DANIEL LIPPITT The e Generation More Than Recess Taking time out between undergrad and grad school can be a rewarding intermission. JENNIFER FINER STAFF WRITER H r 1 Calendar September 15 - October 9 Thursday, September 15 Break the Fast Dance. 9 p.m. at the Maple/Drake Jewish Community Center. There is a charge. Call 661-7678. Sunday, September 25 Volunteer Impact is sponsor- ing a hayride, bonfire and square dancing with JARC clients. 6 p.m. at Domino's Farms. Call 546-0886. Tuesday, October 4 The United Jewish Appeal Young Leadership Cabinet will tour the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum and visit Capitol Hill. Call 642-4260. THE DETROI T . IFWISH NFWq Sunday, October 9 82 A young adult pre-glow will precede a JARC fund-raiser, "25 Years of the Magic of Broadway," hosted by Joel Grey. Call 352-JARC. Do you have an item for our young adult 1 singles calen- dar? Send it to Jennifer Fin- er at The Jewish News 27676 Franklin Rd. Southfield, MI 48034 L e calls himself a victim of the sys- tem.: West Bloomfield resident David Tessler wanted to attend medical school the fall after he graduated from the University of Michigan. But due to circum- stances beyond his control — re- jection letters — this 1993 college graduate spent last year work- ing and taking classes. His second attempt at medical school yielded better results. Two weeks ago, he moved to Chicago to begin classes at Midwestern University School of Osteopath- ic Medicine. "If I had it to do over again, I would still take a year off and travel and work," Mr. Tessler said. "A lot of people, including myself at one time, had the same stereotypical drive that you had to go straight through school. There is no reason to be ashamed of taking a year off." For young adults today, tak- ing time off— anywhere between a year and a number of years — is gaining acceptance. Some like Mr. Tessler sat out because they had to. Others wanted to travel or gain work experience before continuing their education. Of- ten, graduate business schools will only accept students who have work experience. Lauren Green, 26, who is en- rolled in the master of business administration program at Emory University in Atlanta said the average student in her class has four years of post-college work experience. "I think it was helpful to work," said Ms. Green, who recently moved from Northville to Atlanta with her husband, Fred. He also took time off before going to law school. Ms. Green said, "Having worked for a number of years, what we learn in class seems more valid because of work experience. Not only can I apply my own experiences but I can learn from others who have their own varied experiences." With five years of post-col- lege work experience under his belt, Ed Lowenfeld, of Farmington Hills, went to the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at North- Alan Cooper was a law clerk and held odd jobs before going to law school. western University for an MBA. wanted to experience other career in the media. Two-and-a- After-completing his under- things. half years after his graduation graduate program at Duke Uni- "I'm glad I had a year off to from the University of Arizona, versity, Mr. Lowenfeld, 30, play and not take life seriously," he was back in class as a student worked in corporate lending at a said Fred Green, 26, who began at Cooley Law School in Lansing. Baltimore bank. "Once I made the final decision University of Detroit Law School When the banking industry after a year of working as a bar- to attend law school, I had my became stagnant and the econ- tender. "It was a thoughtless, mind set on getting accepted," omy was not in the best of shape, mindless year, which was good Mr. Cooper said. 'When I did get Mr. Lowenfeld, who is now a fi- for me. On the other hand, my in, I had so much anxiety it fu- nancial analyst for Ford, decided friends who went straight eled the discipline I needed to get to apply to graduate schools. through now have jobs while I'm through, especially during my "I wanted to attend a top still looking." first term." school that would really separate Mr. Millman had other wor- me from the crowd after I grad- ries. He was concerned that he uated," he said. "I was at a point forgot how to study and that get- in my career where if I did not go, ting back into the school routine I never would. If I waited I might would be difficult. be too old and making too much `The first month or two, it took money. The fact that I got into time to adjust to medical school," Kellogg made my decision that Bruce Millman Mr. Millman said. "I'm not sure much easier." if it was because I took a year off Bruce Millman, 25, went the from studying or because of the Mr. Green's original post-col- challenges of med school or both." travel route between schools. He spent six months of his hiatus in lege intentions were to work for Mr. Lowenfeld took classes Israel and Europe and worked at the family business. But it was while working at the bank to "see Blue Cross/Blue Shield for the re- sold, and he had to come up with if I could consider being in school alternative plans. mainder of the year. again." These young adults all said Today, Mr. Millman is in his His first term at Northwestern third year at Michigan State Uni- that returning to the classroom was an adjustment, but Mr. versity's College of Osteopathic after a longer-than-usual peri- Lowenfeld still believes it's bet- od of time had a few minor hitch- ter to work between degrees. Medicine. "I knew what I wanted to do es — mainly the first term — but "When you go to school from and taking a year off would not was not too difficult. the age of 5 until the time you are Alan Cooper, 27, worked for about 21, a year off is a good throw me too far off-track," Mr. Millman said. "I knew what my a television and a radio station thing," Mr. Green said. El focus was but at the same time I before deciding not to pursue a "Taking a year off would not throw me too far off track."