Non-Med Gap Year

[bae2017]

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Hi all, I'm planning on taking a gap year before med school, but I'm having some trouble figuring out what it is I want to do during my gap year. Assuming I'll have good stats/EC's/shadowing by the time I graduate, would it be okay for me to do something non-medical related for a year? Anybody have any cool ideas? I know this ought to be for personal growth and exploration, but I'm just curious to hear about some of the interesting things people have done in the past.

Related, but different question: I love the culinary arts and would love to find some way to get myself into a Michelin-starred kitchen. Anybody have any experience with this?

 

[NeuResurgens]

Finding something that genuinely interests you is always good, but I think the only stipulation is that it needs to be "productive," if that makes sense. For example, I wouldn't spend your whole gap year going on vacations. You can participate in research, get a job or do some sustained meaningful volunteering, etc. This is at least the impression I've gotten from gap years. Medical schools do ask for a description of your plans for the year if you're graduated, so just make sure it's something meaningful. Doesn't necessarily need to be clinical, although that is a good thing.