Feeling really terrible about having to take a gap year

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
Well ****, judging from what you told me, I might be the exact same person in a couple of years. And excuse my ignorance, but why are you taking a gap year? Is your cycle drawing to an unsuccessful close?
 
No, I did not apply this cycle for personal reasons that I would prefer to not get into, forcing me to take a gap year. With regard to my application, I am not super concerned as I think I will gain admission somewhere (just going off of my GPA/MCAT/ECs) but now I am faced with the reality of having to waste a year of my life.

Really upset right now about this..
 
Members don't see this ad :)
Well in that case, think about this: when you're still practicing at age 49, and your physician colleagues are 48 years old, are you still going to harbor all this regret about your situation?

I don't think using one year as a gap year will be the end of the world. Make it useful and boost your application even more if you can.
 
I took a gap because otherwise I would have sent in my primary app in October.
 
ditritium monoxide said:
Well in that case, think about this: when you're still practicing at age 49, and your physician colleagues are 48 years old, are you still going to harbor all this regret about your situation?

I don't think using one year as a gap year will be the end of the world. Make it useful and boost your application even more if you can.
Click to expand...

I know, I guess it's just more of a short term thing. I guess I just feel bad that in a few months, everyone will graduate and move on to bigger and better things and I'll move back home and work at the local Starbucks.

I realize I sound immature, but this honestly bothers me. Going from thriving in a university setting to working a job you could have gotten with a high school degree is kind of depressing..

I literally have developed zero marketable skills over my last few years as a premed and it sucks.
 
If you have research experience, why don't you work as a research tech for some company for the year? You can get some good money (~$40k in academic labs, ~$50k for industry), and then use that money to go off into the world and do amazing things?
 
vandelayindustries786 said:
I know, I guess it's just more of a short term thing. I guess I just feel bad that in a few months, everyone will graduate and move on to bigger and better things and I'll move back home and work at the local Starbucks.

I realize I sound immature, but this honestly bothers me. Going from thriving in a university setting to working a job you could have gotten with a high school degree is kind of depressing..

I literally have developed zero marketable skills over my last few years as a premed and it sucks.
Click to expand...

Being in an actual work environment might be beneficial for you, especially if its a stressful one like Starbucks, because it's a different kind of stress university premed kids likely have not had to deal with, but a stress they will have to deal with come MS3 and beyond.

You seem more levelheaded here than originally. Best of luck.
 
There are plenty of worthwhile things to do during a year off that dont involve being paid a bajillion dollars or moving into a shoe box in the Bay Area. Think about something you like and then look for opportunities where you can do that and be paid enough to live. Maybe you won't go work for McKinsey on your year off but NIH IRTA pays graduate student wage and programs like Americorps can provide some form of support.
 
Gibbward said:
If you have research experience, why don't you work as a research tech for some company for the year? You can get some good money (~$40k in academic labs, ~$50k for industry), and then use that money to go off into the world and do amazing things?
Click to expand...

I looked into this, but most labs don't want to just hire someone for one year for them to then leave. I would have to tell them that I did not have any ambitions to go back to school and leave after my gap year which I don't want to do.
 
Lucca said:
There are plenty of worthwhile things to do during a year off that dont involve being paid a bajillion dollars or moving into a shoe box in the Bay Area. Think about something you like and then look for opportunities where you can do that and be paid enough to live. Maybe you won't go work for McKinsey on your year off but NIH IRTA pays graduate student wage and programs like Americorps can provide some form of support.
Click to expand...

I'll look into Americorps and IRTA. Do you know how rigorous the process of getting into these is?
 
Its 1 year. Really really not worth getting this worked up about. Im a bit of nontrad myself and by the looks of things I will have to take a gap year just because of the way things fall with the succession of prereqs. If I get in on the first application cycle ill be 30, so basically done with my training in my early 40s. You're always going to watch people 'pass' you on the road to become a doctor, but the sacrifice is what makes it that much better.
 
Last edited:
vandelayindustries786 said:
I'll look into Americorps and IRTA. Do you know how rigorous the process of getting into these is?
Click to expand...

