Gap Year Question (Part Time vs. Full Time School)

[NecrotizingFasciitis]

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Hello all,

My adviser has always advocated that you should go full time during your gap year because medical schools don't like it when you go part time. I would love to do this, but at the same time would like to save up money for medical school next year and not accrue any more debt than I have to.

I don't have an acceptance, but I have a few interviews so far this cycle. If it doesn't look "lazy" I would like to go part time this year to boost my gpa's a bit in case I don't land an acceptance somewhere. I would like to do this so I can put in more hours at work (in a hospital) to both help pay off student loans and save for medical school.

Will it look bad/lazy to schools if I drop down to part time? Or should I keep my full time schedule as is?

Thanks!
-NF

 

[kelminak]

I don't think it would seem lazy to go to part time? The fact that you already have interviews is a really good sign that you're competitive. I think your plan to take part-time courses while continuing to accrue hospital experience seems perfectly fine. I don't see why you'd be lazy for not taking classes if you don't need to?

 

[HopefulPhysician]

I think that's a solid plan! IF you don't get in you'll have an even better application next cycle (better GPA, more clinic experience, possibly a better MCAT if you decide to retake). A lot can happen in one year's time. Plus it is a smart financial decision to start paying back student loans...personally I don't think one can save a substantial amount of money in 1 year for med school.

Congrats on the interviews! May the Science Gods provide you with good fortune 😀

 

[Johnny Appleseed]

Hello all,

My adviser has always advocated that you should go full time during your gap year because medical schools don't like it when you go part time. I would love to do this, but at the same time would like to save up money for medical school next year and not accrue any more debt than I have to.

I don't have an acceptance, but I have a few interviews so far this cycle. If it doesn't look "lazy" I would like to go part time this year to boost my gpa's a bit in case I don't land an acceptance somewhere. I would like to do this so I can put in more hours at work (in a hospital) to both help pay off student loans and save for medical school.

Will it look bad/lazy to schools if I drop down to part time? Or should I keep my full time schedule as is?

Thanks!
-NF

A couple people at my school didn't go to school at all during their gap years, and they got multiple acceptances! I think part time is fine.... but I'm just a pre-med...

 

[Scrubs101]

I think your plan sounds great and I don't think adcoms will look at it poorly in any way shape or form. If anything they'll ask you why you did and your reasoning is perfectly fine!

Congrats on the II's btw!! You're killing it this cycle [emoji110]


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

 

[NecrotizingFasciitis]

I think your plan sounds great and I don't think adcoms will look at it poorly in any way shape or form. If anything they'll ask you why you did and your reasoning is perfectly fine!

Congrats on the II's btw!! You're killing it this cycle [emoji110]


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

Thanks Scrubs 🙂

Still have my fingers crossed for MSUCOM for both of us!