Being an engineer for a gap year... or two?

[hopeforacure]

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Hello!

I am looking forward to getting some input on this. I was recently offered a job with a prestigious engineering company for two years (it is a rotation program). I would be working as a biomedical engineer in healthcare device manufacturing. It is a bit longer than my single gap year plan, but the position is an international travel-based job and would literally allow me to travel the world engineering, observing healthcare patterns, and more. It is not as medically related as I'd like, but the opportunity to live and work abroad (in at least 4 different countries over the 2 years) is extremely enticing. Also the salary isn't to shabby, and that's nice.

My questions:
1) I've already taken the MCAT (September 2014). Should I just go ahead and apply next cycle (for 2016 matriculation) and either withdraw early from the program or attempt to get a deferral? Would this be a valid reason to defer? Or should I just consider waiting another cycle to apply? Will my MCAT score still be valid that far ahead, given the changes to the exam?
2) Is this position going to benefit my app? Or will it detract from it since it's engineering based?
3) How difficult is it to communicate with medical schools while abroad?

Thanks you for all of your advice!

 

[Osteoth]

1. MCAT score should be valid for 3-5 years, so you should be fine.

2. Will it benefit your app? Probably. You will get an inside perspective into healthcare systems in undeserved(? not sure which countries you're going to) international communities around the world. Any activity can "help your app" depending on how you frame it. Spin is EVERYTHING.

3. Communication is not difficult, but if they need you to come in for anything or mail/scan documents, will you be able to do that?

All in all, if you are really passionate about this opportunity, then do it. Medical school will be there when you get back. Another factor to consider is, how old are you? When do you plan to get married, have kids, start a family? Your plan will push back this date another 2 years, so keep that in mind.

 

[deleted535750]

Know what schools you're going to be applying to. The MCAT will only be valid for a certain amount of time for each school. I know many schools that only allow scores to be valid for 2 application cycles, while others are more flexible.

 

[Avocado8]

Hello!

I am looking forward to getting some input on this. I was recently offered a job with a prestigious engineering company for two years (it is a rotation program). I would be working as a biomedical engineer in healthcare device manufacturing. It is a bit longer than my single gap year plan, but the position is an international travel-based job and would literally allow me to travel the world engineering, observing healthcare patterns, and more. It is not as medically related as I'd like, but the opportunity to live and work abroad (in at least 4 different countries over the 2 years) is extremely enticing. Also the salary isn't to shabby, and that's nice.

My questions:
1) I've already taken the MCAT (September 2014). Should I just go ahead and apply next cycle (for 2016 matriculation) and either withdraw early from the program or attempt to get a deferral? Would this be a valid reason to defer? Or should I just consider waiting another cycle to apply? Will my MCAT score still be valid that far ahead, given the changes to the exam?
2) Is this position going to benefit my app? Or will it detract from it since it's engineering based?
3) How difficult is it to communicate with medical schools while abroad?

Thanks you for all of your advice!

That sounds like a great opportunity with a LOT of new insights - as Osteoth said, it's all in how you spin it. (I'm currently in an unusual gap year). One thing to consider: will you be abroad the entire time? Could you take ~3 weeks off to be in the US for interviews (and maybe 2nd looks in the spring)? Most schools are open to scheduling people abroad in a limited window of time like that, but will your job allow that flexibility?

Re: deferral: You may be able to spin that for a valid reason AFTER an acceptance. Would you tell your job you're planning to apply / withdraw early? If your MCAT will still be valid at the schools you're interested in, you may want to wait an extra year to do the full two year program. Best of luck!

 

[ProbablyAPenguin]

1. MCAT score should be valid for 3-5 years, so you should be fine.

2. Will it benefit your app? Probably. You will get an inside perspective into healthcare systems in undeserved(? not sure which countries you're going to) international communities around the world. Any activity can "help your app" depending on how you frame it. Spin is EVERYTHING.

3. Communication is not difficult, but if they need you to come in for anything or mail/scan documents, will you be able to do that?

All in all, if you are really passionate about this opportunity, then do it. Medical school will be there when you get back. Another factor to consider is, how old are you? When do you plan to get married, have kids, start a family? Your plan will push back this date another 2 years, so keep that in mind.

in regards to MCAT score, might want to check out this regarding the 2015 MCAT
https://www.aamc.org/students/download/398586/data/mcatexampolicy.pdf

 

[hopeforacure]

That sounds like a great opportunity with a LOT of new insights - as Osteoth said, it's all in how you spin it. (I'm currently in an unusual gap year). One thing to consider: will you be abroad the entire time? Could you take ~3 weeks off to be in the US for interviews (and maybe 2nd looks in the spring)? Most schools are open to scheduling people abroad in a limited window of time like that, but will your job allow that flexibility?

Re: deferral: You may be able to spin that for a valid reason AFTER an acceptance. Would you tell your job you're planning to apply / withdraw early? If your MCAT will still be valid at the schools you're interested in, you may want to wait an extra year to do the full two year program. Best of luck!

I would definitely be able to take some time to be in the US - I could place one of my rotations here. So that's not a huge issue for me. I'm more concerned about when to apply - I feel ready this cycle, but I don't want to apply and not be able to get a deferral.

 

[ridethecliche]

I think you might have to take the new MCAT, but I think that having these experiences and money is a huge plus. If you can continue to do something clinical that involves patients (volunteering etc) then I'd jump on the biomed job. It's a great opportunity and if you're interested in a related field down the line, you'll have awesome insight and opportunity.

 

[Eppur Si Muove]

Your MCAT will be fine for some schools but some are also switching. From the list I looked at you would still have plenty of good schools to chose from that will take your MCAT and this sounds like a good experience.Nothing wrong with taking some time to travel and get a head start financially for your med school journey. I would do it, personally.

 

[NYCdude]

That actually sounds pretty dope. You can severely limit the amount of loans via your salary if you save up and you get a cool experience traveling the world.

 

[hopeforacure]

Thanks for all of the input! Does anyone think it might be worth applying this upcoming cycle and deferring or should I just wait another year and continue working?

 

[ProbablyAPenguin]

Thanks for all of the input! Does anyone think it might be worth applying this upcoming cycle and deferring or should I just wait another year and continue working?

Normally deferral policies are for extenuating circumstances, OR if you're doing something extremely medically related. Some schools have more lenient policies, some schools have more strict policies. I wouldn't risk getting accepted to your dream school and then realizing they won't let you defer..