Advice needed: I want to start medical school this year but might have to defer for health reasons

[jaly]

I am in a DILEMMA and I need all advice I can get. I am first generation so my family has no idea how to help me make this decision.

I am currently holding 1 MD acceptance but I am considering deferring one year for health reasons. 5 months ago I became severely ill (frequent infections, hospitalizations, etc.) Since then, I have still been dealing with frequent illnesses and MANY blood tests trying to determine the cause of my immunodeficiencies. After months of seeing a dozen specialists and being seen at Stanford, no one can give me a diagnosis and it doesn't seem like I will get one soon. I have started new medications but they can take up to 6 months to see results. Here is a (kinda) simple breakdown of my two choices...

If I matriculate this year, I will have to move across the country. I do not have friends or family there. I would have to seek new care and establish with new specialists. I may get sick frequently and have to miss classes (but I might also get better with my new medication and not get sick ). I would be excited to start somewhere new and keep my mind off my medical stressors.

If I defer one year, I will work full-time (at a job I do not really like) and continue to see my doctors here. I have been struggling mentally with my unsatisfying job on top of being sick constantly. It's a decent job but I would constantly be thinking of what I could be doing in medical school instead. Also, it is not guaranteed I will get a diagnosis or feel better in one year.

I already took two gap years preparing my application and saving money. I want to just get on with my life and start studying medicine. At the same time, I don't want to make this choice and set myself up for failure.

Any advice is appreciated, especially from those in med school living with chronic illnesses

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Congratulations on your acceptance and please update us with your WAMC.

Does your school offer deferrals for this reason? Have you reached out? What does student health insurance cover?

 

[GoSpursGo]

Reach out now to your school to discuss. However, if you're frequently being hospitalized that is incompatible with medical school and if given the option you need to defer. While you might not get a diagnosis or improve in a year at least it gives you a shot.

 

[jaly]

Congratulations on your acceptance and please update us with your WAMC.

Does your school offer deferrals for this reason? Have you reached out? What does student health insurance cover?

The school does offer deferrals for health reasons but it is restrictive so I have not reached out yet as I am waiting to hear back from one other school I interviewed at (in-state). The student healthcare is through United which I think is pretty standard.

 

[wysdoc]

The school does offer deferrals for health reasons but it is restrictive

@jaly, you should know that if you request a deferral from a school like this, to delay your start time a year, that you will also be agreeing that you will not be using the year off to apply again to other medical schools. You will be signing an agreement to matriculate at this medical school.

It sounds like you will need this time to get your health stabilized before beginning school.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

So an interesting proposal and assuming the in-state program does not move to give you an offer, if you wind up with this school as the only one you get accepted to and you are granted a deferral, would your health team be willing to find colleagues who practice at or near the school? Would you be able to move out to the city where the medical school list located and acclimate yourself to the medical team there before starting medical school later?

In good faith, you should also update the other school where you are waiting on a decision. You may need to wait it out until you get the second decision to request the deferral at the school of your choice.

 

[Goro]

I am in a DILEMMA and I need all advice I can get. I am first generation so my family has no idea how to help me make this decision.

I am currently holding 1 MD acceptance but I am considering deferring one year for health reasons. 5 months ago I became severely ill (frequent infections, hospitalizations, etc.) Since then, I have still been dealing with frequent illnesses and MANY blood tests trying to determine the cause of my immunodeficiencies. After months of seeing a dozen specialists and being seen at Stanford, no one can give me a diagnosis and it doesn't seem like I will get one soon. I have started new medications but they can take up to 6 months to see results. Here is a (kinda) simple breakdown of my two choices...

If I matriculate this year, I will have to move across the country. I do not have friends or family there. I would have to seek new care and establish with new specialists. I may get sick frequently and have to miss classes (but I might also get better with my new medication and not get sick ). I would be excited to start somewhere new and keep my mind off my medical stressors.

If I defer one year, I will work full-time (at a job I do not really like) and continue to see my doctors here. I have been struggling mentally with my unsatisfying job on top of being sick constantly. It's a decent job but I would constantly be thinking of what I could be doing in medical school instead. Also, it is not guaranteed I will get a diagnosis or feel better in one year.

I already took two gap years preparing my application and saving money. I want to just get on with my life and start studying medicine. At the same time, I don't want to make this choice and set myself up for failure.

Any advice is appreciated, especially from those in med school living with chronic illnesses

Very sorry to hear of your health issues.

I definitely advise asking for a deferral. Your situation is exactly what they're designed for.