Hey guys, I was wondering what your thoughts were on taking a gap year after sophomore year? I'm currently an EMT-B and was looking into some more opportunities of getting involved in the medical field. I found a surgical technician course but it is a full years length. The university I attend is 3 hours away from the closest area where this course is offered so I would not be able to do both simultaneously. If I take the surgical technician course, when not in class I would be able to work and volunteer at the hospital or EMS. The course is broken down into two 6 month semesters. During the first 6 months, I would be in the classroom during the evenings and the second 6 months would put me in a hospital for 40 hours a week. If I take a gap year, I would be able to accumulate over 1000 hours in the operating room helping the surgeons out with procedures (handing them tools, sterilizing all the equipment, cleaning up, assisting with the patient, etc.) in the second 6 months alone, not counting the positions I would hold over the first 6 months. I would also have an extra year to study for the MCAT and following the program, because I would already study topics such as anatomy and physiology, they would come a lot easier. Do you guys think it's worth it to take the gap year or would it jeopardize my chances of getting accepted into med school? I'm looking forward to hearing from you guys.