Can I take a non-research gap year?

[captivewill]

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Hi, I'm currently a third-year applying next cycle to a split of about half MD/PhD programs and half MD-only (all the MD-only programs have internal application processes that I would try for if I didn't get into an MD/PhD program directly). I'm planning to graduate this spring, thus leaving my senior year as a gap year. There's a specific cause outside of medicine/research that I'm passionate about and hoping to work for during my gap year, but I'm concerned this will be a red flag especially for MD/PhD adcoms. I'm committed to this route, but I don't see any other time in my life that I'd be able to work for this cause, although I would just be taking an entry-level job with an advocacy group. Another concern with not doing research is that I already have comparatively little experience. By the time I graduate, I'll have been in the same lab for two years including summers and will have one 2nd author pub, 2 posters, and a senior honors thesis. I consider my research my most significant activity, but I know my experience pales in comparison to other applicants who have another year in college, done post-baccs, worked as techs, etc. With this in mind, would not doing research during my gap year be detrimental to my application? I haven't heard of any MD/PhD applicants without research gap years, and my application especially could probably benefit from one. Also, not sure if this is relevant, but my stats are a (3.96/528) with pretty standard ECs, and I'm applying basically only to T20s (~10 schools MD/PhD, ~10 MD-only). Any feedback is much appreciated, and thank you for your time!

 

[mdphd_applicant]

> my stats are a (3.96/528)

Wow. I honestly wish I had advice for you, but I'm mostly here to sit in awe at these numbers.

 

[tr]

I don't think it's killer, especially since your numbers are good. Can you spin it so it seems relevant to your medicine/research interests at all?

 

[MSTPadvocate]

red flag.

 

[medjustice]

red flag.

Just curious, why is this a red flag? Seems like OP is passionate about something that could even be instrumental in developing them into a mature person with talents and interests outside of research alone. I think it would be beneficial to have a more thorough answer.

 

[captivewill]

I don't think it's killer, especially since your numbers are good. Can you spin it so it seems relevant to your medicine/research interests at all?

Thanks! It's not really relevant to my research interests, but I could possibly relate it to medicine from a public health standpoint.

 

[captivewill]

@MSTPadvocate Oof thanks for the honesty. I may have to put this aside then and somehow find a way to still contribute to this cause while working in a lab..
@medjustice I might as well spill it - I'm hoping to work for an environmental group next year. I could argue its relevance to medicine from a public health perspective, and it wouldn't be such an issue if I were applying MD-only, but I get that it seems uncommitted to research to just run off and do this for a year.
@mdphd_applicant thanks haha, my WARS score is nowhere near yours though

 

[tr]

What are your research interests? Could you relate it to environmental bioengineering? I still don't think this is so awful if your application is good otherwise. Admissions people like to see passion and altruism.

 

[Seihai]

Doing such a gap year would make it harder for you to apply MD-PhD (I have not met a single MD-PhD applicant who took a gap year that didn't do research during that gap year). However, I don't think that this kind of gap year would nullify your chances, and you could definitely still apply MD.

I wouldn't bank on the idea of applying MD and then applying internally to MD-PhD. If you knew you wanted to do MD-PhD, then there's no point in not applying MD-PhD straight through.

 

[medjustice]

I'm very curious to hear @MSTPadvocate's explanation because I can't seem to figure out why this would be a red flag. You have the scores, you have the research, you even have a publication. On paper, you are probably within the 90th percentile of applicants. After having lots of success this application cycle, I'm realizing the things that many call "red flags" were not even worth mentioning on my interviews. I just wonder what the rationale is for these red flags.

 

[PumpernickelCloudberry]

For MD/PhD programs, they're investing lots of money in you to train you for an academic research career. They are very wary of students who might drop out of the PhD or drop out of research entirely after residency, either because those students are not fully aware of what a research career involves (it's not very glamorous), or they simply like clinical practice and other things more. When you interview with MD/PhD directors or steering committee members, make sure you communicate that you like research, and all that you ever envision yourself doing is research, that you want to do at least 80% research in your career.

 

[PumpernickelCloudberry]

I can't seem to figure out why this would be a red flag.

By going into a MD/PhD program, captivewill is signing him/herself up for a rather rigidly structured career path that will last for the next 15-20 years. In those years, there's not really a time allocated for doing that other activity that you're passionate enough to take a gap year for. Will you be happy? Do you know what you're signing yourself up for?

 

[tp53]

It is certainly possible, I have met a few current students who did not do research if they took gap year(s). You must consider whether your current research experience is competitive for programs which you would like to attend. From what I gather, you have done 2 years of research during undergrad, but as a current gap year applicant I would strongly advise you to consider doing research during your gap year. Doing research full time 12 months out of the year is very different from the undergraduate experience, and you will quickly learn whether research is right for you this way. In short, it is strongly recommended that you take a research gap year, but you certainly stand a chance without additional research at some schools given your current academic record.

 

[captivewill]

@tr I'm currently interested in cancer research, specifically immunotherapy. Environmental bioengineering sounds interesting.. I might try and look for a tech position in that field. Although it's not really related to my current or (hopefully) future research, this would probably be the best of both worlds for my gap year.
@Seihai I've heard that you shouldn't apply to MD-only and MD/PhD, but I also feel like my app is stronger as a MD candidate, since my research experience at 2 years is basically the minimum for an MD/PhD candidate lol. You're right though, and I may change my school list to be all MD/PhD, especially if I do take a lab position next year.
@medjustice Same, I'm guessing the issue is commitment to research, although different programs might have differing views on this.
Thanks for the feedback.
@PumpernickelCloudberry Got it, thanks for the advice. I didn't set aside a gap year specifically for this activity, but I just thought I might as well use it for something else I'm passionate about outside of lab, since I can't see myself not doing research in the future.
@tp53 Ah makes sense. I did do research full-time this past summer, but after hearing everyone's thoughts on this, I think I will be working in a lab next year as well.

 

[gbwillner]

@tr I'm currently interested in cancer research, specifically immunotherapy. Environmental bioengineering sounds interesting.. I might try and look for a tech position in that field. Although it's not really related to my current or (hopefully) future research, this would probably be the best of both worlds for my gap year.
@Seihai I've heard that you shouldn't apply to MD-only and MD/PhD, but I also feel like my app is stronger as a MD candidate, since my research experience at 2 years is basically the minimum for an MD/PhD candidate lol. You're right though, and I may change my school list to be all MD/PhD, especially if I do take a lab position next year.
@medjustice Same, I'm guessing the issue is commitment to research, although different programs might have differing views I didn't set aside a gap year specifically for this activity, but I just thought I might as well use it for something else I'm passionate about outside of lab...

The issue is one of commitment... I've seen programs accept students like this, only to get burned the next year when those students realize their REAL passion is that thing they elected to do instead of beginning their careers.