Deferral-Friendly Schools...

[brbsb]

I apologize if this topic has been posted before, but I searched and didn't find anything...

I'm planning on applying this upcoming summer, but I am not planning on matriculating until Fall 2010. My reason for this is because I have the opportunity to teach English in France for a year, possibly as a Fulbright scholar, and I don't feel like it's an opportunity I can pass up. However, I've also been told that it's virtually impossible to apply for medical school in the US while overseas, so I wanted to apply this summer and hopefully have an acceptance so that I can begin medical school when I return from France.

So, my question here is what schools are generally friendly as far as granting deferrals? I am an Indiana resident, if that has any effect on it. Thanks in advance =)

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[Dr.D-man]

UMich is deferral friendly. I had a Kaplan instructor in his second year of deferral because he was in a band. Yes... in a band, that was good enough for them. They didn't even give him any problem about it. All it took was one email.

 

[brbsb]

UMich is deferral friendly. I had a Kaplan instructor in his second year of deferral because he was in a band. Yes... in a band, that was good enough for them. They didn't even give him any problem about it. All it took was one email.

Thanks! UMich is one of the schools I was interested in already, so I'm glad to hear that =)

 

[TheRealMD]

The only consideration you might have is that you need to tell them usually before a certain date (like May or so) in order for your deferral to be granted. But seeing as you already know that you'd like to defer, you should have no problem with that.

 

[brbsb]

The only consideration you might have is that you need to tell them usually before a certain date (like May or so) in order for your deferral to be granted. But seeing as you already know that you'd like to defer, you should have no problem with that.

Are most schools pretty easy-going about it, then?

 

[Ashers]

MCW has something about deferring admission on their website under like the admissions section. I saw it there this weekend. www.mcw.edu then look for application type stuff.

Edit: So now I have time to look up the link and reference.

Delayed Admission
Option to defer admission for one year is available to all applicants accepted before June 1, provided the applicant has met all stipulations in their acceptance. The applicant must file an AMCAS Delay/Defer application.

 

[EddieIndy]

I apologize if this topic has been posted before, but I searched and didn't find anything...

I'm planning on applying this upcoming summer, but I am not planning on matriculating until Fall 2010. My reason for this is because I have the opportunity to teach English in France for a year, possibly as a Fulbright scholar, and I don't feel like it's an opportunity I can pass up. However, I've also been told that it's virtually impossible to apply for medical school in the US while overseas, so I wanted to apply this summer and hopefully have an acceptance so that I can begin medical school when I return from France.

So, my question here is what schools are generally friendly as far as granting deferrals? I am an Indiana resident, if that has any effect on it. Thanks in advance =)

The IU Director of Admissions was at our school and he actually talked about deferral. He wasn't too specific, but he said that "backpacking in Europe" would not grant you a deferral, while a "Medical Missionary Trip" will.

Hopefully that works out for you!

 

[KeyzerSoze]

It seems that Cincinnati is ok with deferrals.

Does the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine allow students to delay matriculation?

The College of Medicine allows a one (1) year deferral for students who wish to take a year off prior to matriculating into the College.

 

[brbsb]

The IU Director of Admissions was at our school and he actually talked about deferral. He wasn't too specific, but he said that "backpacking in Europe" would not grant you a deferral, while a "Medical Missionary Trip" will.

Hopefully that works out for you!

Thanks! I guess my plan kind of falls somewhere in the middle because it's a paid teaching thing, but it isn't backpacking...so I guess we'll see how it goes!

 

[Depakote]

I've noticed that the University of Toledo has been pretty good about it. But most cases I've seen (across the board) have been students that had to defer for specific hardships, I don't know how well your request will be taken if your apply with the intent to defer. Schools generally want to fill seats in their incoming class, not the next year's class.

 

[Flopotomist]

Deferrals are granted on a case by case basis. The adcom will take a few things into consideration, like did you apply this cycle in good faith with an intention to matriculate if accepted (which it looks like you are NOT doing) and is the deferral for something that will contribute to making you a more well rounded person and or a better physician (teaching in France is questionable).

I think you have a reasonable chance at the deferral, but if you get an acceptance, and then NO deferral, I would forego Paris. Prepare yourself for this possibility.

