.

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
I took three gap years.
I took the MCAT, a pre-req I needed, worked a job 30 hours a week, plus significant volunteering and more shadowing.

Do things that matter to you during your time off.
 
You're doing way more than I did and med school never said anything. For my first gap year I spent the summer traveling and then I studied for the mcat and did volunteering (both of these amounted to max 20 hours a week). After that I nannied for six months, then traveled for the summer. While I was applying I worked as a barista in a coffee shop part time. I've literally done nothing productive towards med school. Just enjoy your time and chill. Med school will be hard enough.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile
 
Definitely do things you enjoy. Travel, read, learn a new skill. If your app is lacking in an area (volunteering, shadowing, etc) work on building those areas. I would also recommend trying to get a part-time job, medically-related or not. I've been able to work full-time during my gap year and have a decent savings built up. Although it's a drop in the bucket compared to the cost of school, I feel much more secure knowing that I have a safety net if I need it. Plus, at least in my experience, adcoms seem to like applicants with "real world" work experience.
 
If you're close to a medical school, you could just keep emailing doctors with open clinical trials, until one accepts you. That's how I got my current research project. My projects are all clinical, but I'm sure you could find wet bench research if too. I doubt anyone will pay you, but if that's not an issue, then this may be a good strategy.
 
After multiple rejections and waitlisted last year, I took a gap year.

I know exactly how you feel. I was feeling very low and had no idea what the heck I was gonna do. This has been hands down, the best experience.

I got a full time job in high-end retail, I travelled to the Dominican Republic and volunteered there, I started reading more novels, I cook a lot more now, I took a Spanish class. Take up new passions, do fun things and just enjoy yourself


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top