Gap Year Confusion

[Averagemanboy]

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I am confused about the gap year. I am a junior, so obviously if I apply this cycle I will go right into med school after undergrad. If I apply next cycle, doesn't that mean I'm not really going to have to worry about what I do in my gap year because interviews and acceptances and such are pretty much when the gap year starts? Wouldn't I apply and put down all the stuff I have done next may, which is before my gap year even starts? Or do they continue to make sure that in your "gap year" you are being productive even after an acceptance?

 

[narvik2016]

Well, let's say you are offered an interview in November, which is well into your "gap year." If you go to this interview, I am sure they would ask what you are currently up to... so yes, you should be productive doing SOMETHING in your gap year so that you can respond appropriately to this question. Also, should you have to reapply... it would not look good that you spent a year doing nothing.

I think your gap year can be what you want it to be, but it should absolutely include something productive. After you are accepted, sure I guess you can do whatever you want... but I wouldn't bank on being accepted that early/quickly. Better to play it safe and have a good plan.

 

[EaglesontheWarpath]

Just make sure you're doing something, either that adds value to your application or is something you're interested in if non-medically related. The only bad answer in an interview to "What have you been doing since graduation" is saying you've done nothing. If you want to do research for a year, do research. Scribe. Work as a caddy at your golf course. It ultimately doesn't really matter, but you need to do something, even if that something seems like it's off in left field. Every interviewer knows that medical school is very expensive-there's no shame in working a job/jobs to earn some money to go towards that. I myself am currently doing research, but I have a friend who is waitressing/bartending full-time and making a bunch of money. Continuing to do volunteering is great too-to be able to say 'Oh well I'm currently working as a photographer for a local company since photography is a passion of mine, and I'm also still doing 4 hours a week feeding the homeless' makes you just that much stronger of an applicant, and shows interviewers that your haven't been just sitting on your heels since you clicked submit.