Gap Year Plans

[BLS217]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I'm currently a senior who plans on applying in the 2019 cycle (1 gap year). I've already taken the MCAT, so my main concern right now is finding a meaningful/application strengthening activity for my gap year. I have done a semester of research in a wet lab and I'm certain that I don't enjoy that type of work, so I am looking for experiences other than research. My pre-med advisor was characteristically unhelpful and said that I could just "focus on applying" during that year, but I would like to do something more.

What are some specific things people in my situation have done?

 

[climbrunskirepeat]

To get better suggestions, you should list ECs that contribute towards your app. Usually the best things to do in a gap year is to address deficiencies. If you only have one semester of wet lab research it looks like you have your work cut out for you - clinical experience (either volunteer or non-volunteer), and community service of some kind to name a couple.

 

[BLS217]

To get better suggestions, you should list ECs that contribute towards your app. Usually the best things to do in a gap year is to address deficiencies. If you only have one semester of wet lab research it looks like you have your work cut out for you - clinical experience (either volunteer or non-volunteer), and community service of some kind to name a couple.

Should've thought of that, my bad. Here's more info that hopefully helps.
I've been scribing for 1.5 years with EMA, shadowed for 250+ hours, the 1 semester of wet lab research. I volunteer sporadically at the planned parenthood near my school. I'm a part of a few clubs (unicef, public health initiative etc.) and captain of my ultimate team
MCAT:518 GPA: 3.88

 

[climbrunskirepeat]

Should've thought of that, my bad. Here's more info that hopefully helps.
I've been scribing for 1.5 years with EMA, shadowed for 250+ hours, the 1 semester of wet lab research. I volunteer sporadically at the planned parenthood near my school. I'm a part of a few clubs (unicef, public health initiative etc.) and captain of my ultimate team
MCAT:518 GPA: 3.88

Nice work so far. I'm thinking you could do some more volunteering in something your passionate about, not medically related. If you go to the "What are my chances?" section, I'm sure you could browse ideas that align with your interest.

Also I think something to consider is that research comes in different flavors, if wet lab research isn't your thing you can try to start with translational research that bridges clinical and basic research or you can join a clinical research team. I did the latter and I absolutely love it in terms of giving me clinical experience and being able to be a part of interesting research. Through this, I have also written a case report and review with a doc I work with. Some of these docs have also written strong letters for me because they've known me for a sustained period of time.

Maybe others have suggestions but that's my two cents.

 

[NYCVillain]

I’m doing a gap year too. I think doing a mixture of everything would be ideal. So maybe 8 hours volunteering a week/4-5 hours community service a week/ plus have a research position for 10 hours a week. If I can get all that lined up then that’s what I’ll do. Rest of the time you can find me playin some red dead redemption

 

[Reverb]

Keep doing what you're doing. As states above, try to get some non-clinical volunteering hours under your belt. Some classic examples would be volunteering at an animal shelter, homeless shelter, church, Big Brothers Big Sisters, etc. My friend volunteered his time repairing Humvees at a local air force base.

At the end of the day, do something you actually enjoy.