REapplying during year off

[SunnyBunny7]

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I've read a few previous posts about how to spend your year off after undergrad, but I was hoping for more advice/info that's more specific to my situation.

Well I'm applying right now (I've had 2 interviews so far, no word from them yet, 3 coming up), and I hate to be pessimistic, but I have to be realistic and have a backup plan if I don't get accepted anywhere. I do plan to reapply next year. I'll be graduating (undergrad) in June, but I don't know exactly what I should do during the year off. I'd like to make some money and also get more experience in a medical related field (to boost my very weak EC's).

So the easiest way I see to do that is to get a job in medical related field. But is it hard to get a job for just a year? (assuming I get accepted during my second try) I'd like to work in some kind of clinical setting or do some kind of community service work like an Americorp kinda thing. Basically something where I would be working with people. Any suggestions on what I could do? I have virtually no experience in anything (I've just volunteered in a hopsital for about a year, and I've worked as a lab assistant in a biochem lab for 6 months), and I'll have a b.s. in biochem.

I hope that all makes sense. I was just wondering if anyone else has had this experience or has any advice. Basically, I just want to know if it's hard to get a job for just one year, and what are some jobs that I could get. Thanks so much!

 

[cocoabutter]

i graduated this past april and have been applying this year. it was harder than i expected to find a job in a medically related field because everyone wants experience. but i did eventually find one. they key is not to say that you will only be working for a year. just omit that tiny bit of info and you will be fine. i have been working in my current job as a technician for about 3 months and if i am accepted to med school, i plan to quit. what they don't know won't hurt them.

good luck

 

[Delvonik]

At MUN there is no separate department for nutrition so some people with a b.s. in biochem ( I've heard) can work as a dietetic technician or dietician's aide.Most techs have an associates degree ,so with a b.s I should think you'd be alright.I don't know if it's common for biochem to go into the dietary tech field there,but it's not unheard of in my reigon. good luck ! 😀

There average hourly wage is about $11 so that's bout $22,000 a year.Sorry I can't think of anything else right now but there's a site with lots of career profiles I found this on.

http://icpac.indiana.edu/careers/career_profiles/100061.xml/snapshot

It gives the national averages and the ones for Indiana.

One more thing is an entry level at a pharmaceutical company.Since I don't think you have a whole lot of exp,it may be a lil' difficult to get.But,I hope you find something you like !!! 😀

 

[Ramoray]

I am also inthe same boat, but i was thinking if i had to apply again, it woudl be this summer, and by then that is still before i would even be or while id be starting the work or whatever ECs ill be doing so really i can barely put it on my application, unless i waited a whole nother year and applied not again this summre but in 2 summers? how are u guys doing that, are you just listing that you WILL be doing such and such job in the next year on yoru EC list? helpp

 

[cocoabutter]

for me, when i submitted my amcas i did not have a job. by the time i submitted my secondaries, i was working in a medically related field, so I talked about it in the essay or whatever.

 

[surfdevl02]

Hello SunnyBunny7, well, i did in fact do AmeriCorps after graduating this past spring. I'm doing AmeriCorps out in San Fran and absolutely love it. If you want clinical experience, there is no better place. I work at a homeless clinic doing patient intaking, HIV counseling, seeing drop in patients, working with drug abuse counselors and my favorite is doing health outreach in our medical van whereby we fill a van up with supplies and basically go all over the city looking for homeless people in need of seeing a doctor. I've had some amazing experiences...and when it comes to interviews, the stories i can tell about my experiences this year so far are unparallel to most recent college grads. In fact, i think doing AmeriCorps was my ticket in getting a UCSF interview although all my numbers are way below their avgs and i'm an out of state student. Definitely look into AmeriCorps, i can't say enough about the program out here.....

 

[SunnyBunny7]

Thanks for all the info. Do a lot of people get jobs and not mention that they might be gone in a year? I thought about doing that but to me it would feel wrong, to go about my business knowing that I'll be gone in a year. But I guess if that's the only way to get a job then it has to be done.

Any more comments on what kinds of jobs I could get (for a year only) related to healthcare/community service/science that doesn't require experience would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! 🙂 🙂

 

[TeinVI]

if you're trying to get a job during your time off between undergrad and med school, just tell them whatever the hell they wanna hear. if they want a 3 year committment, tell them yer available for 3 years. nyu med right now thinks i'm committed for two years...so little do they know...

