Do people prefer to take Gap years?

[sdominator21]

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I've seen that taking a Gap year has become increasingly common nowadays.
What are reasons for people taking a year off aside from wanting their Senior year to count on the Apps?

Do people do it to save money, work, or travel/pursue hobbies?

Is it better to try and go to med school straight from Undergrad? I feel that most people would do that and then enjoy their Senior year if they could.

I'm just trying to get other people's opinions because gap years are becoming a Fad nowadays

 

[487806]

I've seen that taking a Gap year has become increasingly common nowadays.
What are reasons for people taking a year off aside from wanting their Senior year to count on the Apps?

Do people do it to save money, work, or travel/pursue hobbies?

Is it better to try and go to med school straight from Undergrad? I feel that most people would do that and then enjoy their Senior year if they could.

I'm just trying to get other people's opinions because gap years are becoming a Fad nowadays

One gap year (i.e. applying after graduation) is the best idea. No more academic stress (assuming you did well to begin with), plus some extra time to boost your ECs, relax, pursue some hobbies etc.

But applying with no gap years is still common.

 

[EmergencyMonkey]

Mine was a non-elective gap year, bestowed upon me by the medical schools that declined me the first time around🙂 I made a great waiter that year! Best in town. I wouldn't take that "gap" year back one bit. Met my wife that year. Things happen for reasons. Next time around got accepted.

 

[jeghaber]

As much as I'm looking forward to medical school, I personally felt the need for a break from the books. I've only started my gap year this month 🙄 and I've been working 12 hour days into the weekends, but I am already tremendously appreciative of this time to gather my thoughts. It doesn't hurt that while what I'm doing is meaningful, it doesn't have any immediate implications for my future, which means I can truly enjoy what I'm doing without feeling the pressure. I'm also looking forward to having time to read, bake, learn more guitar, try making beer and do all the "fun goals" I've had for a while. This might be the last break I get for quite a while so I'm trying to make the most of it!

Also, my senior year was one of my busiest, so I can't imagine what it would have been like had I had to worry about the application process the entire year AND had to go straight back to school after graduation. I would have gone crazy!

 

[sinombre]

Do people do it to save money, work, or travel/pursue hobbies?

Yes to all of those for me.

 

[cyaneidae]

I originally chose to do it because I felt my April MCAT physical sciences score was too low and I didn't want to retake the test over the summer (had an intense internship all summer) or the fall (between fball season and some leadership responsibilities I knew I wouldn't have time)...I felt the best time to retake it was at the end of January of my senior year, after a month off from school (our winter break is long and would give me intense studying time)--thus requiring me to take a gap year if I wanted to apply to medical school still.

But as senior year went on, I realized how much I needed the break, "bad" MCAT score or not. I love learning, but I was truly burned out of classes and all the tedious work (papers, lab reports, projects, etc) required...and I missed enjoying weekends and the seasons (when have I last had a chance to jump in leaves or garden in the spring or play in the snow??). I went to a difficult college and had my nose to the grindstone all four years; I wanted time to smell the roses before I found myself in my 30s, bogged down and exhausted from responsibilities.

I have to say, I'm glad the MCAT forced my type A self to take time "off"--I have a year to relax with my family, enjoy the seasons, read books, get in shape, do something not medically related...and do all this while not worrying about homework at 2AM.

Not sure if it's popular enough to be a fad, per se--plus there are downsides, too. I'm still looking for a job--and even when I do find one, it'll likely be difficult to take time off for med school interviews in the fall...or more difficult than just missing classes, anyway.

But I'm glad I'm doing it. I'll have a lot more to talk about in interviews, too--between the internship I did last summer, the RA position I had senior year, and what I'll end up doing this year, I have a lot more to talk about than I did only a year ago. And I wouldn't have had all that had I applied right after my junior year.


It really requires some soul-searching, though. It's not for everyone--I know plenty of people that wouldn't be able to go back to school again if they took time off. Me, I know I'll be re-energized and more ready to study than ever--and with life experiences under my belt. You gotta know who you are and what will work best for *you* and make you a better and happier person in the long run.

/my 2 cents

 

[ZezKaiEll]

I took a year to strengthen my application. It can be a very good decision depending on your situation. With that said, if it was 100% up to me I would have went straight from undergrad to med school, however that just was not a realistic option at the time, and in the end the gap year likely gave me a much needed boost.

 

[Narmerguy]

Try doing a search on this. Gap years are one of the more commonly discussed topics on SDN.

I took two gap years (am finishing up the first one now). For me, my application was fine as a junior and senior but sometimes you just want to experience more of the world besides the straight path through college and medicine. I also wanted to take this time to build some skills that I didn't have in undergrad and also to really just step away from "the chase" and reflect on what I want in life. It's been nice, I'd say "Mission Accomplished" so far.

 

[armybound]

Gap years are awesome. I learned a lot about life and had my focus on medicine sharpened.

