I have read some previous posts on gap years and the like but was unable to find one that was similar enough to my situation, so I figured I would make a post about it and see if I could get a few opinions from the SDN population.
I am currently in my 3rd year at a 4 year university after having spent 2 years as a PSEO student where I took community college courses during my last 2 years of high school (to the tune of 61 credits and an AA Degree, but a 3.37 gpa due to a mediocre and uninspired "senior slide" type of final year where I underperformed in some general classes, but no grade lower than a few Cs). However, I have done well since coming to to my 4 year university, earning a 3.9 gpa and 4.0s in my last 3 semesters. I am currently prepping for my June 1st MCAT and plan to take the MCAT on that date regardless of whether I take a year off or not. I have a substantial amount of patient care experience and research (close to 1000 hours of each by the time the 2017 cycle begins).
Now, where my gap year would differ from most others is that I would be looking to take it between what adds up to be my Junior and Senior years rather than after graduation. There are a few reasons why I want to do this.
First, I would have my MCAT completed and I would not have to worry about the application cycle at all during my gap year, and this would give me more flexibility in the things I can try to accomplish during my time off.
Second, I have a research job I am heavily involved in and will be able to start my own project soon that, all things going well, has a good chance of leading to a paper submission. If I don't take this gap year between my Junior and Senior years, I may not be able to complete it at all, and I certainly would not be able to have a paper submitted (and possibly accepted) by the time I sent in my applications.
Third, I could use more shadowing hours as I currently have only shadowed doctors a few times and I also could use more money for when the application cycle comes around as I don't qualify for any assistance programs. I would be able to work either 20 or 40 hours (too long to explain the "or") at my research job and I could pick up another job at the hospital, such as phlebotomy or scribe work.
Fourth, I could get more volunteering experiences in as well as go on another service trip over spring break, something I have been trying to do again since my last trip.
Fifth, I would like to travel abroad and either study or take part in some type of service, and without taking a year off I do not see the possibility of being able to travel abroad since the only significant breaks I get from school I need to work to keep up with tuition and the bills that come throughout the year.
Sixth, I could spend a little more time with my family as I don't get to go with my father on his annual hunting trips anymore or get to enjoy the beautiful fall season at my family cabin. Simply having a couple more longish weekends out of the fall season with allow me to see my family in a way that means a lot to all of us.
Lastly, and probably most importantly, I think it would be valuable to take some time to step back and make sure this is something I want to do. I got on this path when I was 14 years old and I haven't taken a significant amount of time to stop and evaluate to make sure I still want to do this. I believe I do, but I feel like sometimes it is better to step out and view the issue from the outside looking in. I haven't gotten tired of school or anything like that, but at the age of 20 my life can go a lot of different ways, and I don't want to pick one that I might not be satisfied with for the next 40+ years.
Thank you all for taking the time to read this novel I put together and I am really just trying to get the opinions of some other people who know a thing or two about the application process and see what you all think are some positives and negatives of this idea, and whether or not you believe this idea is worth pursuing. I look forward to reading your responses.
I am currently in my 3rd year at a 4 year university after having spent 2 years as a PSEO student where I took community college courses during my last 2 years of high school (to the tune of 61 credits and an AA Degree, but a 3.37 gpa due to a mediocre and uninspired "senior slide" type of final year where I underperformed in some general classes, but no grade lower than a few Cs). However, I have done well since coming to to my 4 year university, earning a 3.9 gpa and 4.0s in my last 3 semesters. I am currently prepping for my June 1st MCAT and plan to take the MCAT on that date regardless of whether I take a year off or not. I have a substantial amount of patient care experience and research (close to 1000 hours of each by the time the 2017 cycle begins).
Now, where my gap year would differ from most others is that I would be looking to take it between what adds up to be my Junior and Senior years rather than after graduation. There are a few reasons why I want to do this.
First, I would have my MCAT completed and I would not have to worry about the application cycle at all during my gap year, and this would give me more flexibility in the things I can try to accomplish during my time off.
Second, I have a research job I am heavily involved in and will be able to start my own project soon that, all things going well, has a good chance of leading to a paper submission. If I don't take this gap year between my Junior and Senior years, I may not be able to complete it at all, and I certainly would not be able to have a paper submitted (and possibly accepted) by the time I sent in my applications.
Third, I could use more shadowing hours as I currently have only shadowed doctors a few times and I also could use more money for when the application cycle comes around as I don't qualify for any assistance programs. I would be able to work either 20 or 40 hours (too long to explain the "or") at my research job and I could pick up another job at the hospital, such as phlebotomy or scribe work.
Fourth, I could get more volunteering experiences in as well as go on another service trip over spring break, something I have been trying to do again since my last trip.
Fifth, I would like to travel abroad and either study or take part in some type of service, and without taking a year off I do not see the possibility of being able to travel abroad since the only significant breaks I get from school I need to work to keep up with tuition and the bills that come throughout the year.
Sixth, I could spend a little more time with my family as I don't get to go with my father on his annual hunting trips anymore or get to enjoy the beautiful fall season at my family cabin. Simply having a couple more longish weekends out of the fall season with allow me to see my family in a way that means a lot to all of us.
Lastly, and probably most importantly, I think it would be valuable to take some time to step back and make sure this is something I want to do. I got on this path when I was 14 years old and I haven't taken a significant amount of time to stop and evaluate to make sure I still want to do this. I believe I do, but I feel like sometimes it is better to step out and view the issue from the outside looking in. I haven't gotten tired of school or anything like that, but at the age of 20 my life can go a lot of different ways, and I don't want to pick one that I might not be satisfied with for the next 40+ years.
Thank you all for taking the time to read this novel I put together and I am really just trying to get the opinions of some other people who know a thing or two about the application process and see what you all think are some positives and negatives of this idea, and whether or not you believe this idea is worth pursuing. I look forward to reading your responses.
