What would you do if you had to take a year off?

[DemonDeacon]

I'm currently a junior at NCSU. I found out that after this spring semester, I'll only have two more classes to graduate (eng & anthro). I will take the MCATs this April. If I don't do well, I will spend the entire summer preparing again, as well as finishing up my classes. I will apply this summer as well for the class of Fall 2005.

Any ideas on what to do for next year? I'd like to be an EMT and a substitute teacher, or maybe do some research in an oncology clinic.

I could easily pick up a Bio major next year, (I'm a botany major now) but I don't think that's neccessary. I would really appreciate any advice!

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[ocean11]

WORK WORK WORK... you'll need the $$$$ for med school

 

[bigdan]

D-
Among other things, I think that travel is a wonderful way to broaden your horizons. Is there anywhere that you'd love to go? Anything you're interested in seeing?
"If" it really is important to be diverse and understand those different from ourselves (in order to get into medical school and to understand our patients once out of medical school), I think travel is the best way to do so...and you'll have a million stories to tell...
Good luck in any event.

dc

 

[TheFlash]

Originally posted by deamondeacon
I'm currently a junior at NCSU.

By virtue of your sn, I clicked on this thread expecting a question from a Wake Forest'er.

 

[DemonDeacon]

I went to Wake Forest during my freshman year, and then transfered due to various reasons.

I would like to work, and then put that money into a mutual fund.

I would surely want to travel, but not for longer than a month if i'm paying for all the expenses. Thanks so much for the ideas!!!

 

[Kashue]

Originally posted by deamondeacon
I'm currently a junior at NCSU. I found out that after this spring semester, I'll only have two more classes to graduate (eng & anthro). I will take the MCATs this April. If I don't do well, I will spend the entire summer preparing again, as well as finishing up my classes. I will apply this summer as well for the class of Fall 2005.

Any ideas on what to do for next year? I'd like to be an EMT and a substitute teacher, or maybe do some research in an oncology clinic.

I could easily pick up a Bio major next year, (I'm a botany major now) but I don't think that's neccessary. I would really appreciate any advice!

In my year off, I got a job, then I got married, and finally got into medical school. Yep, in that order.

Oh yea, I ran a marathon too.

It's been a busy year .

 

[DemonDeacon]

^ What kind of job did you get? Congrats on the marriage!

 

[Kashue]

Originally posted by deamondeacon
^ What kind of job did you get? Congrats on the marriage!

Research Coordinator. It's not only has helped me with a steady flow of cash + benefits, but i've been fortunate to get a publication + 1 poster.

 

[belljar]

work as an emt. i will start next week and i can't wait. it is definately helpful to have direct exposure like that!!!

 

[Apparition]

I'm taking a year off and I plan to work in a nonmedical field, travel as much as possible, and read all the books I've wanted to read for a while but didn't have time.

 

[Sweet Tea]

i took 2 years off, worked as a research coordinator, retook orgo, took some graduate bio classes (b/c i'm a raging dork), worked as an EMT, took the MCAT, went to a lot of UNC basketball games, hung out with my friends from hs, partied, travelled, met my bf, read all the books i could get my hands on, and applied to (and was accepted) to a masters program at NCSU as backup. busy 2 years, but i wouldn't trade them for anything. i recommend everyone takes at least a year off-- your brain needs a break.

 

[Shorti3181]

Travel and work mate. I'm in my year off right now (delayed matriculation at Case) and am spending it working in New Zealand. They have cool work abroad programs, so you can earn some cash while seeing the world. This is the best thing I could have ever done for myself...give the brain a break for a bit.

 

[darkcity998]

When I took some time off, I worked so much overtime (80 hrs/week) to pay off all my credit card debts and started on my student loans. After 1 year, I stopped working and just traveled wherever I wanted to go.

Just travel, save $ and read up on books you've always wanted to read. I also took up hobbies - cooking and salsa. Once in a while, I spent some of my hard-earned $ splurging on fine dining in NYC.

 

[Supadupafly]

TRAVEL / VOLUNTEER ABROAD... could be your last chance to.

You'll get enough opportunities to work & do research when you're a physician.

 

[Freakingzooming]

I think you shouldn't load up on too many things.. just generally enjoy yourself. a lot of peole seem to think that they expect you to only do research and only consume yourself with research on the off years. But I think if you do something you genuinely feel you need to do, like travel or write a book, it could work out better in the long run.

 

[DemonDeacon]

Thanks for the advice!!

But if you worked, vacationed, & did whatever, did you feel that you're no longer in the study mode? Don't you forget a lot of stuff you studied in school already?

 

[Biffer]

TRAVEL==leisurely past time for sons and daughters of deep pockets... I can't stand this 'wealth-centric' advice a la rich girls on mtv. Travel is great and if one has enough money to do so comfortably, then by all means, book your tickets and go. But the reality is far from that for the majority of hard-working, self-starters who are applying to grad school, many of whom have jobs in low paying fields such as academic research, etc... A decent european trip including hostel stays and rail pass would most likely cost a couple hundred--near a thousand if the trip lasted long enough-as many have suggested month long excursions. The better advice for travel is funded travel via grants and research abroad---an ideal situation with length of stay being long enough to absorb 'other' actually rather than being consumed by tourist in passing mentality.

my 2 c.
biff

 

[Giving My .02]

Win the lottery where i have the money to travel.

 

[wannabeadoc]

does anyone know of any good volunteer or work abroad programs that don't cost a lot of money in spanish-speaking countries? i'd love to take a year off, but want to find something that won't cost too much money and that would maybe allow me to even make some!

 

[TTSD]

Try my hand (pun intended) in the porn industry I guess..

 

[DrJ2B]

Do some cool research abroad where you can get a good stipend and accomodations. Perhaps study dolphins off the coast of the Great Barrier Reef. If I take a year off, that is what I hope to do. Best of luck!

P.S. When I was at Duke two summers ago, all the residents but one told me to take a year or 2 off before I start medical school. They used the time off to further explore their interests and themselves.