taking a year off while still an undergrad?

[chocchipcookie]

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i've been thinking about things that i want to do and i think the only way to really make them happen is if i take a year off while i'm an undergrad. so this would probably mean taking a year between junior year and senior year. basically i've been taking classes non-stop, during all winter and summer sessions, which leaves/left me no time to do internships or to study abroad or have some key college experiences. my issue is a lack of time, so i figured i could make time this way.

i want to do a semester of the disney college program and i want to do a semester of studying abroad. i'm considering these 2 together as being a "year off" because none of the credits i'll take during study abroad will count at my home school (since i was a transfer student and already brought over the maximum amount) and i don't really get credit through the disney one. i'd still be taking classes and doing things, obviously.

i'm already planning on applying a year or 2 late as is, so timing of applying etc isn't really a big deal. my question is: how would this be viewed? technically they're internships and study abroad, so it IS educational and not just me farting around for a while... thoughts?

 

[chicken44]

Sounds like a good idea, especially because I'm planning to do something similar. The more experiences you can have that allow you to grow and better understand your own goals. Just one question -- why the Disney internship as opposed to a more medically related one?

Good luck bud.

 

[theVster]

If you were doing something medically related it might look better... otherwise why do the disney one?

 

[Catalystik]

Do both. They will be great experiences, and the Disney internship being relatively unique will make for good conversations during interviews.

Of course it would be nice if you could also get in 4 hours a week volunteering somewhere, either medical or nonmedical (or both) so as to do something more to improve your eventual application. I'd be willing to bet that Disney has a list of ways you can get involved in the local community.

The year away from your primary studies will not have a negative effect on the med school application process, but they will give you a lifetime of stories to tell.

 

[chocchipcookie]

awesome, thanks so much!

as for why disney, well, i love disney lol but i also think it's something that does step away from all the science classes and research i've been doing, but i'll still be productive. i can definitely volunteer or take a science class at night while i'm there (or both lol). i could possibly find a doctor at the hotel to maybe follow around and get a new perspective, things like that.

thanks for all the input! you've made me feel a lot better about this

 

[cellochic]

My best friend actually did the Disney program for this spring semester. She's a biochem major, and she ended up working in the Bippity Boppity Boo Boutique! My Graduate RA Supervisor also did it too - they both enjoyed it :]

 

[Ringout]

I took a year off to intern and I would say it definitely enhanced my application....I got into several schools. It's not a race to see who graduates first. Have fun!

 

[BrainBuff]

i've been thinking about things that i want to do and i think the only way to really make them happen is if i take a year off while i'm an undergrad. so this would probably mean taking a year between junior year and senior year. basically i've been taking classes non-stop, during all winter and summer sessions, which leaves/left me no time to do internships or to study abroad or have some key college experiences. my issue is a lack of time, so i figured i could make time this way.

i want to do a semester of the disney college program and i want to do a semester of studying abroad. i'm considering these 2 together as being a "year off" because none of the credits i'll take during study abroad will count at my home school (since i was a transfer student and already brought over the maximum amount) and i don't really get credit through the disney one. i'd still be taking classes and doing things, obviously.

i'm already planning on applying a year or 2 late as is, so timing of applying etc isn't really a big deal. my question is: how would this be viewed? technically they're internships and study abroad, so it IS educational and not just me farting around for a while... thoughts?

It makes a diffference to take a year off between Junior and Senior year, compared to just taking a year off at the end of your Senior year before applying. Schools DO NOT look favorably to students who interrupt their undergraduate education. If you take a year to study abroad within your field of studies, or to complement whatever you are doing it is a different story. However, if you take that year for any other reason, it gives the impression that you were getting burned out, could not handle the load etc. They do not want that possibility to happen while in med school...

Furthermore, undergrad universities stats get "hurt" in the ranking when students do not graduate within 4 years (they also keep track at 6 years). That should tell you something about it..

 

[Holy Frans]

i've been thinking about things that i want to do and i think the only way to really make them happen is if i take a year off while i'm an undergrad. so this would probably mean taking a year between junior year and senior year. basically i've been taking classes non-stop, during all winter and summer sessions, which leaves/left me no time to do internships or to study abroad or have some key college experiences. my issue is a lack of time, so i figured i could make time this way.

i want to do a semester of the disney college program and i want to do a semester of studying abroad. i'm considering these 2 together as being a "year off" because none of the credits i'll take during study abroad will count at my home school (since i was a transfer student and already brought over the maximum amount) and i don't really get credit through the disney one. i'd still be taking classes and doing things, obviously.

i'm already planning on applying a year or 2 late as is, so timing of applying etc isn't really a big deal. my question is: how would this be viewed? technically they're internships and study abroad, so it IS educational and not just me farting around for a while... thoughts?

Would you lose scholarships/financial aid?

 

[chocchipcookie]

brainbuff - interesting point. i intend on speaking with 3 advisors (my faculty advisor who i also do research with, my pre-health advisor, and my general advisor) before making a final decision. i assume they will cover the things you mentioned. you still think it would be bad although i'd be taking classes during study abroad and interning? i could take classes while interning, too.

robert - i don't get either, so i guess not lol. and i'd actually be paying to do both (housing/meals/flights/tuition/etc).

 

[BrainBuff]

brainbuff - interesting point. i intend on speaking with 3 advisors (my faculty advisor who i also do research with, my pre-health advisor, and my general advisor) before making a final decision. i assume they will cover the things you mentioned. you still think it would be bad although i'd be taking classes during study abroad and interning? i could take classes while interning, too.

robert - i don't get either, so i guess not lol. and i'd actually be paying to do both (housing/meals/flights/tuition/etc).

The question that you will need to answer is this: why did you need to interrupt your undergraduate education by doing what you did? Could those needs have been satisfied once you finished your degree? It is VERY different to take a semester abroad which is offered by your undergraduate institution (like some schools have and you get graded on and get credit course for), than to take a semester or a year off because " I am bored with my major and want to do something completely different like hanging out with Mickey at Disney World or go to Africa and work in a village and then come back and resume with these soooo - i am wasting my life to get into medical school- studies"

Do you have a good answer? Because honestly, I really can not see you coming up with a reasonable one.