Medical School Admissions - rejection, gap year

[Anonymous]

Anyone have a student applying this cycle? Are they a senior, or did they do a gap year(s)? If a gap year, what are they doing in the gap? How is it going?

DC did not apply widely and was "R"'d from top choice. May be forced to do gap year and reassess. Trying to determine what most valuable experience would be in the interim. Paramedic? Research? Not sure about research opportunities if not actively a student.

[Anonymous]

Your kid is a senior in college. Land the helicopter. Tell your kid to talk to the pre-health advisors at school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anyone have a student applying this cycle? Are they a senior, or did they do a gap year(s)? If a gap year, what are they doing in the gap? How is it going?

DC did not apply widely and was "R"'d from top choice. May be forced to do gap year and reassess. Trying to determine what most valuable experience would be in the interim. Paramedic? Research? Not sure about research opportunities if not actively a student.

Depends on her weaknesses. Clinical related is always helpful. Reapplying applicants will have harder time next year. Why didn’t she just take a gap year to begin with. Hindsight is 20/20 I know.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Your kid is a senior in college. Land the helicopter. Tell your kid to talk to the pre-health advisors at school.

Sure, it's up to them. Just trying to get a sense of what others are doing.

[Anonymous]

What are his GPA and MCAT? Clinical experience? Research? How many published papers? Use the gap year to boost any one of his weak points.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone have a student applying this cycle? Are they a senior, or did they do a gap year(s)? If a gap year, what are they doing in the gap? How is it going?

DC did not apply widely and was "R"'d from top choice. May be forced to do gap year and reassess. Trying to determine what most valuable experience would be in the interim. Paramedic? Research? Not sure about research opportunities if not actively a student.

Depends on her weaknesses. Clinical related is always helpful. Reapplying applicants will have harder time next year. Why didn’t she just take a gap year to begin with. Hindsight is 20/20 I know.

Why will reapplying applicants have a harder time next year?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anyone have a student applying this cycle? Are they a senior, or did they do a gap year(s)? If a gap year, what are they doing in the gap? How is it going?

DC did not apply widely and was "R"'d from top choice. May be forced to do gap year and reassess. Trying to determine what most valuable experience would be in the interim. Paramedic? Research? Not sure about research opportunities if not actively a student.

Applying but not applying widely is the last thing she should’ve done. Poor decision on her part.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone have a student applying this cycle? Are they a senior, or did they do a gap year(s)? If a gap year, what are they doing in the gap? How is it going?

DC did not apply widely and was "R"'d from top choice. May be forced to do gap year and reassess. Trying to determine what most valuable experience would be in the interim. Paramedic? Research? Not sure about research opportunities if not actively a student.

Depends on her weaknesses. Clinical related is always helpful. Reapplying applicants will have harder time next year. Why didn’t she just take a gap year to begin with. Hindsight is 20/20 I know.

Didn't want to, wanted to be admitted this cycle. IMO, should have applied more widely if wanted to start next year and not take a gap year. Weaknesses - research, MCAT. MCAT seems like it could improve with a retake. Used free resources this time and studied on their own (no set program), somewhat pressed for time while working clinical job and taking classes.

[Anonymous]

My DS graduated in May (took MCAT after junior summer), applied in June to about 30 schools. So far, 1 waitlist 1 rejection and a couple interviews. It is a rough process. DS has a great job in a busy Dr. office. A gap year is a great way to get more experience in an area that is needed, research, clinical etc. I have heard from many people that some kids do not get in and must reapply the next year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone have a student applying this cycle? Are they a senior, or did they do a gap year(s)? If a gap year, what are they doing in the gap? How is it going?

DC did not apply widely and was "R"'d from top choice. May be forced to do gap year and reassess. Trying to determine what most valuable experience would be in the interim. Paramedic? Research? Not sure about research opportunities if not actively a student.

Depends on her weaknesses. Clinical related is always helpful. Reapplying applicants will have harder time next year. Why didn’t she just take a gap year to begin with. Hindsight is 20/20 I know.

Why will reapplying applicants have a harder time next year?

She can reapply obviously, but she needs to show "significant" changes from this cycle application. What makes it difficult is they know she got R'ed this cycle and if her application looks the same/similar, that's an easy reject. Each school has so many well qualified applicants, it makes it that much more difficult.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What are his GPA and MCAT? Clinical experience? Research? How many published papers? Use the gap year to boost any one of his weak points.

For target schools: Overall GPA I believe is higher, science GPA meets or exceeds, MCAT at median or a little below, depending on school. Has clinical, lacking research and publications.

What clinical experience is viewed most favorably?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone have a student applying this cycle? Are they a senior, or did they do a gap year(s)? If a gap year, what are they doing in the gap? How is it going?

DC did not apply widely and was "R"'d from top choice. May be forced to do gap year and reassess. Trying to determine what most valuable experience would be in the interim. Paramedic? Research? Not sure about research opportunities if not actively a student.

Depends on her weaknesses. Clinical related is always helpful. Reapplying applicants will have harder time next year. Why didn’t she just take a gap year to begin with. Hindsight is 20/20 I know.

Didn't want to, wanted to be admitted this cycle. IMO, should have applied more widely if wanted to start next year and not take a gap year. Weaknesses - research, MCAT. MCAT seems like it could improve with a retake. Used free resources this time and studied on their own (no set program), somewhat pressed for time while working clinical job and taking classes.

it's not a race. have her develop a good plan for next year (or two) that lays out good and solid foundation for her application. she needs to understand that most of med school bound kids are high achievers already. they still take one/two gap years to make them standout. this is not, i will take a shot and take another shot in next year kind of game.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone have a student applying this cycle? Are they a senior, or did they do a gap year(s)? If a gap year, what are they doing in the gap? How is it going?

DC did not apply widely and was "R"'d from top choice. May be forced to do gap year and reassess. Trying to determine what most valuable experience would be in the interim. Paramedic? Research? Not sure about research opportunities if not actively a student.

Applying but not applying widely is the last thing she should’ve done. Poor decision on her part.

Yes, they don't always listen. Live and learn.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone have a student applying this cycle? Are they a senior, or did they do a gap year(s)? If a gap year, what are they doing in the gap? How is it going?

DC did not apply widely and was "R"'d from top choice. May be forced to do gap year and reassess. Trying to determine what most valuable experience would be in the interim. Paramedic? Research? Not sure about research opportunities if not actively a student.

Applying but not applying widely is the last thing she should’ve done. Poor decision on her part.

Yes, they don't always listen. Live and learn.

True dat! Hang in there.

[Anonymous]

MCAT is the most important criteria. If she can’t get into the right range, no point in reapplying.