Making good use of time on a year off?

[Psycho Doctor]

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What really unique way can i spend a year off between college and med school? 😕

I think i have to face the facts that there is no way i can apply to med school now and actually do a good enough job on my apps to actually be accepted. 🙁 I may be able to handle taking the MCAT now but i can't do summer school, apps and MCAT, plus everything else i'm involved in.

Does anyone have any really good suggestions that would be a great experience and would be beneficial to someone or some society and then secondly be a positive aspect on my resume?

If i don't come up with something worthwhile i will feel like a failure for taking a year off. 😡

 

[randallB]

Hi,

If you're looking for a good experience to benefit you professionally, but only want to take a year off, consider looking into the IRTA (Intramural Research Training Award) program at NIH. You can find some forms online by searching at http://www.nih.gov. The program is designed for people in your position who are either in the process of applying to medical/graduate schools, or plan on applying within the next year. I'm currently in the program applying to medical schools, and must say that it's a much better experience than being someone's tech for, at a minimum, two years. If you have any other questions, feel free to contact me.

Best,
~rb

 

[Newquagmire]

i'm not sure doing research is really "unique" though. how about helping build a hospital in a third world country or something?

 

[Severus]

I'm there with you when it comes to the year off and spending time effectively. I personally, was a medieval organic farmer for a time (there's a story), and have since moved on to volunteering and interpreting for immigrants. Maybe you could tutor underpriviledged kids or something like that? Just do whatever you feel passionate about. 🙂

 

[brs23]

Ha! Medieval farming is good. I've done an americorps vista year in Wyoming--which has been awesome, and has let me see a part of the country I never would have gone to (I'm from the east coast). I highly recommend checking out the americorps website

www.americorps.org

click on join americorps to check out the listings.

 

[Fenotypic]

Research
Volunteer
Work
Travel
Take up new hobbies
etc.

I took this route: graduated in spring of 2002, Took MCAT in august of 2002, applied in 2003 and got in for fall of this year. What did i do, you ask?: Volunteered at a mental hospice (semi-research/semi-clinical), got my name on a few publications through a research lab, worked part-time as a high school tutor, travelled, currently working as a researcher (with potential for a couple of papers) at a university hospital. There are a ton of options, 'cause basically you have a good 1.5 years before you enter med school if you take '1 year' off. Just make sure you're productive enough but relaxed enough to enjoy your time off.

The funny thing was, many of the people in undergrad asked me if i felt 'behind' because i didn't go straight to med school from undergrad. Well, with the publications under my belt in the field that i want to go to residency in, i think i made a wise decision. Not to mention the great times i've spent with family and friends this past year and a half.

Good luck

 

[SanDiegoSOD]

I would forget research unless that it what you want to do when you graduate. Your not applying for a PhD program, are you? I would look into post-bacc programs (there are many, especially for minorities). Time spent volunteering abroad may be time well spent. Also, if you are worried that your application strenght is holding you back, you could spend more time studying for the MCAT and retake for a higher score.