how to explain multiple gaps in activities

[britneyspearsfan2000]

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I just found out recently that unexplained gaps in the med school app cycle is not good. I have a gap in
- summer 2024 (may - aug 2024): tried to study for mcat but did not take all prereqs so gave up and spent time w family at home for that summer instead
- fall 2024: part time student, honestly had rough time in college, could have mcatted but just wanted to enjoy my last semester for once with a bit more free time
- jan - apr 2025: tried to study for mcat at home, then take but just had mental health struggles and couldn't complete
- apr - june: moved to a new city tried to study but faced family death, stress about having to take mcat while trying to apply this cycle (gave up), while balancing full time job
- july - sep: burned out from stress of jan - june. faced housing instability as moved to city closer to my old college and slept on friends apt's/couches living off money i made at job.

finally had the mental bandwith to dedicate myself to studying bc received stable housing just these past weeks after months of uncertainty. i have compiled some activities to do during this time until jan.

Jan i will take the MCAT then start a new dedicated clinical experience which will run more than a year

I know it is incredibly wasteful to use time this leisurely but i wanted to spend time with my family, and i was trying my best with what was going on at the time. i didn't know these gaps would be frowned upon. I did go back home both times due to mobility issues from an accident I had and to rehabilitate a little for that, which is true, but thats a small excuse.

Am I in a lot of trouble? how could i possibly spin this to make a strong narrative to be a good applicant next cycle.

Thank you very much for reading.

 

[Butalbusaur]

I just found out recently that unexplained gaps in the med school app cycle is not good. I have a gap in
- summer 2024 (may - aug 2024): tried to study for mcat but did not take all prereqs so gave up and spent time w family at home for that summer instead
- fall 2024: part time student, honestly had rough time in college, could have mcatted but just wanted to enjoy my last semester for once with a bit more free time
- jan - apr 2025: tried to study for mcat at home, then take but just had mental health struggles and couldn't complete
- apr - june: moved to a new city tried to study but faced family death, stress about having to take mcat while trying to apply this cycle (gave up), while balancing full time job
- july - sep: burned out from stress of jan - june. faced housing instability as moved to city closer to my old college and slept on friends apt's/couches living off money i made at job.

finally had the mental bandwith to dedicate myself to studying bc received stable housing just these past weeks after months of uncertainty. i have compiled some activities to do during this time until jan.

Jan i will take the MCAT then start a new dedicated clinical experience which will run more than a year

I know it is incredibly wasteful to use time this leisurely but i wanted to spend time with my family, and i was trying my best with what was going on at the time. i didn't know these gaps would be frowned upon. I did go back home both times due to mobility issues from an accident I had and to rehabilitate a little for that, which is true, but thats a small excuse.

Am I in a lot of trouble? how could i possibly spin this to make a strong narrative to be a good applicant next cycle.

Thank you very much for reading.

First of all, I’m sorry to hear that you went through all that. The silver lining here is that you have a ton of time before applying next cycle to stay consistent with your activities. Also, there are secondary essay prompts that ask you about gaps throughout your undergrad, that’s one solution. Another would be briefly explaining it in an interview if they ask you. However, emphasis on the “IF THEY ASK” you. Don’t bring negative light on to your application if it wasn’t prompted. If it is, you can talk about your struggles AND how you overcame them. You got this mate!

 

[britneyspearsfan2000]

First of all, I’m sorry to hear that you went through all that. The silver lining here is that you have a ton of time before applying next cycle to stay consistent with your activities. Also, there are secondary essay prompts that ask you about gaps throughout your undergrad, that’s one solution. Another would be briefly explaining it in an interview if they ask you. However, emphasis on the “IF THEY ASK” you. Don’t bring negative light on to your application if it wasn’t prompted. If it is, you can talk about your struggles AND how you overcame them. You got this mate!

That's very kind of you to try and help me. Thank you for your response!

 

[Goro]

I just found out recently that unexplained gaps in the med school app cycle is not good. I have a gap in
- summer 2024 (may - aug 2024): tried to study for mcat but did not take all prereqs so gave up and spent time w family at home for that summer instead
- fall 2024: part time student, honestly had rough time in college, could have mcatted but just wanted to enjoy my last semester for once with a bit more free time
- jan - apr 2025: tried to study for mcat at home, then take but just had mental health struggles and couldn't complete
- apr - june: moved to a new city tried to study but faced family death, stress about having to take mcat while trying to apply this cycle (gave up), while balancing full time job
- july - sep: burned out from stress of jan - june. faced housing instability as moved to city closer to my old college and slept on friends apt's/couches living off money i made at job.

finally had the mental bandwith to dedicate myself to studying bc received stable housing just these past weeks after months of uncertainty. i have compiled some activities to do during this time until jan.

Jan i will take the MCAT then start a new dedicated clinical experience which will run more than a year

I know it is incredibly wasteful to use time this leisurely but i wanted to spend time with my family, and i was trying my best with what was going on at the time. i didn't know these gaps would be frowned upon. I did go back home both times due to mobility issues from an accident I had and to rehabilitate a little for that, which is true, but thats a small excuse.

Am I in a lot of trouble? how could i possibly spin this to make a strong narrative to be a good applicant next cycle.

Thank you very much for reading.

Just tell the truth if asked.

 

[britneyspearsfan2000]

Just tell the truth if asked.

But wouldn't stating the truth bluntly hurt me in this app cycle? Also where could i possibly drop this info: primaries, secondaries, in the work/activities?

Or should i not drop this info unless prompted in interviews?

 

[LunaOri]

You don’t need to “tell” unless asked. If it adds up to a really long gap (say more than 6 months) without working or taking classes, you might use the “anything else” essay to explain what you were doing. When we review an application, we don’t notice if you took a summer off, but taking a year off from college or having an extended period with no documented activities might catch our attention.