Taking a year off between M2 and MS3?

[fitzykiwi]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Longtime lurker here - I was wondering if any of you more experienced folks out there could provide some thoughts on this.

I'm about to start my second year of med school and I'm thinking of having a bunch of reconstructive surgeries. Obviously, I'm able to function normally for the most part right now, but these surgeries would greatly aid me, physically and aesthetically. The surgeries would take place in multiple stages, distanced about a couple of months apart from each other. I'd be recovering post-op for about 3-5 days after each one.

I can either have the procedures this year or I could take a year off after this year and spend a year having them and come back fresh and "new".

Should I just grunt through the year and do both the surgeries and class at the same time or should I essentially waste one year but not potentially sacrifice my class experience? Is there anything else I could do during this "wasted" year? Also keep in mind that during the process, I'm occasionally going to be unable to be seen in public for various periods of time (all that blood, bandaging, and stuff). pm me if you don't want to publicly comment

 

[tco]

As someone who took a year between MSII and III to do a pathology fellowship, I would say, if possible, wait until after MSIII to do it. Yes, you're "so close" to finishing, but if you must take a year, you must. I think it would be better served after you establish yourself a solid clinical background and finish up all of the required exams (do Step 2CK and CS before you have the surgeries).

I struggled when I came back for the first two blocks. It was a difficult transition to begin with, but being out of the rhythm of testing made it even more difficult. Like I said, if you absolutely must take a year off, and you have the choice, do it after MSIII.