taking time off?

[kelseyjosine21]

---

Members don't see this ad.

What is everyone's opinion on taking time off between undergrad and grad school? I'll be graduating with a degree in psychology in December and I was going to go, or try to go, straight into an MSW program but now I'm reconsidering. When I apply for the MSW program I'll have just over a year of experience working in a treatment center for addictions and also a psychiatric facility for teens. To me, that's not all that impressive since my GPA isn't amazing or anything.
I'm sort of doubting I'll get in because right now I'm just an average applicant, nothing special. Right now I go to school full time and also work full time so I don't really have any time to pursue extra activities that would make my application more appealing.
But on the other hand, I might get in, I'll never know until I try, I just don't know if I WANT to get in haha. The only problem with that is the program I'm applying to only starts a new cohort of students every other year, and it's even years. So even though I could apply in another year, I wouldn't be starting school for 2 more years.
But if I did take time off I could work and save money and there's a program here with a few really great internships that I'd be interested in doing. But then I wouldn't have a recommendation from a teacher because they'd all forget me probably haha because I don't really speak up in class, I'm more of a forgettable person. I realize I'm rambling but I'm just trying to look at all sides of my situation. So in summary, I could at least try and get in because there's always a chance, or I could take 2 years off and work and do some internships that would make my application more competitive, but start having to pay off student loans. That's a scary thought. Plus I wouldn't be eligible for the health insurance I'm on anymore which is not good either, but I'm sure there are other options.
Anyone know how important it is to get a recommendation from a professor? Alright I'm done, any feedback or opinions would be appreciated, thanks!

 

[sam handwich]

Im taking time off because i cant figure out what i want to do as a career. I have a general interest in all areas of psychology but am just having the hardest time discovering a passion for any one grad program. I have been given varying opinions on this. Some say to travel abroad to clear my head for a year, some say that I am making a good decision by NOT going since I dont know what I want to do, and some people of course tell me I will never go back. A professor of mine cited a statistic that only 15% of people who say they will return to school actually do, but im unclear on if this is going from BA to MA, or MA to Ph.d or what. Not to mention, this statistic may not represent our generation very accurately. If I never end up returning to school, then the implication is that Im happy doing whatever else im doing. It would be ideal to have a passion and jump right into graduate school but the hard truth is that I cant figure myself out, ergo, it seems potentially wasteful and wreckless to go in right now.

If you take time off to work and add experience to your CV then it could be potentially beneficial. If you are accepted right away then obviously you dont need to do this. Correct me if im wrong, but i detect some skepticism on whether you want to go to graduate school in the first place. In my opinion, if you are not sure about getting a particular degree for a particular career, then you shouldnt go until you do figure it out. Im not wise beyond my young years or anything, but I have heard too many stories of people who spent alot of time and money on graduate degrees, only to later discover they didnt like working in that particular field and had to quit with debt from school hanging over them.

To answer how important it is to get a recommendation from a professor, its pretty important. Most schools and employers require them. One negative comment from a recommendation of a professor is enough to have a school reject you.

 

[kelseyjosine21]

Thanks for the reply! I actually have no doubts that I want to go to an MSW program. The thing I'm worried about is the fact that if I get in, I'd be 23 when I start the program. I just don't think I'll be mature enough to fully appreciate it at that point in my life. I'd just like to get more experience in the field so that I can be a confident MSW student, not some nervous and awkward kid just out of undergrad. Plus I'd like to work during my time off and hopefully save a little money up so I don't have to take out loans for all of my living expenses during that time. So while I know I want to do it, I realize there might be pluses to waiting so just weighing all the options.

