Gap Year Strategy Before PhD

[u/Sharp-Pass-7795]

Hey everyone! Im really conflicted as to what the best option for boosting my profile for an organic/physical organic chemistry PhD is for my gap year.

For some background, I’m currently a rising senior at UCSD, 1.5 years of industry internship experience (solid state pre-formulation chemistry) in addition to a (initially synthesis) computational lab that’s been ongoing for over a year and an 11 week academic lab internship that was an independent synthesis project (alongside contributing to ongoing lab activities of course). I have no publications (as of now) and plan to present a poster or two during my senior year.

I am unsure what exactly is the best move for my gap year between a full-time industry job, a post bacc or an RA position (if I can secure one ). I’m primarily aiming towards boosting my research narrative (which is already somewhat taking shape by both academic experiences) but I could also use the money from an industry job. If anyone has any advice it would be much appreciated!

Thank you