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Is anybody taking a year off before med school or contemplating it? I really want but not sure if I should do it.
Young Scientist said:Is anybody taking a year off before med school or contemplating it? I really want but not sure if I should do it.
JMC2010 said:If you're interested in traveling I have quite a few ideas if you need some.
OrganLibrarian said:I'm currently taking a year off, I'm loving every second of it (no tests, homework, anything, echoing previous posters), and I used this time to enhance my application. I've been accepted to a top 10 school and I attribute some of my attractiveness as a candidate to the unique experiences I've had in my current taking-a-year-off job and the volunteer experiences I've had during my time off as well. You WILL have the chance to talk about your year-off activities in your interviews if you begin them early enough, and I firmly believe this is almost always an asset to you!
I'm in the middle of my second year off. It was great to take a full year off and focus on things I wanted to do (work as an EMT, learn the guitar, learn to drive stick, etc). I felt ready when I started applying this last year. You should be careful about when you take your MCATs though, most schools only take MCATS 3 years old or newer. So this year they take 2003 but no later. If I didn't get in this year I'd have to retake them, so it is a risk that you take if you do the MCATs during college.Young Scientist said:Is anybody taking a year off before med school or contemplating it? I really want but not sure if I should do it.
Young Scientist said:Sorry but you lost me there a little. Let me get this: If you're currently taking a year off and were already accepted to top 10 schools, how can you attribute your attactiveness at a candidate if you're already accepted. Did you apply 1st and then take a year off?
What kind of unique experiences did you have? tell us ?!
JMC2010 said:I took a year off. Well, actually I applied and didn't get in last year so I was sort of forced to do so...but it worked out well because I think I always wanted to take a year off I just wasn't brave enough to do it. It's been a great year. I spent 3 months in florida living near the beach with some friends, just surfing and working just enough to get by. In 2 weeks, I'm leaving for a month-long trip to India and Nepal just because I've always wanted to see Everest. And in May, I'm going to see some family in Germany for a month and house sit. So in my case, taking a year off has so far been a dream come true. Keep in mind that I've dipped heavily into savings that I had put aside for just such a period of time. If you don't have any money saved then your year off will likely involve a great deal of working, etc...which is certainly not a bad thing, I'm just trying to avoid it.
If you're interested in traveling I have quite a few ideas if you need some. Originally I planned on going to Guatemala for 3 months to study spanish and work in a clinic...you can get by there for around 200-300 dollars a month if you're careful...maybe even less. Anyway, I'm a travel freak if you can't tell...sorry to go on and on, I just wanted to give you an example of how cool a year off can be. Don't forget that you have to pay for applications and interviews though...that's a hassle for sure.
Best decision I never made.Young Scientist said:Is anybody taking a year off before med school or contemplating it? I really want but not sure if I should do it.
annamoo said:Plus if you come to Europe you can learn about this thing called national health care and this stuff called INSURANCE FOR EVERYONE...wow novel concept
Young Scientist said:Im a "travel freak" too, so shoot!
and im sure other people want to know too