Don't take a year off!

[Hour30]

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I am seeing a lot of people on SDN taking a year off for various reasons. There is nothing wrong with it, but here is some different perspective: I'm a 5th year chief resident in ENT, with a family (newborn twins), and living in a rented apartment and off credit cards.

Don't delay the already-too-long path to take a year off! Get through it fast and then you can travel and do other things. You can still have fun during your training and have many hobbies. I, for instance, write during my "free time." 🙂

Just my 2 cents.

 

[deleted357625]

I am seeing a lot of people on SDN taking a year off for various reasons. There is nothing wrong with it, but here is some different perspective: I'm a 5th year chief resident in ENT, with a family (newborn twins), and living in a rented apartment and off credit cards.

Don't delay the already-too-long path to take a year off! Get through it fast and then you can travel and do other things. You can still have fun during your training and have many hobbies. I, for instance, write during my "free time." 🙂

Just my 2 cents.

Well everyone has personal reasons

 

[Person0715]

Out of curiosity, how many years off did you take between undergrad and medical school?

 

[MedPR]

I am seeing a lot of people on SDN taking a year off for various reasons. There is nothing wrong with it, but here is some different perspective: I'm a 5th year chief resident in ENT, with a family (newborn twins), and living in a rented apartment and off credit cards.

Don't delay the already-too-long path to take a year off! Get through it fast and then you can travel and do other things. You can still have fun during your training and have many hobbies. I, for instance, write during my "free time." 🙂

Just my 2 cents.

I honestly can't ever take you seriously due to your shameless self-advertisement.

Living off credit cards? Don't chief residents make ~$80k+?

 

[Trauma Triad]

I honestly can't ever take you seriously due to your shameless self-advertisement.

👍 +1

 

[Wile]

I am seeing a lot of people on SDN taking a year off for various reasons. There is nothing wrong with it, but here is some different perspective: I'm a 5th year chief resident in ENT, with a family (newborn twins), and living in a rented apartment and off credit cards.

Don't delay the already-too-long path to take a year off! Get through it fast and then you can travel and do other things. You can still have fun during your training and have many hobbies. I, for instance, write during my "free time." 🙂

Just my 2 cents.

There are plenty of good reasons to take a year "off", especially if you're initially not a very strong applicant. No point in wasting your time applying when you could make your application much stronger by taking a gap year.

 

[PTPoeny]

I honestly can't ever take you seriously due to your shameless self-advertisement.

Living off credit cards? Don't chief residents make ~$80k+?

Not in surgical specialties. They are the final year residents rather than graduated residents choosing to spend an extra year with the program.

 

[Alejandro]

I do appreciate the OPs perspective, and yes there might be a little concern with that. On the other hand, I think there is a general impulse just to apply early without the best application possible, which I find to be a bit foolish, if one wants to maximize their odds of being accepted, and more importantly, not having to spend the money and energy of reapplying, with a loss of morale. I think its more difficult for people to apply later than right away.

Yes, applying later means you get your MD later. That being said, I think there are some people who would benefit from actually having a life before medical school. Just a thought.

 

[MedPR]

Not in surgical specialties. They are the final year residents rather than graduated residents choosing to spend an extra year with the program.

Forgive my ignorance, but ENT is automatically surgical?

 

[DrOMG]

Of course everyone would want to go straight from undergrad into med school given the option, but not everyone has the GPA/MCAT/EC's necessary to do that. For some there really is no choice.

 

[TheMightySmiter]

Of course everyone would want to go straight from undergrad into med school given the option, but not everyone has the GPA/MCAT/EC's necessary to do that. For some there really is no choice.

I strongly disagree that "everyone would want to". I'm at the end of a year-and-a-half gap period that was self-chosen--I could have condensed my post-bacc and applied a year earlier. But I doubt that would have made me happier. I really enjoyed the time off from class, and now I can't wait to start up school again. I would not be the person I am today if I hadn't taken the longer path that I did to start med school. On my deathbed, I doubt I will think to myself, "Man, if only I had worked another year as a physician."

