Taking 2-3 years off before medical school

[Cwc127]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Does anyone do this?

I graduated this past December, and am getting everything together to apply this cycle.

However, I must admit, it's been kind of nice the past few months just taking things lightly. I've been enrolled in a post-bacc, only taking about ~8 credits, and I work about 50 hours a month at the hospital.

But it's been fairly easy going, and actually really enjoyable. I'm not sure I'm quite ready to start this whole process up again, and honestly feel like taking perhaps another 1-2 years off before applying. I'm in no rush whatsoever - and the thing is, it doesn't concern me.

Would something like this be looked down upon?

 

[armybound]

It wouldn't be looked down upon. You might have to explain it, though.

 

[dazedanconfused]

I cant say whether or not it will be looked down upon, simply because I do not have the experience to give advice like that; however, I would warn you that from reading your post you have to be careful that you can go back. What I mean by that is that you seem to be very content just staying where you are and by the time 2 years comes and goes who knows if you will still have the will to go through four more years of school. I certainly could not do that. If I waited 2-3 years I would never go back to school. Anyway, not sure if you are like this, but it is something to think about.

 

[mvenus929]

I graduated from undergrad in May 2008. I'll be starting August 2010.

The first semester after I graduated, I took a full load of classes at community college and technical university. Since then, I've been working full time. I desperately needed the time off, and I'm glad I took it. Since I was doing something clinical, I had something else to bring to my application and interviews as well.

 

[MilkmanAl]

It wouldn't be looked down upon. You might have to explain it, though.

👍 I'd also advise that you don't want to get too far out of the game before starting med school. The culture shock will be pretty bad if you get used to just hanging out all the time.

 

[Practitioner]

Don't just waste time, do something useful and get anything out of the way that you would really like to do that you won't have the time to do later (travel, learn a new language, etc). A lot of people do this from what I've seen at my hospital and even on the forums here.

 

[Sweetpea MD]

I took 6 years off! I knew I wanted to go into medicine in college but wanted some time off. I only intended to take 2 or 3 years off but then I became interested in other things as well and decided to get a masters. I also worked full time, continued to volunteer, and here I am, matriculating in the fall! I think as long as you show you had a good reason for taking time off, go for it! I wouldn't trade it for anything. I always knew I would go back, and now I'm rested and ready for it!!

 

[alibai3ah]

I did it. Lots of people do it. You don't have to explain anything. As long as you did something "productive" during that period....

 

[cdlub]

I did it. Lots of people do it. You don't have to explain anything. As long as you did something "productive" during that period....

Agreed. I did it. If anything, it gives you something to talk about at interviews. And why not get some life experience and explore your options? It certainly doesn't hurt.

 

[Narmerguy]

There's not much you have to "explain" so much as "identify" what you've been doing since college. But I doubt they'll come at you demanding to know why you didn't apply out of college (though if you insinuate that you knew you wanted to be a doctor since college, such a question would be fair game).

 

[DrFabulous]

I graduated 07 and will be entering this Fall. I would say hands down the best decision I made was to postpone applying. It's just one of those things that once you start, you are fully committed. No turning back and I wanted to travel and also just have a few more immature years, therefore, I moved to San Diego with some of my closest guy friends and lived it up. Many interviewers asked about it and commented that it was a mature and great decision. But I also did do clinical and medical research for employment....

 

[shiftingmirage]

Just remember your MCAT is only good for 3 years.

 

[deleted307836]

I took 6 years off! I knew I wanted to go into medicine in college but wanted some time off. I only intended to take 2 or 3 years off but then I became interested in other things as well and decided to get a masters. I also worked full time, continued to volunteer, and here I am, matriculating in the fall! I think as long as you show you had a good reason for taking time off, go for it! I wouldn't trade it for anything. I always knew I would go back, and now I'm rested and ready for it!!

I'm curious -- how did this affect your getting LOR's from professors? Did you ask for them right away to save or right before you were getting ready to apply?

 

[CapnCrunch]

Just remember your MCAT is only good for 3 years.

This! 👍

I would hate to have to take that test again. Especially how each test feels different just months apart.