 

[pingouin]

I took one year off to do full-time volunteer work between BSSW and MSW and am really glad I did. In retrospect, I probably should have taken more time.. Since I did advanced standing and my birthday's late in the year, I wound up graduating at the ripe old age of not-quite-yet-24. Having that degree and working clinically is a big responsibility, and it is an excellent question as to whether we (collectively) are mature enough to handle it all at that age. As with anything, some will be and some won't be, and it's probably not a specific matter of age so much as overall maturity and willingness to learn. There were times where my clinical opinion was discounted due to my age (usually by colleagues, not clients) which encouraged me to work harder to prove myself as competent. (Nothing like being told- literally- "Oh, you're just a young pup!") Conversations with multiple peers who also graduated young have told me that I'm certainly not alone in those experiences. Luckily I kind of expected it to happen since my MSW practicum supervisor was also a young graduate and prepared me on how to handle those types of comments.

At any rate, if it feels right to take some time off, do it. Definitely can't hurt. The schools will always be there. Do something fun before you take on those levels of responsibility.

 

[Psychic101]

I would suggest that you postpone education, get some hands on experience, learn the realities so you will have a better picture of what happens when you close the books and step into the field.

 

[kelseyjosine21]

Thank you so much for the replies you guys. While I don't like the idea of not starting grad school until I'm 25, I really think it's the best option for me. I absolutely know that I want to get my MSW, no doubt about it, but I still think I have a few things to learn before I can be the best possible MSW student and practitioner. Plus, I'm burnt out on school! haha.

There's so many internships here and opportunities so I'm so excited to do other things as well. Although I don't want to do TOO many things because I want to show I can commit to things.

I think when I graduate I'm going to try and find a full time job and quit one of my part time jobs and keep the other. If I don't find a full time job right away, I'm going to do some volunteer work or an internship.

And I was concerned about the LOR from a professor so I e-mailed the admissions department at the school and they actually told me that having all 3 LOR's from professonals I work with is the best possible option, rather than having 1 from a professor. So I think I'm good to go.

It's a relief to not be bogged down by the constant pressure of, "I'm applying to grad school in a year." It's nice to know I'll have 2 years and can get more experience and actually get into working, instead of just worrying about school. So thanks so much guys, you really helped my see all points of view!

 

[sam handwich]

Thank you so much for the replies you guys. While I don't like the idea of not starting grad school until I'm 25, I really think it's the best option for me.

Great! It took me several months to break free of denial and accept the fact that im not ready despite that I am a very competative student. Its better than jumping right in and later discovering you dont really want to do that type of work for the rest of your life.

After I graduate I am going to take some more classes (under the guise that I am trying to earn another BA) for fun. I have always wanted to learn spanish! I of course need to try different jobs to get a feel for what I want to do as a career. So basically, i dont really know what im doing but its becoming very common with our generation to put off things like marriage and take more time to figure it out. They say that the 30's are the new 20's....

 

[sosteadilygo]

Thank you so much for the replies you guys. While I don't like the idea of not starting grad school until I'm 25, I really think it's the best option for me. I absolutely know that I want to get my MSW, no doubt about it, but I still think I have a few things to learn before I can be the best possible MSW student and practitioner. Plus, I'm burnt out on school! haha.

Don't worry about not starting until a little later on.. I won't be starting graduate school until I'm 26, but I couldn't be happier with my decision. I'll be gaining 2 years of research experience in a field I found to love on top of the experiences I already have, which I feel is more important.

Good luck! 🙂

 

[kelseyjosine21]

You guys are so helpful! One more question for you though. Right now I work overnights at both of my jobs and then at one of them I work about 5 hours a week during the day. Obviously when I graduate I'm going to try and find something full-time, but my question is would it be ok to work a full-time overnight job as long as it was related to the field? Even though I work overnights, I still interact with the clients at both of my jobs, just not as much as I normally would. Will admissions people look down on the fact that I worked overnights or will they not even ask most likely? I only consider it because overnights generally make a bit more money and since I'm used to them it would be an option for me so just wondering what everyone's thoughts are on that. But obviously if I can find a day job I'd take that first.

 

[pingouin]

Overnights aren't a problem. There are plenty of hospital-based MSW jobs that require someone be there overnight. I'm sure there are other settings, too.

 

[mededu]

It would be a good decision if you take the time off for earning and enrolling for the desired course or program.