Need Gap Year Ideas

[Laura Jean]

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I’m a junior in college and I am going to apply to medical school the summer after my senior year and take a gap year. For me I need that mental break before I start my medical school journey. I am trying to think of the best way to spend that year to boost my application as much as possible. By the time I graduate in spring 2022 I will have 1500+ of research / numerous posters, volunteering, clinical experience, ECs, etc. I know I already have good hours but I am going to take the gap year no matter what for me, so I want to make it count. I also have a GPA of 3.99 and will have already taken the MCAT.

What are the best gap years for people who don’t necessarily lack anything like me? Continue my clinical job in the hospital? Do clinical research? I don’t know... advice welcome

 

[Monkeymojo]

To be honest, if you have the money i would go and travel somewhere. Like full on backpacking through Europe adventure. If money might be an issue i would explore a new hobby and really commit to it, maybe even take a class for it. Personally, I’ve always wanted to get into aquascaping but can never find the time. Either way you sound like a great applicant, awesome job.

 

[lumya]

If you have plenty of research and clinical experience maybe consider a position in a field that you're interested in outside of medicine? It wasn't a paid position but I was a docent at a space museum and it was brought up a lot during my interviews.

 

[mmchick]

Good advice above^ if you feel set on your ECs, I'd rec doing something you're super passionate about that may have nothing to do with medicine; whether that be a job, travel, hobby, etc. something productive though that you can talk about. I'd also recommend that whatever it is you end up doing, be sure to continue volunteering it's important to show that you continued service for others on your time off as otherwise the volunteering you did during school could come across as just resume fillers. This, too, can be lowkey and something you're excited about, even if not medical. I volunteered once/week at an animal shelter during my gap years just to get some puppy therapy. Worked out that it was also casual volunteering.

Congrats on having it pretty figured out and enjoy your time off - well deserved!

 

[IlDestriero]

The one that pays the most and still gives you at least 4 weeks of Vaca to take a couple banger trips.

 

[deleted1100653]

What are you passionate about?

 

[LukeChester]

Laura, it's great that you understand your professional goals and can plan your tasks for the future. I agree that you may dedicate your gap year to something that has nothing to do with your specialty. You can learn a foreign language or pass a course in a field related to medicine (psychology, art therapy - there are plenty of variants). But I'd also maintain my medicine experience while this break - it can be volunteering or clinical research, as you say.
Good luck!