Gap year

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Does it matter what you do in gap year between applying and med school

 

[Etyan]

Does it matter what you do in gap year between applying and med school

What does it mean to be a doctor

 

[karayaa]

Does it matter what you do in gap year between applying and med school

not at all. just do whatever reflects your interests and passions.

 

[TheBossDoctor]

not at all. just do whatever reflects your interests and passions.

What if our interests and passions are playing video games, football, and bar hopping?

Obviously doesn't apply to me since I have other interests, but I'm curious about that question.

 

[karayaa]

What if our interests and passions are playing video games, football, and bar hopping?

Obviously doesn't apply to me since I have other interests, but I'm curious about that question.

If those are your true, fundamental interests, have fun and don't expect to get into med school.
I was being a little facetious, obvi. The "follow your heart" advice only works if you actually care about stuff related to health/care, helping people, service, etc.

But if it's not natural for you to want to help people now, is a switch going to flip when you get into med school? For someone who plans to be a doctor, helping people should be a close to the top of their interests and passions. Cause that's what doctors do.

If you don't naturally want to help people, that's ok. Just do some traditional pre-med activities, volunteering, etc, and train yourself to like it.
If your vision of the future expands beyond diagnosing and prescribing for individuals, to stuff like research and public health, or if you have a non-standard vision, one that's more ideological, radical, political, religious, etc, do something in those fields.

edit: at least that's my take on it. What do you think? how would you answer the OP?

 

[manders31]

It does not matter as long as you do something and can back up your decision!

I had a gap year. I moved to the city my top school was in (my fiance was doing a degree there) and started applying for jobs. I was lucky enough to get one as a patient advocate for a doctor with connections at my top school. I would have taken a coffee shop job and volunteered had that one not worked out.

I also did some photography on the side that year. Miss being able to do that now! Whatever you do, enjoy it! Med schools want to know you have a passion for medicine and people but also that you have a passion for life 🙂

 

[mtbski]

Just make sure you do something medically related, even if it's on the side. You will definitely be asked about it in interviews

 

[karayaa]

Just make sure you do something medically related, even if it's on the side. You will definitely be asked about it in interviews

I would expand "medical" to "health" or even "humanitarian". Think about TFA, Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, other service programs.
But the proximity of your activity to traditional doctoring does depend on your overall app, your goals within healthcare, and the schools to which you want to apply.

 

[mtbski]

I would expand "medical" to "health" or even "humanitarian". Think about TFA, Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, other service programs.
But the proximity of your activity to traditional doctoring does depend on your overall app, your goals within healthcare, and the schools to which you want to apply.

Good point

 

[ciestar]

While I'm waiting for a few hospital volunteer apps to go through, I'm immersing myself into other volunteer groups.. I work with a no kill dog rescue. I absolutely love it and meeting people who will one day take one of these wonderful dogs into their forever home.

I also just got involved in the local alumni association chapter of my alma mater. I love my school.

There are also a few other nonprofits that have my attention. One is something like an adopt a family for the holidays. Another, Cradles to Crayons. My fiancé was involved with that group and I love what they're trying to do. I really do feel I'm stacking a lot on, but I find it hard to pick just one. I was once considered under served and disadvantaged and I want to give back to families that have a similar struggle.
The last one is my interest in working with families of alcoholics support groups. I really want to do more for this, so many less kids and families would have to deal with the hardships of substance abuse.

Basically, do what you find relevant to you. Hospital/nursing home/hospice volunteerism will help as well, but you'll have room for more, so find your interests or any group you could be passionate about and there you go!

 

[Ansar]

I was lucky enough to get one as a patient advocate for a doctor with connections at my top school. )

Damn. 👍 👍

 

[Kinch]

I'm on gap year right now and I see it as an opportunity to gain more clinical experience, continue to volunteer with organizations that address issues I'm passionate about, and generally strengthen my application. I'm also not killing myself while I do this. Hopefully I'll save up a little cash and be able to take a few months off and doing something fun over the summer prior to matriculation.