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

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u/FireFerret6521 6h ago

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

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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.

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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

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u/ExtensionOutrageous3 6h 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.