Off cycle ERAS help

[Medstudent399]

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Hi all,

I'm a 4th year medical student who is graduating off cycle. I had to take some time off last year so I will only be done with graduation requirements around September of this year. I know I'm not allowed to apply for match due to the July 1st start date requirements and I would really like to do something productive this year (like work using my MD) other than research because I have already taken a year off for research between my 2nd and 3rd year.

My issue is this: I've been told numerous times by my dean that it is better to apply for the match as a current medical student. Can I apply for the 2014 match as a 4th year medical student in September of 2013 and graduate a month after my applications have gone out? That way I will still be considered a student for ERAS purposes but will have my MD a little later on to maybe find some work for the next 8 months before residency starts.

I would prefer to start residency in September as soon as I finish my graduation requirements, but I know off cycle positions are hard to come by,

Any help is greatly appreciated!

 

[rbnsafsadgf]

Bump.
Did you find out the answer to this?

 

[shiftingmirage]

Something someone at my school did last year who didn't match or get a spot in SOAP was to basically graduate the next year. Although her coursework was done in time to graduate in 2013, she instead remained enrolled to graduate this year. The idea was that
a) she would be a student when she applied
b) could do more rotations, possible get more/stronger letters
c) do lots of aways/audition rotations.

I'm not sure how this year's match turned out for her, hopefully well.

So delaying graduation is a possibility.

 

[NotAProgDirector]

I don't think that "being a medical student" during the match really is a huge benefit in itself. There is no question that the longer it is since your graduation, the more trouble you'll run into. So, you want to apply to the first match for which you qualify. Programs will review your application looking at why you are off cycle in the first place, and what you've done with your time. Extending medical school is a very safe and effective option -- more rotations, continued exposure to medicine, more letters, etc. If you graduate, try to do something that furthers your application. Working at Starbucks to make some money is not. Doing absolutely nothing is worse. So extending medical school is often the safest and most practical option.