Most posts about taking a year off are for post-ugrad, pre-med school, and the rest of the posters wondering about taking time off during undergrad work are in very different situations than me so:
My wife and I are looking into summer volunteering, and she found an established, reputable non-profit orphanage that works within the Navajo community. The thing is, the more we find out, the better it sounds (as far as our interest in what the organization does for orphaned kids) and to top it off we just found out that what there will most likely be a one-year position open after this summer.
So, if I took a year off to do this, what is the general SDN consensus as this potential time off would pertain to my future med school application? Here is some info that may help with your opinion:
I don't want to do this for the sake of volunteer hours; I have many years worth of volunteering from the military. I am half Navajo and a registered member of the tribe, and have a huge conviction to help these people because of how bad off most of the reservation is. My original decision to pursue a medical education was actually so I could go back and help these people out...most of the reservation is desolate and third-world-esque. I'm only 3 semesters into my undergrad work, grades are great. I figured that while volunteering at this place for a full year, I could also put my Red Cross instructor certs to use and further help the nearby communities, churches, etc by volunteering at the local office when they don't need me (my wife would be doing much of the female-only work that comes with the position).
The situation is good, because I am looking at transferring out of my university anyways, but just found out today (less than a week 'til deadlines) that a handful of rec letters didn't get sent out, plus I am not taking any year-long courses this semester.
I much appreciate any constructive feedback.
My wife and I are looking into summer volunteering, and she found an established, reputable non-profit orphanage that works within the Navajo community. The thing is, the more we find out, the better it sounds (as far as our interest in what the organization does for orphaned kids) and to top it off we just found out that what there will most likely be a one-year position open after this summer.
So, if I took a year off to do this, what is the general SDN consensus as this potential time off would pertain to my future med school application? Here is some info that may help with your opinion:
I don't want to do this for the sake of volunteer hours; I have many years worth of volunteering from the military. I am half Navajo and a registered member of the tribe, and have a huge conviction to help these people because of how bad off most of the reservation is. My original decision to pursue a medical education was actually so I could go back and help these people out...most of the reservation is desolate and third-world-esque. I'm only 3 semesters into my undergrad work, grades are great. I figured that while volunteering at this place for a full year, I could also put my Red Cross instructor certs to use and further help the nearby communities, churches, etc by volunteering at the local office when they don't need me (my wife would be doing much of the female-only work that comes with the position).
The situation is good, because I am looking at transferring out of my university anyways, but just found out today (less than a week 'til deadlines) that a handful of rec letters didn't get sent out, plus I am not taking any year-long courses this semester.
I much appreciate any constructive feedback.
