Question to those who have taken a year off during medical school

[FindingVeritas]

Hey there,

I'm curious to ask. I'm currently looking at taking a year off due to a huge number of reasons. It would be between years 2-3 of medical school and I would have to take Step 1 at some point during the year.

Currently planning to do research with at least 6-7 months of the year then more study to get back into things in the latter half as well as some time off.

Does this look OKAY in terms of a PD looking at my application? Let's say I can at least do a poster with the 6-7 months of research.

Just looking for insight from others who have taken time off:

How did it affect you? Were you still able to have options open? (Not to super competitive residencies but I want to couples match, currently interested in IM, psych, family med, neuro programs and not top programs within those).

What did you choose to do with your year off?

For those who this applies to: If you had to wait some time before being eligible to take Step 1 (how my school works, you have to withdraw to do a leave of absence), how were you able to keep the material fresh?

Any general life advice?

Thanks all, I sincerely appreciate the replies!

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[mybubbles627]

I am currently taking a year off between 3rd and 4th year. Feel free to PM me.

 

[J ROD]

Usually, if you have a "good" reason. You will be okay. Like taking this research and applying it towards the field you want to go into. Doing meaningful research. Not just taking the year off to study for Step 1 and get a break.

Health reasons need to be legit and may not hurt you depending on what they are.

Just be sure to look like you are doing something worthwhile and it looks it. And not like you just time off for Step 1

 

[zyxab]

Usually, if you have a "good" reason. You will be okay. Like taking this research and applying it towards the field you want to go into. Doing meaningful research. Not just taking the year off to study for Step 1 and get a break.

Health reasons need to be legit and may not hurt you depending on what they are.

Just be sure to look like you are doing something worthwhile and it looks it. And not like you just time off for Step 1

Other than doing research related to the specialty to which you're applying, how would PDs be able to distinguish "just taking a year off" type research from "meaningful" research? Would it come down to publications, perceived passion while talking about the experience during interviews, etc.?

 

[J ROD]

Other than doing research related to the specialty to which you're applying, how would PDs be able to distinguish "just taking a year off" type research from "meaningful" research? Would it come down to publications, perceived passion while talking about the experience during interviews, etc.?

Like really being involved in the research to the point you know the details really well and can relay that. I put down I did some research on a project just to say I did something while in med school. I wrote the intro and some of the conclusions sections and read over it, etc. Not heavily involved.....got asked by a few very detailed questions I was not ready for.

So, IF you take a whole year off, you should be heavily involved in it and hopefully several projects. Also, we all hope we get published.

Appearances are everything.......

 

[lymphocyte]

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[mymembernames]

Bump 🙂 Anyone have experience with this for competitive specialties?