Defer post bacc enrollment?

[sholder]

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Hi everyone:

I was wondering what all your thoughts might be when it comes to deferring enrollment to a post-bacc program. I am interested in applying and then deferring, however, I am not sure if this is reccomended or even considered once accepted into these programs.

Anyone have any experience here?

 

[relentless11]

Hi everyone:

I was wondering what all your thoughts might be when it comes to deferring enrollment to a post-bacc program. I am interested in applying and then deferring, however, I am not sure if this is reccomended or even considered once accepted into these programs.

Anyone have any experience here?

Considering its a crapshoot to get into med school regardless of your stats, I'd do post-bacc anyway. If you don't get into med school, you would have to some extent wasted a year away.

Really if you have a competative GPA and MCAT score then apply, and defer, but IMO, I'd like to have a back-up plan to apply again! Now if your GPA is average or less than average, then I'd really consider not deferring at all.

 

[lawnboy313]

Hi everyone:

I was wondering what all your thoughts might be when it comes to deferring enrollment to a post-bacc program. I am interested in applying and then deferring, however, I am not sure if this is reccomended or even considered once accepted into these programs.

Anyone have any experience here?

Some programs--like Columbia and Hunter (if I remember correctly)--allow deferments of up to a year. You'll have to check on others. The only reasons I can think of to NOT wait to apply at the appropriate time would be:

1. You'll be busy travelling or something and won't be in a space to put applications together

2. You won't have the same fresh connections to folks who will write your LORs a year down the road

3. You're taking a year off to do something completely random that you can't figure out how you'll explain in an interview or personal statement.

If these don't apply, it seems unneccesary to defer. Just apply at the appropriate time. Regardless, I don't think deferring is a big deal either way.