Gap Year Job

[MDPedigree]

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[rufflev]

Everyone understands the need to pay bills and such, so a job anywhere isn't of too much concern. That said, I would just recommend that you continue being involved with clinical volunteering and such as it might seem odd that during a gap year, you don't do anything really to improve your application. I'd strongly recommend against using a LOR from your manager at Apple as they are not able to speak anything regarding your academic potential or your drive towards medicine.

 

[infectiousdisease101]

There's no right or wrong way to go at it once you've met the requirements. In the case of pre-meds having plenty of clinical experience. As long as you have sufficient clinical experience, such as internships, volunteering, shadowing, you're good.

LORs are meant to gain insight about YOU. While it is true, you need specific sources, science professors, one non-science, etc, once you have fulfilled those requirements, just get LORs from those you think can attest strongly to you. In addition, you sound like you already have a physician letter writer, so any remaining letters of recommendation are what you can call "elective letters". It does not matter who writes them, only matters that they're strong letters.

In terms of the "standing out" point, I dropped out of a medical internship because I realized I did it because others were doing it. So I followed my heart, dropped it and volunteered and shadowed at a more local hospital. I was told that a lot of doctors in one department liked me because I asked a lot of good questions when I shadowed, so I asked the doctor from that department to write me a letter. Moral of the story: your heart won't steer you wrong, as long as you know what you're doing.

 

[rufflev]

LORs are meant to gain insight about YOU. While it is true, you need specific sources, science professors, one non-science, etc, once you have fulfilled those requirements, just get LORs from those you think can attest strongly to you. In addition, you sound like you already have a physician letter writer, so any remaining letters of recommendation are what you can call "elective letters". It does not matter who writes them, only matters that they're strong letters.

Letters of recommendation are typically used as a means of assessing an applicants qualifications, capabilities, and characteristics in terms of ability to perform a specific task, in this case succeed in medical school. Which is why LoRs from individuals with titles (PhD, MD, DO, etc.) are always preferred in the case of medical school applications. And while you could technically consider them to be "elective" letters, keep in mind that requisites are simply that and that sometimes that's not enough. Additionally, you have your personal statement, supplementary essays, and extracurriculars to detail who you are, you don't need someone else to do so.

 

[infectiousdisease101]

Letters of recommendation are typically used as a means of assessing an applicants qualifications, capabilities, and characteristics in terms of ability to perform a specific task, in this case succeed in medical school. Which is why LoRs from individuals with titles (PhD, MD, DO, etc.) are always preferred in the case of medical school applications. And while you could technically consider them to be "elective" letters, keep in mind that requisites are simply that and that sometimes that's not enough. Additionally, you have your personal statement, supplementary essays, and extracurriculars to detail who you are, you don't need someone else to do so.

I know, that's why I was very careful with what I said. I said as long as you know what you're doing, following your heart won't steer you wrong. I also acknowledged the fact you need 3 professor letters, which are individuals with titles and based on his post, it sounds like he already has a physician letter writer. Also, diversity is key because there are some things only a supervisor letter can attest to that letters from people with titles cannot. For example, if his supervisor trusts him to close up the store at night, alone and unsupervised, that's something only a supervisor can attest to. Can a professor or physician that he shadowed attest to that? Just like ECs, your letter pool should be well-rounded as well. You are allowed up to 10 letters. Do you fill that up with only people with titles? Or do you fill them up with others that can attest to other, non-academic qualities about you to allow medical schools to see sides to you that professors cannot attest to?

Also, the purpose of the non-science professor is not to attest to your academic qualities, it's to attest to non-academic qualities that would make you a successful physician, not a successful medical student.

 

[really_nervous]

Hey guys, I am having a problem. I graduated in May and I am taking a gap year. I am focusing on finding a job (clinical research job), but this is not going as plan as I have not found any employment yet, I am also volunteering to have more hours (also I love this place, regardless of my hours). I volunteer at a shelter as it relates to my public health and biostat minor. I am also going to shadow more doctors. Is there any thing I can do on the job part. I have a biology degree and experience in laboratory research, but upon doing a thesis for graduation, I found I hate wet lab. I had an internship at in clinical research and enjoy it and I am hoping this is something I can continue in relation to my MD. Any advise on job search, or am I being to picky (I do not want to mess up people's research since I do not show any interest in wet lab research). I am working part-time in retail to work on my people skill and patience. I prefer people interaction rather than looking at a microscope. I am yet to take the MCAT (currently doing practice passage/questions)

 

[Microbug]

Do the one that makes you happier