What you did in the year off?

[herewego]

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Just curious what some of you sucessful reapplicants did wiith your time in the year between cycles.

Anything meaningful besides work/more school?

I'm pretty sure I'm going to have to reapply next cycle, so I'm looking for things along the lines of americorps or teach for america (but has to be 1 year commitment)

And no, I'm not just looking to add something to my app. It would be a bonus if it looked good but I honestly just don't want to sit at a bench running gels all year.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[fizzle]

Just curious what some of you sucessful reapplicants did wiith your time in the year between cycles.

Anything meaningful besides work/more school?

I'm pretty sure I'm going to have to reapply next cycle, so I'm looking for things along the lines of americorps or teach for america (but has to be 1 year commitment)

And no, I'm not just looking to add something to my app. It would be a bonus if it looked good but I honestly just don't want to sit at a bench running gels all year.

Any help would be appreciated.

I'm working for a biotech company. The topic has come up in detail in pretty much every interview I've been on; try getting involved in a "new technology" company related to biology, and it will likely catch some interest.

 

[docorno]

Just curious what some of you sucessful reapplicants did wiith your time in the year between cycles.

Anything meaningful besides work/more school?

I'm pretty sure I'm going to have to reapply next cycle, so I'm looking for things along the lines of americorps or teach for america (but has to be 1 year commitment)

And no, I'm not just looking to add something to my app. It would be a bonus if it looked good but I honestly just don't want to sit at a bench running gels all year.

Any help would be appreciated.

There really isn't any "right" thing to do. Some people will say that clinical research helped, some people will say being a lab tech helped, some people will say that being a nurse helped, some people will say being an EMT helped, some people will say being a CNA helped, etc. Truth be told, what you do in the "year off" and how useful your activity will be will depend on the schools you apply to and the person who is interviewing you.

For me, I'm a freelance medical writer, research associate (build a pathology database), and a CNA (NOC shift), while I continue to take courses.

 

[k4med]

I was told last year that the reason I didn't get in was bc my undergrad GPA was a little low and my clinical experience could be built upon. I got a job working at the local hospital and finished out a second degree. I also applied a lot more broadly this year.

Oh and worked my ass off on pretty much anything... which is always fun

 

[medix13]

What kind of hospital jobs are available that can provide clinical experience but do not require an additional degree? I have worked in bench research for three years, and probably will have to reapply to med school due to late applications. I would really like to get out of basic science and into a clinical position for the next year+ but don't really know if I qualify for anything.

Thanks for any input!

 

[k4med]

I work as a monitor technician (watching the heart monitors to make sure nobody has significant arrhythmias or codes) and that does not require an extra degree. The hospital I work at trained me on site. It's super easy work that actually applies to medicine, and I can have as much or as little patient contact as I like.

Also recommended is volunteering in an ER because you can see more cases up close and even get to know some of the docs.

Feel free to PM me if you have other questions...

 

[boone95]

Enjoy your year off... do something for yourself, whatever it may be. If Teach for America is what you want to do, totally go for it.

If you're stumped and don't know what to do, ask a couple of the schools that shot you down. They're often good about helping you improve your application for the next go around. There's almost always a part of the app that is weaker than the rest, so fix it.

Just be sure you're doing something. When the inevitable question comes up in the next interviews: "what have you been doing the last year?"... make sure you can name some good things (hanging out with family, playing, socializing, working at a restaurant are bad answers).