By Kara Calhoun ( Martel ‘11, UT Houston)
Should I take a year off? Probably during some point in either the medical school application process, or during your undergrad career, you have asked yourself that very question. Taking a year off, also called taking a gap year, has become much more popular than in years past, and I am personally very grateful that I decided to take some time away from school before attending medical school. Before you make any decisions, here are some things to consider.
Why should I take time off?
A person may decide to take time off for a myriad of reasons. Some want to pursue an interest, or to experience something new. The years after college can be the best time to explore and grow–away from a classroom. Many options are available to recent college grads, and I think every person should explore these once in a lifetime opportunities while they still can. If nothing else, taking a year off can give you real world experience, and a context to what you will be learning in medical school. Have you ever wished to never come home from a spring break trip? Or maybe wish you could work with an organization you love full-time? Then you should consider taking a gap year! Why put off what you can do now?!
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When do I apply if I want to take time off?
When it comes to deciding when to apply you have two options. The fi rst option is that you can apply during your junior year, get accepted into medical school, and then defer for a year. If you do this option you’ll know where you will be attending school after your gap year, which is a plus. However, not all schools allow this option and some make you justify why and how you will spend this time.
The second option is to defer applying to medical school entirely for a year (or more!). This option means that you will be applying the summer after you graduate and interviewing later that year. This option is good for people who are looking to strengthen their application using their gap year experience. It is also good for people who wish to take time off and want the freedom to do whatever they like. However, you need to be sure that you have everything done for the Offi ce of Academic Advising on time since you will be a graduate during the application cycle and not necessarily on campus. Furthermore, if you are considering travelling abroad, be sure you have a plan for how you will attend your medical school interviews.
What should I do during my time off?
You should do just about anything! In all seriousness, you should do something that makes you happy. The years after college are the perfect time to travel the world, see a new culture or work for a non-profi t. Others decide to give back to communities through Teach for America, or AmeriCorps. If you are considering a career in research, think about working in a lab full-time. It really doesn’t matter what you do during your year off, as most experiences will contribute to your ability to be a better doctor.
What if my parents are against me taking time off?
Undoubtedly, your parents will want to know why you are putting off becoming a doctor for a year or more. If you fi nd yourself in that situation, relax and don’t stress! Most parents just want to know that you have a plan, and won’t be couch surfi ng around Europe for the next year (an excellent idea though!). If you are struggling to get parental support, have a conversation with them that includes why you want to take time off, what you plan to do with that time, and how it will ultimately make you a better and more well-rounded physician. Having a structured plan and acknowledging how the experience will help you down the road often is enough to convince parents that you are no longer a child, and can make important decisions like this one on your own.
If I take time off won’t I forget everything? Won’t I struggle because I not used to studying? Don’t worry too much about forgetting material and/or getting out of the rhythm of studying. One of the best reasons to take time off is to give your brain a break! You will be bombarded with so much material in medical school, so in the long run forgetting a few reactions and the like will not make that much of a difference. If you are really concerned about keeping your science knowledge fresh, consider doing something like research, or teaching. There are plenty of gap year opportunities that will keep your mind actively engaged. Most students who take time off enjoy the fact that they can read for leisure, or learn something new without the pressure of being in school. Why I took a year off:
So what about me? I decided to take a year off mainly because I was burnt out. I had been taking more than 20 hours for consecutive semesters in order to graduate on time, and I grew to the point that hated studying. The thought of going straight into medical school after college was depressing. I made the decision that I wanted to take time off, but I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. I really enjoyed doing research for my senior thesis, but I wasn’t sure how much I would like lab work
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full-time. I then realized it would be a great idea to work in a lab during my gap year, to see what it was really like. I applied and was accepted to a post-baccalaureate research program at the National Institutes of Health in the National Cancer Institute. While at the NIH I was able to develop more skills in basic cancer research, while also seeing what working in a lab is like on a daily basis. Additionally, taking the year off gave me the opportunity to take a break from school, hone my research interests, contribute to publications, and have meaningful experiences to discuss at my interviews. When I was making the decision to take a year off, I asked every doctor I knew what they thought about it and I heard the same answer again and again, “I wish I had done that”. At the end of the day, I couldn’t imagine spending the year after college in any other way and I hope you decide to do the same!