I know nothing about Americorps and its a very serious commitment that I would only pursue if you want to dedicate a year of work to one of their program's for little pay (not enough to fully support yourself for a year). IRTA really just depends. Look up NIH IRTA and you will find the NIH's application instructions. The NIH actually has the best app prep materials for all of their programs, I wish everything you could apply for was like it. Your success in obtaining an IRTA position will really just depend on your ability to show you want to continue doing research / having research experience already / contacting PIs at the NIH who would be willing to take you on.

Maybe you go back to your hometown and get credentials to become a substitute science teacher or volunteer at an afterschool program for kids? Maybe you take on a full time position with a non profit organization and obtain some of those marketable skills. Maybe you read a bunch of books on personal finance while you are at it. Dont get so caught up on such a narrow definition of success that it makes any real form of personal satisfaction utterly unattainable.
 
Members don't see this ad :)
Lucca said:
I know nothing about Americorps and its a very serious commitment that I would only pursue if you want to dedicate a year of work to one of their program's for little pay (not enough to fully support yourself for a year). IRTA really just depends. Look up NIH IRTA and you will find the NIH's application instructions. The NIH actually has the best app prep materials for all of their programs, I wish everything you could apply for was like it. Your success in obtaining an IRTA position will really just depend on your ability to show you want to continue doing research / having research experience already / contacting PIs at the NIH who would be willing to take you on.

Maybe you go back to your hometown and get credentials to become a substitute science teacher or volunteer at an afterschool program for kids? Maybe you take on a full time position with a non profit organization and obtain some of those marketable skills. Maybe you read a bunch of books on personal finance while you are at it. Dont get so caught up on such a narrow definition of success that it makes any real form of personal satisfaction utterly unattainable.
Click to expand...

I'll look into the IRTA. The second part of your post is what really gets me - you're right. I feel like I have this idea of success that means being very successful in your career, getting excellent grades and academic standing, etc.
 
Well, whatever you choose to do, keep in mind that you're going to be taking lots of time off for interviews, and that often requires traveling. Many new jobs will not let you take time off here and there, often with little notice.

Virtually any job you'd take, you'd have to tell them about your plans because you'd be needing to take a bunch of time off for interviews.

Do you have any relatives that own businesses that would let you work for them and allow you a flexible schedule?

You mention that there were reasons why you didn't apply this cycle, even tho your stats were fine. If your extended family is aware of those reasons, then would they still "judge" you for taking the gap year?

Is your family expecting you to support yourself financially next year? If not, then maybe find some volunteer position.

In my experience, unless you have some "seniority" at a low-level low-wage job, many bosses will not give a newbie time off. If you were to accept a job in retail, expect that you won't get time off.

Another option: start a tutoring business in your hometown for high school or nearby college kids. That would give you the schedule flexibility that would work with interviews.
 
Last edited:
vandelayindustries786 said:
I wish I didn't have to take a gap year but it looks like that will be the case. And it's really depressing honestly.

I will be graduating from a good university with good grades and will not be able to find a good job because I only focused on studying during college and didn't major in engineering or business. My degree while personally fulfilling and useful toward my goal of becoming a doctor is not going to land me any jobs and my lack of internships (outside of research, I did not have any jobs) won't help either. I basically have no marketable skills outside of a chemistry lab or neurobiology exam.

My friends who are graduating will be starting medical school, working in finance in NYC or at top tech companies in SF and doing things with their life.. and I will be living at home struggling to find a job for my gap year that pays more than minimum wage. I feel like I will be on the sidelines as my friends go off into the world and do these amazing things.

I went to a very good university and studied hard to earn a high GPA and will still be working a job that I could have gotten without going to college.

It doesn't help that I am an Asian-American and have super-judgemental family members who are all overachievers..

Has anyone taken a gap year and found it to be a worthwhile experience? Is anyone else in the situation that I'm in right now as well? How are you dealing with it?
Click to expand...

vandelayindustries786 said:
No, I did not apply this cycle for personal reasons that I would prefer to not get into, forcing me to take a gap year. With regard to my application, I am not super concerned as I think I will gain admission somewhere (just going off of my GPA/MCAT/ECs) but now I am faced with the reality of having to waste a year of my life.

Really upset right now about this..
Click to expand...

I obviously don't fully understand your situation, but you're coming off as a bit dramatic. I'm sorry that you had some personal reasons for not being able to apply this year, and that you have family pressure to succeed immediately, but that's life- things don't always go as expected. Spend the next year building up your application, having fun, exploring hobbies/interests, and trying to be a better person.

