Gap year questions

[al100100]

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So I plan on taking a gap year before going to med school and it is mainly for me to fulfill my dream of traveling the world before I commit to medicine. How would this be explainable to ADCOMS? Do schools allow gap years after being accepted or is it only applicable before applying?

 

[chinesedude]

Unfortunately, I don't think this would look good, as you are not actively improving your application. Also, a whole year??? Why not find a research/clinical gig that gives you 2-3 weeks holiday. Otherwise, get accepted and then book a trip before classes begin.

 

[al100100]

Unfortunately, I don't think this would look good, as you are not actively improving your application. Also, a whole year??? Why not find a research/clinical gig that gives you 2-3 weeks holiday. Otherwise, get accepted and then book a trip before classes begin.

That's what I figured. I wasn't planning on a whole year but probably like a month or two. Would taking summer off for travel before medical school be acceptable? Aka if I apply and get accepted for the 2020 fall semester I can do whatever I want for summer I presume?

 

[Rusrus]

Some schools ask the question of "if you have been out of school for more than 6 months, explain why"-type questions, so be prepared to answer some of those if you decide to take a gap year. Though schools do offer deferred admissions, that's typically reserved for extreme cases, of which travel would not apply.

Would taking summer off for travel before medical school be acceptable? Aka if I apply and get accepted for the 2020 fall semester I can do whatever I want for summer I presume?

Yes, this is completely acceptable. In fact, a majority of people would urge you to not prepare to your upcoming studies and rather relax, vacation, etc. so that you can be ready to tackle your courses in the fall and especially avoid the burn out.

 

[al100100]

Yes, this is completely acceptable. In fact, a majority of people would urge you to not prepare to your upcoming studies and rather relax, vacation, etc. so that you can be ready to tackle your courses in the fall and especially avoid the burn out.

Awesome, gonna start planning the best trip ever. Gotta get into med school first though...