GAP in Education

[PhDuke]

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What would you guys consider a GAP in your education? Time with no coursework or time with half time or less than half time coursework?

 

[AspiringERMD]

I'd say "no coursework." Decreased load isn't really a gap. Now, if they specifically ask you about time spent not as a full student, that's a different question.

 

[ts173]

I'd say "no coursework." Decreased load isn't really a gap. Now, if they specifically ask you about time spent not as a full student, that's a different question.

I would agree and only count no coursework as a gap

 

[PhDuke]

Thanks for that clarification!

 

[chromealt]

I'm gonna tag along this thread and ask a question regarding gaps.

I graduated in engineering and then went to work for about a year and a half right after graduation. It was during this time when really decided I wanted to pursue medicine so I did postbac coursework to get the prerequisites. When schools ask about gaps in my education, do I have to explain "why" I went to work full-time, or can I just say that I worked, wanted to pursue medicine, and so I went back to school.

 

[AspiringERMD]

I'm gonna tag along this thread and ask a question regarding gaps.

I graduated in engineering and then went to work for about a year and a half right after graduation. It was during this time when really decided I wanted to pursue medicine so I did postbac coursework to get the prerequisites. When schools ask about gaps in my education, do I have to explain "why" I went to work full-time, or can I just say that I worked, wanted to pursue medicine, and so I went back to school.

I am in this identical situation (except I studied math and CS). I didn't exactly give them a reason for why I went to work... I suppose the reason would be "because that's what you do after you graduate." It wasn't until I realized that I hated software development, and that medicine has a very large number of things that are the exact opposite of the aspects of software development I hated, that I realized I needed to pursue an MD. (Plus, as cliche as it is to assert it, I really did always consider going into medicine.)

If you're going to explain "why" anything, it should be what caused you to change your mind and go into medicine, not what caused you to go to work in the first place.

 

[zzxxzz]

I would define a "gap" as not doing much of ANYTHING. I wouldn't worry about explaining having a job or pursuing a project.

 

[chromealt]

I am in this identical situation (except I studied math and CS). I didn't exactly give them a reason for why I went to work... I suppose the reason would be "because that's what you do after you graduate." It wasn't until I realized that I hated software development, and that medicine has a very large number of things that are the exact opposite of the aspects of software development I hated, that I realized I needed to pursue an MD. (Plus, as cliche as it is to assert it, I really did always consider going into medicine.)

If you're going to explain "why" anything, it should be what caused you to change your mind and go into medicine, not what caused you to go to work in the first place.

Thanks. I think you are right. Although I did talk about my decision to switch in my personal statement so I'm not sure if there is any point in going into detail about that. Do you happen to know if adcoms look at secondaries and primaries separately or together by any chance?

 

[AspiringERMD]

Thanks. I think you are right. Although I did talk about my decision to switch in my personal statement so I'm not sure if there is any point in going into detail about that. Do you happen to know if adcoms look at secondaries and primaries separately or together by any chance?

Together, I'm pretty sure, particularly since many schools explicitly say not to repeat what's in your primary (but to expand on it, if applicable).