I decided to take a couple of gap years before applying to medical school after having some pretty serious and unexpected personal losses, mostly because I didn't want to rush into applying to/starting medical school until I was emotionally ready. I tried to use the time to strengthen myself as an applicant and a person (pretty hokey, I know.) Anyway, it's actually been a lot of fun- I've worked in healthcare, expanded my research experience, and had a great time! I understand that we probably had very different experiences, but I'll throw down some advice: stop comparing yourself to other people, especially their achievements. I know it's not an easy feat, but I became much happier when I did- I recommend you try and do the same.

Best of luck next year!
 
I feel for you OP, moving back home with your parents is not going to be fun. Hopefully they dont smother you.
 
Worst case scenario is you work in retail or some other "lowly" job not befitting of your university degree and spend more time with family. That doesn't seem too bad considering you have the confidence you'll have a successfully application to medical school come next year.

I worked a subservient job at a local restaurant that was rated 2 stars by yelp and made crap this past year, but it definitely gave me some interesting perspectives on people in general and I learned a lot of social skills (i.e. not to lose my cool in the face of douchebaggery and the like) that will hopefully translate well in clinical practice. Look on the bright side of things. A gap year isn't bad and it really helped give me a chance to build a stronger application (more time to craft quality essays if nothing else) and relax after being in school for ~17 years straight. Don't let your family's judgments get to you, good luck!
 
SOMBound13 said:
Well, whatever you choose to do, keep in mind that you're going to be taking lots of time off for interviews, and that often requires traveling. Many new jobs will not let you take time off here and there, often with little notice.

Virtually any job you'd take, you'd have to tell them about your plans because you'd be needing to take a bunch of time off for interviews.

Do you have any relatives that own businesses that would let you work for them and allow you a flexible schedule?

You mention that there were reasons why you didn't apply this cycle, even tho your stats were fine. If your extended family is aware of those reasons, then would they still "judge" you for taking the gap year?

Is your family expecting you to support yourself financially next year? If not, then maybe find some volunteer position.

In my experience, unless you have some "seniority" at a low-level low-wage job, many bosses will not give a newbie time off. If you were to accept a job in retail, expect that you won't get time off.

Another option: start a tutoring business in your hometown for high school or nearby college kids. That would give you the schedule flexibility that would work with interviews.
Click to expand...


I have some relatives who own businesses but not in my city, unfortunately. And my extended family would still be quite judgmental - my cousin worked at an investment bank on Wall Street despite some difficulties he was having in his life and Asians tend to fixate a lot on status and career. My family will support me so I will look into some volunteering and also the tutoring. I do know someone from college who did some tutoring online, so I will ask him about that.
 
Honestly, you should have seen this coming. This is the value of not having everything handed to you throughout life and needing to work and such in school. So welcome to the real world.
Start at the bottom. Build experience.
 
captain.howdy said:
I obviously don't fully understand your situation, but you're coming off as a bit dramatic. I'm sorry that you had some personal reasons for not being able to apply this year, and that you have family pressure to succeed immediately, but that's life- things don't always go as expected. Spend the next year building up your application, having fun, exploring hobbies/interests, and trying to be a better person.

I decided to take a couple of gap years before applying to medical school after having some pretty serious and unexpected personal losses, mostly because I didn't want to rush into applying to/starting medical school until I was emotionally ready. I tried to use the time to strengthen myself as an applicant and a person (pretty hokey, I know.) Anyway, it's actually been a lot of fun- I've worked in healthcare, expanded my research experience, and had a great time! I understand that we probably had very different experiences, but I'll throw down some advice: stop comparing yourself to other people, especially their achievements. I know it's not an easy feat, but I became much happier when I did- I recommend you try and do the same.

Best of luck next year!
Click to expand...

What did you do on a personal level to benefit yourself? For the most part, my application should be all right although I will keep up the shadowing and volunteering. Thank you for sharing your experience. I will try to stop comparing myself to other people but I've been like that my whole life and it's a tough habit to break.
 
Tons of people do it, it sucks I understand...But you will survive.

Medicine is definitely not a sprint, but a marathon...When you are an attending in your late 50's looking back a one measly year of time will seem like nothing.

