Deferring MD/PhD Question

[Daedreamer]

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So I got accepted into an MD/PhD program but am in sort of a problem.

I'm working in a lab right now and at the time I applied for my job, I told them that I was applying to MD/PhD but they really wanted someone who could work for 2 years. I told them that I might consider deferring if I get accepted this year-because 1) it was late spring, I had no job lined up post undergrad, and I faced getting deported since I'm not a US citizen/permanent resident and 2) the research sounded pretty exciting and the lab had a good atmosphere.

But now that I've been accepted, and have talked to some current MD/PhD students, I really want to go this year and not defer at all.

So questions are:

1) Do MD/PhD programs offer deferral options at all?

2) Does my explanation even count as a viable excuse to defer?

3) My terms of employment say I can quit anytime so legally I'm okay. But I know my boss would be really upset if I left. How do I broach the subject of leaving?

Suggestions would be much appreciated

 

[Dead_Meat]

Do not defer.

It would be professional to give your notice of leaving from your current job on date X/XX (aka 2 weeks notice).

Don't bother staying thinking your making great money at your current job or improving your current career - you are not! Move onto the MD/PhD program.

People come and go all the time in jobs. If your boss gets upset about that then maybe they should not be in a supervisory roll.

 

[jc235693]

If you are just a lab tech then I wouldn't worry about leaving, you are easily replaceable. Your boss wont have any trouble finding someone else for the job. Trying to defer for year however might be a lot more difficult in comparison. If I were you I'd just leave, and of course give adequate notice of leaving. I'm sure your boss will understand if not then he/she is a jerk.

 

[chutzpah]

Deferring is messier for the medical school for MD/PhDs than for MDs due to funding issues, and generally I think it's looked down upon. If you give your lab sufficient notice I don't think it'll be an issue.

 

[JackaltheHyde]

Did you sign a contract saying you would stay for at least two years? If not, you don't owe them anything other than sufficient notice of leave.

 

[Neuronix]

Even if you did sign a contract I find it highly unlikely it could or would be enforced. Just bail. I agree with everyone's advice.

Yes you might burn a bridge here. Oh well. It's not worth a year of your life to stay to please one PI.

 

[SaltySqueegee]

I agree with everyone on the board here. Bow out gracefully. Think of it as sacrificing one year of not working for this PI, but instead gaining one year of being your own PI.👍

Oh, and BTW, I believe it's a 6 week courtesy for professionals. Sometimes longer depending on how hard it would be to replace you. Other jobs that can easily replace an employee need only give 2 weeks.

Best of luck,

-Salty

 

[Daedreamer]

Thanks guys (and gals)! But yeah, I'm thinking of telling my PI at least 2 months in advance so he can start advertising the position early on, before all the better candidates get recruited in the spring graduation rush. I'm just glad to hear that other people understand my decision of choosing to go to school this year over staying in the lab for another year...

 

[echosensei]

Why not tell your PI now? He/she knows the game and would likely prefer to hire a lab tech earlier than your departure to allow you time to train the newbie. Unless your PI is a total jackass, he wouldn't fire you early because he wants you to finish as much of the project as possible. With a few months of two lab techs, you might get done before you leave.

 

[24thGrade]

Bail. No question about it. But don't burn bridges if you can avoid it. The scientific community is pretty small and if someone wants to wreck your career and they're well respected they probably can.

I think something along the lines of "being in your lab has made me realize how amazing research is blabla and that I now know that really need to move on with my career if I can ever hope to get to be somewhere like you...." would work well. Be blunt, but don't hesitate to stroke his/her ego.