Gap year before GPR

[lex1489]

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Hi! I'm a D3 in the NY area, and I'd like to complete a GPR after I graduate dental school. However, I got married a month ago, and my wife and I would like to go to Israel for a year after I graduate so we can take advantage of our situation in life and really put time into ourselves and our relationship. My wife would probably work part-time, and I would study full-time in a religious school (we are Orthodox Jews). I don't plan to run off and become a Rabbi, but it would mean a lot for us to spend the year in this way.

I have three main questions:
1) How might this year affect my GPR application competitiveness?

2) How will my living in Israel affect the application process. Do most programs offer phone interviews?

3) Is there such thing as applying for a future year or deferring a GPR a year? Meaning I could apply this coming year and then start the GPR in June 2017 instead of June 2016.

Thank you for your help! Have a great day.

 

[setdoc7]

Hi! I'm a D3 in the NY area, and I'd like to complete a GPR after I graduate dental school. However, I got married a month ago, and my wife and I would like to go to Israel for a year after I graduate so we can take advantage of our situation in life and really put time into ourselves and our relationship. My wife would probably work part-time, and I would study full-time in a religious school (we are Orthodox Jews). I don't plan to run off and become a Rabbi, but it would mean a lot for us to spend the year in this way.

I have three main questions:
1) How might this year affect my GPR application competitiveness?

2) How will my living in Israel affect the application process. Do most programs offer phone interviews?

3) Is there such thing as applying for a future year or deferring a GPR a year? Meaning I could apply this coming year and then start the GPR in June 2017 instead of June 2016.

Thank you for your help! Have a great day.

I would have to say that not practicing dentistry for an entire year would not be looked upon as entirely favorable. There would be questions about how much you have forgotten, hand eye skills might be rusty, and to be frank, no one will be that enthusiastic about teaching you the basics all over again. My humble opinion. I am a program director.

 

[pulpssc2015]

Better to go after you do the GPR at least.

 

[Newgoalsdentdoc]

Life is short and I DO understand about taking time out for yourselves. Faith and family are so important. Let me share that I graduated from dental school in 1997 and did practice dentistry for a number of years and then did a residency in 2003. There was a particular program that was very competitive to get into and they only accepted 4 people. I always wanted to get in and applied several times and later got in. I wanted more hospital training and this really helped to bring out my passion for serving the underserved, Public Health, and teaching. I have also taught residents at a major hospital in NY. If possible, my advice to you would be to find something to do in the field of dentistry that is proof that you have kept your hands busy while you're in Israel. There's got to be something you can do. I know of several colleagues of mine who had to take time off from dentistry for personal family issues, illnesses, etc. and and it was well over a year and they were accepted into residencies. Nothing is impossible. It might be interesting for you to keep a journal on all that you're doing in Israel in any event that you are chosen for an interview for a residency in the future. This would provide for proof as to why you were not doing dentistry. You'd be surprised at how many people really understand taking a "break" to do certain things in life. I do not know of any cases where one can apply for a spot in a program in advance. Take some time to think about what you really want to do. IF you really want time off with your family, I encourage that. I've been married for 17 years and I've practiced dentistry for 15 and no matter how much I love dentistry, family and faith are first for me. I've been in situations where I even had to take time off for dentistry for 2 years. God had the right door open at just the right time, just for my situation, when I returned...so there you have it (smile). I'm still practicing today.

 

[lex1489]

I would have to say that not practicing dentistry for an entire year would not be looked upon as entirely favorable. There would be questions about how much you have forgotten, hand eye skills might be rusty, and to be frank, no one will be that enthusiastic about teaching you the basics all over again. My humble opinion. I am a program director.

Thank you for your thoughts. I definitely hear this, and I think this is the main consequence we must consider.

Better to go after you do the GPR at least.

I feel like it'd be more difficult to get a job as an associate after a year off than to get a residency. What do you think?

Life is short and I DO understand about taking time out for yourselves. Faith and family are so important. Let me share that I graduated from dental school in 1997 and did practice dentistry for a number of years and then did a residency in 2003. There was a particular program that was very competitive to get into and they only accepted 4 people. I always wanted to get in and applied several times and later got in. I wanted more hospital training and this really helped to bring out my passion for serving the underserved, Public Health, and teaching. I have also taught residents at a major hospital in NY. If possible, my advice to you would be to find something to do in the field of dentistry that is proof that you have kept your hands busy while you're in Israel. There's got to be something you can do. I know of several colleagues of mine who had to take time off from dentistry for personal family issues, illnesses, etc. and and it was well over a year and they were accepted into residencies. Nothing is impossible. It might be interesting for you to keep a journal on all that you're doing in Israel in any event that you are chosen for an interview for a residency in the future. This would provide for proof as to why you were not doing dentistry. You'd be surprised at how many people really understand taking a "break" to do certain things in life. I do not know of any cases where one can apply for a spot in a program in advance. Take some time to think about what you really want to do. IF you really want time off with your family, I encourage that. I've been married for 17 years and I've practiced dentistry for 15 and no matter how much I love dentistry, family and faith are first for me. I've been in situations where I even had to take time off for dentistry for 2 years. God had the right door open at just the right time, just for my situation, when I returned...so there you have it (smile). I'm still practicing today.