 

[DrOMG]

I strongly disagree that "everyone would want to". I'm at the end of a year-and-a-half gap period that was self-chosen--I could have condensed my post-bacc and applied a year earlier. But I doubt that would have made me happier. I really enjoyed the time off from class, and now I can't wait to start up school again. I would not be the person I am today if I hadn't taken the longer path that I did to start med school. On my deathbed, I doubt I will think to myself, "Man, if only I had worked another year as a physician."

Ok, I retract the word "everyone" to be replaced with "most people who aren't burnt out" 😉

 

[TheMightySmiter]

Ok, I retract the word "everyone" to be replaced with "most people who aren't burnt out" 😉

Well, I wouldn't consider myself burnt out either! I'm just not in a neurotic rush.

 

[BigBear123]

Yeah, I somewhat regret taking a year off just because of how hard it is to get a job in this economy, but what's done is done...

 

[Buzz Me]

Living off credit cards? Don't chief residents make ~$80k+?

No. Depending on what area of the country you reside, a PGY-5 may make somewhere in the neighborhood of $52-59k.

 

[Chemdude]

I honestly can't ever take you seriously due to your shameless self-advertisement.

Living off credit cards? Don't chief residents make ~$80k+?

You jelly? There's nothing wrong with advertising a product for free. He's maximizing his ability to reach potential buyers by advertising on SDN...it's the smart thing to do.

 

[MedPR]

Of course everyone would want to go straight from undergrad into med school given the option, but not everyone has the GPA/MCAT/EC's necessary to do that. For some there really is no choice.

I disagree. I know quite a few people with competitive stats who chose to travel or do Teach for America or something else that they had a passion for.

You jelly? There's nothing wrong with advertising a product for free. He's maximizing his ability to reach potential buyers by advertising on SDN...it's the smart thing to do.

Of what? That he has a product and I don't? Nope. I didn't say there's anything wrong with it. It just rubs me the wrong way. Nothing wrong with homosexuality, but I'm not going to participate.

 

[Junior22]

Different strokes my man, different strokes. I had the stats to apply right out of undergrad, but I knew I only had so much time where I'd be able to train in order to make OTs, a lifelong goal of mine. It was painfully obvious to me that if I didn't give it a full go for a couple years that every time I saw the Olympics or a meet on TV that I would be pissed and have some regret; can't live with regret brother, just can't do it. Once that was done, I was able to refocus and proceed as planned. I know for an absolute fact that I'd be much more upset having that regret as opposed to finishing residency a couple years later than I would have if I gave up my athletic goals post-graduation. But like I said, to each their own man.

 

[wolfie77]

This is simplistic, bad advice. People can have many of legitimate reasons for taking time off. They might need a year to mature, or to get away from school, or to raise a GPA or get more volunteer hours, or a bunch of other things. They might want to travel or spend time with family after being away from home or start a fainting goat farm.

There is a world outside of medicine--even for those passionate about it.

 

[gettheleadout]

Forgive my ignorance, but ENT is automatically surgical?

Yes, ENT is a considered a surgical field, along with urology (included because it similarly doesn't necessarily strike one as "surgical" unless your familiar with the work.)

 

[passerine]

This is simplistic, bad advice. People can have many of legitimate reasons for taking time off. They might need a year to mature, or to get away from school, or to raise a GPA or get more volunteer hours, or a bunch of other things. They might want to travel or spend time with family after being away from home or start a fainting goat farm.

There is a world outside of medicine--even for those passionate about it.

I agree with this, even though I'm not taking a year off (if I get accepted, that is ). Everyone's path is different, and there's no one-size-fits-all method for becoming a doctor. I've met physicians who started med school at 40 with no regrets, and I know someone who is now starting med school at 19. I think it's a little narrow-minded to make a kind of sweeping statement about others' decisions. But then again, that's just my take on the situation; as they say, your mileage may vary.

 

[Sephiroth]

Of what? That he has a product and I don't? Nope. I didn't say there's anything wrong with it. It just rubs me the wrong way. Nothing wrong with homosexuality, but I'm not going to participate.