Try and keep the 'rents off your back and use the time to add to your application. Best of luck.
 
Last edited:
jurisburger said:
Worst case scenario is you work in retail or some other "lowly" job not befitting of your university degree and spend more time with family. That doesn't seem too bad considering you have the confidence you'll have a successfully application to medical school come next year.

I worked a subservient job at a local restaurant that was rated 2 stars by yelp and made crap this past year, but it definitely gave me some interesting perspectives on people in general and I learned a lot of social skills (i.e. not to lose my cool in the face of douchebaggery and the like) that will hopefully translate well in clinical practice. Look on the bright side of things. A gap year isn't bad and it really helped give me a chance to build a stronger application (more time to craft quality essays if nothing else) and relax after being in school for ~17 years straight. Don't let your family's judgments get to you, good luck!
Click to expand...

Did you enjoy your gap year overall? Was working a job in a restaurant, which is ostensibly different from being in a totally academic setting, a refreshing experience? This is something I am thinking about. I really would like to improve my communication skills and I feel like being a waiter would allow me to do that.
 
Have you consider getting a job as an instructor at a community college? That's what I do now. Pays around $35-$40 an hour depending on how much work you want to put in per class. I teach anatomy labs and am scheduled to teach math classes next semester. Some community colleges would hire someone with a BS/BA degree
 
ConfusedChemist said:
Honestly, you should have seen this coming. This is the value of not having everything handed to you throughout life and needing to work and such in school. So welcome to the real world.
Start at the bottom. Build experience.
Click to expand...

I admit that I have had a lot of privilege in my life but your message seems a little bit harsh. I am grateful for everything that I have been given and how supportive my parents have been of my education. I am just saying how I feel.

Yes, I know I have only spent my life in school and don't know anything about the real world yet. Which is why I'm so frustrated maybe.
 
MyNameWasUsed said:
Have you consider getting a job as an instructor at a community college? That's what I do now. Pays around $35-$40 an hour depending on how much work you want to put in per class. I teach anatomy labs and am scheduled to teach math classes next semester. Some community colleges would hire someone with a BS/BA degree
Click to expand...

Wow! What was your major in college? If I want to teach math or anatomy, how many classes would I have to have taken on the subject? That actually sounds really, really awesome.
 
vandelayindustries786 said:
I admit that I have had a lot of privilege in my life but your message seems a little bit harsh. I am grateful for everything that I have been given and how supportive my parents have been of my education. I am just saying how I feel.

Yes, I know I have only spent my life in school and don't know anything about the real world yet. Which is why I'm so frustrated maybe.
Click to expand...
I know it's harsh. But it's nowhere near as harsh as a cranky customer at McDonalds when you've just given them the wrong order.

Time to learn about the real world!
 
vandelayindustries786 said:
Wow! What was your major in college? If I want to teach math or anatomy, how many classes would I have to have taken on the subject? That actually sounds really, really awesome.
Click to expand...

I graduated with a BS in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. On paper, you just need a BS to teach labs and low level math classes but of course they'll want people with teaching experience and such. If you were a TA in undergrad you can talk about that during the interview. My roommate is schedule to teach 4 courses next semester and honestly he barely had any experiences in educating during his undergraduate career.

To more directly answer your question: None. The community college provides all the course material for your class, you are responsible for conveying the content, giving out quizzes/exams, and grading of course. This is actually a great job to improve your communication skills if that's what you're after.

Honestly, this is the best job i've ever had and if I wasn't going to school next year I would happily continue doing this for another year.
 
vandelayindustries786 said:
I looked into this, but most labs don't want to just hire someone for one year for them to then leave. I would have to tell them that I did not have any ambitions to go back to school and leave after my gap year which I don't want to do.
Click to expand...

I guess it depends on where you are. Here in Boston, there are a bunch of labs in hospitals and biotech companies that hire lab techs for 1 year contracts. Just keep browsing through job websites everyday and I'm sure you'll find a few openings. Can't hurt right?

There's also MCAT tutoring if you have a good enough MCAT?

Regardless, the others are right. Just make the most of your gap year. Start up a new hobby, read some books, play a bunch of video games, learn how to cook... the possibilities are endless! Plus, you're lucky you won't have to live independently on a near-minimum wage job. This can actually be a time for you to relax, make some money, and enjoy life for a little bit.
 
