a physician but I'm the type of person who likes to test my options before jumping in. (And I wanted to have a family while still in my twenties.) To me though, I get so sad when I see such young people defining themselves by their careers and saying their life won't even start until their residency is finished. There are so many more important things than in life than that. It's who you are and not what you are that is important! I know it sounds cliche but it's really true!!

Precisely, however in a different way. I really wouldn't want to put my family through me being in residency, hence why I want to get it done sooner so I don't have to put them second (have you been a kid with a dad in residency?) And as far as being "defined" be one's career, I would say that to an extent M.D.'s are defined by their careers. It is a profession, much like lawyers and even accountants, where people look at you and see your profession, your career, and will be asking questions dealing with medicine, etc. It's something I think will be kind of exciting. If you don't see medicine as something that will define you to an extent (not totally of course), I would ask you how committed you are to medicine if it is mearly a means to an income or something to "do."

 

[Rafa]

This seems about as productive as asking someone why s/he's applying to college right out of high school. Most people do it, some people don't. I wouldn't call it a 'rush' or a 'hurry' anymore than I'd call a non-trad 'slow' and 'lazy'.

People applying right out of undergrad indeed do not have the experience nor the desire of taking a gap year (or alternate career).

However, people in their gap year obviously do not know what it's like to, nor have the mind-set to go straight into med school (and retire earlier), unless they tried to and couldn't get in.

We've got completely different, subjective P.O.V.'s on the whole thing, so I cringe when I see someone asserting theirs over others.

 

[HumbleMD]

This seems about as productive as asking someone why s/he's applying to college right out of high school. Most people do it, some people don't. I wouldn't call it a 'rush' or a 'hurry' anymore than I'd call a non-trad 'slow' and 'lazy'.

Wow, not at all. There are WAY fewer people who apply to undergrad after taking time off of high school. And I feel like very few do so to travel, "improve their application" etc.

 

[Rafa]

Wow, not at all. There are WAY fewer people who apply to undergrad after taking time off of high school. And I feel like very few do so to travel, "improve their application" etc.

I think you misunderstood me. I meant most people who decide to go to college do so immediately out of high school (as in, without a gap year...or thirty).

 

[HumbleMD]

I think you misunderstood me. I meant most people who decide to go to college do so immediately out of high school (as in, without a gap year...or thirty).

righteo

 

[t-funk]

After having a son with autism and dealing with everything that goes with that, working with him non-stop for four+ years, only to have him spontaneously (over the course of a year) come out of it, I don't think there's any career in the world that could define me over my other accomplishments in life. I also don't think that after having that experience, that I could be wishy washy about my reasons for applying. I've already worked full-time jobs that required me to be away from my family more than I would have liked without nearly the amount of compensation it was worth. I would think at this point in life, I know why I'm applying and I know what my other options are. And there is no one that could say that I don't care about my children because I will be doing residency while they are young. I'm partly doing it for them. And I will get satifaction out of being a great physician, but it will never define me.

 

[notdeadyet]

My question to these older folks applying is, do you really want to be 35 when you officially start your career/life?

This is based on the assumption that us older folks have been spending our years growing in some dark corner like mushrooms until we start medical school.

If folks want to head directly to medical school after college, that's totally cool. It's worth considering, though, that very few folks who take a year or two out before heading to medical school regret their decision.

Some folks do not want to limit their life experience to student and physician. Some folks are content with that. Neither is better than the other. To each their own.

 

[mvenus929]

I noticed a lot of young (19-21) people applying to medical school. I was just wondering what the rush was and why hurry? 🙂

I'll be 19 when I start applying (this coming summer) and 20 when I go on interviews (most likely). I'm spending 3 years in undergrad because I got 46 credits coming in, which took care of a lot of my gen ed requirements. I'm still taking a lot of non-science classes, even though I'm a bio major. Last year, I took 2 geography classes, a seminar class, a psychology class, and another English class. I think all but the psych class and the seminar class apply to gen ed in some way, but I took them because they seemed interesting. I'm taking an upper level history class this semester, and will probably take a few more in order to get a minor in history.

Why am I applying with 3 years (at matriculation) instead of taking it easy with a 4 year undergrad? I think I have lots of life experience, some that I sometimes wish I didn't have. Plus I go to college across the country from my boyfriend. I want to go to med school close to him so I can at least see him more than once a month. If I don't get in on my first attempt, then I'll take the year off and do something I want to do and try again.

