Free time during medical school?

[Z_C]

Hi all! Thanks for the advice on previous questions!

I'm a relatively young nontraditional student and I am worried about family logistics. I am married but have no children. Both myself and my partner are in academic careers and we have discussed and agreed that if need be, for our careers, we are able to maintain a long distance relationship for two years (the amount of time by which our academic career clocks are offset). That said, I know it would take a major emotional toll on both of us to be apart for long periods of time.

There are medical schools in my home city but they are either reach schools or are less competitive than the category of university that I am applying to, and I am currently trying to gauge how much I should prioritize physical proximity to my home city.

My question is: How much free time would I typically have available during my preclinical years of medical school to visit/be visited by my partner, and is working/attending courses remotely for a few days a week generally possible? (and are there any universities that are notable outliers in this regard)

Thanks so much!!

[sorry to have avoided specifics I'm trying not to de-anonymize my account]

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[chilly_md]

Do not count on having enough free time or remote flexibility to take frequent flights if that is the level of distance.

 

[Z_C]

Would a train commute each weekend be feasible?

 

[LizzyM]

Would a train commute each weekend be feasible?

In large part it depends on the school. Some will have Friday exams (q 4-6 weeks) meaning you are free for the weekend. Some will torture you with Monday exams (more time to study, yay!! but terrible for your family life).

Don't look down on the "less competitive" schools in your vicinity. They might be the right choice given your circumstances.

 

[Z_C]

Thanks! I'll look into school-specific policies. : )

Don't look down on the "less competitive" schools in your vicinity. They might be the right choice given your circumstances.

Would just explaining my particular circumstance be sufficient to avoid yield protection? Thanks for the help : )

 

[Nontrad_FL_LGBT]

Look for schools without mandatory lecture. The advice from most of my upperclassmen has been that less than half the class goes to lecture after the first semester, preferring to use third party resources for board prep and basically skimming the lecture notes to pass classes. This is made much more possible with a P/F curriculum, too.

There will still be stuff you have to go to like anatomy or group sessions though.

 

[LizzyM]

Thanks! I'll look into school-specific policies. : )


Would just explaining my particular circumstance be sufficient to avoid yield protection? Thanks for the help : )

It is possible. "Why would this applicant want to come here when they could choose a top 10 school 100 miles away?" They may be keen to interview you after knowing that they aren't just a safety for you.

 

[LunaOri]

There are schools (UMass is one) that have a week off between blocks. There are also schools that have pre-recorded lectures, but you will still need to be on campus for certain meetings and activities. I think traveling by train on weekends would be reasonable, because you could study on the train.

 

[LeaveNoTrace]

There are schools (UMass is one) that have a week off between blocks. There are also schools that have pre-recorded lectures, but you will still need to be on campus for certain meetings and activities. I think traveling by train on weekends would be reasonable, because you could study on the train.

I have heard that SUNY Stony Brook now has a week off between blocks, or remote/essay courses between blocks.

 

[lioneljohn]

Hi all! Thanks for the advice on previous questions!

I'm a relatively young nontraditional student and I am worried about family logistics. I am married but have no children. Both myself and my partner are in academic careers and we have discussed and agreed that if need be, for our careers, we are able to maintain a long distance relationship for two years (the amount of time by which our academic career clocks are offset). That said, I know it would take a major emotional toll on both of us to be apart for long periods of time.

There are medical schools in my home city but they are either reach schools or are less competitive than the category of university that I am applying to, and I am currently trying to gauge how much I should prioritize physical proximity to my home city.

My question is: How much free time would I typically have available during my preclinical years of medical school to visit/be visited by my partner, and is working/attending courses remotely for a few days a week generally possible? (and are there any universities that are notable outliers in this regard)

Thanks so much!!

[sorry to have avoided specifics I'm trying not to de-anonymize my account]

So, preclinical years, you'll get 1-2 days off a week, some weekends free. But, study time's a must. Remote work/attendance's unlikely, but check with schools. They might have some flexibility. Good luck!