ucsluggo

I highly agree with neurooooo. I would also highly advise taking more than a few months to do research before applying to PhD programs considering your outcome with PREP programs. 

Just building onto what @neurooooo said. I am actually using PREP (if I get into it) as my second year off. Since I've graduated in May 2018, I've been a researcher at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. The best thing about my current position is that I've built enough confidence and trust with my PI that she has been willing to throw me into my own project, on top of helping out with post-docs and her student. In addition, if you seen CVs of many PhD students (at least in the biomedical sciences) most of them have had some type of research assistant/technician job after undergraduate because it really helps them build their portfolio and also skillset.

Apply for a research tech/assistant position. But ask questions like: will I have my own project? What will I be doing day to day? Do techs receive authorship on papers? Those questions will give you an idea of how valuable the experience will be. 

I do know the MD/PhD is very difficult and they look to see how much you're truly committed. I don't have much thought to offer on Case's just because its unknown to me. I thought Mount Sinai wasn't accepting applications this cycle cause of no funding?

I don't know of anyone else! Although I will admit that I did sneak a peek at Starr's twitter account and he mentions the PREP apps, and how difficult it was during selections.

Update: Back on 2/21, I got an interview for UCD prep

Update: Back on 2/21, I got an interview for UCD prep

the Northwestern PREP was due on Feb 1st, deadline has passed

I’ve submitted my application to NIH-PREP UW and Harvard’s RSI. I’m also applying to UCD, Yale, UMass Med, Brown, Iowa, and ASU.
UMass Amherst PREP does not have funding for the cycle.
I don’t care about lucky numbers.