Don't feel upset. I know many students who go this route before attending medical school. Most of these students try to gain research in a lab to increase their chances of getting into med school and still staying connected with the field of science. It might not seem like it but more and more students are doing this. If you are passionate about something, you will end up with your MD 🙂 It doesn't matter how long it takes to get it! Good luck!
 
And my extended family would still be quite judgmental -
Click to expand...

well, think of some snappy comebacks that will shut down any demeaning comments, such as, "ok, get it all out now, cuz what are ya gonna say in 5 years when I graduate from med school?"
 
MyNameWasUsed said:
I graduated with a BS in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. On paper, you just need a BS to teach labs and low level math classes but of course they'll want people with teaching experience and such. If you were a TA in undergrad you can talk about that during the interview. My roommate is schedule to teach 4 courses next semester and honestly he barely had any experiences in educating during his undergraduate career.

To more directly answer your question: None. The community college provides all the course material for your class, you are responsible for conveying the content, giving out quizzes/exams, and grading of course. This is actually a great job to improve your communication skills if that's what you're after.

Honestly, this is the best job i've ever had and if I wasn't going to school next year I would happily continue doing this for another year.
Click to expand...

This is so amazing. I've actually never heard about this option. I'm going to look into this - I haven't really gotten any chances to teach or anything but I think I might actually be pretty decent at it. I'll call the community colleges in the area and see if that's a possibility! Thank you for your suggestion!
 
Gibbward said:
I guess it depends on where you are. Here in Boston, there are a bunch of labs in hospitals and biotech companies that hire lab techs for 1 year contracts. Just keep browsing through job websites everyday and I'm sure you'll find a few openings. Can't hurt right?

There's also MCAT tutoring if you have a good enough MCAT?

Regardless, the others are right. Just make the most of your gap year. Start up a new hobby, read some books, play a bunch of video games, learn how to cook... the possibilities are endless! Plus, you're lucky you won't have to live independently on a near-minimum wage job. This can actually be a time for you to relax, make some money, and enjoy life for a little bit.
Click to expand...

For MCAT tutoring, do you mean working at Kaplan? Or do "MCAT tutors" who work independently actually manage to find clients?

Yeah, I know that it's a good time to enjoy life and explore new things but it all feels so underwhelming and inferior compared to the people who are graduating with me.. (to clarify, I'm not saying that being an investment banker/doctor/lawyer/etc. is the only good thing but I'm saying that compared to my friends and classmates, I worked just as hard as them and it's a little embarrassing to not be moving onto something better as well)
 
vandelayindustries786 said:
I wish I didn't have to take a gap year but it looks like that will be the case. And it's really depressing honestly.

I will be graduating from a good university with good grades and will not be able to find a good job because I only focused on studying during college and didn't major in engineering or business. My degree while personally fulfilling and useful toward my goal of becoming a doctor is not going to land me any jobs and my lack of internships (outside of research, I did not have any jobs) won't help either. I basically have no marketable skills outside of a chemistry lab or neurobiology exam.

My friends who are graduating will be starting medical school, working in finance in NYC or at top tech companies in SF and doing things with their life.. and I will be living at home struggling to find a job for my gap year that pays more than minimum wage. I feel like I will be on the sidelines as my friends go off into the world and do these amazing things.

I went to a very good university and studied hard to earn a high GPA and will still be working a job that I could have gotten without going to college.

It doesn't help that I am an Asian-American and have super-judgemental family members who are all overachievers..

Has anyone taken a gap year and found it to be a worthwhile experience? Is anyone else in the situation that I'm in right now as well? How are you dealing with it?
Click to expand...
gap year isn't that bad, I'm 24 and technically a sophomore at a university and will most likely be taking a gap year. I will be 28 or 29 when APPLYING to med school. Life goes at your pace, don't compare yourself to others. Enjoy that year off and do something that you enjoy.
 
