Applicants not currently in school?

[hsouth]

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Hey everyone! I was wondering if there are many of us here on the board who are not currently in school. (Slightly nontraditional I guess) I graduated in May and chose to take a year off to work in my field (biotech), really study for the MCAT, plan my wedding, travel, etc. Anyone else? With all these questions I read about "oh no I have an organic chemistry test!" I feel a little out of the loop, but pretty good for being out here. I'm hoping my year of "real world" experience will help at interview time (first one next week! Woohoo!)
Good luck to all!

 

[Sweet Tea]

i took 2 years off of school before starting this fall. taking time off was definetly the best decision i could have made about applying, and i'm so glad i did! i did clinical research, got to travel, co-authored a paper, presented the paper at a national conference, retook orgo and took some graduate bio classes, and continued working as a volunteer EMT. i loved it.

enjoy your year off, and good luck at your interview!!

 

[MEDicated]

hsouth,

im here with ya....taking a year off has been a great decision....instead of busting my balls and getting burnt out BEFORE medical school even starts, I'm teaching HS algebra and biology. Don't feel like I'm missing anything on these interview trips....worst case scenario is that i get a paid day off work. life is too short, play hard....at least that is before med school starts

 

[SarahGM]

I agree... I graduated from Dartmouth in June and have moved to Durham, NC to work at Duke in a research lab for a year. I am having an absolute *blast* so far. It was such a good decision for me.
Financially, it makes sense as well. Most med schools require you to have a car, and loans don't cover monthly payments for your vehicle. SO- time to get crackin' and pay off this car while I can!

Sar

 

[hale-bopp]

I graduated mid-year, and am taking a year and a half off before starting next fall (I got an acceptance yesterday, so I really am starting next fall!) I'm workign in a research lab, and soon I plan to do some traveling. While I was in college, I had an athletic commitment that I would have had to give up to apply to med school (MCAT was during a really important event, I would have been missing tons of practices in the fall for interviews) Now, I just miss work, and they understand that I am doing this. Most of the research techs apply to med or grad school, so they are used to it. I think that most of the people I have at my interviews are working now... I think it can make you a stronger applicant, because having a full-time job demonstrates maturity, and I know it will make me a better med student. Having had a "real" job gives me a very different perspective on school, a greater sense of responsibility to be where I am supposed to...

 

[Heal&Teach]

Hey folks,

I've taken off a little more time than most of the folks on this board... I went to graduate school immediately following college, and I'm in my second year of doing a research fellowship. This has been the best decision for me, and I'm comforted by my decision since so many other people that I've met over the past three years are in the same boat. I must say that this hiatus has me wanting more, every day, to get back into the swing of things and into school. I've learned how to study more efficiently, and I am much more emotionally prepared to go in than I was back in 2000 when I graduated, and even when I left grad school. I'm in the middle of pulling my hair out, I mean applying now, but it's all worth the stress and strain, especially with a bit of rest.

Best of luck to everyone! 🙂

 

[FutureERDoc]

I am taking a year off....and can't find a job😕 but I too am working on apps, interviews, planning our wedding ( May 1, 04...hsouth when are you getting hitched? Congratulations!!)

I am trying to find a research job, but have not had much luck (BTW, if anyone is looking for an assistant in the NY/NJ/PA area, let me know)

I had an interviewer ask me "What are you doing this year" and he seemed to understand that the job market kinda blows in this area....But I must say I am very jealous of you all!!

 

[OrthoFixation]

I've taken 14 years off since ugrad, 10 since grad school. I've traveled to 4 continents, done industrial research, grown as a person and developed a family.

I have a much greater appreciation of what many take for granted but probably wouldn't change a thing.

 

[Amy B]

Been out of school since May 2002. Since graduation I have been spending catch up time with my family. My daughter was 3 1/2 when I started my undergrad work and she didn't remember when her mom wasn't in school.

I figure I have this time to enjoy with my family before the grind of med school next fall.

 

[Fritz]

I have been out of school for a while too, not necessarily because I wanted but because I had no choice. I had to support my family and needed money for application fees and interviews. I did research during this time. I hope it will give me something to talk about at my interviews.

 

[hsouth]

FutureERDoc - I'm getting married June 26th 🙂 Can't wait! Then we're taking a month to drive x-country as our honeymoon before I go to med school (hopefully!).