 

[brbsb]

Deferrals are granted on a case by case basis. The adcom will take a few things into consideration, like did you apply this cycle in good faith with an intention to matriculate if accepted (which it looks like you are NOT doing) and is the deferral for something that will contribute to making you a more well rounded person and or a better physician (teaching in France is questionable).

I think you have a reasonable chance at the deferral, but if you get an acceptance, and then NO deferral, I would forego Paris. Prepare yourself for this possibility.

One of the other things I wanted to do in France was volunteer with the French healthcare system to experience the differences between the universal healthcare system and our healthcare system firsthand. I don't know if that's something that would qualify as making me a well-rounded physician, but it is a large part of wanting to go over there, since France is supposed to have very high quality of life.

 

[IceMan0824]

I apologize if this topic has been posted before, but I searched and didn't find anything...

I'm planning on applying this upcoming summer, but I am not planning on matriculating until Fall 2010. My reason for this is because I have the opportunity to teach English in France for a year, possibly as a Fulbright scholar, and I don't feel like it's an opportunity I can pass up. However, I've also been told that it's virtually impossible to apply for medical school in the US while overseas, so I wanted to apply this summer and hopefully have an acceptance so that I can begin medical school when I return from France.

So, my question here is what schools are generally friendly as far as granting deferrals? I am an Indiana resident, if that has any effect on it. Thanks in advance =)

Why apply when you are so sure you want a year off? Why not just delay your application for a year?

 

[brbsb]

Why apply when you are so sure you want a year off? Why not just delay your application for a year?

Because I would have to apply from France, which I've been told is virtually impossible. If it was possible to apply from overseas without having to fly back to the States dozens of times, I would apply a year later, but people on here have told me it doesn't work very well.

 

[IceMan0824]

Because I would have to apply from France, which I've been told is virtually impossible. If it was possible to apply from overseas without having to fly back to the States dozens of times, I would apply a year later, but people on here have told me it doesn't work very well.

It seems yo me that you need to get your priority in order. If going to France will keep you out of medical school, then maybe you should not be going. I'd be surprised (down right flabbergasted) to find a medical school that will offer you the deferment once they know that you had prior knowledge and attempt to defer for a year.

If you can successfully pull it off, then good luck to you. I don't see it happening though.

 

[brbsb]

It seems yo me that you need to get your priority in order. If going to France will keep you out of medical school, then maybe you should not be going. I'd be surprised (down right flabbergasted) to find a medical school that will offer you the deferment once they know that you had prior knowledge and attempt to defer for a year.

If you can successfully pull it off, then good luck to you. I don't see it happening though.

My priorities are in order...in an ideal world, I will be able to teach English in France for a year, then go to medical school. However, if I don't get a deferral, then I won't be going to France. It's pretty simple.

 

[PreMD86]

My priorities are in order...in an ideal world, I will be able to teach English in France for a year, then go to medical school. However, if I don't get a deferral, then I won't be going to France. It's pretty simple.

I don't really understand you dilemma. You plan on matriculating starting fall 2010. You want to teach in France for a year, but can't apply while in France- So far so good. What's the problem with teaching in France from Fall 08-Fall 09, and applying to med schools in the summer of 09'?
Although you'll be filling your secondaries while in France, you won't have interviews until the fall, so I don't see the conflict?

Deferring med school is very taboo. You should'nt do it unless you absolutely have to.

 

[brbsb]

I don't really understand you dilemma. You plan on matriculating starting fall 2010. You want to teach in France for a year, but can't apply while in France- So far so good. What's the problem with teaching in France from Fall 08-Fall 09, and applying to med schools in the summer of 09'?
Although you'll be filling your secondaries while in France, you won't have interviews until the fall, so I don't see the conflict?

Deferring med school is very taboo. You should'nt do it unless you absolutely have to.

The France thing would actually be Fall '09-Spring '10 because I won't be graduating from college until Spring '09.

I also didn't realize that it was very taboo to defer...the handful of people I've talked to in person made it seem like it wasn't a big deal.

 

[PreMD86]

In that case it's probably better to matriculate in 2011 than trying to defer. If you apply and wait until the interview or acceptance to let the school know you'll be deferring, you're risking being blacklisted at the school. If you're honest from the get go and write about this in your PS, you'll prob find yourself without interviews, and the reality of having to reapply and explain yourself. Just my two cents.