 

[LetMeInPlease]

I know that NIH has a nice fellowship program. I don't know a whole ton about it, but it is a year long program for students who have graduated and are planning on applying to medical or public health schools for the next year. You can specify which field you would like to work in and they pay you a stipend. Most of the fellowhips are in the DC area, but they have labs in Arizona (or New Mexico) and some other state (I can't remember where). I really don't know that much about it, but if you go to the NIH web page and look under Job Opportunities or something like that, you can find out about it easily. It seems to be a program for people who can't get accepted to med school right away and need to take a year to gain experience. I'm not sure how comptetitive it is, but you should look into it, NIH is a great place to work.

 

[klp14]

Clinical research (especially in med school hospitals that are known for their research) is also a great way to get med experience and still make money. Usually docs have RN or BS level coordinators to help them with patient enrollment, blood/tissue collection, medical record review. They might also be a little more flexible about the 1 year commitment because a lot of studies are completed in less time than that.

 

[LetMeInPlease]

Since I think this NIH thing is a really great opportunity that is perfect for people who need to take a year off before starting medical school, I thought I would post some info. from the website:
Postbaccalaureate Intramural Research Training Award (IRTA) Fellowships provide opportunities for recent college graduates to spend a year engaged in biomedical investigation at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Maryland and selected off-campus locations.

While in this program participants work side-by-side with some of the leading scientists in the world in an environment devoted exclusively to biomedical research. In addition, during their tenure in the program, postbaccalaureate fellows are also expected to initiate the application process for graduate or medical school. The duration of the program is normally one year, but the fellowship can be extended for an additional year provided the performance of the trainee is satisfactory and continued support by the laboratory is available.

To be eligible for consideration, candidates must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents and have graduated from an accredited U.S. college or university. Successful candidates must begin training within two years of receipt of the undergraduate degree. Please note that this program is intended for individuals who have not previously had the chance to work full time in a research laboratory, with the exception of summer experiences.

The stipend for recent college graduates is $20,500 ($18,600 in Arizona, Montana, and North Carolina).

Candidates who are eligible for the Postbaccalaureate IRTA program may also apply to the NIH Academy, but only within one year of graduation. The Academy is a training program that focuses on research related to the elimination of domestic health disparities. However, individuals who exercise this option should understand that the Academy accepts only about ten trainees in each class, compared to the Postbaccalaureate IRTA program that selects a much larger number of applicants annually.

These fellowships are available in the research laboratories at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, MD as well as off-campus locations in Baltimore and Frederick, MD; Research Triangle Park, NC; Phoenix, AZ; and Hamilton, MT.


So, I really hope some of you look into this. NIH is so reputable that it would be a great opportunity! I hope this wasn't too long of a post, Sorry!

 

[wallie]

Originally posted by SunnyBunny7
Thanks for all the info. Do a lot of people get jobs and not mention that they might be gone in a year? I thought about doing that but to me it would feel wrong, to go about my business knowing that I'll be gone in a year. But I guess if that's the only way to get a job then it has to be done.

If you end of having to reapply, your goal should be to improve your application, in which case you might want to ask your new employer for a LOR, right? I don't really see how someone can ask for an LOR if their employer thinks they're sticking around for another couple of years. Maybe your letters are super and you don't need to improve on that aspect of your application, though.

(Also, I wouldn't want to be taking days off to interview and lying about it at work. "Oh, I'm just going to Pittsburgh...umm...for fun..." No one's gonna believe that. 🙂 )

I would agree with the folks encouraging you to look into clinical research. They probably would prefer a longer committment too, but lots of people in those types of jobs are applying to med school too, so the turnover is pretty high and they are likely understand your situation.

Anyway, good luck to you. Hopefully, you won't have to worry about this at all!!!!

 

[SouthernGirlie]

I graduated this past May, and reapplied this fall season. Before graduation I decided to check into Research Assistant positions. I'm at Stanford now and I've learned an unbelievable amount of material.

I think that doing research during your year off is a great idea. (like the others have mentioned) You get invaluable practical research experience, you can publish, you network, and you get paid (hopefully).


