To Defer or Not...advice ASAP!!!

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
M

megswinter82

Member
10+ Year Member
5+ Year Member
15+ Year Member
Joined
Oct 24, 2004
Messages
87
Reaction score
0
Members do not see this ad.
Here is my dilema. I just received an email from my school yesterday stating that they overbooked the class. The first four people to call up and defer enrollment until 2006 will receive one year of tuition free!!! I don't know what to do. On one hand that is a whole year paid for. I could work during my year off and make extra money. But I have already been out of school since december and I'm afraid another year will make my study skills even more rusty. I'm also worried that my momentum will die down over the next year. My gut seems to say go, but my head says take advantage of this offer!!! I have to let them know by THursday July 28th at 5pm. Please help!! :scared:
 
What school is this if you don't mind me asking? If time is of the utmost importance to you and you don't want wait at all then I say go to school this fall. If money is a large concern, which tuition is, then wait so you can take advantage of this offer, work during the meantime and earn more money. Maybe you could get a research position and create an opportunity to publish if you like. If I were in your shoes, I'd probably take it.

It's a tough decision but only you can make it. Just my $0.02.
 
megswinter82 said:
Here is my dilema. I just received an email from my school yesterday stating that they overbooked the class. The first four people to call up and defer enrollment until 2006 will receive one year of tuition free!!! I don't know what to do. On one hand that is a whole year paid for. I could work during my year off and make extra money. But I have already been out of school since december and I'm afraid another year will make my study skills even more rusty. I'm also worried that my momentum will die down over the next year. My gut seems to say go, but my head says take advantage of this offer!!! I have to let them know by THursday July 28th at 5pm. Please help!! :scared:
Click to expand...

As an old fart who is returning to medical school in 2005 after graduating from college in 1991, I think that the whole idea of "letting your study skills get rusty" is probably a bit overhyped. Plus, there are other things you can do in the interim - take an online/extension course or something like that - if you're really worried about it.

Free tuition for a year is a huge deal. I'd jump at the opportunity.
 
megswinter82 said:
Here is my dilema. I just received an email from my school yesterday stating that they overbooked the class. The first four people to call up and defer enrollment until 2006 will receive one year of tuition free!!! I don't know what to do. On one hand that is a whole year paid for. I could work during my year off and make extra money. But I have already been out of school since december and I'm afraid another year will make my study skills even more rusty. I'm also worried that my momentum will die down over the next year. My gut seems to say go, but my head says take advantage of this offer!!! I have to let them know by THursday July 28th at 5pm. Please help!! :scared:
Click to expand...

I'd say defer, unless you are in a very comfortable place in your finances. There are working people who dont make as much money one year to equal 1 year of tuition of most medical schools. One year does not make that much of a difference.
 
Id be all over that like stink on ****. Then again, if this is OU are talking about, I passed up the instate tuition to go to CCOM.


Probably not the smartest.
 
megswinter82 said:
Here is my dilema. I just received an email from my school yesterday stating that they overbooked the class. The first four people to call up and defer enrollment until 2006 will receive one year of tuition free!!! I don't know what to do. On one hand that is a whole year paid for. I could work during my year off and make extra money. But I have already been out of school since december and I'm afraid another year will make my study skills even more rusty. I'm also worried that my momentum will die down over the next year. My gut seems to say go, but my head says take advantage of this offer!!! I have to let them know by THursday July 28th at 5pm. Please help!! :scared:
Click to expand...

I'd take them up on the offer. Use the money you would've spent on a year's tuition to travel. Do something for yourself! Make sure you read a lot to keep your brain working. You'll be fine.
 
I'm also curious to know what school it is. If I were you, I would defer. One year of tution free is pretty good deal. You can work to earn more cash, and you can also study on your own.
 
Similar to what others have said, I'd probably defer and use the year to publish some research. Many students would love to have a whole free year so they may become more competitive residency applicants.
 
You would waste one year to save about $35,000 in tuition, whereas that year on the other end when you graduate a year earlier is $100,000++ when you get to practice that earlier year. I'd go this year and start making money earlier.
 
