Planning for a Gap Year
Brittany M. Wampler, M.Ed.
Coordinator, Pre-Professional Health Programs
College of Sciences and Health Professions Advising Center
MC 218B
Cleveland State University
2121 Euclid Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44115-2214
b.m.garner71@csuohio.edu
Phone: 216-687-9321
Introduction & Expectations
• Welcome!
• Expectations for time together
– No Cell Phones
– Actively Listen & Engage
– Ask questions where appropriate!
What to Expect
• Understanding what a Gap Year is
• Learning about some possible reasons
that students take a Gap Year
• Planning process
• Finding Gap Year resources
• How the application cycle changes when
you do a Gap Year
Definition of a Gap Year
• Time taken between finishing relevant
coursework and matriculating to
professional school
• Opportunity to use time to effectively gain
additional meaningful experiences
• Time to accomplish a goal or explore
further interests
Why take a Gap Year?
Possible Reasons for a
Gap Year
• Time to increase GPA before application
• Not ready to apply at the end of Junior Year
• Not ready for entrance exam until end of Senior
year or beyond
• Want to gain more experience in an application
area (volunteer, clinical, research)
• Want to organize a budget or finances before
professional school
Deciding whether or not to
take a Gap Year?
Pro’s
• Time to build application
• Time to reflect on whether or
not this is the career for you
• Ability to submit ALL grades in
the application
• Chance to have one big
experience before starting
career
• Ability to take entrance exam
and apply at a later date
Con’s
• Job searching or searching for
experience could take away
from application or entrance
exam studying
• Timeline planning
• Choosing not to do a traditional
application timeline is a choice
you have to stick with once you
make the decision
Tips for Making the Decision
• Reflect on the WHY
– Why are you considering a gap year?
– What will you gain or lose in a gap year?
– Why will this benefit you?
• Talk about your decision and weigh
pro’s/con’s with family and close friends
• Seek advice from a counselor
Gap Year Planning Tips
• Create a list of To • Meet and discuss
Do List items for
timeline
the gap year and for – Is it realistic?
the application
– Is it manageable?
– Is it reasonable?
• Chart those out on
a calendar for your
– Is it specific?
remaining time in
school
Gap Year Opportunities
Short Term Volunteer Experiences
Acquire Clinical/Work Experience
Conduct Research
Short Term Volunteer
Experience
Short Term Volunteer
• What draws you to volunteer work?
• What type of work would be fulfilling?
• How long will your experience last?
• How reputable is the program?
• Is there a cost associated with the
program?
Short Term Volunteer
Resources
• Idealist.org
• Gapyear.com
• Americorps:
www.nationalservice.gov/programs/americorps
• Jesuit Volunteer Corps, Lutheran Volunteer
Corps, Quaker Information Center
• Association of Voluntary Service Organizations:
avso.org
Short-Term Considerations
• Be aware of your availability for professional
school interviews during your appointment.
• Consider how the short-term appointment
could help in your application.
• Consider how it could delay your application.
• Plan a timeline and consider what you want
to get out of the experience.
Questions to Ask
Before You Commit
• Describe the type of person who flourishes in this program.
• How is the program/volunteer position viewed among the
population served?
• What do volunteers typically do after completing the
program?
• What are the program’s greatest strengths and
weaknesses?
• What is the compensation?
• What kind of health insurance or coverage, if any, is
provided?
Clinical/Work Experience
Possible Positions
• ER Medical Scribe
• Teach at an independent high school
• Tutoring
• Nursing Assistant
• Hospice positions
• Nursing Home positions
Clinical/Work Experience
• Beneficial if you need to save money for
professional school or earn a paycheck
• Learn valuable skills for working with
patients
• Learn how to work with a diverse group
within the healthcare team
Research
Research Considerations
• Can be paid or unpaid
• Could fill in a gap in your experiences if lacking
research during your undergraduate or PB
career
• Look for possible scholarships from professional
organizations
• Look for short-term research through summer
programs
How a Gap Year Changes the
Application Timeline:
Activity
“Traditional Application
Timeline”
Research
Schools
Entrance
Exam
Spring, Junior
Year
Read
Application
Instructions
Complete
Primary
Application &
Submit when
application
opens
June following
Junior Year
Complete
Secondary
Applications
& Interview
July-April,
Senior Year
Changes to the Application
• Entrance Exam date can be more flexible
• Another year to build experiences
• Spread out preparing for the application
over more time
• Planning for a gap year and planning for
an application can cause added stress
Tips for Planning
• Start early!
• Create calendars and timelines and plan for your final
year leading up to the gap year and through the gap year.
• Recommendation Letters: consider asking earlier
depending on your application date.
• Keep an up-to-date resume on hand for potential career
opportunities.
• Set both short and long term goals.
• Research opportunities.
Gap Year Resources
References
• Columbia University Gap Year Information:
https://www.careereducation.columbia.edu/findajob/ga
p-year
• Saint Louis University Gap Year Resources:
http://www.slu.edu/post-baccalaureate-scholarshipsand-fellowships-home/opportunities-by-field/pre-medand-gap-year
• OMED Gap Year Presentation (Tobin, 2013)
• Various Volunteer/Gap Year Websites
More Help?
Brittany M. Wampler, M.Ed.
Coordinator, Pre-Professional Health Programs
College of Sciences and Health Professions Advising
MC 218B
Cleveland State University
2121 Euclid Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44115-2214
b.m.garner71@csuohio.edu
Phone: 216-687-9321