That was kind of a weird analogy

 

[Law2Doc]

This is simplistic, bad advice. People can have many of legitimate reasons for taking time off. They might need a year to mature, or to get away from school, or to raise a GPA or get more volunteer hours, or a bunch of other things. They might want to travel or spend time with family after being away from home or start a fainting goat farm.

There is a world outside of medicine--even for those passionate about it.

Agreed. Heck I would even recommend taking a decade off if it suits you -- do something interesting, have a second career. Medical school is always there for accomplished individuals and a lot of people appreciate it more if they don't look at it as an upper level continuation of college. Part of the reason there is so much dissatisfaction in medicine is that due to the length of training, folks who go into medicine have very little insight into other careers. So you get a lot of grass is greener, we have it harder, kind of whining in the profession.

 

[kpcrew]

I disagree. I know quite a few people with competitive stats who chose to travel or do Teach for America or something else that they had a passion for.



Of what? That he has a product and I don't? Nope. I didn't say there's anything wrong with it. It just rubs me the wrong way. Nothing wrong with homosexuality, but I'm not going to participate.

Why do you click submit reply so rashly?

 

[thesauce]

I am seeing a lot of people on SDN taking a year off for various reasons. There is nothing wrong with it, but here is some different perspective: I'm a 5th year chief resident in ENT, with a family (newborn twins), and living in a rented apartment and off credit cards.

Don't delay the already-too-long path to take a year off! Get through it fast and then you can travel and do other things. You can still have fun during your training and have many hobbies. I, for instance, write during my "free time." 🙂

Just my 2 cents.

This isn't the kind of advice that is any more valuable from a "senior" prospective. Taking a year off has been a wonderful, life-changing experience to so many people. If all that concerns you in life is getting through your residency, then sure, probably not the best idea. But for anyone with outside interests, it can be the most rewarding decision they ever made.

 

[Hour30]

I appreciate all of your views, guys. I'm glad taking a year off was so rewarding for you. I simply wanted to give you the "30 y/o with kids" perspective, that maybe you haven't heard before. 🙂

Once you near the end of training you start to get antsy, I guess lol.

Junior, how did that OT go? That's impressive!

 

[Slowpoke]

Up to this point, you are the first to have a negative opinion on time off between undergrad and medical school.

Do your colleagues share the same feelings, or is it mostly your gut feeling that you would have better off going straight through after college?

 

[Law2Doc]

Up to this point, you are the first to have a negative opinion on time off between undergrad and medical school.
...?

OP, When nobody else shares your view, sometimes it's because you are coming from a different perspective, but often it's because your thesis is shaky.

 

[mimelim]

OP, When nobody else shares your view, sometimes it's because you are coming from a different perspective, but often it's because your thesis is shaky.

I don't think that he is alone. I strongly disagree with his simplistic view of the subject, but I strongly doubt that he is alone. IF you take the subset of pre-meds, medical students, residents and fellows that plan on or are on a surgical sub-specialty track, you are talking about 4 years of medical school, plus 7 years of post graduate time. If you go straight through you are ~33 when you finish. I am one of those. I went straight through and will be 33 when I finish residency. Most of the fellows are 35+ when they finish. It is a long road. Can you imagine any other profession where a 36 year old is just starting to work for themselves and not directly under someone? A lot of people don't realize how taxing that can be. Many forget that in their late 20s and early 30s they could also be thinking about relationships, kids etc. *shrug*

I think there are good reasons to take time off, but I think that sometimes people go a little overboard.

 

[KnuxNole]

What about the people that don't have a choice to take a year off(re-applicants)?

D:

 

[Alejandro]

to be frank, I don't think taking a 1 year or maybe even 2 years will make that much of a difference. maybe if you took more than that, sure. And there are even some of those who are like 20 when they graduate UG...yea. I'd tell them that they especially need to take some time off-not for admissions, but just to live life a little bit.

 

[Stumpyman]

You can always travel, take vacations, etc. when you're done with the whole process, but you're only young once, and there are many more things that can be done when you're in your early twenties than 35+.