 

[brbsb]

In that case it's probably better to matriculate in 2011 than trying to defer. If you apply and wait until the interview or acceptance to let the school know you'll be deferring, you're risking being blacklisted at the school. If you're honest from the get go and write about this in your PS, you'll prob find yourself without interviews, and the reality of having to reapply and explain yourself. Just my two cents.

Thanks for the honest opinion. That's what I'm looking for!

 

[WildcatMD2]

Many schools allow two year deferments for Teach for America. While teaching in France is not quite the same, it seems that many of the nation's best medical schools don't have a problem with people deferring for teaching (granted though that teaching in France might not get the same sympathy that teaching in underserved American communities might).

 

[Depakote]

The France thing would actually be Fall '09-Spring '10 because I won't be graduating from college until Spring '09.

I also didn't realize that it was very taboo to defer...the handful of people I've talked to in person made it seem like it wasn't a big deal.

Getting a deferral is not a big deal. But these are generally situations out of the students control... Since you know about this commitment you're planning, I can't tell you how they'd react. Your best bet would be to contact individual schools and ask them.

I might be inclined to agree that you may want to wait until the 2011 cycle to apply if you're really set on teaching in France.

 

[Law2Doc]

Many schools won't give you a deferral for the purposes you seek. You are better off holding off the application until you are ready to attend, rather than limit your application effort to schools that entertain deferrals. Your best bet is to do the France thing, come back and then apply in whatever the next possible cycle thereafter is. The nice thing about that is you have the France experience in your app. This is not a race and spending a year or two doing something cool is not a negative. Your app will be stronger for it.

 

[AlexMorph]

Law2Doc (or any others), what about seeking Teach for America deferrals? Will the med. school be nice about that?

 

[FutureDoc4]

I completely disagree... med schools will allow you defer for a host of reasons (personal pursuits that are reasonable, teacher for America, and Peace Corps)... I have a friend that deferred this year from UPenn to be in Washington D.C. to work on health policy .....as long as you have a legitimate reasons most schools seem pretty understanding (but do check on the deferment policies at individual schools because they do vary....med schools want people with unique life experiences and perspectives!). And I think applying while your in France could be very difficult.

 

[Law2Doc]

I completely disagree... med schools will allow you defer for a host of reasons (personal pursuits that are reasonable, teacher for America, and Peace Corps)... I have a friend that deferred this year from UPenn to be in Washington D.C. to work on health policy .....as long as you have a legitimate reasons most schools seem pretty understanding (but do check on the deferment policies at individual schools because they do vary....med schools want people with unique life experiences and perspectives!). And I think applying while your in France could be very difficult.

Check out various schools' deferral policy on their websites. Some (like the one above) are more generous than others. Quite a few only give deferrals for a very small range of reasons (mostly family or health related) and simply don't want you to apply if you don't intend to attend next year. I sure wouldn't limit my prospects to only schools which grant deferrals -- that is not a good way to choose a med school. And the France experience is going to be of great value to an application, so it is beneficial to wait and apply after the experience and can sell yourself better to more schools. Too many people on SDN act like not applying immediately after college is some mortal sin. In fact, there is no real disadvantage to doing something cool after college and THEN applying. If it means you lose another cycle because you cannot apply while abroad, use the time to earn some money for med school.

 

[brbsb]

Would it look bad on an application to have an MCAT from '08 when applying for matriculation in '11? Because I would like to take the MCAT now while the material is fresh in my head.

 

[Law2Doc]

Would it look bad on an application to have an MCAT from '08 when applying for matriculation in '11? Because I would like to take the MCAT now while the material is fresh in my head.

The MCAT is valid for 3 years. Time it accordingly.

 

[FutureDoc4]

I definitely don't disagree with the notion that taking a year off can be good.... however, I hate it when people constantly encourage others to "take a year off".... well monetarily that might be fine for some, I definitely feel not for others....and I feel like some people indicate you gain some "amazing" knowledge by taking a year off... while I feel most people do enjoy some time off...I feel as though it is very individual and that to many people try to encourage others that taking time off to gain a "perspective" is ALWAYS okay... when fact is, that not everyone can go home to mom and dad for a year to live or want to settle in a new city for a year for a job just to move again quickly

In response to OP, again like Law2Doc says you shouldn't base your choice of schools on ability to defer, but I feel as though many make it sound much harder than it is...and if you don't apply this time around you essentially lose two years instead of one

 

[brbsb]

The MCAT is valid for 3 years. Time it accordingly.

