Deferring for a year and MD-PhD/MSTP

[twodollaburgers]

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Hi all,

I've seen this question come up in the MD forums but I'm wondering about MD-PhD programs in particular. If one is fortunate enough to have an offer, are programs open to allowing students to pursue something meaningful (i.e. research, rhodes/gates/marshall, travel in general, volunteer work) for a year and defer matriculation? Since most programs are extremely small, I would think they might have more of an issue with MD-PhDs doing this than some of our friends doing the MD route. Anyone have experience with this?

Thanks for any and all comments.

 

[ellifino]

Hi all,

I've seen this question come up in the MD forums but I'm wondering about MD-PhD programs in particular. If one is fortunate enough to have an offer, are programs open to allowing students to pursue something meaningful (i.e. research, rhodes/gates/marshall, travel in general, volunteer work) for a year and defer matriculation? Since most programs are extremely small, I would think they might have more of an issue with MD-PhDs doing this than some of our friends doing the MD route. Anyone have experience with this?

Thanks for any and all comments.

I deferred for a year. In my case, it made it possible for me to attend my first choice school. I think that it depends on how badly they want you and how student-friendly they are.

Of course, you probably shouldn't *assume* that they'll let you.

Also, in some ways it's a very hard year, watching all of your friends matriculate, go through first year, etc!

 

[twodollaburgers]

Thanks ellifino! I guess we'll have to wait and see.

Also, in some ways it's a very hard year, watching all of your friends matriculate, go through first year, etc!

Sounds a lot like what MD-PhD students say the first year of grad school after M2 is like. All of your friends going on to finish med school and starting residency while you're living it up in the lab.

 

[Freak]

Thanks ellifino! I guess we'll have to wait and see.



Sounds a lot like what MD-PhD students say the first year of grad school after M2 is like. All of your friends going on to finish med school and starting residency while you're living it up in the lab.

4th year is worse ... they go on to residency while you are still in the lab.

 

[nomogram3]

No, your MS4 year is worse, especially when one of the guys you used to go out drinking with is your attending while you do an ER elective.

 

[OncDoc19]

I am currently in my second year of deferral from a top-5 MD/PhD program. I found in general that programs were very receptive to my request for a deferral, though the cut-off is generally two years. Obtaining a deferral was not a factor in my final program choice. However, it should be noted that some programs will only allow deferrals for "once-in-a-lifetime, prestigious academic opportunities" aka rhodes/gates/marshall/fulbright/etc.