3 Years + year off---bad idea?

[Mish550]

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Hey everyone,
I need some advice. I go to school at a small, jesuit school in ohio. I always wanted to go to a bigger school in a bigger city, but I got into a BS/MD program so I'm here now. Although I'm happy where I am now, I think I want to graduate in three years....not because I'm in a rush, but because I think I really don't have that much to gain by staying an extra year; I came in with 36 credit hours. My BS/MD program is not binding, so I can apply to as manyother medical schools as I want and still keep my seat in my medical school. So my plan is to graduate in theree years and do something my fourth year and apply for medical school during that period too. What do you guys think? Will graduating in three keep me from getting into another medical school? Also, what kinds of things to people do in that year off?
Thanks!

 

[Mish550]

By the way, the medical school I am admitted to is the University of Cincinnati....

 

[ckent]

Sounds like you already have a good plan. In terms of what to do during that year off, I would recommend research. Not only does research experience help you get into medical school, residency programs look favorably upon research experience as well, particularly if you are published.

Also, in terms of entering college with credits, if you are entering with advanced credits for your pre-med req classes, you may want to consider turning down the credits and re-taking the class in college. The reason for this is because you can make sure that you learn the stuff for the MCAT, and pad your GPA by doing well in class. Med schools (as far as I know) will never know that you had the option to place out of any class but did not take it.

 

[SocialistMD]

I really do not know about the whole BS/MD program and how it will affect you, but I say if there is no need for you to go a fourth year, you do not need to do so. During your off year, do something you enjoy. I graduated in three years and got a job in a neonatal intensive care unit for the year I was off. The clinical exposure was great and it really confirmed for me that I wanted to go into medicine. Do not do research unless you have an interest. There is no point in doing something for a year that you do not like just to make yourself look like a better applicant. Figre out what it is that you want to do and do that, not what you think an admissions committee wants you to do.

 

[Mish550]

Thanks for all your advice everyone! Any other suggestions?

 

[codeguy]

If you can take a year off then do it. As long as it has no effect on your current program I would go for it.

That year may allow you sometime to reflect on your current plans and clarify your path.

Enjoy the break. It will most likely be the last one you get for quite sometime. 😀

 

[phillybabe]

SocialistMD,

What kind of job did you get in neonatal ICU? Because I am graduating this year and cannot figure what kind of job I could get in a hospital with a BS in biology. I was thinking of volunteering but its too boring to sit and watch people. I have worked as a 'unit assistant' in a hospital before but its minimum wages. It would be nice if i could make some money for a year.

--Phillybabe

 

[Hamster]

My year off I worked in clinical settings because I had no clinical experience... but mainly because I hated research 😉 (I already had two and half years of the stuff and was published).
Although I loved the clinical setting and true.. it has motivated me to continue towards an M.D...It would have been sooo nice to make money.
If I had it to do all over again, I would plan ahead. Take a course at some Community College to be a Scrub Tech ( they are about a year in length) and then work in the hospital after graduation.. That way I could have had my cake and ate it too. Yum ! 😉 Clinical environment.. a little money. 😉
My advice is DO NOT ONLY CONSIDER YOUR RESUME but what you like too! Believe me a year can seem like an eternity doing something you hate/bored with. Whew! That is my 50 cents !

 

[SocialistMD]

Originally posted by phillybabe:
•
What kind of job did you get in neonatal ICU? •

I got hired on as a Pharmacy Technician in the NICU sattelite pharmacy. I took the test, and as long as you know basic math, some drug trade/generic names and a little about pharmacy law, it is a snap. I was making around $13.00/hour, and I was out in the unit all of the time (attending rounds, watching minor procedures done in the unit, etc...). Very cool indeed. Plus, working in the hospital allowed me to network with some surgeons and they let me watch a great many surgeries on my days off.

 

[Jeff05]

If you're in a guaranteed admission program -you might want to think about taking the year off. Travel, hang out - if you don't have money for that get a cushy chem/bio job and relax, live a little. I think it's great to be able to live in the now, especially when your future nows are secure...
Why do you want to apply to other medical schools? Just curious.

 

[gower]

I suggest you read the fine print in that BA/MD contract. You can opt out, but that usually means all bets are off. If you want to go to Cincinatti a year later, you may have to apply as a regular applicant. Or, instead of being your own lawyer, ask the program specifically if your interpretation is correct. Better safe than sorry.

 

[Mish550]

Hi,
Thanks for all the replies. By the way, I will still have my seat at Cincinnati even if I take a year (or two!) off. The program is very open ended and flexible.

 

[lilycat]

Mish, as a quick word of caution, I echo what gower says -- you may be able to take a year off, but your agreement with them may prevent you from applying to other medical schools during that time frame (ie, if you choose to apply to other schools, your "guaranteed" spot at Cincinnati may no longer be guaranteed at that time. There are similar rules if someone applies to med schools, is accepted at one and defers -- while you can take time off, technically you are not allowed to reapply in that time frame, and if the school finds out, they almost certainly revoke the admission offer. Look into this very carefully before you start applying.

As for stuff to do during time off, if there are any week spots in your application, now is the perfect time to take care of them. Otherwise, talk to friends and professors, and try to find a job that would interest you and challenge you for the next year. Clinical experience is usually a great idea during time off, because that can help reaffirm your interest in going to med school, or you might realize that there is no way you want to do this for your life, and you still have the chance to change your plans accordingly.

Phillybabe, you asked about what kind of job you can get with a BS in biology. If you aren't interested in working in a lab, but would like to be in a hospital or clinical setting, I highly recommend a clinical research coordinator position (they are sometimes classified as life science or social science research assistants). You typically help docs set up and run clinical trials, and can often get significant clinical experience, working with the patients and/or their families. Some of these jobs will require more experience than others, but you can probably find one that suits your background.