I have this dillemma also. Its OU. Apparently I am the second person who called in about it and I called in about 2 hrs ago. I would think a lot of people would be jumping on this, but then again, I am having my own reservations. The tution is only like 18K or so (not including living expenses) but by not going I supposed you wouldnt be spending the money living there anyway. what to do what to do and school starts in a week.

As to the originator of this post, I'd say the money you save is balanced out by the money you will make in the future, so it really is up to what you'd rather do. I dont think your study skills would get that rusty, and besides, you can study ahead if you want 🙂 also, do you have a place to stay there already? breaking a lease would also be costly. For me I havent even moved down yet, not until the day before orientation probably.

Anywhoo, let me know what you decide🙂 If we both end up going, we can both wonder what fun times we could have done instead of being in school during finals.
 
like most here, i'd say take the money and this year take a course to become a scrub tech or EMT...another option may be to take the time/tuition and see if the school would let you take classes as a masters student that would apply toward next year (that way you don't totally lose the time...just spread it out over 5 years)

on one hand...you may make 100K a year sooner...but how much will you pay in interest on an extra $18-20K over the life of your loans?

this is a tough question...
 
jhug said:
like most here, i'd say take the money and this year take a course to become a scrub tech or EMT...another option may be to take the time/tuition and see if the school would let you take classes as a masters student that would apply toward next year (that way you don't totally lose the time...just spread it out over 5 years)

on one hand...you may make 100K a year sooner...but how much will you pay in interest on an extra $18-20K over the life of your loans?

this is a tough question...
Click to expand...

Boy, med students are bad with math. 18-20K over the life of a loan being more than 100,000? If it is all about money, go now. However, I agree with you about the masters. You take med school courses, so the 1st year course load is generally in half. That is a HUGE plus. Most of our masters students are doing awesome in the class. Consider it.
 
18-20K over the life of a loan being more than 100,000?
Click to expand...
no...i never meant to intend that it would be more than 100K...
but 20K + interest over the life of a loan = more than $20K... that means you aren't making 100K...
take off 20K (and all the interest that goes with it) and you net more in the end (and it takes less time to pay off)...

didn't mean to make that so complicated 😉
 
megswinter82 said:
Here is my dilema. ....... Please help!! :scared:
Click to expand...

I don't know how old you are, but the whole medical training process is long, and the sooner you finish, the sooner you can do what you love. Unless you have or find something worthwhile to do during the interim, I'd vote for "NOT" defering. Or if you feel you could use the break or the $, then defer.

I'd just write down the pros and cons of deferring and not deferring and see which one has more pros. Then choose that one. Good-luck and don't stress! It is after all just one year. Make the decision that is best for you.
 
I wonder how any med school overbooks their class. Maybe during the process they send out extra acceptances anticipating some people declining, but at the end of July they suddenly have a surplus? Weird. If it were me, I wouldn’t give my place in this year’s class. If I had my acceptance in hand, they couldn’t keep me out of the building.
 
I would defer. Actually I did difer from class of 2009 to class 2010.

Unfortunately, I got nothing in return, no free year of tuition, not even a pen.

My view on this: If you are young, have a desire to do something interesting before you become a physician, then definitely take the year off and do it. There will be lots of time to play doctor. There is little time for you do to something you desire. Work abroad. Do a year of research (wish for me is not so tempting after 7 years of grad school). etc...

If you are old and only have a few years to spare (jk). Then definitely pass that offer.

Actually last year.. KCUCOM was offering 2 years of free tuition (3rd and 4th year) for people that where on the waitlist. Simply because they wanted some people but they had over excepted. Not a bad deal that is for sure.
 
DO NOT DEFER JUST FOR MONEY

listen, you are not getting 10-20k, you are LOSING what would have been your last years worth of salary before you retired. say you would make 300k at your prime before you retire. THAT is what you lose.

20k + interest = MAYBE 40k

40k - 300k = NEGATIVE 260k

do not defer just for money.
 