At least that's how I see it.

 

[KnuxNole]

You can always travel, take vacations, etc. when you're done with the whole process, but you're only young once, and there are many more things that can be done when you're in your early twenties than 35+.

At least that's how I see it.

Yes, this is true. Most people in their 20s seem to be traveling every weekend and going to bars/clubs all the time, so I assume they must be successful and making lots of money. And probably having sweet jobs where they can take off as much time as they want 😱

 

[Praefectus]

I honestly can't ever take you seriously due to your shameless self-advertisement.

👍

I don't think that he is alone. I strongly disagree with his simplistic view of the subject, but I strongly doubt that he is alone. IF you take the subset of pre-meds, medical students, residents and fellows that plan on or are on a surgical sub-specialty track, you are talking about 4 years of medical school, plus 7 years of post graduate time. If you go straight through you are ~33 when you finish. I am one of those. I went straight through and will be 33 when I finish residency. Most of the fellows are 35+ when they finish. It is a long road. Can you imagine any other profession where a 36 year old is just starting to work for themselves and not directly under someone? A lot of people don't realize how taxing that can be. Many forget that in their late 20s and early 30s they could also be thinking about relationships, kids etc. *shrug*

I think there are good reasons to take time off, but I think that sometimes people go a little overboard.

+1. If I ended up in surgery or any other 5+ year residency, I would want to get it over with as early as possible. It is a long road indeed.

 

[Stumpyman]

Yes, this is true. Most people in their 20s seem to be traveling every weekend and going to bars/clubs all the time, so I assume they must be successful and making lots of money. And probably having sweet jobs where they can take off as much time as they want 😱

No, I meant as a gap year in which all you have is time off. Money's a factor as well though, I probably wouldn't take a gap year if I was very much short on money.

And things-to-do varies by person. I wouldn't want to go to bars/clubs, more likely I'd rather go on somewhat more physically enduring trips and things. Not saying you can't do that later on, but it might be somewhat harder with kids, families, tons of more responsibilities, etc.

 

[Praefectus]

I'd rather go on somewhat more physically enduring trips and things. Not saying you can't do that later on, but it might be somewhat harder with kids, families, tons of more responsibilities, etc.

Couldn't you take a trip like that during a summer break? I went out to the Colorado wilderness with my buddies earlier this summer. It only lasted 2 weeks because after that amount of time there isn't much more to do in terms of physical endurance.

 

[Stumpyman]

Couldn't you take a trip like that during a summer break? I went out to the Colorado wilderness with my buddies earlier this summer. It only lasted 2 weeks because after that amount of time there isn't much more to do in terms of physical endurance.

Sure, I guess. One of my friends went on a trip that was 6 months long before matriculating in med school, and he enjoyed it quite a bit. Truth be told, I'll be happy just enjoying the summer break before med school, as I actually won't be taking a gap year (although I see the appeal of taking one).

 

[Jeff Smoker]

I agree. I think the OP's opinion is his own, and if that's the way he feels, then great. However, I wouldn't expect that to be the overall feeling of people who took a year off.

For instance, from my perspective, I'm 34, just had my first child, and just finished ortho residency and about to start fellowship. I deferred med school for two years and went live in Spain and played a year of semi pro soccer there. I can tell you that 1) you would never have the opportunity to take this much time off after residency and 2) especially not if you have kids.

There are certain opportunities that you're just not going to have after residency as opposed to undergrad. Especially if you're in a surgical subspecialty. Think you can just take a month off to go on vacation? Good luck paying the bills. Also, are you going to bring your infant children along? Who is going to pick up your slack in your group? What about followup patients? You may look at it like "Just get through it as quickly as possible and then when you're done and making money you can go on all these cool vacations." I just don't think it works out like that (obviously depending on what you do, ER has more flexibility than surgery).

I would encourage anyone with an opportunity to do something cool with his life before med school to go ahead and do it. Because you don't want to look back 20 years later and think, "Well, hell, I wish I would've done that."

Just my two cents, everyone will have his own opinion based on life experiences.

 

[Alejandro]

👍 with JeffSmoker.

