A question for people who took time off before applying

[SnudgeMuffin]

What did you guys do and do you think that helped in terms of obtaining medical school acceptances?

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[rikkitikki]

I worked for six months and was a ski bum for five- the latter gave me intersting non medical things to discuss at interviews and most interviewers agreed it waqs good to take time off.

 

[analu]

I worked in a clinic for a few years...gained healthcare experience and got a couple of great letters of recommendation (one from a clinical professor who teaches for the school I got accepted into). Based on my numbers (borderline, at best), I think this experience was what got me in.

Good luck!

 

[KKay999]

Hi SnudgeMuffin. I have been working at a biotechnology company for the past two years. The first time I applied to school was right before I graduated college two years ago. I believe that my working experience has definitely given me a totally different outlook on life. I have gained numerous experiences that I didn't have when I graduated from college and I am better off because of it. I think that admission committees realize this and I definitey think it contributed to me being accepted this year.

And not to mention, you can also save some money for medical school!!

 

[praying mantis]

I worked as a surgical assistant for one year, and then as a chemistry teacher for the past two years. I think the teaching helped a lot, it was often asked about in interviews.

 

[Laura JC]

In the 15 years I was 'off', I worked as a professional musician and a homeschooling mom. I also participated in local government and various charitable organizations. I don't think any one of those things necessarily helped me get interviews and acceptances, but they have helped me mature in a particular way which I think came through in my application; and that would not have happened when I was in my twenties.

 

[racergirl]

I was a Category 2 (I guess you could call it "semi-pro") bicycle racer for 8 years. Had some pretty wicked injuries--good patient experience. Plus, fun stuff to talk about in interviews! One of my interviewers was a bone guy and we talked for like 20 minutes about a plate I got put in my shoulder...

 

[Assassin]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by racergirl:
•I was a Category 2 (I guess you could call it "semi-pro") bicycle racer for 8 years. Had some pretty wicked injuries--good patient experience. Plus, fun stuff to talk about in interviews! One of my interviewers was a bone guy and we talked for like 20 minutes about a plate I got put in my shoulder...•••••Go, Speed Racer, Go, Speed Racer, Goooo! <img border="0" alt="[Laughy]" title="" src="graemlins/laughy.gif" />
sorry

 

[A-Phi-A]

In my time off I got a PhD and also while waiting to apply, I did a post-doc at Harvard and at Texas A&M, then worked briefly for a biotech company and now I am back at A&M. Reason for my circuitous (sp.) is that I had to wait on my damned green card app to come through. I actually applied in 98 and got accepted to CRWU but didnt got cause I couldnt come up with the loot ( no green card ). I got the damn peice of paper (which isnt green) last august and applied a little late in the cycle. Im currently on the high priority waitlist at Upstate.

Bottom line is as long as you can show that your time off was spent developing yourself in some way it shouldnt hurt you.

 

[GoMavericks]

I worked as a stockbroker for 2 years and a teacher for 2 years.

 

[phllystyl]

I worked in a Peds. HIV clinical research lab for 2 years after my undergrad. It was really beneficial because I was not only able to see the research side of medicine in great detail but was also given the opporunity to go on rounds with the physician for whom I am a tech. It definitly solidified my interest in becoming a doctor, although I must admit the last year has been rather unstimulating and I am very anxious to get back to it...

 

[titanium]

i worked in business consulting for 4 years. it helped.

 

[dukeblue01]

I have worked in clinical research for the past 11 months (graduated May 2001), and also taught MCAT with Princeton Review during that time. Both were asked about at most of my interviews, and my clinical exposure seemed to be a strength. My teaching experience was always referenced and sometimes scrutinized for details. All in all, good experience in medicine is one of the best helpers in med school applications.

 

[altaskier]

I took 1 year off. I basically worked in two different clinics and did a lot of non-medical things, as well as recreational things. I think I really needed it. As in terms of helping me get in, I don't think any of the things I did this year off would help me get in. They were just a continuation of what I'd been doing for some years. I think I did a lot of personal growing this year. I'd tell you that your year off should me for you and not for the schools. Enjoy it.

 

[PunkRockDoc]

I've spent the last 2 yrs working as a chemist in the pharmaceutical industry.