I say differ if you are going to use that time wisely, be it exploring the world, or using it to enjoy a hobby, or volunteer somewhere that you could make an impact. I mean if you just really want to sit around for a year too, thats an option. The money this I dont think is a great issue, but this is giving you an opportunity with some compensation to do something you may not have time to do (maybe ever again).

As for me I am still toiling over the idea. The main reason I would defer this year would be so that I could continue some research I have been doing, and properly finish writing my thesis for my M.S. degree (otherwise I will have to come back while in medschool for my thesis defense). Now that they are asking people to defer with compensation, i still dont know if I want to put off medschool for a year.

By the way did you decide yet what to do? I'm meeting my dad up for lunch to help make a final decision before 5pm.
 
You know if they had made this offer just a week ago, I'd be jumping at the chance. Right now I am still debating. With the year off I'd get a job researching in a lab, hopefully at the Cleveland Clinic. I know that if you work so many hours at the Clinic you can take a certain number of class hours for free. Plus, I could get the research aspect out of the way now, make some money, save some money, pay of some debts and hopefully see Europe before heading of to med school. On the other hand, a lot can happen in a year. What if something goes wrong (my chicken little attitude)? I look at it as a win-win situation, but I don't think I'll be completely satisfied with either choice. Always wondering 'What if?'. I have till 5pm to decide.
 
I heard KCOM also overbooked their acceptances, and they're telling people to defer till next year. I don't think they were even interviewing in April.
 
so.... suddenly DO schools have become more popular than previously thought? cool... i know kcumb did that at least last year. this sounds like more common... admins will have to become more selective...
 
still got a little less than 15 minutes to decide. I've decided that I'll be going. how bout you megs?
 
I was so mad at OU for giving us this option on the day I was moving into my apartment where I already have a 12 month lease! If it had only been a few weeks earlier I would have been all over it....its a great deal...free tuition and a year off knowing you have a school to go to...let me know if you went for it...i'm very curious how many people wanted to take this option.
 
Buckeye(OH) said:
Id be all over that like stink on ****. Then again, if this is OU are talking about, I passed up the instate tuition to go to CCOM.


Probably not the smartest.
Click to expand...

I aggree w/ Buckeye, one year tuitions is alot of bones. You, also bring up a valid point about rust setting in. Take some classes at a university and maybe pick up a job that will prepare you in some way (e.g. pharm tech).
 
OnMyWayThere said:
You would waste one year to save about $35,000 in tuition, whereas that year on the other end when you graduate a year earlier is $100,000++ when you get to practice that earlier year. I'd go this year and start making money earlier.
Click to expand...

Agreed!!
 
I DID IT! I took the money and deferred for one year. I'm actually pretty happy with my decision. Now I just have to switch gears and actually try and find a job. I thought I would have a little time before getting into the 9-5 deal. So good luck to all you bobcats and I will see you next year! 🙂
 
megswinter82 said:
I DID IT! I took the money and deferred for one year. I'm actually pretty happy with my decision. Now I just have to switch gears and actually try and find a job. I thought I would have a little time before getting into the 9-5 deal. So good luck to all you bobcats and I will see you next year! 🙂
Click to expand...

Megs,

As long as you made your own decision good for you.

Now you can do like me and sit back and see everyone paniking to apply and to get PS, Transcript etc... eheheheh.

BTW, I would get moving on getting a position. Especially if you aim to do research for a year. To get a publication out of Basic Science work you really need all the time you can get. If that is what you are going to do.
 
So one person here decided to defer, any one else here the other three? Now I am beginnig to wonder if I should have said yes when they called me back.
heh, oh well🙂
Megs, did you have housing settled yet? Just curious, because of the fines that come with breaking a lease.
Alex


docbill said:
Megs,

As long as you made your own decision good for you.

Now you can do like me and sit back and see everyone paniking to apply and to get PS, Transcript etc... eheheheh.

BTW, I would get moving on getting a position. Especially if you aim to do research for a year. To get a publication out of Basic Science work you really need all the time you can get. If that is what you are going to do.
Click to expand...
 
Holy cow, now they extended the deadline and now they are offering 2 years free tuition to 4 people.
 
