Presenting gap year in good light?

[debeer22]

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So I'm a reapplicant and have attributed it to a low sub-score on the MCAT. I received 4 interviews last cycle - 2 waitlists with decent/solid ECs and research. I just finished Georgetown's SMP program with a competitive GPA and will be retaking the MCAT on Friday (26th).

I have decided to move to Jackson, Wy for my gap year working full time (various hospitality jobs) to support myself and secondary application $$$. I've talked to the hospital about volunteer ops/shadowing and have also received an interview for a spot in a phlebotomy lab.

Do you think it will hurt my application by taking a year off just working hospitality jobs (full time) and skiing a lot. Skiing has always been a passion and I was wondering if I framed it as that way in my secondaries whether medical schools would think I'm more "rounded" or whether to just omit that for being one of the main reasons for moving to Jackson (aside form the beautiful landscape / relaxing lifestyle). If I am able to stay involved with free-clinic volunteering/shadowing will this gap year plan be alright? Thanks for any help!

 

[SN12357]

So I'm a reapplicant and have attributed it to a low sub-score on the MCAT. I received 4 interviews last cycle - 2 waitlists with decent/solid ECs and research. I just finished Georgetown's SMP program with a competitive GPA and will be retaking the MCAT on Friday (26th).

I have decided to move to Jackson, Wy for my gap year working full time (various hospitality jobs) to support myself and secondary application $$$. I've talked to the hospital about volunteer ops/shadowing and have also received an interview for a spot in a phlebotomy lab.

Do you think it will hurt my application by taking a year off just working hospitality jobs (full time) and skiing a lot. Skiing has always been a passion and I was wondering if I framed it as that way in my secondaries whether medical schools would think I'm more "rounded" or whether to just omit that for being one of the main reasons for moving to Jackson (aside form the beautiful landscape / relaxing lifestyle). If I am able to stay involved with free-clinic volunteering/shadowing will this gap year plan be alright? Thanks for any help!

I'm sure it's fine to mention skiing as a hobby but I would avoid framing it as a main motivation for your next year.

 

[aspiring20]

So I'm a reapplicant and have attributed it to a low sub-score on the MCAT. I received 4 interviews last cycle - 2 waitlists with decent/solid ECs and research. I just finished Georgetown's SMP program with a competitive GPA and will be retaking the MCAT on Friday (26th).

I have decided to move to Jackson, Wy for my gap year working full time (various hospitality jobs) to support myself and secondary application $$$. I've talked to the hospital about volunteer ops/shadowing and have also received an interview for a spot in a phlebotomy lab.

Do you think it will hurt my application by taking a year off just working hospitality jobs (full time) and skiing a lot. Skiing has always been a passion and I was wondering if I framed it as that way in my secondaries whether medical schools would think I'm more "rounded" or whether to just omit that for being one of the main reasons for moving to Jackson (aside form the beautiful landscape / relaxing lifestyle). If I am able to stay involved with free-clinic volunteering/shadowing will this gap year plan be alright? Thanks for any help!

absolutely not.

even if you spend the majority of your year skiing and dont hold any full-time work, many would still argue that that's a fine way to spend your time off.

 

[LiveLoveLearn]

I spent my gap year working, and schools did not seem to have a problem with it. Like the other poster said, though, I think it would be good to present skiing as a hobby, not the motivation behind the year's plans.