And adcoms know that people often leave their gap year in the same frame of mind, with a new, more mature perspective and a desire to work hard. That's why gap years are becoming more common in accepted applicants.

 

[Mountaineer12]

Also, my senior year was one of my busiest, so I can't imagine what it would have been like had I had to worry about the application process the entire year AND had to go straight back to school after graduation. I would have gone crazy!

I totally agree. Plus, I can't imagine missing class/tests/etc. for interviews. That would have been stressful.

I took a gap year because I didn't decide on medicine until the end of my junior year (I was a forensics major at the time so I had all the pre-reqs in line to graduate on time). I had some ECs, but no clinical volunteering, no shadowing, no MCAT, etc. It was way too much to try to fit into a summer and apply to go straight through. So I decided to take the gap year and I spent my senior year volunteering, shadowing, studying for the MCAT, etc. and applied on day one last year.

During my gap year I've worked as a lab tech, which isn't the best job, but I've been able to save some extra money and relax a lot (almost too much!). I'm now refreshed and ready to jump into med school.

 

[Sephiroth]

Try doing a search on this. Gap years are one of the more commonly discussed topics on SDN.

I took two gap years (am finishing up the first one now). For me, my application was fine as a junior and senior but sometimes you just want to experience more of the world besides the straight path through college and medicine. I also wanted to take this time to build some skills that I didn't have in undergrad and also to really just step away from "the chase" and reflect on what I want in life. It's been nice, I'd say "Mission Accomplished" so far.

I'll be curious to see how your application cycle goes. Really, unless your PS is complete trash or an interview goes terribly, I'd be surprised to see any school reject you.

 

[jeghaber]

I totally agree. Plus, I can't imagine missing class/tests/etc. for interviews. That would have been stressful.

I took a gap year because I didn't decide on medicine until the end of my junior year (I was a forensics major at the time so I had all the pre-reqs in line to graduate on time). I had some ECs, but no clinical volunteering, no shadowing, no MCAT, etc. It was way too much to try to fit into a summer and apply to go straight through. So I decided to take the gap year and I spent my senior year volunteering, shadowing, studying for the MCAT, etc. and applied on day one last year.

During my gap year I've worked as a lab tech, which isn't the best job, but I've been able to save some extra money and relax a lot (almost too much!). I'm now refreshed and ready to jump into med school.

Sidebar: I semi-grew up in Morgantown (during the formative years of 2 to 7; went to preschool and everything, hahah) -- hi there! 😀

 

[Dreamstoo]

One gap year (i.e. applying after graduation) is the best idea. No more academic stress (assuming you did well to begin with), plus some extra time to boost your ECs, relax, pursue some hobbies etc.

But applying with no gap years is still common.

pretty much the main reason if i ever do a gap year. i will most likely take a gap year personally or do a MPH/SMP depending on my gpas by graduation

 

[Narmerguy]

I'll be curious to see how your application cycle goes. Really, unless your PS is complete trash or an interview goes terribly, I'd be surprised to see any school reject you.

I hope you're right. Can't skip steps or take things for granted though. Hopefully some money will fall my way somewhere...

 

[cerno]

While I would prefer not to, I would strongly consider it in order to boost my application (specifically ECs).

Of course, tanking the MCAT would be another good reason to delay.

 

[mcloaf]

I hope you're right. Can't skip steps or take things for granted though. Hopefully some money will fall my way somewhere...

I think you'll be ok. 👍


(though you've clearly made a terrible error in judgment not applying to Michigan )

 

[mcloaf]

I've seen that taking a Gap year has become increasingly common nowadays.
What are reasons for people taking a year off aside from wanting their Senior year to count on the Apps?

Do people do it to save money, work, or travel/pursue hobbies?

Is it better to try and go to med school straight from Undergrad? I feel that most people would do that and then enjoy their Senior year if they could.

I'm just trying to get other people's opinions because gap years are becoming a Fad nowadays

For people who didn't plan on medical school when they started undergrad, getting all the necessary parts of application together before graduation can be difficult or impossible. My courseload was way too heavy to study for the MCAT or add much in the way of non-research ECs. This was much more easily taken care off with school off my back.

 

[phunky]

I just graduated and am taking two gap years. I decided I was interested in medicine late in undergrad, so I would have had to take at least one regardless. I also just couldn't see myself going straight through to medical school without ever experiencing what it's like to be in the real world.

The reason I decided to take two years is that really good jobs often require a two year commitment, and I managed to land my dream research position due in part to my willingness to stay for two years. My application will be infinitely better due to the work I'm doing, combined with additional time to spend shadowing, volunteering, and gaining valuable life experiences outside of academics. It'll be the difference between struggling to get in anywhere (due to my late start on premed) and choosing where I go to school. I can also take my time on the MCAT now, instead of cramming it into my senior year.

There were just so many reasons for me to wait and very few to dive straight in.