Taking a year off, any suggestions?

[Punchap]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hello,

I'm a third year undergraduate and am planning to take a year off before medical school, but I'm a little unsure of what I should do with my year.

I participated in an 11-month AmeriCorps program before undergrad. (loved the real life experience) and am very interested in taking a similar break before I finish my education. I'm not sure what I should do with my year -- I am very interested in public health and community service (esp. international) and am considering doing an MPH (1-yr. option at my school), but am not sure if this is what I want.

I have one concern though...I have accrued substantial debt as an undergraduate and am looking for an option that allows me to defer most (if not all my loans) for my year off in case I am unable to pay on them. Are there volunteer/research programs like this?

Any program/ideas/suggestions? I'm open to all...thanks for your comments in advance. I apologize for the long note.

-Punchap

 

[FutureDocDO]

Hello,

I'm a third year undergraduate and am planning to take a year off before medical school, but I'm a little unsure of what I should do with my year.

I participated in an 11-month AmeriCorps program before undergrad. (loved the real life experience) and am very interested in taking a similar break before I finish my education. I'm not sure what I should do with my year -- I am very interested in public health and community service (esp. international) and am considering doing an MPH (1-yr. option at my school), but am not sure if this is what I want.

I have one concern though...I have accrued substantial debt as an undergraduate and am looking for an option that allows me to defer most (if not all my loans) for my year off in case I am unable to pay on them. Are there volunteer/research programs like this?

Any program/ideas/suggestions? I'm open to all...thanks for your comments in advance. I apologize for the long note.

-Punchap

I'd work and pay off some of those undergrad loans. You can only borrow $189,125 (or there about) in government loans for both undergrad and grad schools. The rest you will need to borrow from a private company with a much higher interest rate.

 

[Boxer1]

I'd work and pay off some of those undergrad loans. You can only borrow $189,125 (or there about) in government loans for both undergrad and grad schools. The rest you will need to borrow from a private company with a much higher interest rate.

I agree that in most cases, paying off debt as early as possible is a good idea. But, if you haven't been accepted to medical school yet, it may be beneficial to use the year that you have to improve your resume and improve your chances of getting in where you want to be. Getting into the school you want to can save you significant money (public state school tuition vs. private school tuition) and will make you a happier and more successful student.

Pursuing a graduate degree would be nice to help defer the loans, but only if you are really interested in getting the degree anyway. You also may be able to find research opportunities that will pay you a little bit and count as education so you can continue to defer your loans. I did a summer research program where they gave me enough credits to be considered a part time student and payed me a little bit. I don't know if similar opportunities are available for a whole year.
Good luck with your decision

 

[Punchap]

I agree that in most cases, paying off debt as early as possible is a good idea. But, if you haven't been accepted to medical school yet, it may be beneficial to use the year that you have to improve your resume and improve your chances of getting in where you want to be. Getting into the school you want to can save you significant money (public state school tuition vs. private school tuition) and will make you a happier and more successful student.

Pursuing a graduate degree would be nice to help defer the loans, but only if you are really interested in getting the degree anyway. You also may be able to find research opportunities that will pay you a little bit and count as education so you can continue to defer your loans. I did a summer research program where they gave me enough credits to be considered a part time student and payed me a little bit. I don't know if similar opportunities are available for a whole year.
Good luck with your decision

Thanks, I appreciate your posts.