"Free" semester- What to do?

[dabake]

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So I have a fairly unique situation and I was wondering if SDN could help. Academically, I am finished with my degree in December, however, due to requirements for my undergrad thesis, I am unable to receive my diploma until the spring. This leaves me in a "purgatory" of sorts where I have a free semester to work or do other opportunities, but I cannot work at any place that requires a degree.

My question is: what would be the best option to spend my time this semester to reinforce an already above average application? (I am planning on taking a gap-year anyway)
-full time semester long internships are non-existent for pre-med majors
-any full-time research position requires a B.S.
-working full-time at a clinical based entry-level job that doesnt require a degree(scribe, phlebotomist)
-my school offers a semester program where instead of classes you perform social work in the inner-city with under-privileged school children. This has no clinical relevance however it would be a unique experience that I am considering.

I'm just looking for feedback, thanks!

 

[Lya]

I don't know what your interests and career goals are, but here is my opinion.

Research abroad if you haven't been abroad during your college. If you are taking a gap year anyway, look into WHO internships--they allow students who graduated within 6 months to work in WHO.


Do these so long as you have everything covered in your application like strong clinical and non-clinical experiences, etc.


EDIT: It's all up to you, though. If your application doesn't need any extra experiences to reinforce (like clinical experiences), then do what you enjoy or do what you want to pursue. The key here is: You need to pursue hard. If your budget is a little tight, then you might not be able to go abroad and you probably have to choose from what you described above. If that's the case, being a scribe or that semester program you mentioned seem to be a great, meaningful choice. But pursue them if you need to reinforce that area in your application or if you are really interested. If you know for sure you won't enjoy them, you probably should reconsider. Just my opinion.

 

[darkjedi]

study abroad, doesn't even need to be for research, just do travel while you still have the opportunities to.

 

[deleted562324]

Pick up a minor and/or study abroad. If you can't find a full-time internship, job, research position, etc., perhaps you can find a part-time position.

 

[catzzz88]

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