Post-grad year off

[nuhuskies2013]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone could tell me about taking a year off after graduating with a PharmD. My plan always was to do a residency or fellowship, but now I am considering taking time off to study abroad and earn a graduate degree. I was wondering how this would hurt my career as well as chances of being accepted into a residency or fellowship program? What other problems would I encounter? Would experience like this differentiate myself from other applicants for programs like a residency or fellowship? What about keeping my license and other certifications? I would have to keep them up, I assume, but how difficult would this being if I am not practicing?

Has anyone else even done this lol?

Thanks!

 

[IndustryPharmD]

If you take a year off after school, it will lower your chances for an industry fellowship. Dramatically. Don't know about residencies.

If you get licensed before you leave, keeping up license won't be a problem, most states have two-year renewal cycle and most allow the first renewal without CEs. Or you can do CEs remotely if your state does not require live CEs. Some states will not let you transfer a license, though, if you have not actively practiced (certain number of hours worked within the previous year), so your mobility will suffer.

If you want to take time off, it would be better to do it AFTER your fellowship or residency. And make it a couple months, not a year. If you wanted time off or study abroad that badly, you should have done it before pharmacy school.

Also, if you took out student loans, you would go into repayment if you took time off. Forbearance is a very expensive option. Think about that, too.

 

[Praziquantel86]

Bad idea. Residency applicants from the Class of 2010 and a real tough time getting interviews this year, and many (most) that I've spoken to spent that year doing nothing other than working and trying to improve their CV. I can't imagine a year abroad would help your application in any way, and may in fact send up some red flags.

 

[ohiopharmacist]

I have a friend who hasn't found time to find a job yet who graduated w/Pharm D last June. Living off benefits (used to be in army)GI benefits or something.Its so funny how our country rewards people for being lazy,only in America ppl!!

PS:he has not even tried to get his ATT yet(authorization to test) from board of pharmacy, livin the high life lol

 

[nuhuskies2013]

Hey, thanks for the quick responses. I was thinking more about this, and most of the programs that I would apply to need certain amounts of post-grad work experience. So, I would have to wait until after fellowship anyway. It appears my best option is to apply for fellowship straight out of school and then go from there.

Thanks a lot guys. Keep the responses coming!

 

[spacecowgirl]

Big mistake.