The journal is an interesting idea. In regards to doing something dentistry-related with my time, I was thinking of spending 2-4 hours a week on something dentistry-related, but I'm still in the brainstorming phase, and I'm not sure what I could do or what would even be worth doing. Thank you so much for your support 🙂.

 

[setdoc7]

This is not an illness which is unavoidable or a family issue, again, unavoidable. No one is denying that faith and family are important. On the contrary they are most important. Unfortunately that is not always how it is seen on this end. Newgoalsdentdoc told an interesting anecdotal story of his/her persistance to gain admission to a residency program. There was no mention of leaving dentistry until this goal was achieved. The point I am trying to make is that dentistry is a big comittment, not a hobby. The "lifelong learning" phrase is real. Taking off an entire year without any real clnical activity will be an issue for any quality programs. With that said, there will probably always be a spot somewhere that is open post match. The choices will be slim, and I only know of a few programs in the Greater New York Area which permit residents time off for weekly religious observance (AKA no call Friday or Saturday). Why would a program director want to admit a resident who has not practiced for a year when there are an abundance of other qualified candidates? That is the real question. That is what you, lex1489 really need to ask yourself.

 

[DGDDS]

You must also consider the travel you would be subject to, if I read your timeline correctly. During the year you spend in Israel (assuming a spring/early summer DDS graduation), you may need to travel back to NYC during that fall several times for GPR interviews. You may be able to clump them together, but that may be hard or difficult depending on the dates offered. Most programs do not offer phone interviews.

 

[Newgoalsdentdoc]

This is not an illness which is unavoidable or a family issue, again, unavoidable. No one is denying that faith and family are important. On the contrary they are most important. Unfortunately that is not always how it is seen on this end. Newgoalsdentdoc told an interesting anecdotal story of his/her persistance to gain admission to a residency program. There was no mention of leaving dentistry until this goal was achieved. The point I am trying to make is that dentistry is a big comittment, not a hobby. The "lifelong learning" phrase is real. Taking off an entire year without any real clnical activity will be an issue for any quality programs. With that said, there will probably always be a spot somewhere that is open post match. The choices will be slim, and I only know of a few programs in the Greater New York Area which permit residents time off for weekly religious observance (AKA no call Friday or Saturday). Why would a program director want to admit a resident who has not practiced for a year when there are an abundance of other qualified candidates? That is the real question. That is what you, lex1489 really need to ask yourself.

First of all Setdoc, my story was not "anecdotal" it was real life. I did try on several occasions right after dental school to get into a particular program. I also had a timespan of not doing dentistry for 2 years due to a family crises, went back to dental school for one year, went to the military and nearly 6 years later was accepted to this particular residency with three other individuals. I do see your point that you made, but the point I was making to lex1489 is that "life happens" and nothing is impossible. There is a program that would accept this individual after not doing dentistry after one year and I know, personally, of some that would. Each individual's situation is different. I agree that dentistry is a commitment. We have to keep in mind that a residency involves developing one's skills. When students graduate from dental school, they've ONLY scratched the surface of dentistry. I have taught residents over the past few yeas and they are accepted based on their grades, interviews and a few other factors. They hardly had clinical experience.

 

[lex1489]

Hi Newgoalsdentdoc,
Thank you again for your words. When I hear "anecdotal", I think "unique example" that cannot speak to odds or risk. I think you did an amazing thing, and you have an amazing story. I also think that Setdoc is providing a valuable perspective. It's true that possibilities are endless and that "life happens" and one can roll with the punches. It's also true that we live in a world where programs accepting students or residents and employers looking for employees have to answer to the bottom line, and as a result many are risk-averse. A new doc who spent one year off the job is a greater risk than one who just graduated. My wife and I cannot forget that when we make this decision.

 

[setdoc7]

Family crisis is not a choice as well. Taking a year off to study something else is. That is my point. I am not sure where you supervise residents nor do I know if you have any input in the selection process. I do, and I am giving my opinion, and it is just that. People can do what they want and make their own decisions.
And anecdotal means just that, an individual story which is not wholely representative of the majority.