Plan for upcoming gap year

[Kardio]

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I'm entering my gap year right now and I'm wondering the best thing to do with my time. Does anyone have any ideas?

 

[907914]

After graduating college, I worked full-time in healthcare for one year.
For my second year after college, I quit my job and started an SMP, and taken the MCAT.

Now I'm entering my 3rd year post-college. I've submitted most of my applications.
For financial reasons, I'm staying as part-time student at my grad program over this upcoming year.
In addition to my applications, I've been doing oddjobs and a little shadowing over the summer.

I'm going to be asked what I did this year - and I don't think "part-time grad student who plays with his dog a lot" is going to cut it.
What can I jump into quickly/semi-long-term, that I could include on secondaries, that I'll be doing with my time?
I'm kind of geographically limited (suburban area without a car or money).

Honestly, that should be sufficient. "I along with continuing as a grad student, I am working to save money and pay for the application process." If you have been doing some volunteering over the last 2 years post-college then continue that. Otherwise, as long as what you are doing is >25-30 hours a weeks then you are fine.

If you want to hop on the EMT/Scribe train then do that. If you want to start training for an ironman, that takes up a lot of time. Just do what you want to do,

My application year will be 12 credits a quarter, some tutoring, some research, and a hell of a lot of hiking while I am still out west. Your application year (if everything is already sufficient) is your time to coast and focus on getting in. At least that is what I have picked up.

 

[Kardio]

Do you think I should try to find some good volunteering opportunities though?

 

[907914]

Should I try and find some volunteer opportunities within walking distance of my place

Probably. Mostly to stave off boredom, honestly. Volunteer as a tutor/get a paid gig super part time just to keep your "student brain" active. Volunteer somewhere you like with people, and volunteer at the local shelter as a dog walker.

 

[Kardio]

Probably. Mostly to stave off boredom, honestly. Volunteer as a tutor/get a paid gig super part time just to keep your "student brain" active. Volunteer somewhere you like with people, and volunteer at the local shelter as a dog walker.

Edited it a bit btw. Hiking is sick! I've been spending time getting back into that.

Maybe I'll reach out to the school's in my area. Thanks for the suggestions bro. Goodluck!

 

[Select All That Apply]

@Kardio What happened in the SMP.

 

[Kardio]

@Kardio What happened in the SMP.

I decided against it and am applying straight!

 

[Select All That Apply]

I’m happy enough with my performance to apply

I'm sorry. Was this a direct linkage program? It's odd to see someone do an SMP and then take a gap year after completing it rather than transitioning or deciding on another career. I'm trying to understand what happened.

 

[Kardio]

I'm sorry. Was this a direct linkage program? It's odd to see someone do an SMP and then take a gap year after completing it rather than transitioning or deciding on another career. I'm trying to understand what happened.

It wasn’t linked - just a guaranteed interview at the host MD school if requirements are met.

Is it that rare to complete the SMP and apply afterward...? This was his first ever app cycle.

 

[Select All That Apply]

It wasn’t linked - just a guaranteed interview at the host MD school if requirements are met.

Is it that rare to complete the SMP and apply afterward...? This is my first ever app cycle; my grad GPA is 3.7-4.0.

Most people I knew in my grad school didn’t apply the first year of the program. I wouldn’t have been competitive if I applied last cycle; I felt like I needed the SMP on-record before I was comfortable applying.

A lot of people go for direct admit SMP programs > guaranteed interview > recommendation letter > look it's something on your app.