MyNameWasUsed said:
Have you consider getting a job as an instructor at a community college? That's what I do now. Pays around $35-$40 an hour depending on how much work you want to put in per class. I teach anatomy labs and am scheduled to teach math classes next semester. Some community colleges would hire someone with a BS/BA degree
Click to expand...
That's so sketchy....you need more qualifications to teach 4 year olds.
No offense to you, but wow I feel bad for the people who pay for hat schools tuition
 
I took two gap years. Not by choice but because I was a ******* and didn't apply broadly. I'm glad it worked out the way it did because I volunteered in an ER during those years and found my life's calling.

Hang in there. Keep your mind open and just focus on your goals. Oh yeah, and apply broadly too!

Good luck!
 
vandelayindustries786 said:
I literally have developed zero marketable skills over my last few years as a premed and it sucks.
Click to expand...
Use the gap year to develop said skills. Sucks that your family makes you feel that way, and that you also feel that way, but I think you should chill out and enjoy your year off. Get a job, go backpacking across Asia, do an ironman triathlon, learn a new language, do whatever you want. You might waste the year if that's all you see it as, a waste of time before med school.
 
vandelayindustries786 said:
For MCAT tutoring, do you mean working at Kaplan? Or do "MCAT tutors" who work independently actually manage to find clients?

Yeah, I know that it's a good time to enjoy life and explore new things but it all feels so underwhelming and inferior compared to the people who are graduating with me.. (to clarify, I'm not saying that being an investment banker/doctor/lawyer/etc. is the only good thing but I'm saying that compared to my friends and classmates, I worked just as hard as them and it's a little embarrassing to not be moving onto something better as well)
Click to expand...

I'm talking about Kaplan or Princeton Review. I don't think independent MCAT tutors get a lot of business simply because it'll be hard to prove that you are adequate enough to teach the test, unlike test prep companies that require you to go through training and qualification exams.

And I get why you're upset. You just have to realize that at the end of the day, you just have to live the life that was handed to you and make the most of that. Sure, you'll be stuck in a dead-end job for a year, but at least it's only going to be for a year! You worked hard in UG, and you should be able to move on to something better.

If anything, the gap year should be helpful so you can learn to step back, see the world outside of school and pre-med-ing, and enjoy life by your own standards.
 
ConfusedChemist said:
That's so sketchy....you need more qualifications to teach 4 year olds.
No offense to you, but wow I feel bad for the people who pay for hat schools tuition
Click to expand...

There's nothing sketchy about it. Who teaches your anatomy labs at a university? Teaching Assistants right? TAs are just usually graduate students who are required to teach. Most of my labs in undergrad were taught by PhD students or master students.
 
vandelayindustries786 said:
I know, I guess it's just more of a short term thing. I guess I just feel bad that in a few months, everyone will graduate and move on to bigger and better things and I'll move back home and work at the local Starbucks.

I realize I sound immature, but this honestly bothers me. Going from thriving in a university setting to working a job you could have gotten with a high school degree is kind of depressing..

I literally have developed zero marketable skills over my last few years as a premed and it sucks.
Click to expand...

I am accepted but will soon be working at Starbucks (or similar) to keep myself alive before school starts. It's not that bad, man.
 
Everyone is telling me to take a gap year and I'm like nooooooooooooo.
 
Get a cert in healthcare? Seriously, some take as little as a year and could earn you something around 40k-60k, depending on the state.
 
I was so opposed to taking a gap year back when I was in college and here I am now, enjoying the free time I have and the break from all the stresses of school work. I have a full-time research job, but I don't take work home unlike in college when I had homework on top of all the classes and ECs I had.

Look into the IRTA program, it's a hit or miss depending on the labs you're interested in, and most labs prefer applicants who intend on staying on for two years. I had to e-mail a lot of PIs before a few took a chance on me. Right around now is a good time to start the application process. PM me if you have more questions about the program.
 
Last edited:
vandelayindustries786 said:
I wish I didn't have to take a gap year but it looks like that will be the case. And it's really depressing honestly.

I will be graduating from a good university with good grades and will not be able to find a good job because I only focused on studying during college and didn't major in engineering or business. My degree while personally fulfilling and useful toward my goal of becoming a doctor is not going to land me any jobs and my lack of internships (outside of research, I did not have any jobs) won't help either. I basically have no marketable skills outside of a chemistry lab or neurobiology exam.

