Deferral Chances

[Dr.Grimes]

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Hello All!

I am trying to apply to Med School for 2015, but I am planning to defer. I have a potential research opportunity that would require a 2 year commitment, making 2016 the preferred start year.

I need to apply this round as my MCAT score is about to expire (36, taken 2012). Are my deferral chances good or will they not grant me one (understanding that all schools have different policies) because I went in knowing I would have to complete my 2 year commitment?

Any help is appreciated!

 

[gyngyn]

Schools do not interview and accept with the expectation that you will ask to defer.

 

[Frostbite22]

If you have that great of an MCAT depending on everything else I wouldn't do the research commitment. Either ditch the research opportunity or retake the MCAT and hope you do as well on it. I mean why would a school knowingly accept an applicant who will just try to defer their admission seat?

 

[Espadaleader]

Take the research opportunity.

 

[el_duderino]

If you are accepted, and they deny your request to defer, what will you do?

 

[Dr.Grimes]

If the deferral is denied, I could legally quit the research position at the cost of potentially burning several bridges (Residents, Doctors, Researchers) at a prestigious University, or I would have to deny my admission and hope the next round is lucky. There is a small chance the research position would let me go as I would have 1.5 years completed at the time of matriculation.

I am hesitant to re-take the MCAT due to my good score (higher end of what I probably could have scored) and with all of the new MCAT changes, I feel I would be at a disadvantage re-taking it having been out of school since 2012.

The position would be running all of the research for the orthopedic surgery residents at a top 10 medical school.

 

[el_duderino]

When will you find out whether you have gotten the research position?

 

[Dr.Grimes]

Within 2 weeks. Not as early as I would like to apply, but not too late to be disadvantaged.

 

[el_duderino]

Submit your AMCAS with one school selected. Won't be too expensive and gets you in the verification queue.

If you get the research position, withdraw the app/don't complete the secondary. If you don't, full steam ahead.

 

[Plecopotamus]

Hello All!

I am trying to apply to Med School for 2015, but I am planning to defer. I have a potential research opportunity that would require a 2 year commitment, making 2016 the preferred start year.

I need to apply this round as my MCAT score is about to expire (36, taken 2012). Are my deferral chances good or will they not grant me one (understanding that all schools have different policies) because I went in knowing I would have to complete my 2 year commitment?

Any help is appreciated!

Schools vary in how liberal they are with granting deferrals. However, in general, deferrals are expected to accommodate circumstances that were unforseen at the time of application, not your desire to have your cake and eat it too.