 

[haughty]

I went to grad school, got my MPH and have been working for the past 3yrs as a researcher at a major non-profit health maintenance org. At all of my interviews I was able to talk about life outside of undergrad. I think that I my experiences allowed me to exhibit a maturity- both on my application and during my interviews that I definitely wouldn't have had straight outta undergrad- a definite plus for me.

 

[DrMom]

I did a variety of things in between undergrad and med school. I taught middle school for a couple of years and later got my MPH. The MPH was definitely seen as a plus by the med school (of course it didn't hurt that a couple of the family practice profs were in the MPH program with me!). I currently (until August) work for the local med society and teach college courses.

I have done other things that gave me good experience. In the summers when I taught middle school I would temp in medical offices and saw a variety of practices. I volunteered for the Red Cross teaching CPR classes. I spent time shadowing docs.

All of these things made me a much more rounded and mature applicant.

 

[mpp]

It was six years between college graduation and applying to medical school.

Did research towards a PhD in physics.
Worked for an environmental engineering company.
Taught freshman-level physics.
Taught ESL courses.
Taught high school math and science in Zimbabwe through the Peace Corps.

My Peace Corps service most definitely made a difference in my admission to medical school as I would never have even considered applying had it not been for my experiences in Africa. I knew that I could not negelect the unparalleled educational opportunities available to me.

 

[Vin Scully]

I took two years and did an MPH. It was a nice break from the normal academic stress of pre-med and med school, and I learned some great skills for my future practice. There is also the added benefit of having a lot to talk about in interviews.

 

[Nuclearrabbit]

i spent the last 8 years whoring my body to the highest bidder. it proved to be a great discussion topic during interviews.

 

[oldman]

I spent 5 months as a rehab tech on a TCU. I spent a summer as a full-time med school applicant. I have been a phlebotomist since August and a volunteer EMT since February.

 

[SnudgeMuffin]

Thank you everybody for sharing your experiences with me.

 

[CosciHasher]

I haven't seen a link yet, but this is a perfect place to mention <a href="http://www.oldpremeds.net" target="_blank">www.oldpremeds.net</a> the site for people with experience outside of college. There's lot of stories and strategies for the old pre-med here.

Enjoy!

 

[trouta]

I worked as a live-in volunteer in an orphanage in central america for 3 months. I think the intensive volunteering helped my application (not to mention what it did for me).

 

[turbogirl]

I worked as an aero engineer for NASA and the Air Force. Even though I did a lot of clinical volunteer work, all my interviewers wanted to talk about was my NASA experience. It definitely helped me have something "different" to talk about...

 

[oldman]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by turbogirl:
•I worked as an aero engineer for NASA and the Air Force. Even though I did a lot of clinical volunteer work, all my interviewers wanted to talk about was my NASA experience. It definitely helped me have something "different" to talk about... •••••did you get to be a junior rocket scientist? that's what one of my high school buddies was at NASA.

 

[Dr. Kermit]

I'm finishing up my year off. I don't regret it for a minute since I didn't have to worry about balancing my senior year with applying. This year, I was able to do research, apply, travel, and see my friends and boyfriend. I've also saved a considerable amount of money so that I'm not a starving med student. I am a bit worried about getting back into the swing of things since I haven't had a bio course since sophomore year, but not having had to study for the last year is a motivational factor.

 

[oldman]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by Dr. Kermit:
•I'm finishing up my year off. I don't regret it for a minute since I didn't have to worry about balancing my senior year with applying. This year, I was able to do research, apply, travel, and see my friends and boyfriend. I've also saved a considerable amount of money so that I'm not a starving med student. I am a bit worried about getting back into the swing of things since I haven't had a bio course since sophomore year, but not having had to study for the last year is a motivational factor.•••••was that bio course biochem? i remember those profs sucked donkey butt.

 

[brickmanli]

I did basically about everything during undergrad except for activities involving patient interactions. Then I wrote on the essay that I wanted to be a primary care physician.

During my year off, I did a lot of volunteer with old people in the hospital. I think it really helped me a lot by making my ambitions more believable.

Don't do more research if you want to become a family doctor. It sounds obvious but some my friends wanted to do the most ambitious thing, but sometimes they're not compatible with what you want to be.

 

[turbogirl]

oldman,

I didn't do the junior engineer thing. I had an awesome deal where NASA paid for my M.S. while I worked for them for two years. I was active duty at the time, so my salary was paid by the Air Force, but I got to work at NASA and do some cool stuff