Taking a year off

[will8570]

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Who has taken a year off, what did you do (or are you planning on doing), if you did it, how do you feel that affected your admissions process, etc?

 

[evajaclynn]

Took 2 years off.

Spent 1 year at the NIH in Bethesda, MD - clinical research, etc.

This year I am working at a ChemE company (moved home to be close to the fam/bf/etc.).

Decided to apply to medical school in June '04, took MCAT in August. I would say that my years off have helped me to get some real world experience and aided in my decision to apply to medical school. My experience at the NIH helped 100% - made the admissions process easier for me.

If you feel that you need/want to take some time off before going to med school, I would say do it! Get some more medical related experience/save money/travel - whatever you'd like to do before you are committed to school/residency/etc. for who knows how many years! 👍

 

[seattledoc]

Who has taken a year off, what did you do (or are you planning on doing), if you did it, how do you feel that affected your admissions process, etc?

I took 5 years to get through med school. I was at the University of Minnesota. I spent 2 months doing a small research project, 6 weeks as an Anatomy TA, 6 months of non-medical travel time, and the rest was spent taking a few breaks between rotations. It was less of a grind and broke up the 3-4th years nicely. I went into Family Practice and I think it helped me. It gave me something to talk about during my interviews other than "med school experience".

My belief is if you do something with the time and it is on your terms, it'll help you. If your school holds you back for remedial physiology, then the extra year isn't going to look too good to residency programs.

 

[amylynn007]

Who has taken a year off, what did you do (or are you planning on doing), if you did it, how do you feel that affected your admissions process, etc?

I decided during my junior year that I was going to take a year off. I was recently engaged and planning a wedding for this past summer. I was really worried at the time what admissions committees would think about my decision, but I do not think it has hurt me at all. In my interviews I wasn't asked about it, but I did come right out and explain my reasoning (because I wanted to spend this year with my husband before medical school is my life).
I am working full time as a CNA, and that has given me so many things to talk about in my interviews.
Also, I am going to be so ready to start hitting the books in the fall! During this time I have been able to read a bunch of books for pleasure, spend time with friends, do whatever. I say go for it!

MSUCHM Class of 2009 😀

 

[nairay]

I am currently in my 2nd year off. I spent the summer after graduation continuing my research and volunteer work. Then i took 3-4 weeks off to backpack through Europe with friends (something i don't think i'll be able to do anymore with time committments, etc. i'm very glad i did it, plus i had a stressful experience that i can talk about in interviews) Following that, I've spent the past year at the NIH and immersed myself in brain imaging research, another experience i don't think i would have gained elsewhere.

It hasn't affected my admissions process at all; in fact, it gave me more time to study for the MCAT and improve on my past score. Plus, on my interviews, I've met a number of people who've taken time off to do other things (MS's, MPHs, work, etc). The experience, in my opinion, is invaluable, especially if you continue to do things that will enhance your application.

Good Luck!