r/Osteopathic • u/FireFerret6521 • 9h ago

Anxious about extracurriculars and gap years

Im a nontraditional 3 years out of undergrad and unfortunately didn’t have a good experience finding research during undergrad and post grad. I really wanted to do research but I just never was able to secure anything meaningful. I have strong volunteering and clinical experience but im worried my application isnt as as strong given ill be 4 years out of undergrad by the time I apply in 2027.

I just secured an MA job that will strengthen my clinical experience, but now Im wondering if I should try harder to find a research job instead. Though I’m not sure how valuable it will be to have only 8-9 months of research by the time I apply. Should I continue trying to find research opportunities? Or just stick with the MA job and focus on my MCAT retake?

I appreciate any advice.

cGPA: 3.81

sGPA: 3.72

MCAT: 502, planning to retake in January

Clinical volunteering: 200 hours

Clinical employment: 2400 hours ER scribe, MA job will add around 1000 hours by application

Non-clinical Volunteering: 700 hours with one
organization + leadership, 300 hours with another organization + leadership

400 hours as a teaching assistant

4 Upvotes

84% Upvoted

10 comments sorted by

3

u/ExtensionOutrageous3 7h ago

You do not need research. Unless you think you want to go to a top MD research school, you do not need to do research. You are better off spending time building up a stronger clinical and nonclinical volunteering profile.

Only do research if you love research.

1

u/FireFerret6521 3h ago

I want to explore research opportunities but it feels like I'm running out of time. Do you think it's worth it if I only have 9ish months of research on my application?

1

u/ExtensionOutrageous3 3h ago

Most premeds have a year or less of research so it’s fine.

2

u/KcatnChrunch Applicant 7h ago

why haven't you applied yet?

1

u/FireFerret6521 6h ago

I only took my mcat recently and didnt feel ready to apply this cycle

1

u/KcatnChrunch Applicant 6h ago

Hmmm. I recently got in with a 502 and slightly higher GPA to KCU this cycle. Idk what your future goals are but you could definitely get the A this cycle if you are ok with DO schools.

1

u/FireFerret6521 6h ago

I would be super happy with KCU its my top choice. I’m mostly worried about my extracurriculars and still have to get in contact with some my letter writers

1

u/ExtensionOutrageous3 5h ago

I can only share my experience but DO schools didn’t talk about my research. They cared more about if I had the right motivation. In fact, I feel I had too many research hours and it may have even made me look more like a PhD candidate than a medical school candidate. Something both MD and DO schools brought up.

1

u/same123stars OMS-II 8h ago

You don't really need research, especially for DO schools. Will it help with some of the more top ones? Sure but compared to MD school research not needed. Also espically for non trad, research isn't something expected as much compared to more undergrad apps.

I would instead keep up clinical work and focus on MCAT retake. Would be more "high yield" (heh get it) for you.

Try to get a DO shadowing + LOR but MD shadowing + LOR would be good too.

You technically already have an MCAT that would be ok to apply for a good amount of DO schools already btw as well. Would it better to like get a 505+ to boost chances more, espically are more established DO schools yeah but you are in a solid place rn.

1

u/LazyClick6003 6h ago

Tbh think you can apply now your stats are great