So does your score have to be valid until your expected matriculation date, or does it only have to be valid until you apply? Like if I took the MCAT in August and applied in June three years later, that would fall within the three-year range, but the matriculation date would be July/August four years after it. I'm not trying to nitpick or anything...I just want to make sure I don't screw something up big time.

 

[Questions]

yea .. i'd like to know too.. i'm taking the mcat next month (april 2008) and was hoping to take a year off and apply for spot in fall 2011.. does it make it into 3 yearS??

 

[moe_4eva]

I can tell you from personal experience that Utah is not quite so friendly on the deferrals. I wanted to start next year because I'll be spending 3 years away from my fiancee (she's working on a grad degree OOS), as well as save up money for our wedding next spring, and they told me the situation was not "unusual" enough to warrant a deferral. Not a huge deal since it's only 6 more months I'll spend apart from her (we'll live together during the summers until rotations start for me), but still stings. I understand from third hand sources though that they were less willing to grant deferrals this year due to the large number of applicants.

 

[Law2Doc]

I can tell you from personal experience that Utah is not quite so friendly on the deferrals. I wanted to start next year because I'll be spending 3 years away from my fiancee (she's working on a grad degree OOS), as well as save up money for our wedding next spring, and they told me the situation was not "unusual" enough to warrant a deferral. Not a huge deal since it's only 6 more months I'll spend apart from her (we'll live together during the summers until rotations start for me), but still stings. I understand from third hand sources though that they were less willing to grant deferrals this year due to the large number of applicants.

The majority of schools are like this. It needs to be an unforseen, uncontrollable circumstance and they will work with you. But if you know you aren't planning to attend next year, the majority of med schools would just as soon you wait until you are planning to attend. They are trying to fill a certain number of seats (not less, not more) over the course of 4 years, and so they need to know how many people are coming. They also are trying to compose a diverse class and it makes it difficult if they don't know that the folks they are accepting are going to be in the current class or a later one. They also don' like to tie up seats from the subsequent year because often applicant credentials go up or schools enjoy increased popularity and they find they could fill the seat with someone better. So only a handful of schools allow it as a matter of right. The rest will work with you for certain family/heath issues but otherwise not. Read school websites and you will see their policies. Some are fairly inflexible.

 

[Law2Doc]

I definitely don't disagree with the notion that taking a year off can be good.... however, I hate it when people constantly encourage others to "take a year off"....
...
In response to OP, again like Law2Doc says you shouldn't base your choice of schools on ability to defer, but I feel as though many make it sound much harder than it is...and if you don't apply this time around you essentially lose two years instead of one

I'm not encouraging the OP to take a year off -- they are regardless. I'm encouraging them to only apply to med school when they are ready to actually attend med school the subsequent year. Most schools share this view.
You act like by not attending med school at the earliest possible point, you would be losing two years. You aren't losing the years, they occur whether you are in med school or not. In fact, you probably are gaining two years of respite before the endurance game we call med school. Enjoy those years. Do something valuable. There are HUGE advantages to not spending your entire 20s in the library and wards. I sure wouldn't call it losing two years, I would call it gaining a bit of life experience.

 

[moe_4eva]

The majority of schools are like this. It needs to be an unforseen, uncontrollable circumstance and they will work with you. But if you know you aren't planning to attend next year, the majority of med schools would just as soon you wait until you are planning to attend. They are trying to fill a certain number of seats (not less, not more) over the course of 4 years, and so they need to know how many people are coming. They also are trying to compose a diverse class and it makes it difficult if they don't know that the folks they are accepting are going to be in the current class or a later one. They also don't like to tie up seats from the subsequent year because often applicant credentials go up or schools enjoy increased popularity and they find they could fill the seat with someone better. So only a handful of schools allow it as a matter of right. The rest will work with you for certain family/heath issues but otherwise not. Read school websites and you will see their policies. Some are fairly inflexible.

Oh, don't get me wrong, I wasn't upset, I was just hopeful that extenuating family circumstances would allow me to defer, considering the number of people that are able to defer due to reasons such as wanting to travel, play in a band, etc.

Although to be fair, if I were to wait until my fiancee graduated, I would probably have a lesser chance of being admitted to medical school. But, since they didn't accept me last year, I suppose it was like being able to defer for a year....

