Take a gap year?
I’m looking for some advice on whether or not to apply this upcoming cycle (I’m a rising senior). My mcat is currently scheduled for June 26th and I think i could reasonably move it to June 13th without a significant drop in score. Here are my current stats:
GPA 3.9x/4, ORM
1100 paid clinical hours (no clinical volunteering) w/ leadership component
400+ nonclinical volunteering hours
TA for various classes
500 research hours, 1 low author abstract, no pubs
30 shadowing hours (1 specialty)
Mid-level awards from some math competitions, presented project at undergrad symposium
Student org leadership
In a best-case scenario, i think it’d be possible to scrounge together a few rec letters (1 strong BCPM, 1 average from PI, 1 average from non BCPM, 1 above average from MD), shadow a few more specialties, and get a solid MCAT score in the next month. Im aware that I’d be submitting a little later than the earliest applicants, but from what I’ve read it won’t be too bad with the throwaway method and pre writing secondaries.
I’m basically wondering from an outside perspective if it looks like it’s worth trying to do this in such a short time and apply or wait till next cycle and secure stronger rec letters, probable research pubs, etc. (would this even make a big difference?) I’ve heard conflicting stuff from friends, family, and advisors on what to do. Admittedly I was planning to take a gap year initially to earn some more money, improve my resume, take a break etc but looking at everything now I’m not sure if it’s worth it and honestly I’m worried it might be a red flag if I have a reasonable application now and I end up taking a gap year. Thanks in advance!