-
 
Last edited:
I am so glad I took that offer. I got a call last night saying they still needed two people to defer and so they are offering two years FREE tuiton in exchange for defering until 2006. Since I already took the one year for free and automatically got the second!!! Alphapenguin, I was leasing from Athens Apts and I only lost my security deposit which was $99 (they were running a special), so not too bad all in all. Especially since I now have two years of medical school PAID FOR!
 
NICE!

Basically 3 and 4th year free.

Not a bad deal I would say.

PS. I got nothing!!!! UNECOM... time to negotiate. hehehe
 
after deciding not to take it the first time around, it took me forever to come to the same decision. Still not gonna take it, which makes me wonder if I am sane. haha.
 
megswinter82 said:
Here is my dilema. I just received an email from my school yesterday stating that they overbooked the class. The first four people to call up and defer enrollment until 2006 will receive one year of tuition free!!! I don't know what to do. On one hand that is a whole year paid for. I could work during my year off and make extra money. But I have already been out of school since december and I'm afraid another year will make my study skills even more rusty. I'm also worried that my momentum will die down over the next year. My gut seems to say go, but my head says take advantage of this offer!!! I have to let them know by THursday July 28th at 5pm. Please help!! :scared:
Click to expand...

Is an entire year of your life worth $30,000?

As a doctor, that is pocket change.

Why waste a year of your life?
 
OSUdoc08 said:
Is an entire year of your life worth $30,000?

As a doctor, that is pocket change.

Why waste a year of your life?
Click to expand...

my thoughts, too. it's not worth it just from a financial standpoint. however, if you're going straight from school and would like a year to chill, travel, whatever, then it might be worth it.
 
Well, I already decided to defer, and am now receiving two years of tuition paid for in exchange for the deferral. I don't think for one second that I am "wasting a year of my life." In fact I intend to make the best of this amazing oppurtunity. I'm hoping to find a job doing research at one of the top hospitals in my area and then save up to take my dream trip to europe. Thanks again for everyone's advice and good luck to you all!
 
megswinter82 said:
Well, I already decided to defer, and am now receiving two years of tuition paid for in exchange for the deferral. I don't think for one second that I am "wasting a year of my life." In fact I intend to make the best of this amazing oppurtunity. I'm hoping to find a job doing research at one of the top hospitals in my area and then save up to take my dream trip to europe. Thanks again for everyone's advice and good luck to you all!
Click to expand...

that sounds like a great plan. you're the only person who can determine whether or not you're wasting a year of your life. have a neat year.
 
OSUdoc08 said:
Is an entire year of your life worth $30,000?

As a doctor, that is pocket change.

Why waste a year of your life?
Click to expand...

The point is moot for the OP, but taking a year off is not "wasting your life". There are tons of things to do in life besides attend med school. Keep in mind that your options for taking a "year off" become very limited after you start med school, intern year, residency, possible fellowship, etc. Also, by the time you're done with all of the above, you may very well be dealing with things like a spouse, kids, mortgage payments, etc., that make taking a year off very difficult if not impossible.

Financially, you are correct that it will not pay off. So what? Why must everything in life be weighed in financial terms?

Sure, if you took the year and sat around the house watching Friends reruns, that would be a waste. But, the OP is in a great position. She will have the comfort of knowing that she will be living her dream in a year's time.

My advice to the OP: take $10K of the $30K you save, and buy yourself an awesome trip around the world. You will always have that experience to talk about later in life, and that is worth a lot more than the potential $$$ you are sacrificing 40 years down the road.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

K
To Step I or not to Step I
Replies
1
Views
697
DrZoidbergDO
DrZoidbergDO
P
Is anyone willing to read/give advice for my ERAS personal statement?
Replies
0
Views
382
Proudfather94
P
adr_ytx7
TouroCOM Masters in Harlem or Middletown?
Replies
0
Views
367
adr_ytx7
adr_ytx7
B
MS3 | 30M | Torn Between Ortho and Rads – Seeking Advice
Replies
9
Views
2K
Dr. Robb Bassett
Dr. Robb Bassett
E
Advice request: Submit ERAS or wait?
Replies
4
Views
1K
eggnotok
E
Top