My friends who are graduating will be starting medical school, working in finance in NYC or at top tech companies in SF and doing things with their life.. and I will be living at home struggling to find a job for my gap year that pays more than minimum wage. I feel like I will be on the sidelines as my friends go off into the world and do these amazing things.

I went to a very good university and studied hard to earn a high GPA and will still be working a job that I could have gotten without going to college.

It doesn't help that I am an Asian-American and have super-judgemental family members who are all overachievers..

Has anyone taken a gap year and found it to be a worthwhile experience? Is anyone else in the situation that I'm in right now as well? How are you dealing with it?
Click to expand...
1/2 Asian here, and I was encouraged to take a gap year, and ended up taking 2 gap years. I spent a lot of time working on my "story", and having experiences that built up, not just disparate things I did for a semester. It would be hard to craft a exceptional application while still in school. The writing alone took me quite a few weeks, with lots of editing help.

I don't have any real "marketable" skills either, but I am an scribe (now a chief scribe, which really helps in the leadership dept and pays a bit better), and I volunteered 2 years in a lab (no pay).

Check out the average age at matriculation of the schools you applied to. The majority on my list have an average age of 24+, so 2 gap years is beginning to be the norm to be competitive in getting the ECs and work experience. Don't be so hard on yourself because going straight from undergrad to med school is moving away from the norm.
 
ConfusedChemist said:
That's so sketchy....you need more qualifications to teach 4 year olds.
No offense to you, but wow I feel bad for the people who pay for hat schools tuition
Click to expand...

TAs who don't have degrees teach all the time. Adult learning is very different from teaching children. And most people going to college are self motivated... Not so much for the kindergarteners.

Also, you can do Teach for America with just a bachelors degree... You just have to study for the exam and be willing to work really hard during your two year commitment. I know of at least three of my classmates/coresidents who were teachers prior to going back for med school, and at least one did Teach for America.
 
None of the non-trads at my school have ever said they regret taking time off between school.
 
lmn said:
None of the non-trads at my school have ever said they regret taking time off between school.
Click to expand...
Yup! Took 6 years between undergrad and med school. No regrets.

OP, check with academic hospitals in your area to see if they're hiring research assistants. It's a good way to get more experience and, if you're doing something like recruiting/enrolling study participants, you could also get some patient contact. Some of the RAs I work with even get to do basic lab stuff like blood draws. Not always wildly exciting but perhaps moreso than slinging lattes, which personally I don't think would be the end of the world either. And in terms of time commitment, you'd be surprised. Many RAs in my department get hired for just a year. The doctors I work with, at least, are pretty understanding. They expect that most RAs are going on to med school or some other graduate program.

Scribing is also an option that often requires only a 1 year time commitment.

Other folks have mentioned MCAT tutoring but you could also tutor high school students as well. When I was a broke undergrad, I made decent money as an SAT tutor. To be honest, I found it pretty unpleasant but it was one of the only jobs I could find where I could make $20+/hr before I even got my degree.

Lastly, relax. Most people graduate undergrad without any "marketable skills." Try to enjoy this year! Once you start med school and you're running yourself ragged trying to keep up with the material, you might wish you had a job where you could just clock in and clock out and get on with your day.
 
mvenus929 said:
TAs who don't have degrees teach all the time. Adult learning is very different from teaching children. And most people going to college are self motivated... Not so much for the kindergarteners.

Also, you can do Teach for America with just a bachelors degree... You just have to study for the exam and be willing to work really hard during your two year commitment. I know of at least three of my classmates/coresidents who were teachers prior to going back for med school, and at least one did Teach for America.
Click to expand...
TA-ing isn't teaching though...it sounded like they were teaching college classes without a bachelors degree and nothing else, which is a horrible rip-off for the people paying for college
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

L
Should I take a gap year due to limited ECs?
Replies
3
Views
423
deleted1208015
D
S
Which gap year job should I choose?
Replies
2
Views
272
Mr.Smile12
Mr.Smile12
M
Should I take another gap year? Concerned about longevity of non-clinical volunteering
Replies
8
Views
878
misosoop
M
Scribe2MD2018
Gap year experiences similar to Bridge Year programs
Replies
5
Views
995
Scribe2MD2018
Scribe2MD2018
I
What activity slot should I take out for my gap year job?
Replies
5
Views
308
Mr.Smile12
Mr.Smile12
Top