 

[alwaysaangel]

I'll be 19 when I start applying (this coming summer) and 20 when I go on interviews (most likely). I'm spending 3 years in undergrad because I got 46 credits coming in, which took care of a lot of my gen ed requirements. I'm still taking a lot of non-science classes, even though I'm a bio major. Last year, I took 2 geography classes, a seminar class, a psychology class, and another English class. I think all but the psych class and the seminar class apply to gen ed in some way, but I took them because they seemed interesting. I'm taking an upper level history class this semester, and will probably take a few more in order to get a minor in history.

Why am I applying with 3 years (at matriculation) instead of taking it easy with a 4 year undergrad? I think I have lots of life experience, some that I sometimes wish I didn't have. Plus I go to college across the country from my boyfriend. I want to go to med school close to him so I can at least see him more than once a month. If I don't get in on my first attempt, then I'll take the year off and do something I want to do and try again.

Well I honestly wish you luck, and hope you will get it. But be prepared for the stigma that does come with being so young and applying. Be prepared to answer things like "what life experiences do you think have made you mature enough to enter medical school," "why do you want to go straight into medical school straight after only 3 years of undergrad," etc. etc.

And I would come up with something better than - I want to be closer to my bf.

Goodluck!

 

[mmmkay121]

What's wrong with being a traditional applicant?

 

[DoctaJay]

I didn't think there was any rush at 21. That is the normal age when you graduate from college right?

 

[mvenus929]

Well I honestly wish you luck, and hope you will get it. But be prepared for the stigma that does come with being so young and applying. Be prepared to answer things like "what life experiences do you think have made you mature enough to enter medical school," "why do you want to go straight into medical school straight after only 3 years of undergrad," etc. etc.

And I would come up with something better than - I want to be closer to my bf.

Goodluck!

Thanks. I know what I have ahead of me, and I hope I can push through. I just need to come up with a backup plan in case it doesn't happen. That's not my primary reason for not wanting to take a break, it's just an important one for me. It'll have an effect on the schools I apply to, mostly, not why I want to go to med school in 2008. Of course, I'll apply to schools I think I'd actually fit into, but I probably wouldn't apply to at least a couple of them if it wasn't for him.

 

[omegaxx]

When it comes to it, I doubt anyone really regrets heading into med directly or taking some time off. There are good things to be gotten from both types of experiences, and it's hard to find out the great stuff you missed out by not going down a different road.

I'm 19 and applying, but I actually took extra time for college (4 years of classes + 1 year of work), so I hope I have as good a background as the fellow students who are a couple of years older.

Still, hats off to all of you who did amazing things in your years off. Raising a child AND applying to med schools has got to be the most astounding feat I've ever heard. My mom couldn't even finish her PhD until I was in high school. 👍

 

[VAisforlovers87]

Whether or not you decide to take a 'gap yr' or time off after undergrad is totally a personal decision up to you. If you know what you want to do and where you want to be, why dabble around and only dwell on the idea. That's how I feel. I'm only 19, but I popped outta the womb wanting to be a physician. I'm applying this year because I'll be finishing college early. Sure I could take a year off and do research [which I've already done], volunteer [which I still do], or get a job [which I have]. It seems for me the next course is to just apply.

Others, however, who may not be sure of their desire to become a physician should definetly take some time off to breathe. Indeed you would not want to be chained to something you loathe. The decision is yours.😉

 

[notdeadyet]

What's wrong with being a traditional applicant?

I don't think that there's anything wrong with being a traditional applicant. But given that most applicants are still traditional, if I was a 21-22 year old science major with one year part-time lab research experience, 100 hours clinical volunteering, and volunteering in college clubs, I'd make sure to do something to make my application stand out from everyone else like me.

 

[fpr85]

I probably won't be applying till I'm in my late twenties/early thirties.

The way I see it, there are so many things I would like to do/experience within the next decade, before I am "too old" to do them.

From what I see, twenty is the new sixteen, just way too immature.

 

[mmmkay121]

I don't think that there's anything wrong with being a traditional applicant. But given that most applicants are still traditional, if I was a 21-22 year old science major with one year part-time lab research experience, 100 hours clinical volunteering, and volunteering in college clubs, I'd make sure to do something to make my application stand out from everyone else like me.

ohnoes.... you just totally described me!