Does anyone regret taking a gap year? / Have any advice to make me not regret one?

[Dr. Snow]

So I was completely ready to apply last cycle. Good PS, high GPA, great ECs, and doing well on MCAT practice exams. My MCAT was about a month away, then my buddy asked me if I wanted to spend the summer traveling Europe instead. (This was awesome and I don't regret it at all). But because of my decision I had to cancel my exam. At first I was excited to take a gap year but now I don't know. It sucks too see some of my classmates getting into awesome schools and I'm getting a little jealous.

I don't want to feel like I completely wasted a year doing stuff I didn't really need to do. And I feel like I won't be satisfied with doing the normal gap year like scribing just to get clinical experience or doing research. I already have a ton of hours in both.

Would interviewers look down upon me taking a "selfish" gap year? I want to make it a year that I don't regret, and I want to do things that I will never get a chance to do again. Right now I'm considering to just continue tutoring online ($20 an hour is pretty good) and doing a lot of traveling / experiencing new things. I know I would regret just scribing all day and making $8 an hour for a whole year. Other possibilities are going abroad and teaching English / other stuff like that.

Does anyone have any advice to make the most of my gap year? I simply don't think I could sell to an interviewer that scribing for a year was worth not applying when I totally could have. I could really care less about the "loss of a years worth of attending salary" argument that people give. But, just wasting a year to do typical pre-med stuff that I've already done for the last 4 years really worries me.

Also, will they look down upon my decision to travel with my friend rather than taking the MCAT and applying?

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[tammyp]

Spending time traveling and experiencing different cultures is extremely valuable and not everyone has the opportunity to do so. Theres nothing to look down on. It actually gives you an upper hand if you can properly communicate that you know and excel at interacting with those that are different from you aka diversity in medicine.

 

[The Unburnt]

( I'm ngl I only looked at this thread because your username is awesome)

But since I'm here I might as well give my two cents: I feel like a gap year should be used to do whatever is going to make YOU the best physician which will be different for everyone. If you already have tons of experience scribing, then I don't really think that would add much to your application. Doing something like teaching English abroad and experiencing different cultures would be extremely beneficial in developing your cultural competency skills while also helping others so I think that's a great option. Seeing different places and experiencing different cultures could allow you to better understand future patients who come from those places or share that culture so definitely not looked down upon if you make a point to learn about the people around you while abroad. I think traveling before medical school is fairly common nowadays (at least from what I've seen my friends/classmates do) so I don't think it will be looked down upon. Admissions committees are straying further and further away from the "traditional" applicant pool in recent years because they realize gap years and other careers can provide you with valuable skills and life experience that will be beneficial to you and your patients as a physician. You can look into AmeriCorps or something like that as well, but if you are looking to travel I'd say go for it, especially if you're pairing that with making a difference somehow in those communities.

 

[Dr. Snow]

( I'm ngl I only looked at this thread because your username is awesome)

But since I'm here I might as well give my two cents: I feel like a gap year should be used to do whatever is going to make YOU the best physician which will be different for everyone. If you already have tons of experience scribing, then I don't really think that would add much to your application. Doing something like teaching English abroad and experiencing different cultures would be extremely beneficial in developing your cultural competency skills while also helping others so I think that's a great option. Seeing different places and experiencing different cultures could allow you to better understand future patients who come from those places or share that culture so definitely not looked down upon if you make a point to learn about the people around you while abroad. I think traveling before medical school is fairly common nowadays (at least from what I've seen my friends/classmates do) so I don't think it will be looked down upon. Admissions committees are straying further and further away from the "traditional" applicant pool in recent years because they realize gap years and other careers can provide you with valuable skills and life experience that will be beneficial to you and your patients as a physician. You can look into AmeriCorps or something like that as well, but if you are looking to travel I'd say go for it, especially if you're pairing that with making a difference somehow in those communities.

Thanks auntie <3

 

[Lannister]

Taking a year off to travel sounds freaking awesome. Do it. Not everything in life has to revolve around getting into medical school!

 

[SouthernGent]

I regret not doing more.

 

[STcmOCSD]

Thanks auntie <3

Spoiler alert

 

[STcmOCSD]

But in all seriousness, I don’t think taking a gap year, even for selfish reasons, is bad. There are so many med school applicants who aren’t coming straight from a bachelor’s degree. Reflect on some of the things you’ve experienced, like learning about other cultures, and how that can make you more appreciative of the human condition once you’re a doctor. I’ve done many selfish things during my gap year because honestly I needed a mental break after college. I got in to my top choice with no issue. Is this anecdotal? Probably. But if you find something that’s not so typical “pre-med” to keep you busy in the meantime you should be okay. Make sure to study a proper amount of time for your MCAT!

 

[Drekan311]

I'm in my gap year and heck i will never regret it! However, i apply during my gap year and gonna go on vacation when the cycle is over so its slightly different from you! your gap year is meant to do many things such include career development, personal time, relaxation, etc. I did have a lot of schools asked me what i have done after graduated and went into my gap year but was never asked at the interview! While I do recommend to still be productive during your gap year, a trip here and there wont hurt at all. Just make sure that you have meaningful activities you can mention in your secondary/interview if asked about your gap year activities!!

 

[stickgirl390]

I think you need to stop making decisions based on what adcoms might think, and start making decisions based on what will improve your life experience, and make you the best person you can be.

 

[DokterMom]

No one will look down on you for taking time to travel when you had the time available to do so. That adds to your 'humanity' and makes you a richer and better person. In fact, I'd suggest you try to fit more travel into your gap year where possible -- though not during time slots that will impact your application cycle.

You tossed out some ideas for gap year jobs including tutoring and/or scribing. I'd like to make a suggestion -- What about tutoring students with autism or other developmental disabilities? The need is great. The pay can be very attractive. And the benefits go well beyond the financial --

 

[purva13]

I took 2 gap years. First year I lived abroad for 10 months, 2nd was spent working back here and applying. I’ll be travelling again around Europe for a month before school starts. Don’t think I’ll ever regret it.

 

[buckoh24]

I kinda regret applying this cycle with only 1 gap year. If I dont get in, Ill probably move and travel a lot more. Couldnt travel cuz Ive been paying off this app cycle. You can learn a lot by traveling and will make you more well rounded and maybe help you better articulate why you want to go into medicine.

 

[fourandtwo]

I don't know where you live, but I just came back from volunteering in Mexico for a month. You don't need to go far! There's a developing country right beneath us. Come to think of it, there are developing neighborhoods all across the USA. Personally I feel that doing these things (and not just volunteering at a hospital) enrich your life as a human being.

 

[TurtleyReady4Med]

I'm getting a masters degree in public health. I really wanted one but didn't want to combine it with a MD or DO degree since most of those programs truncate the masters. I don't regret it because I can spend the year delving into social justice topics that will help frame my mindset before going into medical school.