Taking a leave during 3rd year

[chintu]

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HI,

I need to attend a very important wedding overseas and I was wondering what the consequences of taking a month long vacation during 3rd year would be. I know i will need to make up the rotation during 4th year but as far as step 2 and the application process is concerned are there any major drawbacks to this? Will I be looked down upon by the residency directors,etc? Thanks...

 

[tiredmom]

Things to consider:
1. Do you already know what you want to do with your life or are you undecided between a couple of specialties? If you are undecided, you'll need at least the first two rotations of your fourth year to do a rot in each one of your specialty options to help you decide. Spending your first month finishing up 3rd year coursework would put you into having to apply while you are still trying to figure out what you want to do (which is more expensive and a bigger hassle - double personal statements, double LORs, etc).
2. Be prepared to explain your leave on interviews and/or in personal statement, because they want to know why you needed a break.
3. Are you looking at a competitive specialty like ortho that requires a lot of audition rotations at away sites? That is predominately done the first few rotations of 4th year so that you're not leaving an audition rotation for interviews.

I'm not saying don't take your time off. You have to decide what is important to you. But realize that those decisions don't come without consequences. I've had a couple of friends who've taken time off for medical reasons during med school. One is matching a year after us, and the time off has probably contributed to the other's not getting interviews for her competitive specialty of choice (It's not the only thing, but it definately could be the final straw). And these are for medical problems, not for vacation. Our school doesn't allow leaves without a good reason - so be prepared to explain.

Good luck.

 

[Tired]

HI,

I need to attend a very important wedding overseas and I was wondering what the consequences of taking a month long vacation during 3rd year would be. I know i will need to make up the rotation during 4th year but as far as step 2 and the application process is concerned are there any major drawbacks to this? Will I be looked down upon by the residency directors,etc? Thanks...

Can you even do that and still graduate on time? Better check that out. At my school, some students are held back an entire year if they miss/fail a rotation, depending on the circumstances. Taking a "month long vacation" doesn't exactly engender sympathy from admin types, you know?

 

[quideam]

people have definetely taken a month or so vacation at my school... i even know one guy who for his first rotation third year did a 'medical spanish' elective in mexico instead... it is really school-dependent; i would start by talking to the friendliest dean you know.

Quid