not really sure what the plan is

[lex4599]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I'm relatively new to these discussion forums, so please bear with me if I commit a serious faux pas.

I graduated from a top 20 school last year (2009) with a BA in Mathematics. I completed all the prereqs, my sGPA was a 3.8, overall was a 3.85. I did a 5-year MPH program, which I am currently in the process of finishing. My whole rationale for doing this program was to get a stats background so that if I want to do clinical research in the future, I'd be pretty well set, and let's face it, we all need a back up in case med school doesn't work out.
The one thing I've been fighting really hard against since the very beginning was the whole "getting a degree just for the sake of getting one." I want to utilize my education, so I applied for the Fulbright and was notified as a finalist a few weeks ago. I'm planning on the taking the MCATs in March.

So here's the dilemma, if I don't get the Fulbright, no problem, I'll work fulltime at the lab I did my thesis in. If i do get the Fulbright, however, I'll be abroad during application time. My program will be in China from end of August to March, and from what I understand, this is when all the interviews go down. How will med schools deal with this for my situation?

I'm sure I'm not the first person in the world to encounter this situation, could anyone shed some light on this?

 

[Morsetlis]

You'd schedule interviews for after March.

 

[Catalystik]

. . . possibly putting yourself at a statistical disadvantage in gaining an acceptance.

 

[slowbutsteady]

Assuming you do well on the MCAT, you will have a killer app. Do not let these loser premeds give you their canned advice. You will be in a unique situation that the med schools will understand and will accommodate you.

Waiting until March for all of your interviews probably isn't the best bet though.

As you start to accumulate interview offers, you should let them know your situation and schedule all of them for one week, maybe in December.

Then you return for the interviews.

Later interview offers and all non-rolling schools can wait until March.

 

[bearforce]

there is some truth to the stastistical disadvantage (especially when considering asking SDN home of the most obsessed premeds who apply/interview as early as possible) ; however, your app would be killer if you did well on the MCAT. also I would try to schedule all your interviews ( which you will receive) as early as possible. Also, depending on your financial situation, you may want to try to come back for 2-3 weeks and get all your interviews lined up and done. While on my interview trail I met a few individuals who were out of the country and had to come back to interview. These people seemed successful.
Good luck