What an awesome thread
. I am an MSIII and have also decided to take a year off between third and fourth year. I emailed my school's dean yesterday explaining my stats and my interest in either ophtho or radiology as a career and how I think taking a year off for research will help me in my application to either of those programs. I have already done an ophtho rotation and will have radiology in March so I will decide. He replied back saying that I should email the residency directors of ophtho and radiology at my school to see what they think and then try to meet with him if I have any questions. But from what I understand I have to meet with him anyway to get a letter from him for these applications. I am pretty sure the residency directors will say that a research year is actually a good idea. I don't think taking a year off for research can hurt anybody's application.
Now here is my question. I am thinking about applying to HHMI, NIH and DD programs. I know that these programs have deadlines in early January. I was planning to work on and finish the applications during winter break as I am currently on surgery and don't have a lot of time. I was wondering what parts of the applications cannot wait until winter break which for me starts on Dec. 19?
Should I notify the people who will write me letters. I was hoping to be able to meet with my dean ASAP but he suggested meeting with the residency directors first. I will send him another email next Friday even if I haven't met with the directors to request for a meeting and discuss a possible leave of absence.
Please let me know if my plan is sound. I do not want to totally miss some important step in any of these applications and then be upset with myself. lol...