Discuss gap year plans on my secondaries?

[Hygge]

so many of my secondaries ask what you are doing/plan to do during the upcoming year. I'm currently looking for an additional volunteer activity or a job. Also, I plan on traveling early next summer. On my secondaries, should I mention the volunteer activity/job plans (and keeping it ambiguous because I'm not sure what field it'll be in) and traveling, or would it look bad since they are plans? Thanks!

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[GBCrzzyy]

IMO, I would be as detailed as possible just to show that you will be staying busy during your gap year. If you aren't sure what kind of volunteering you will be doing, I would list off some places that you have applied for to help them understand what you may or may not be doing. It would be better than saying you would be volunteering at a vague place.

 

[Hygge]

IMO, I would be as detailed as possible just to show that you will be staying busy during your gap year. If you aren't sure what kind of volunteering you will be doing, I would list off some places that you have applied for to help them understand what you may or may not be doing. It would be better than saying you would be volunteering at a vague place.

I was thinking of doing that at first, but I don't think it would help or might even look worse if I didn't get into those positions. Do you think it'll work if I was a little more specific and said something like "I'm planning to volunteer in fields I'm interested in, like community service....etc."

 

[GBCrzzyy]

Maybe you could state that you have only recently applied and just haven't heard back yet and discuss reasons why you chose those opportunities. At least it won't seem like you were rejected but you are making an effort to get out there. The problem with saying you are 'planning' on something is that anyone can say that but they don't have any proof that you actually will do that. Does that make sense?

 

[Hygge]

Maybe you could state that you have only recently applied and just haven't heard back yet and discuss reasons why you chose those opportunities. At least it won't seem like you were rejected but you are making an effort to get out there. The problem with saying you are 'planning' on something is that anyone can say that but they don't have any proof that you actually will do that. Does that make sense?

Yea, it makes sense...but I'm currently looking into some things, but haven't applied to anything so far lol. So based on what you said, maybe mention and discuss a position I'm really interested in applying for? Also, what about the travel stuff?

 

[GBCrzzyy]

If it's traveling for personal pleasure you could twist it as you wanting to explore different cultures and gain more life experience before you settle in for medical school. Of course I don't know if you will be traveling to another country or just the next state over but if you explain it as exploring new interests and areas you can make it work for you. You just don't want it to seem like you aren't doing anything productive for any large chunk of time.

 

[Hygge]

If it's traveling for personal pleasure you could twist it as you wanting to explore different cultures and gain more life experience before you settle in for medical school. Of course I don't know if you will be traveling to another country or just the next state over but if you explain it as exploring new interests and areas you can make it work for you. You just don't want it to seem like you aren't doing anything productive for any large chunk of time.

Good idea, thanks for the advice! 🙂 could anyone else chime in?