Full time service activity during gap year?

[FutureMD2025]

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If I were to spend a gap year doing a community service activity full-time, preferably away from home, what would be a good activity that would strengthen my application for the next cycle?

 

[Mr. Macrophage]

AmeriCorps State/National

 

[diltiazemm]

Seconded on AmeriCorps!

But also, I'm curious what circumstances are prompting you to spend an entire gap year doing community service? Especially when you don't have a specific organization in mind?

 

[FutureMD2025]

Well, I did not make it this cycle with an LM of 81.9, and working full time as an EMT during the past year, my first gap year after college. So now thinking of taking two gap years! and spend the first one volunteering full time, and apply in the 2027 cycle. I guess I am just desperately trying to find ways of getting into an MD program. I came across a post by @Mr.Smile12 that AdComs like to see activities outside your comfort zone over academically adjacent ones, such as tutoring, etc.

Full disclosure, I scored two own goals this cycle by applying late and messing up my AAMC profile, which prevented my test scores (MCAT & PREView) from being included in my AMCAS application, which necessitated the separate reporting of scores to schools by AAMC.

 

[LindaAccepted]

Well, I did not make it this cycle with an LM of 81.9, and working full time as an EMT during the past year, my first gap year after college. So now thinking of taking two gap years! and spend the first one volunteering full time, and apply in the 2027 cycle. I guess I am just desperately trying to find ways of getting into an MD program. I came across a post by @Mr.Smile12 that AdComs like to see activities outside your comfort zone over academically adjacent ones, such as tutoring, etc.

Full disclosure, I scored two own goals this cycle by applying late and messing up my AAMC profile, which prevented my test scores (MCAT & PREView) from being included in my AMCAS application, which necessitated the separate reporting of scores to schools by AAMC.

To answer the question in your first post, the value of the community service would depend on what organization you're working for and what you actually do. And learn from it.

Adcoms do like to see service to the underserved and people unlike you. However, if you were working full-time as an EMT, you should have seen all kinds of people and had diverse experiences. I'm not discouraging the service that Mr.Smile12 recommends as much as wondering if you need a full year of it. Or if you should post a WAMC (I saw that your LM score was high) and get feedback on your list of schools. Or get your application reviewed. Did you get any IIs?

 

[Mr.Smile12]

It's hard to advise blindly without a WAMC profile and a chronology of your activities. I agree that if you were working full-time at a community EMT, you should have experience to comment on how you became comfortable and poised in rather uncomfortable situations (for most people).

If you applied last year without the 2000 hours, then this year's application may be stronger with that experience alone.

Did you get any interviews? Have you gotten any feedback as a reapplicant, including your writing?

 

[FutureMD2025]

To answer the question in your first post, the value of the community service would depend on what organization you're working for and what you actually do. And learn from it.

Adcoms do like to see service to the underserved and people unlike you. However, if you were working full-time as an EMT, you should have seen all kinds of people and had diverse experiences. I'm not discouraging the service that Mr.Smile12 recommends as much as wondering if you need a full year of it. Or if you should post a WAMC (I saw that you LM score was high) and get feedback on your list of schools. Or get your application reviewed. Did you get any IIs?

no IIs this cycle 🙁

 

[LindaAccepted]

no IIs this cycle 🙁

A WAMC would be helpful as noted, but based solely on what you wrote above I really wonder if you presented yourself poorly through your application and/or just aimed too high. Applying late could also really hurt you. How late were you?

 

[FutureMD2025]

A WAMC would be helpful as noted, but based solely on what you wrote above I really wonder if you presented yourself poorly through your application and/or just aimed too high. Applying late could also really hurt you. How late were you?

primary late August secondaries Oct-Nov.

Applied to a little over 30 schools which covered the entire gamut, state schools + mostly mid range + a few T20

 

[LindaAccepted]

primary late August secondaries Oct-Nov.

Applied to a little over 30 schools which covered the entire gamut, state schools + mostly mid range + a few T20

That is very late. By the time your secondaries were received many interview invitations were out and some acceptance already. Timing is a very obvious factor in your rejections time around.

I can't comment at all on the school choices, but the timing hurt you.

At the same time, don't assume that your app was unimprovable. Find out now if your presentation was a problem. Otherwise you could end up applying again, whether now or year later and making the same mistakes.

And again, without knowing more it is impossible to really give a recommendation, but I don't see that you need to take an extra year before applying again. You need to apply early (without rushing) to appropriate schools and make sure that you do a good job of presenting your qualifications.