 

[Jolie South]

I definitely don't disagree with the notion that taking a year off can be good.... however, I hate it when people constantly encourage others to "take a year off".... well monetarily that might be fine for some, I definitely feel not for others....and I feel like some people indicate you gain some "amazing" knowledge by taking a year off... while I feel most people do enjoy some time off...I feel as though it is very individual and that to many people try to encourage others that taking time off to gain a "perspective" is ALWAYS okay... when fact is, that not everyone can go home to mom and dad for a year to live or want to settle in a new city for a year for a job just to move again quickly

In response to OP, again like Law2Doc says you shouldn't base your choice of schools on ability to defer, but I feel as though many make it sound much harder than it is...and if you don't apply this time around you essentially lose two years instead of one

it's not as hard as you think to take time off. as a single person, it would be much easier to find a job and move accordingly. it doesn't sound like it would, but it really is.

as someone that's been out of school for 3 years now, i think the experiences that i've gained have been extremely valuable and i DON'T wish that i had taken the "traditional path" and decided on med school straight out of undergrad. i've travelled, seen a different culture, gained more experience in public health, and learned how to function independently. some people can have these things in college, but for me it took extra time. it was well worth it in my eyes. if you've been "sheltered" and i think a lot of us are, i don't see how taking any time off could be considered negative. even if you gain nothing else, you'll be taking a break from school and gaining a little extra money. i hate how the word perspective gets bandied about, but your perspective will change as well.

OP, if you think teaching in France will be valuable to you, take the time off and apply when you get back. there's nothing like living as a part of a culture that's not your own. there's nothing wrong with just doing this for fun either, though the leadership role you'll have in teaching will probably enhance your app.

 

[bellevueperson]

I applied this cycle with the intention of deferring for a year to complete a two-year commitment with Teach For America. Deferral came up during my interviews, and I decided to be honest about my intentions: to figure out where I'm going for med school this year so that I can spend all of next year concentrating on teaching. While this decision may have hurt me at some schools, I would say I've still been successful; I've received an acceptance at UMich so far. 👍 You can check out my MDApps profile for more info and PM me with any questions.

 

[Law2Doc]

... While this decision may have hurt me at some schools, I would say I've still been successful;...

But again, you narrowed your field of potential options by not doing your program first and applying later rather than seeking deferral. Glad you got into a school you are happy with, but it really should have been you deciding between schools for good and valid reasons rather than deciding based on who would give a deferral. Ease of deferrals are simply a lousy reason to pick a med school.

 

[Mbekweni]

As another consideration, I think it is possible to send in primary and secondary applications while abroad. You can have letter writers send their materials to a letter service and almost everything is online (and yes, France does have good internet). A few schools require paper secondaries or signature forms/photos, but a few pieces of international mail wouldn't kill you.

Interviews are a different story. If you're an excellent applicant you might want to travel to 5-10 or even more interviews over the course of several months. Some schools are willing to give you an interview if you are in the area, but it would be nearly impossible to get more than 3 interviews matched into the same trip, so you'd have to fly back a few times and possibly not be able to make it for late interviews or lone dates that can't be changed.

Also, the Fulbright is usually a good reason to defer. Everyone I know who had a RESEARCH Fulbright got a deferral very easily and schools that are traditionally very tough on deferrals like UCSF say that if you get a Fulbright, Rhodes, or other main scholarship deferral won't be a problem. Teaching Fulbright may be a different issue- but you'd probably still have a good case with most schools. If you get multiple acceptances I'm sure you could get a school that would let you defer. I have friends who deferred from UCLA and Johns Hopkins to teach English in Korea for a year and I'll probably be applying for a deferral myself in a few weeks (though I have some compelling reasons though). It certainly is possible.

 

[Maxprime]

Aside from TFA and the Peace Corps (I think it's those two), schools vary widely. Case, for example, allows 1 year of deferral for any reason. Harvard, for example, supposedly wouldn't allow a deferral for medical problems for someone temporarily confined to a wheelchair and requiring additional surgeries from an accident. (story I was told - who knows if it's true)

Generally, as stated by Law2Doc, you need to be doing something to improve your medical career to get a deferral. Personally, I may defer a year to finish my PhD in a medically-related field (Neuroscience) which no school I've spoken to has had a problem with. But at most schools something personal and non-academic and non-medically related isn't a qualifying reason.