You'll have so many more responsibilities once you become an MD that it is very different compared to being a premed. When you're a premed, all you care about is yourself. You'll typically have no real responsibilities other than paying for room and board, and in school, all that matters is whether or not if you feel like you want to participate in academics.

When you get a job, a lot of that changes. Who you are as a person, is on the line. You mess up-you get sued. You wanna slack off? Your patients lose trust in you. You can't just simply skip work just because you feel like you don't, kinda like how UGs and even med students alike can skip lectures and study them when they feel like it. Besides, there are others who work with you that rely on you being on time to work, and ready to take on the day.

School is easy because you don't have to live life with such responsibilities. But once you're out, it's nothing like school.

 

[Law2Doc]

I don't think that he is alone. I strongly disagree with his simplistic view of the subject, but I strongly doubt that he is alone. IF you take the subset of pre-meds, medical students, residents and fellows that plan on or are on a surgical sub-specialty track, you are talking about 4 years of medical school, plus 7 years of post graduate time. If you go straight through you are ~33 when you finish. I am one of those. I went straight through and will be 33 when I finish residency. Most of the fellows are 35+ when they finish. It is a long road. Can you imagine any other profession where a 36 year old is just starting to work for themselves and not directly under someone? A lot of people don't realize how taxing that can be. Many forget that in their late 20s and early 30s they could also be thinking about relationships, kids etc. *shrug*

I think there are good reasons to take time off, but I think that sometimes people go a little overboard.

Yes but whether you are 35 vs 36 when you finish is irrelevant. If taking a year off added some value, gave you a fresh start, helped you be sure what you wanted to do in life, it was well worth it. You aren't putting your life on hold for medicine, you are just squeezing life in around it. Whether and when you have relationships, kids etc isn't going to change based on one year or two. If you are in a rush to procreate, you will find a way, even during school or residency. So in a decade you are going to be a decade older, whether you spent it in med school or some of it doing something else. BFD. There is no such thing as "wasting time" -- time plods on at the same rate regardless of what you are doing. Some people, possibly many, are better off clearing their head for a year and getting things in order before they jump right from college into med school.

 

[Law2Doc]

👍



+1. If I ended up in surgery or any other 5+ year residency, I would want to get it over with as early as possible. It is a long road indeed.

-1. The road is the same 5 years whether you start it this year or next. It's not a question of getting it over any faster, just immersing yourself into a different phase of life a year earlier. Life is a "long road" but I wouldn't be in such a rush to get to the end of it.

 

[Law2Doc]

...
There are certain opportunities that you're just not going to have after residency as opposed to undergrad. Especially if you're in a surgical subspecialty. Think you can just take a month off to go on vacation? Good luck paying the bills. Also, are you going to bring your infant children along? Who is going to pick up your slack in your group? What about followup patients? You may look at it like "Just get through it as quickly as possible and then when you're done and making money you can go on all these cool vacations." I just don't think it works out like that ...

this. There's really no light at the end of the tunnel, just more tunnel. so take whatever time you need beforehand.

 

[LaughingMan]

I'm taking time off.
Started musical lessons, will be travelling, started working out, will be starting my helicopter license soon, will also be getting a few restaurant franchises under my name.

I'm doing all of this while pursuing a light course load in my MPH.
It all depends on what you do IMO.

 

[Junior22]

I appreciate all of your views, guys. I'm glad taking a year off was so rewarding for you. I simply wanted to give you the "30 y/o with kids" perspective, that maybe you haven't heard before. 🙂

Once you near the end of training you start to get antsy, I guess lol.

Junior, how did that OT go? That's impressive!

I think the real key you're trying to make is not have kids 😉.


I made OTs, lifelong dream came to fruition. Nowhere even close to making the top two or alternate lol, but I made the B standard and just to be at the same venue of some of the best in the world meant everything to me. I agree that I would have liked to go straight through, but I'm very proud of how it all unfolded and truly think it changed me a lot as a man. But like I said, if that wasn't my path, I could have easily been pleased just going straight through. Def see your point.