Taking a year off - job importance

[golgiapparatus88]

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Since I postponed my MCAT until August 5th, I doubt I will gain acceptance into a medical school for this admissions cycle. I'm starting to realize that a year off isn't a bad idea anyway. My question is, how closely do med schools look at what you do with your time off? I graduate in 2010 so I need SOMETHING to do for that year I have off. Obviously some people work in hospitals doing various things but I've also heard that some work in jobs that have nothing to do with medicine. If I did something like "Teach For America," would that be a good way to spend a year? (Now that I think about it, that sounds like a really good idea).

Thanks!

Oh and if it IS worth applying this year, let me know 🙂

 

[jackson1]

I think teach for america would be a fine way to spend time between college and med school, but unfortunately it's a mandatory 2 year committment.

 

[witness23]

apply to a lot of different things and choose from the jobs/opportunities you are accepted into. times are tough and even the competition for TFA is pretty stiff. I believe the current administration has decided to pull some effort away from peacecrops and placed more into americorps and its sub-corps. maybe you may want to try those too.

your school's recruitment should start in fall 09 in august or september. toss your resume around and send some emails to labs and whatnot. good luck

 

[golgiapparatus88]

I think teach for america would be a fine way to spend time between college and med school, but unfortunately it's a mandatory 2 year committment.

Yeah I just saw that on their website..too bad.

I am working at NYU school of medicine for this summer continuing my malaria research. I would love to work here after I graduate but I doubt that will happen.

Maybe I'll just lay on the couch for a year. That'll help me mature

 

[iheartcats]

Since I postponed my MCAT until August 5th, I doubt I will gain acceptance into a medical school for this admissions cycle. I'm starting to realize that a year off isn't a bad idea anyway. My question is, how closely do med schools look at what you do with your time off? I graduate in 2010 so I need SOMETHING to do for that year I have off. Obviously some people work in hospitals doing various things but I've also heard that some work in jobs that have nothing to do with medicine. If I did something like "Teach For America," would that be a good way to spend a year? (Now that I think about it, that sounds like a really good idea).

Thanks!

Oh and if it IS worth applying this year, let me know 🙂

I took 3 years between undergrad and starting medical school, and did Teach For America for 2 of those years (it is a 2 year commitment). I was asked about my experiences teaching in literally every interview that I attended. I felt that it strengthened my application, but only because I was able to speak compellingly about what I took away from the experience and how I think it will help me to be a better doctor.

My thoughts here are: I don't think taking a year off hurts your application, and can help it if you do something interesting that you are passionate about. However, being one of hundreds who work in a research lab during a year off is not super compelling (in my opinion). Use your time before medical school to do something that will distinguish you from other applications.

If you have questions about Teach For America, I am happy to discuss my experience with you. Feel free to PM me. 🙂

 

[golgiapparatus88]

Thank you! I'll definitely message you once I decide what I want to do.

 

[bigman225]

I took 3 years between undergrad and starting medical school, and did Teach For America for 2 of those years (it is a 2 year commitment). I was asked about my experiences teaching in literally every interview that I attended. I felt that it strengthened my application, but only because I was able to speak compellingly about what I took away from the experience and how I think it will help me to be a better doctor.

My thoughts here are: I don't think taking a year off hurts your application, and can help it if you do something interesting that you are passionate about. However, being one of hundreds who work in a research lab during a year off is not super compelling (in my opinion). Use your time before medical school to do something that will distinguish you from other applications.

If you have questions about Teach For America, I am happy to discuss my experience with you. Feel free to PM me. 🙂

Research isn't interesting? 👎 No offense, but most people I know doing TFA have few other options

 

[futureapppsy2]

Americorps is only a one-year commitment.

 

[alwaysaangel]

Do whatever you want. I had to make this decision when I was taking my year off. I had three options:
1) Work with the fire prevention division at UC Berkeley where I already was, this was the cushiest and best paying
2) Work as an MA in the clinic that I volunteered at in the evenings
3) Be an MA at the same place but as an Americorps volunteer with a stipend (worst paying)

I was worried that #3 would look best and #1 worst but ultimately I did the first one. It was nice because it let me do something other than medicine, which actually seemed to be a good thing when I talked about it at med school interviews.

So moral of the story: do whatever you want. It doesn't matter so much as you're learning something. Even if it has nothing to do with medicine. Even a receptionist position can teach you something - so do what you want.

 

[harrothere]

I like the idea of doing something that is at least marginally related to your future and interests in medicine.

Interested in academic medicine?
TFA may be a good option to explore the classroom a bit. Or maybe teaching Kaplan to noobs.

More drawn to medical research? (I was)
Get a lab tech job, you'll learn the ins an outs of a clinical or basic science lab.

Strictly clinical medicine?
EMT/ER tech job, scribing, etc would give you plenty of opportunities.

There are lots of options out there no matter what your interests.

 

[witness23]

i hope you know that there is a chance that your Major/Concentration in college may offer non med school related possibilities

 

[tdittyx2x3]

Teach for America is not something you just spontaneously decide to do. Definitely research into it heavily before applying.

As for the year off, HIGHLY HIGHLY recommended. I'm at the end of mine right now and its fantastic, really. So much more time to focus on the app cycle and also just relax and do what you want. Don't do a medical job if you don't want to. It won't matter. More importantly, do something you can talk about passionately in an interview.