Is it possible to work as an Au Pair during the application cycle?

[Tigriski]

An Au Pair is like an international nanny. I really want to learn a language through cultural immersion but I have no money and don't want to put this on a credit card. And A lot of my friends are recommending Au Pair; you select a family and they select you then you work for them for room and board and a decent wage (up to 1200 a month, granted that's at the very high end. I'm in it for the language and culture) most are around 600USD a month (and you have no bills during the time with meals). Whatever. I think its a good deal for the experience.

I graduate this December. Then Im taking my MCAT in the spring (march/April) then applying when the application cycle opens in June,2018. Assuming I have a good application cycle (II's and interviews at at least 2 schools) how possible is this. If I'm in another country how would I deal with interviews? Would i just have to come back for the interview right away? Or are admissions committees likely to say "ok we can move you interview back a couple days." I'd like to do this during the summer (so june through august or september or october). Does this seriously conflict with my application process??? Like, once i submit my application in june, I'll just patiently and hopefully wait for secondaries. Will the time frame that I want to do this in conflict with interviews. I dont really know when people start getting interviews. I know I can do secondaries anywhere.

Is the application process flexible. Or is this taking on way too much. I think I am missing some things about application timing.

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[blackroses]

I would think very carefully about whether or not this is a wise idea. Interview season is typically September-February. You will need to be available to interview at any point during that time (with a couple week's notice). Something tells me you'll have difficulty getting a family to agree to let you drop everything for several days on a few week's notice - not to mention, consider whether or not you'll be interviewing at your best immediately following an international flight (probably with jetlag). Additionally, unless the family you work for agrees to a significant amount of downtime during the time period you'd be receiving secondaries, I wouldn't be so sure you'll have plenty of time to complete secondaries with a reasonable turnaround. Being an Au Pair is rarely a 9-5 job, and many people with 9-5 jobs have struggled to complete secondaries in a reasonable time frame.

 

[Toutie]

If you really want to do this then do it. It'll be a great experience. Go for a year or so, have a great time and then AFTER you are done, come back home, take your MCAT and apply. Do not try to do it during your application year. Plus it'll be something interesting and unique to put on your application.

 

[Tigriski]

If you really want to do this then do it. It'll be a great experience. Go for a year or so, have a great time and then AFTER you are done, come back home, take your MCAT and apply. Do not try to do it during your application year. Plus it'll be something interesting and unique to put on your application.

I feel like I really want to do this, but in order to learn a language and a culture, I know it will make me a better doctor. But i also don't want to put off medical school any longer. Im graduating in december, so I'll have taken 4.5 years to graduate. Then ill be waiting around for a year, because of the application cycle, (apply in june 2018 then figure out where im going in the summer of 2019).

my main goal is to learn another language..... anyone have any tips on learning a new language when everyone around you speaks english......

 

[Tigriski]

am I doin too much just to learn another language?? I took 4 years in high school and 3 semesters in college and I'm just garbage. and I'm sick of it

 

[DBC03]

I agree with @Toutie - it sounds like an awesome experience if you like kids. However, as someone going through the application cycle now while taking a class, doing research, and working a job - let's just say that I would be having a better season with fewer responsibilities.

I know it sounds like you're taking forever to get to medical school, but every single friend of mine that went straight to medical school and did not take a few years off regretted it later. Once you get to medical school you will be very focused for at least 7 to 11 years. You probably won't have the opportunity to be an au pair ever again. I'm 36 and I have absolutely no regrets about being older this application cycle. Everything I have done up until this point has shaped who I am and I am very thankful for the good and the bad. So I say go for it and allow yourself to take an extra year off between school. You will have experiences that you will remember for the rest of your life.

 

[Tigriski]

I agree with @Toutie - it sounds like an awesome experience if you like kids. However, as someone going through the application cycle now while taking a class, doing research, and working a job - let's just say that I would be having a better season with fewer responsibilities.

I know it sounds like you're taking forever to get to medical school, but every single friend of mine that went straight to medical school and did not take a few years off regretted it later. Once you get to medical school you will be very focused for at least 7 to 11 years. You probably won't have the opportunity to be an au pair ever again. I'm 36 and I have absolutely no regrets about being older this application cycle. Everything I have done up until this point has shaped who I am and I am very thankful for the good and the bad. So I say go for it and allow yourself to take an extra year off between school. You will have experiences that you will remember for the rest of your life.

So if you were in my position, would you still take your MCAT right after you graduate? everything is fresh in my mind, so I'm still leaning toward taking my MCAT in the SPRING no matter what. My test scores will be good for 5 years...

 

[DBC03]

So if you were in my position, would you still take your MCAT right after you graduate? everything is fresh in my mind, so I'm still leaning toward taking my MCAT in the SPRING no matter what. My test scores will be good for 5 years...

Oh, yes - I would definitely take the MCAT in the spring while everything is fresh. Then take a year off as an au pair and apply while your MCAT is still good.

 

[Tigriski]

Oh, yes - I would definitely take the MCAT in the spring while everything is fresh. Then take a year off as an au pair and apply while your MCAT is still good.

okay! this is good advice. I know I'm young and I want to go into medicine. I'm already taking a gap year. Sometimes I dont know if I'm rushing in too soon or what, what opportunities could i pursue for a little while before throwing myself into medicine.

 

[DBC03]

okay! this is good advice. I know I'm young and I want to go into medicine. I'm already taking a gap year. Sometimes I dont know if I'm rushing in too soon or what, what opportunities could i pursue for a little while before throwing myself into medicine.

It's a tough decision because there is a fear that you are holding yourself back. But I've never heard someone say, "man, I really wish I hadn't taken that extra year."