Everyone else - Glad to hear that I'm not the only one not in school right now! Congrats and good luck to all of you who have decided to go back after a long wait. 🙂

~H

 

[charityj]

I graduated in May 2001. I've been doing research ever since, but I am definitely ready to start school...🙂

I'm glad that I am not alone here as a "non-traditional" 😀

 

[Swiper]

I've been working for a few years now - no regrets whatsoever. Taking classes again (orgo, some bios at UNC - I guess moving to Durham prior to med school is the thing to do!), I have a much different (i.e. mature) perspective than my first time around in the college atmosphere. Having a family and seeing the world definitely help when it comes to examining life's priorities!

Good luck and congrats to everyone - it appears there is a light somewhere at the end of this (loooooooong) tunnel!

 

[jlee9531]

like the amy b, ive been out since may 02.

i needed the time off to take care of the family and etc...basically that. i already took the mcat during sr year and stuff.

so im just here to stabilize the fort and figure something out when i leave to go med school.

but i do like the fact that i have this year to focus on nothing except apps and work.

 

[docchick]

I'm not *really* in school... 🙂
I graduated in May, and am taking a few classes now - mostly because I don't have a job! But I am so apathetic about it now, I know I HAVE to find one for next semester.
I plan on working (and if I make some money in the first few months - backpacking in Asia) with the rest of my time. I'm SO glad I've got this extra year - I can catch up on living!

for FutureERdoc and others:
How do you apply for jobs when you *plan* on only working for a couple of months?

 

[essbe]

I graduated in May 2002 as well. Been working full-time NOT in a lab. Who knew that spending so many hours each day in a cube farm would teach me about character and life, but it did. I have no regrets whatsoever. I always wanted to be a doctor, but I was far from ready in college. Considering how lame I was back then (though not as excruciatingly lame as I was in high school), I'm really happy I could learn about the mythical Real World from something other than MTV. I'm not all-growed-up just yet, but I'm getting there. 🙂

 

[CaMD]

I graduated May 2003. I'm working full-time, taking a class, and overall enjoying life not in school. 🙂 I LOVE free time. I love going on long walks and watching TV and cooking meals that take longer than 10 minutes to prepare!

I think I will apply this upcoming summer (2004) though I may delay that til 2005. Partly depending on when my bf can graduate and get a post-doc, partly depending on how strong I think my app is, and if it would be significantly stronger in another year, and partly because this new relaxed lifestyle I have discovered is really great.

(I think I will be a better student in Med school because I have had this refreshing break. And I know officially that a "desk job" is not for me, so I will appreciate that when I am running around the hospital on no sleep!)

 

[FutureERDoc]

Docchick-
it may seem unethical, but I have no intentions of letting potential employers know about the temporary nature of my employment. Don't get me wrong-- I have applied for jobs through temp agencies as well, and have no desire to screw anyone over, but the reality is that if you say "please hire me and spend money to train me, but I will be leaving in a few months", then you will most likely not get the job. Plus, God forbid I did not get in this year (since I dont have any acceptances yet ) I may be in fact working for more than just a few months...

I still feel guilty about doing it, but it is rare (and I haven't seen any yet) that will someone hire you for a decent job for only a few months....

 

[docchick]

That's what I kinda figured . . .
*chucks conscience out the window*
🙂

 

[futuredrswife]

futureerdoc-

i do think it's unethical, not to be harsh. working in an employment office, i can tell you that it's a lot of work to get someone hired, and turnover looks really bad. if you don't tell your future employer that you're leaving within [insert time frame here], they are often pretty pissed off and won't give you a good recommendation down the road. and you never know when someone will contact them. trust me on this.

my suggestion is to either go to a temp agency, which specializes in temporary employment, or to look through temporary employment listings. many large employers have a whole separate category of employment designed for students/ interns/ passers-through.

 

[FutureERDoc]

I wont disagree with you drswife...and I fully advocate temp positions (believe me I'm trying)....but sometimes honesty gets you nothing but the absence of a paycheck, late car payments, late rent, and no food on the table...

 

[docchick]

I'm only really looking for temp stuff now...but I'm not finding much.

Yipee! I've always wanted to be a waitress!

 

[FutureERDoc]

FutureERDoc: "Would you like fries with that?"

 

[docchick]

HaHa!

My pre-med advisor once told me, "McDonalds is always hiring."