 

[Law2Doc]

Generally, as stated by Law2Doc, you need to be doing something to improve your medical career to get a deferral.

That's actually not what I said at all. I said a lot of schools will only give a deferral for rare health or family related issues, or perhaps a Rhodes or Fullbright but only if you didn't know about it until you applied (if you already knew, you shouldn't have applied yet). If you plan to do something to improve your medical career, absolutely do it, but hold off applying until next year, so you never have to get to a deferral question.

 

[bellevueperson]

But again, you narrowed your field of potential options by not doing your program first and applying later rather than seeking deferral. Glad you got into a school you are happy with, but it really should have been you deciding between schools for good and valid reasons rather than deciding based on who would give a deferral. Ease of deferrals are simply a lousy reason to pick a med school.

I didn't choose schools based on ease of deferral; I think it just worked out that schools looked more or less favorably on my application based on their own deferral policies. I would just make sure, if you're set on deferring, to include schools such as Michigan and Penn in addition to schools that aren't traditionally "deferral-friendly."

 

[LGamble]

I think i remember something about Georgetown forcing admitted students to defer a year if they have bad credit. So maybe you could just aim for that!

 

[Drogba]

That's actually not what I said at all. I said a lot of schools will only give a deferral for rare health or family related issues, or perhaps a Rhodes or Fullbright but only if you didn't know about it until you applied (if you already knew, you shouldn't have applied yet). If you plan to do something to improve your medical career, absolutely do it, but hold off applying until next year, so you never have to get to a deferral question.

If you don't apply and defer you are effectively forced to take two years of instead of one since you can't interview when abroad. That means you have to find something to do in the year between your fulbright and your entrance in to medical school. 👎

 

[Jolie South]

If you don't apply and defer you are effectively forced to take two years of instead of one since you can't interview when abroad. That means you have to find something to do in the year between your fulbright and your entrance in to medical school. 👎

I don't think that's so bad. I would have liked to take 2 years instead of 3, but this past year has been great. Having a little cash, relaxing, spending time with my husband. It's not the worst thing ever. I wasn't stressed while applying or trying to juggle school/academic work and applications. this was a huge plus.

 

[Law2Doc]

I don't think that's so bad.

Agreed. Folks are acting like life doesn't start until you get into med school. Once you get there you might think it's more the opposite (your 20s end once you get to med school). Apply for med school when you plan to attend. If you end up spending a year or two doing something else first, that makes for a better PS and probably will increase your competitiveness. It is not a negative. You will not be close to the oldest person in your school if it takes an extra two years.

 

[Drogba]

I'd rather not be forced to do that or to find some BS work in the United States to spend another year out of school. Maybe if I had a wife I'd feel differently 🙂. I'm also considering doing an MD/PhD which adds another 4-5 years. Anyway I'm still some ways away from applying for a fulbright and they are so competitive that I may not even have to make that decision. I'm also considering good domestic projects I can involve myself in during that time. I actually would really like to do some worker along the Rio Grande border on the US side. From my understanding some of the areas there are as bad as poor areas of the developing world. Know any good domestic research fellowships?

 

[Jolie South]

I'd rather not be forced to do that or to find some BS work in the United States to spend another year out of school. Maybe if I had a wife I'd feel differently 🙂. I'm also considering doing an MD/PhD which adds another 4-5 years. Anyway I'm still some ways away from applying for a fulbright and they are so competitive that I may not even have to make that decision. I'm also considering good domestic projects I can involve myself in during that time. I actually would really like to do some worker along the Rio Grande border on the US side. From my understanding some of the areas there are as bad as poor areas of the developing world. Know any good domestic research fellowships?

Rio Grande valley? there are parts that resemble mexico for sure. infectious diseases and all.

well, we all want things to go according to what we plan, but looking at it from the other side, my time off was a blessing in disguise. just something to think about.

 

[Drogba]

Rio Grande valley? there are parts that resemble mexico for sure.

I think it would make for a fascinating ethnography to explore the social and health issues the border communities face.

 

[musicaldna]

Re-opening an old topic but what if I end up needing more time to finish up my Master's thesis and get a publication out of it?

I will be an MS graduate and have a publication....does that not count as adding to my ability to be a good doctor?