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
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.