Going on a medical mission trip would also be a great idea. I've had friends who've done this in the past, and they've gained great experience. This also shows your interest in practicing altruistic medicine. (Actions speak louder than words.)

 

[SouthernGirlie]

Also wanted to mention:

Most labs will be pretty flexible when it comes to taking time off for interviews. They are also understanding when it comes to leaving for medical school. Keep in mind, these guys where in our shoes not too long ago. On the other hand, it wouldn't hurt to mention what you hope to gain from your experience at their lab. (i.e. practical exp. & strengthen your medical school candidacy) 🙂

 

[kat13]

This was exactly my situation a year ago. I didn't get in and I was really glad that I had a back up plan (epecially because a lot of people that were applying to medical school and are now med students, at least the ones that I hae talked to, say that they never even thought about the possibility of not getting in), so good for you for thinking ahead. It is not so much being a pessimist, just being realistic that medical school is really hard to get into.
I agree with what everyone is saying about seeking a research position, that is what I am doing now, but I also think that you should take the year to do many other things. I don't even think it is a bad idea to get a completely medically unrelated, and yet fulfilling, job. You will always have time to do some volunteer work in a health care setting during your time off. And, make sure that you have fun! I was not planning on having a year off and now that I have it, I can't imagine having gone straight into medical school. I have a lot of respect for people who have the stamina to do that. But if it happens that you don't get in, don't worry, remember a lot of people don't. Just take the time to travel, hang out with friends, relax! This maybe the last time you have the opportunity to do so! If you are meant to be a doctor you will be, just when the time is right. And who knows, when I didn't get into medical school I started exploring my options and stumbled upon osteopathy. I fell in love with it and will be attending an osteopathic school next year (I even turned down MD school acceptances). If I had gotten into school last year I may have never discovered osteopathic medicine. Good luck to you, I know that it will all work out the way it was meant to.

 

[UCLAMAN]

Originally posted by kat13
This was exactly my situation a year ago. I didn't get in and I was really glad that I had a back up plan (epecially because a lot of people that were applying to medical school and are now med students, at least the ones that I hae talked to, say that they never even thought about the possibility of not getting in), so good for you for thinking ahead. It is not so much being a pessimist, just being realistic that medical school is really hard to get into.

Word....This is what I have been saying in other posts! I'm not being pessimistic, just keeping things real. One certainly should hope for the best. However, in any undertaking there is a chance for failure. You have to have a plan in the event that you do fail.

This is why I advocate(especially if you only have 1 or 0 interview invites by the end of Jan) thinking about how you are/will improve your app before the June amcas start date for reapplication. I'm not saying you aren't gonna make it. it's just...do you have a failsafe plan in the unfortunate event that you don't?

With that in mind hopefully you have continued your involvement in your EC's and hopefully have demonstrated some growth(ie paper published, gaining a leadership position in a prog, retaking mcat, added another meaningful EC experience, adding a stronger LOR, all of the above etc.) that you can write about in your new personal statement and include in your primary application. I hope people didn't drop all their activities simply because they were applying to med school and knew med schools wouldn't follow up if they got in(i'm sure none of you have).

As far as your year off....as long as you aren't sitting around and picking your butt you'll be ok. I took an anatomy course at the JC and taught myself how to play the piano and continued doing a little research. In fact, my previous interviewers never really asked what I was currently doing for the year off. Now that the JC class is over I am starting work with Kaplan and playing a lot of hockey(i want to make my first choice med school's varsity club team if i get in) until med school starts. You can pretty much turn anything you are doing during the year into a meaningful experience. Just don't sit on your butt for the year.

IMO though what you do during the year off isn't nearly as important as what you do from now til June(or whenever you decide to submit amcas). Because what you do from now til June will be put on your amcas application. They WILL SEE what you are doing now if you reapply(or if you don't do anything they'll see that you didn't change or improve during the year you apply). They won't see on paper what you do for the year off(unless of course you update or allude to it somehwere in your primary). But remember, what you do from now til June is crucial because you will actually have experiences that you can draw upon and write about on your personal statement and on secondaries to demonstrate your growth as an individual. the secondaries give you more time garnering experiences...but still ...now til June is the most important IMO.

any questions? PM me and I'll tell you my story.

Just my 2 cents....if you think they are tails leave them on the ground.

Good Luck all!