To take a year off, or not?

lonefreckle
Wed, 15 Oct 2008 19:55:20 +0000

I’m in my junior year of undergrad now. I know I want to go to grad school for my Ph.D. in Evolutionary Psychology, but I can’t decide if I should apply next year in December, or wait a year, and then apply.

Do you wish you had taken a year off before jumping into a career in academia? Do you wish you hadn’t?

I feel like I need a break from school, so that I go back refreshed. But I’m itching to do my application now, while I’m still immersed in everything. Does it make sense to at least study for and take the GREs, and gather letters of recommendations while I’m still in school?

Also, if I take a year off, I DON’T want to do research or an internship in my field during that time. I’m already well-prepared for grad school admissions and the point of a year off for me would be to break from the same subject matter. I’d rather travel or study abroad, or do something unique. However, I need to be making money and I also do not want to have a mindless, entry-level position for a year. Where to go? What to do?

What other programs like Teach for America or PeachCorps are out there? (I don’t want to teach at inner-city schools or save the planet, but I’m looking for more organized programs for recent college graduates.)

Thanks!