(This was after my "what am I going to do with my life, I didn't get into medical school and now all I got is this stinkin' biology degree" breakdown, so I wasn't laughing then)

 

[metabolite]

I graduated in 1999 (MPH)... undergrad in 1996.. didn't think I'd ever go back to school but here I am applying... all these waiting is driving me crazy, esp it seems that so many people have gotten their interviews already... 🙁

 

[ErraticLotus]

I graduated in 2001, was resigned to working as a waitress while trying to figure out what to do with my life (didn't think I could find a different job).. Then I became depressingly bored and after a few months, found a job as a clinical research assistant at a hospital. After a year, discovered that I liked working here, applied to med schools, didn't get in, and am now applying again.

 

[woolie]

You guys in NY can call the Temporary Services at Memorial Sloan Kettering and see if they can hook you up with something temporary.

A friend of mine did it in between gigs. The hospital's kind of a real drag when it comes to employment practices and there's a LOT of turnover for very good reason. 😉

But why not use it to your advantage. They're at 41st and Third Ave, but call the main number and ask for their number. Be persistent, but have no illusions either.

 

[FutureERDoc]

Thanks woolie...I'm calling manana!

 

[snapdad]

Originally posted by futuredrswife
futureerdoc-

i do think it's unethical, not to be harsh. working in an employment office, i can tell you that it's a lot of work to get someone hired, and turnover looks really bad. if you don't tell your future employer that you're leaving within [insert time frame here], they are often pretty pissed off and won't give you a good recommendation down the road. and you never know when someone will contact them. trust me on this.

my suggestion is to either go to a temp agency, which specializes in temporary employment, or to look through temporary employment listings. many large employers have a whole separate category of employment designed for students/ interns/ passers-through.

I've found myself in this same situation, and have been wrestling with just how to handle it. I finished grad school in May, and have been trying to find a "real job" since, keeping in mind that I would prefer not to screw an employer over by leaving next summer after they put a lot of time and money into training me, but also that I have obligations at the same time. The problem is that the economy sucks, and it's often not easy to even find temp work that's regular enough to pay the bills. Same goes for intern positions - they're often the first ones axed when the economy sours. It's not as easy to be idealistic when the rent and heat bills are due, the car needs gas, and you're starving because you're trying to protect a potential employer. Not to mention, those pesky airline tickets for interviews have to be paid for somehow! 🙂 The best I've been able to do so far is to be straight with an employer and work part-time, which is a little more flexible in terms of long-term expectations, but doesn't pay the bills nearly as well. I just hope I get in someplace this year so it hasn't all been in vain.

 

[metabolite]

Any workplace that you would consider a "real job" expects minimum of two weeks notice. They should be prepared to hire someone in case an employee has to leave, whether it's for school, better opportunity or even illness. On the other hand, if you announce to everyone that you are looking to leave at some unknown time next year, that puts more strain in the work environment.

I love the group I am working for right now, and as soon as I hear from school I will let them know (still no more than 1 month notice) but you really don't need to be torn apart about leaving your work, as long as it's for a good reason. Believe me, leaving for further education is really the best reason and everyone should congratulate you; if not, then that wasn't the best place to work for in the first place.

 

[sherman1]

I am an nontraditional student who has been out of college for almost 8 years and will be starting medical school in Fall 2004
Not going to medical school right away is probably one of the best things I could have done. I have had many incredible experiences since college. I have worked in research (w/publication), worked at Johns Hopkins Hospital in the Pathology department, volunteered,and worked at Abbott Laboratories for the past three years with diagnostic assays. A long the way I have taken many graduate classes in Biochemistry, Physiology, and Neuroscience to prepare me for school. Because of my experiences I am much more focused, confident, and mature than I was in college. I think people going to medical school right after college are not as mature and have a very limited perspective on life and health care. I would highly recommend taking off time before school and getting as many experiences as you can, it will really help you in school and as a future physician

 

[snapdad]

I agree completely. I've found myself in the same situation, and I think it's helped my application file quite a bit. There is so much to be gained by working outside of an academic setting for a while. It's different enough from academia that it offers a whole new set of perspectives and people skills, and it increases your ability to deal professionally with ever-changing situations. Same with volunteering and graduate degrees. Based on my impressions in interviews so far, folks on admissions committees seem to recognize this and appreciate it.