What does "gaps in education" indicate on secondaries?

[diamond_dust]

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Hey all, I'm a re-applicant who's currently taking 2 gap years after undergrad. I'm starting to pre-write my secondaries. In the essay prompts that ask me to discuss "gaps in my education," does this include the gap years that I'm in the middle of, or is it limited to time taken off during undergrad? Thanks!

 

[LizzyM]

Bottom line: schools want to know what you were doing while you weren't in school. That isn't always obvious based on what is listed on the AMCAS so some schools ask explicitly. While a gap would appear to be between two educational activities, if you are out of school, it would be useful to answer the question with regard to what you have been doing while not in school.

 

[diamond_dust]

Great, thank you so much!

 

[irishnerd26]

Not to hijack the thread, but @LizzyM there is a gap in my education (one semester I did an internship in Disney World). It is stated in my activities section as well as in my personal statement. Would stating this in a secondary be considered redundant or should I elaborate again on why I had a gap in education?

 

[LizzyM]

Not to hijack the thread, but @LizzyM there is a gap in my education (one semester I did an internship in Disney World). It is stated in my activities section as well as in my personal statement. Would stating this in a secondary be considered redundant or should I elaborate again on why I had a gap in education?

If a secondary asks for it, supply the answer in the space provided even if it is covered elsewhere. When an application reader has just a few minutes to review your application, having the needed information in the slot where it is expected to be is most helpful.

 

[irishnerd26]

@LizzyM Thank you! That is what I figured, I just wanted to make sure.