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best way to spend gap year before applying
- Thread starter kk123
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Cryosleep
JK. You want to be productive. Successful classmates of mine that did a gap year did a combination of research, volunteering, teaching, etc. You seem to be in excellent shape. Just make sure you rock the MCAT. Also, it appears that ER's in municipal hospitals tend to offer a lot in terms of patient interaction (but there are other options). Anyway, good luck!
JK. You want to be productive. Successful classmates of mine that did a gap year did a combination of research, volunteering, teaching, etc. You seem to be in excellent shape. Just make sure you rock the MCAT. Also, it appears that ER's in municipal hospitals tend to offer a lot in terms of patient interaction (but there are other options). Anyway, good luck!
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Why don't you think your application is strong enough to apply this cycle?
I don't have enough shadowing/clinical experience. I'm not ready to take the MCAT yet either. I'm doing terrible on the practice tests. I was planning doing hard core studying during the summer and then take it.
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Ah gotcha. Well shadowing/clinical is pretty easily remedied- if you're looking into making money in the gap year + get clinical experience have you considered becoming a medical scribe, EMT, EKG tech or phlebotomist?? Otherwise I'd just shadow some other docs in other areas of medicine if you aren't looking to make a job out of it.
Good luck with the MCAT...currently torturing myself so I can apply this cycle on time.
Yes, I have considered becoming a phlebotomist, medical scribe, or a lab tech. I need to look into that as soon as I get the MCAT nightmare out of the way. Thanks for the advice!
Good luck with your application!
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I think your application is strong enough. If you get an 33+ mcat, I personally would apply this year if I was in your shoes. You can take a year off though, but if you just do it to get more ECs I do not think that will be worthwhile. Do it if you want to take a break. I took a year off to work, saved lots of money for school and also did some traveling. Once I applied I didn't do anything else to boost my ECs, which is diminutive when compared to your. If you apply early, you'll get interviews around September to December; which then leave you with around 7-8 months of no real obligations.
Since you took a year off, did you find it difficult to get back into "school mode" once you started medical school? This is something I worry about. Unfortunately scoring well on the MCAT in time for this cycle does not look like a good possibility for me 🙁
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Great stats so far, all I can say is do what you were planning to do when it comes to clinicals and experience, and maybe on the side get seriously involved or immersed in something you love outside of medicine. Half of my last interview just rotated around my hobbies outside of my academics. It's those relatable and casual experiences that can set you apart. It's the genuine behavior of it.
Side thought on that: You're only young once, right? I was sitting in a bar patio about three hours ago, and I **** you not, I overheard an old man with his wife say, in all sincerity, "I don't care what they say, being 80 sucks." That really drives home the statistic of high suicide rates for the elderly. Just do what you love to do.
Side thought on that: You're only young once, right? I was sitting in a bar patio about three hours ago, and I **** you not, I overheard an old man with his wife say, in all sincerity, "I don't care what they say, being 80 sucks." That really drives home the statistic of high suicide rates for the elderly. Just do what you love to do.
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Just a tiny bit, but I also attribute it to being in med school, where your classmates are smart and the volume of the work is crazy vs college. After one semester, I think I have figured out a good routine that fit my learning style. There are nontrads that have been out of school for 10+ year, if they can do it, you can.
I assumed that you took the mcat already. Definitely take a year off then if that is the case. Get your best score before applying.
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How can that be? With a 3.97 gpa, I'm surprised you doing terribly on the practice tests.
That is good to know! thanks!
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I'm currently a medical scribe and at one of my interviews this past round the ADCOM down played my scribe work so much. I really don't think he saw it as patient contact (while TECHNICALLY it isn't I get a fair amount). Just an FYI. Other than that It's a great gap year job, there is also room for leadership at some companies, doesn't pay much but it's by far the most rewarding thing I've done in preparation for medical school.
Feel free to PM if you want to know more.
