Balancing gap year plans with applications in the summer.

[DielsAlder]

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Hi everyone,

I was talking to a premedical adviser at my school about my gap year plans, and she seemed to emphasize the amount of time this summer I will be filling out my primary and secondary applications. When I asked her if I should change my plans, she could not give me a definite answer so I was hoping you all might be able to.

For some background: I already have volunteer and shadowing opportunities lined up post-graduation for the next year. I also have several interesting full-time research offers in both clinical and lab research near my current undergrad as well, which would take up the majority of my time during a work week.

My question is if I should push back research until the fall, while keeping my volunteer/shadowing during the summer? That way, I will at least be doing something during my summer months besides filling out applications. Although I would like to be very productive immediately after graduation, I would not want the quality of my applications to suffer as a result.

 

[Boolean]

Are you just starting researching and volunteering now?

 

[DielsAlder]

The volunteering is the same clinical volunteering I have been doing for over a year. I just started shadowing. I am currently involved in lab research, but all of the opportunities I have been investigating would be new ones. I do have plenty of experience in other types of research in the past as well if that answers your question.

I understand that I probably will not be able to accomplish much if I begin August/September and end in May/June of next year.

 

[Amba]

Some of this may go against SDN dogma, but here are my thoughts:

(1) Research during a gap year can be used to start building a respectable CV. This is probably the only time in your life that you'll be able to do full time research (assuming you don't take a research year during med school), and you want to maximize your productivity. Starting during the summer will help with this.

(2) Assuming you've taken the MCAT already, your primary should be done by early June. June is quiet after you submit, since secondaries don't start coming until July. Start pre-writing secondaries during this time.

(3) Having an income start right away in June is GREAT for paying for the cycle

(4) Secondaries really aren't that bad. Honestly. If you write a good essay for "why are you diverse" and a good essay for "greatest challenge" (i.e. Pritzker's secondary), you will re-use some form of these essays many, many times.

I think it's doable for you to begin research over the summer, continue your other activities, and also get your secondaries in within a reasonable timeframe. It just depends how much work you're willing to put in...