In my case, is it better to take a gap year or not?

[ashley0911]

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[wut?]

I think you should go for it (applying for the 2018 cycle) Your GPA is strong and so are your EC's. If you do well on the MCAT, I think you would be a good candidate for MD schools.

 

[FCMike11]

Why not delay graduation slightly by taking an easier (lighter) courseload and really focusing on the MCAT? Will not impact GPA but will make a huge difference for MCAT study.

Only have to have your bachelors by matriculation.

 

[glossymatte]

I think you are ready to apply! As long as your MCAT is good!

 

[FCMike11]

OP is paying OOS tuition and $$$ is a consideration. reducing college costs by 25% is a strong incentive. taking a gap year and delaying MCAT may be a better route.

Yeah, if delaying isn't an option better not to rush.

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[ashley0911]

Thank you all so much for your responses, I sincerely appreciate them! 🙂 It seems like some recommend just going for it and applying 2018, and some recommend taking a gap year to ensure that I have enough time to prepare for the MCAT.

Personally, I think even if I did take a gap year, I would still take MCAT at the latest by this September, just so that I have that over with before I travel or work (whatever I would end up doing during this gap year) and to ensure I am still in a school/studying mindset. Then, with the MCAT over, I think this would mean I have to wait almost 2 years before applying in the 2019 cycle which I'm not such a huge fan about 🙁

What are your opinions about taking the MCAT maybe in the middle of June this summer and then submitting my AMCAS in the middle of July? I know ideally I would take my MCAT in April or May to submit my primaries as soon as it opens, but in my head, having an extra month to do nothing but study for the MCAT and take full-length practice exams would be beneficial. Of course, I will be studying throughout this upcoming semester as well, but I worry that I won't have as much time to do full-length practice exams during the regular semester.

 

[ashley0911]

That raises different issues which I call the summer cascade, though I think with your background, you could do this. read the thread I am linking below.
https://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/md-application-process.1236688/#post-18484606

Ah I see, definitely something I will have to be careful about. Thank you for all the information!

 

[benjamin94559]

If you get a 515 or up i think you can go into applying straight and be pretty confident about your odds. If you tryna go to a top 20 or whatever it might be worth trying to get a pub or something but prob not worth it

edit:
since you're trying to go to ohsu and you're in state I think youre golden .