Gap Year pro con

[darlin]

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Hello, everyone!

What are the pros and cons, in your opinion, of taking a gap year between undergrad and medical school?

Any thoughts ya'll have would be greatly appreciated!

 

[orthomyxo]

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wat is this i don't even 😕

 

[plzNOCarribbean]

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What are the pros and cons, in your opinion, of taking a gap year between undergrad and medical school?

I am a sophomore at community college and I am (most likely) transferring to University of Virginia next fall for the start of my junior year. I will be at about a 3.6 gpa end of this semester. Like any good, reasonably neurotic premed biology major, I am already wondering about med school applications.

So I transfer, study for the mcats next spring, and then I am applying to medical schools in a little over a year from now traditionally? I am wondering if med schools will be all too pleased that I went to community college for 2 years and only have 1 year of grades from a real university on my application.

Would it be better, in my situation, to do my mcats senior year and take a gap year? What other advantages would a gap year provide, if any? Or would it not make any difference in my competitiveness?

I am shooting for a top 25 med school. My work/volunteer/personal experiences are kind of off the hook, so my academic background is mostly my concern.

Any thoughts ya’ll have would be greatly appreciated!

I transferred from a community college with a 3.66, and am graudating with a 4.0 at my university and I just took the MCAT, actually today. And No, they will not look down on you because a lot of people go to community college. Just make sure that you study adequately for the MCAT, because that **** was a BEASSSSTTTT. Also, a gap year should be to spend time away from school. I though that I could beast it and go straight through, volunteer, do research, tutor, etc. But I think in my gap year I am just going to work and try to travel, relax, and "find myself"; I was even considering taking 2 years off by defering or doing a program as a teacher with a program with teachamerica, just because I think the best thing you can do is take time OFF prior to med school.

I heard a resident, and a medical school say it best the other day; "Graduate school is always going to be there, but your youth wont"; Medicine is very gratifying, but once the S*** starts and you accumulate 200K in debt, there is no turning back".

 

[deleted357625]

I just know if anyone decides taking a year off they better be productive and finish up any additional shadowing/clinic work they need.

But personally, i would never want to take a year off, i don't think i could handle it hah...boring as hell

 

[darlin]

I transferred from a community college with a 3.66, and am graudating with a 4.0 at my university and I just took the MCAT, actually today. And No, they will not look down on you because a lot of people go to community college.

That's nice to hear! I think I am developing a bit of an inferiority complex from the 'holier than thou' attitude a lot of people take with community colleges.

THAT or I had an inferiority complex to begin. either/or!

 

[2050vlsb]

I'm currently taking a year off (graduated in May '10) and would recommend you strongly consider it for several reasons.

I'm not sure how med schools will perceive having only one year under your belt at a 4-year, though I'm assuming enough people transfer from JCs and apply that it shouldn't be a significant problem. However, as you mention, applying a little later will give you more leeway to maybe make up for any lower grades and submit an overall higher GPA.

Taking the extra time will give you more time to study for the MCAT, assuming you start early enough and can plan for a lighter load while you're prepping. Also, some of your upper div classes at UVA will likely going beyond the scope of your intro bio classes and help prepare you for the bio section.

I don't want to argue or dispute your "off the hook" extracurriculars, but a year off will also give you a good amount of time to devote to research or clinical experiences/exploring various careers, or even a job to help cover your application costs. It'll allow you to devote enough time to the application process, so you're not submitting secondaries like six weeks after getting them. Given the trend of incoming matriculants being older, a year off can help assure med schools you've thoroughly considered your decision to enter medicine.

And finally .. while I haven't seen much reference to it on SDN (maybe no one here ever gets tired?) but after four years of undergrad, having a little time to relax, explore some new interests and mentally prepare yourself for the next step isn't a bad idea at all ... It's quite possible you won't take this much time off again until you're done with your residency

 

[bucks2010]

I'm taking a gap year(s) as well (I graduate in May). Although I haven't started, I would strongly recommend it. Take the MCAT the summer after your junior year and leave yourself plenty of time to study. Use the extra year before you apply to make your application better. Especially if you're shooting for a top 25, every little boost to your application will help.

 

[darlin]

Well all that sounds great! thanks guys!

 

[slowbutsteady]

A gap year or two spent well (clinical or research) has no cons and only will strengthen your application and make you better prepared for the rigor of medical school.

 

[Southcane]

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