Gap Years Plans and Suggestions

[aspiring20]

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I just graduated from college, and I will be taking 2 gap years and 1 glide year before (hopefully) matriculating. This means I will be applying in June, 2014, so I don't have to take the new MCAT that will be offered starting 2015.

So far, here are my plans:

1) Doing an informal, a-la-carte, postbacc by taking science courses at a local 4-year state university

2) Studying and taking the MCAT around August of 2013

3) Doing substantial community service and clinical volunteering (probably average over 10 hrs/week over the next two years)

4) THE MAJOR ONE: Drawing and publishing a 150+ page graphic novel. I am a visual arts major, and I've done a similar project for my honors thesis. This activity will most likely be my "full-time" job (30-40 hrs/week) over the next two years.

I have a few concerns. First, am I doing enough during this gap time? I think I am doing more than enough to show that I am remaining productive and dedicated, but seeing the gunners on SDN kinda scares me. Also, I realize that I don't have a traditional job during this period. Will this be a negative even though I am already doing productive and meaningful things and using my time wisely?

Thanks a lot!

 

[Oxygen206]

Do whatever it is that YOU want to do. Don't compare yourself to gunners here on SDN...it sets an unrealistic standard.

The important thing is that you do what is meaningful to yourself so that you can articulate your activities well in essays and eventually interviews.

 

[david199380]

Your plan looks good in theory, assuming you enjoy the volunteering and graphic novel creation. Do what you are on fire about. What experiences do you have that you can talk about for hours to someone about? What makes you different? Address these things during your gap year while working on your GPA.

 

[Xiao]

I just graduated from college, and I will be taking 2 gap years and 1 glide year before (hopefully) matriculating. This means I will be applying in June, 2014, so I don't have to take the new MCAT that will be offered starting 2015.

So far, here are my plans:

1) Doing an informal, a-la-carte, postbacc by taking science courses at a local 4-year state university

2) Studying and taking the MCAT around August of 2013

3) Doing substantial community service and clinical volunteering (probably average over 10 hrs/week over the next two years)

4) THE MAJOR ONE: Drawing and publishing a 150+ page graphic novel. I am a visual arts major, and I've done a similar project for my honors thesis. This activity will most likely be my "full-time" job (30-40 hrs/week) over the next two years.

I have a few concerns. First, am I doing enough during this gap time? I think I am doing more than enough to show that I am remaining productive and dedicated, but seeing the gunners on SDN kinda scares me. Also, I realize that I don't have a traditional job during this period. Will this be a negative even though I am already doing productive and meaningful things and using my time wisely?

Thanks a lot!

what's the difference between a gap year and a glide year? 😕

assuming that's 3 years between college and med school, i think most people will look at you negatively if you do not hold a job and support yourself. while volunteering and writing a novel are great -- they do not pay for your living expenses. are you going to be living off your parents/social security for entire 3 years?

if you do decide to do a postbacc or write a novel, imo you MUST have something to show for it at the end of 3 years. that means certification of completion from postbacc program or an actually published novel.

i think it's admirable that you want to pursue an original path -- i hope you will be successful doing it. but the reality is that we live in a society where we are measured by our accomplishments. if you have nothing to show for your novel by the time you apply, claiming that you spent 2-3 years writing a graphic novel will not hold much weight.

my suggestion is find a salaried job and write your novel in your spare time, or if you need to raise your GPA, enroll in a formal postbacc program.

 

[Wile]

I'm also wondering what the difference between a gap year and glide year is?

 

[phonyreal98]

I'm also wondering what the difference between a gap year and glide year is?

Same here.

 

[jmb10]

what's the difference between a gap year and a glide year? 😕

assuming that's 3 years between college and med school, i think most people will look at you negatively if you do not hold a job and support yourself. while volunteering and writing a novel are great -- they do not pay for your living expenses. are you going to be living off your parents/social security for entire 3 years?

if you do decide to do a postbacc or write a novel, imo you MUST have something to show for it at the end of 3 years. that means certification of completion from postbacc program or an actually published novel.

i think it's admirable that you want to pursue an original path -- i hope you will be successful doing it. but the reality is that we live in a society where we are measured by our accomplishments. if you have nothing to show for your novel by the time you apply, claiming that you spent 2-3 years writing a graphic novel will not hold much weight.

my suggestion is find a salaried job and write your novel in your spare time, or if you need to raise your GPA, enroll in a formal postbacc program.

I'd agree with this. It's excellent to pursue your own interests. This will make you a well-rounded applicant and will add diversity to any medical school class. How many med students have majored in visual arts and written a graphic novel? Not very many. This is a great plan for you.

However, you definitely need to have something to show for these 3 years. Be sure your novel is finished by the time you apply or at least finish the post-bacc program.

 

[aspiring20]

thanks a lot for the helpful feedback. I made up the term "glide year" since that will be the year in which my application process is taking place. The two years before (from now to june 2014) are called gap years. sorry for all the confusion.

speaking of the postbacc, I am not planning on enrolling in any formal programs because my overall numbers aren't that low (I have close to a 3.6). The plan right now is to simply take science courses and doing really well on them. I will definitely consider paid employment during this time as well, although any full-time salaried jobs are out of the question given the other things I have to complete.

I definitely plan on publishing the book and bringing a complete copy with me to the interview. I will also have recommendation letters from multiple art professors in college so that they can comment on my artistic pursuits and the likes.

Thanks again!