The best activities for a gap year?

[NeuroNYC]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hi SDN! I could use some commentary on how I choose to spend my gap year.

I'll technically still be a full time student at Boston University next year, but I'm actually going to be in Baltimore at Johns Hopkins in a clinical research lab, where I currently am and will likely remain an unpaid trainee in the school of medicine dept of psychiatry. I'm doing research to work on my thesis, a requirement for my M.A. Since I'm a volunteer, I've got some flexibility in my schedule and several different ways to spend my time. In evaluating my choices, I am taking into account that my undergrad GPA is a bit weak, and I'm a bit lacking on clinical volunteer stuff (only have one strong activity thus far). Which of the following do you think will most strengthen my application?

here are my options
1. Volunteer at johns hopkins hospital. I'm planning on doing this for sure, but I could do it as little as a few hours a week, or I could spend a lot more time doing this.
2. Explore what other research opportunities are open to me (I've been invited to help in the animal research division of my lab, as well as to join the sleep study core facility)
3. Teach the MCAT for kaplan (I've been invited to submit a recorded audition, but I dont want to waste time doing this if I'm not serious about the job, especially when I'm currently writing secondaries)(I already have a lot of experience teaching undergrads, as well)
4. Work part time an EMT (probably doing private transport, because the 911 calls in baltimore are all handled by paramedics)
5. Try to work part time as an ER scribe.

salary and paid vs unpaid employment are not factors in my decision.

Thanks for your input =)

 

[milkphlegm]

I think you should do what you think you'll enjoy most. However, if you're asking what will probably look best on your application, I'd ditch EMT if its really just transport, as well as MCAT tutoring. Sure, its great to teach and really know your MCAT topics, but I feel like you've got other opportunities that you are likely to find more interesting since you've already got teaching experience.

Volunteering always looks good, but isn't always the most exciting. Maybe you could try that for a small weekly time commitment and if you like it then ramp up the hours? Research is also great to have. However, you said you're lacking in clinical experience? I was a scribe for some time in college and I'm always raving about it. I think I learned the most clinically from being a scribe. I was excited for every shift and had the most fun out of all my EC's. I highly recommend scribing if you'd like more clinical experience. Yeah, you aren't actually working on patients, but you get to watch basically everything that everyone else does.

 

[chillaxbro]

I'm planning on doing nonclinical volunteering during my gap year... soup kitchens, salvation army, organizing walks/marathons, non-profit organization dedicated to raise awareness for ____'s disease, a local church, etc

Nonclinical volunteering was the only thing I didn't have my last app cycle. Good idea? or should I focus on research and hospital volunteering?

 

[Planes2Doc]

Volunteering to the max. It's what everyone else is doing.

 

[NeuroNYC]

Thanks for the input guys =) I'm going to get started by volunteering in the hospital and see what kind of patient contact and 'real world' observation I am exposed to, then see if it makes sense schedule wise to try to scribe in an ER.

 

[Jepstein30]

Thanks for the input guys =) I'm going to get started by volunteering in the hospital and see what kind of patient contact and 'real world' observation I am exposed to, then see if it makes sense schedule wise to try to scribe in an ER.

I've looked into it and most/all scribe companies require some sort of commitment along the lines of:

Full time = 1 year
Part time = 2 years

not sure if you've found others but that's something to consider

 

[NeuroNYC]

I've looked into it and most/all scribe companies require some sort of commitment along the lines of:

Full time = 1 year
Part time = 2 years

not sure if you've found others but that's something to consider

Yeah most of the ones I've come across seem to have similar constraints. Didn't realize it was such a standard requirement. Thanks for the heads up. Maybe if I apply to scribe at a hospital I already work at I can get them to bend the rules a bit.. Hmmm..

 

[BigBear123]

Assuming you will be financing your own med school education, I would take the job the pays the most (and that you can reasonably tolerate). Most schools don't really care what you're doing during your gap year, and as you know med school is expensive, so it's best to start saving up money now. Do some clinical volunteering on the side.

 

[Jepstein30]

Yeah most of the ones I've come across seem to have similar constraints. Didn't realize it was such a standard requirement. Thanks for the heads up. Maybe if I apply to scribe at a hospital I already work at I can get them to bend the rules a bit.. Hmmm..

If you find one, let me know.. but I'm pretty sure hospitals don't have their own scribe systems and that its all run by outside companies.

Could be wrong though, that's just the impression I get from my initial research.

 

[stkjhu]

Assuming you will be financing your own med school education, I would take the job the pays the most (and that you can reasonably tolerate). Most schools don't really care what you're doing during your gap year, and as you know med school is expensive, so it's best to start saving up money now. Do some clinical volunteering on the side.

Do something that you find interesting or something you're passionate about. It'll really help when writing secondaries and for interviews.

I'd say a lot of schools/secondaries ask about what you're doing if you've had time off from school.

 

[calimdluv]

If you like research and working with your hands, then continue with research. Same goes teaching, and making the extra $ is always a plus.

If you enjoy working with people and learning more about healthcare, I'd suggest you become a scribe. Most of the scribe companies DO require at least 1-year commitment. It is an eye opener for any pre-med student. Scribes work the same crazy schedule as ED physicians and get insider looks on pretty much every aspect of being a physician.
Or you can volunteer at the hospital and make up your lacking in clinical experience that way.

I wrote about my ECs in my blog, you are welcome to check it out.
http://madeinchina-2001.blogspot.com/2013/03/what-makes-you-unique.html