So how does it work if you want to go overseas for a year before starting med school?

[deleted1001544]

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I had the idea to take a gap year overseas, but applying to medical school from overseas isn't going to happen. So then the plan was to go overseas for a year, and then take a second year either doing some sort of research fellowship or working in a clinical job in the states while applying. Are letters of recommendation from college professors still possible to get if I do this? Any other considerations I should take into account?

The other alternative (not my idea, suggested to me by a department chair), since I'm not entirely sure I want to do this yet, would be to go ahead and apply as though I wasn't going to take the gap year and then beg for a deferral if I decide I do want to go. However, this seems kind of sketchy/dishonest to me and I know that the deferral wouldn't even be guaranteed.

 

[lanzhou_lamian]

Hey! I spent some time abroad between undergrad and med school. Here's my advice:

1. Applying as though you weren't going to take a gap year and then requesting a deferral is a risky strategy, because schools are not obligated to give you one. Sure, if you have a super prestigious opportunity abroad, like a a Fulbright, they may be more inclined, but if you just have some regular gap year plans, I wouldn't bank on them granting your request.
2. Your other plan of going abroad for a year and then applying during a second gap year sounds perfectly reasonable and is similar to what I and my friends did. It worked out fine. One thing I might suggest though is asking your letter-writers beforehand and collecting the letters in Interfolio. This way, you're still fresh in the professors minds, and if for any reason they're not available once you're back in the country, you already have the letter. Depending on how close you are to the professor, you can reach back out to them once you are back if you'd like them to tweak the letter based on insights you gained while abroad.

 

[deleted1001544]

Thanks for the advice! When would you recommend taking the MCAT? I know the scores last for three years, but then some schools will only accept it within two years. If I'm still uncertain about my plans, should I take it in time for this cycle just in case and then figure out if I'll need to retake it later?

 

[Jeremy Bearimy]

Thanks for the advice! When would you recommend taking the MCAT? I know the scores last for three years, but then some schools will only accept it within two years. If I'm still uncertain about my plans, should I take it in time for this cycle just in case and then figure out if I'll need to retake it later?

Depends on how flexible you are with how many gap years you want to take! If you're sure about going abroad, its probably safer to go abroad, begin studying asap when you get back and then take the MCAT shortly before applying. But you can also take it before going abroad, as long as you know how long you will be away for.

From exp: I took my MCAT in early 2017 and then lived abroad for 3 years, now matriculating in 2020. I only had 3-4 schools that I had to take off of my list because they wouldn't accept my 2017 MCAT score. It was a bummer to take some of them off, but ultimately, I was within the limits for most of the schools on my list. Pm me if you need any advice on this!