holding down a job while in school?

[acnikyj]

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does anyone work a part-time job while going to med school? i always figured i wouldn't have time to work while pursuing an md, but i don't see any way to afford rent otherwise. is it possible to work about 20 hrs a week, or will you end up failing out of school?

 

[daveshnave]

It's possible to work during school, but unadvisable. If you are going to, I don't recommend working over 10 hours a week, and I'd find a job that allows you to study a little while you work (ie. work study jobs in the library, etc.). Of course, when I interviewed last year at Albany I heard about some guy who never went to class and managed a Starbucks 40 hours/week. Frankly, I think that's impossible, and is a recipe for disaster. Just my opinion, and I don't even pull crazy marathon study sessions on a regular basis as I've heard many students mention. Keep in mind, with class and study time, med school CAN be a 60-80+ hour/week "job" for some (although this is a high estimate... others devote much less time). Do you want to tack on another 20 hours to this? Shouldn't your financial aid budget cover appropriate rent in your area? Again, it's not like it's impossible, BUT I'd HIGHLY recommend against it. Even if you can pull it off, you will probably have virtually NO social life and will be constantly tired... (just what I imagine residency to be like 😉 ).

 

[lilycat]

It really depends on your med school. Some posters will tell you it's no problem, lots of kids at their school work, etc., and others will say no way in hell. I worked all through college about 20-30 hours/week, and I can't imagine trying to do that in med school right now. I don't feel like I have enough time as it is.

As for living expenses, your financial aid package should cover it. True, you may not be living in the grandest style, but you will get enough money to get by on, even if it is just barely.

 

[Homunculus]

I'm not sure about your school, but here we are able to take out extra money beyond the typical budget they allow in order to pay for things such as car payments, insurance, rent, etc. Check with your financial aid office to see if they allow it at your school. As far as having jobs, no one I know of at my school is working, part time or otherwise.

take it easy

homonculus

 

[mcwmark]

There are plenty of students that have part-time jobs, and given that I waste about 20-30 hours a week just lounging around (like posting this message), I think I could easily find 10 hours a week for a PT job. I know people at our school: work retail at the local mall, are med techs at our teaching hospital, teach Kaplan/PR, tutor other students, are research assistants, one that runs his own web hosting business, and a few that DJ.

Last week I spent 16 hours in the hospital, "volunteering" my time by shadowing a resident--and I'm doing fine academically. See what works for you.

 

[Winged Scapula]

I think your best bet is to NOT work during your first semester as you adjust to your new surroundings, the work load, etc. Once you have a good idea about whether or not you can handle outside employment, then make the decision. I couldn't imagine doing it...not that there wasn't time in the schedule but it would have cut into my Simpson's watching time! 😉