To Wait, Or Not to Wait?

[PreMeddieRick]

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Hello all you wonderful SDN fans! I have a simple but yet very complex question. Here I'll give you my situation and then ask the question:
I am a soph. at a mid-sized Christian University, and I love the pre-med program here. I have recently gone into debt for school, and plan to finish my education with loans in the $40s or $50s, not that bad. I have been given the opportunity to become an RA on a floor in a Dorm here on campus, and if I were to do that I would not be able to study adequately for the MCAT next spring, or in general. However, I think that I could take a year off (that is, apply the summer after my senior year), but I don't know how this would work, and what med. schools think? The reason the RA opportunity looks so inviting is it is also free room and board ($8000 scholarship), and because I would love to this (I really would 😍 to do this, but I want to be fair to the freshmen and actually be around to "show them the ropes", and not be off studying 24/7).

So what do you guys/gals think? Should I take the opportunity, and delay a year? What do Med schools think?
Thanks a bunch for your help!! 😀

 

[Wardens]

If taking a year off is okay with you, I'd say go for it. From everyone I've talked with on the interview path who's taken a year off, they have said it's been a great decision. I really don't think med schools are opposed to those taking a year off so long as you do something constructive with your time. In fact, they may look at it as a plus, that maybe you're a little more mature or had a chance to get your feet wet in the world before deciding to enter medicine. Plus, since money seems a bit of a concern, you could spend that year making some to help with the undergrad debt. To me, the RA option sounds great, and a wonderful experience.

 

[CalBeE]

You won't be at too much disadvantage applying the summer after your senior year, as long as you are actually doing meaningful stuff in your year off (Having a job, doing research, volunteering, travelling to other places).

If the RA position sounds very appealing, then don't give up the chance...Look at all those wonderful yet jaded/tired med students who post occasionally in this forum...once you get to med school, you'll have less and less time and enthusiasm to do things outside school.

 

[PreMeddieRick]

Thank you. Weights are being lifted off my shoulders. I really want to do medicine one day, but I don't want to be dull, I want to actually say that I have had other experiences, and I didn't know what Med Schools thought of things like that.😀

 

[MedAppGurl]

you could also take the august mcat, right?

 

[Amy B]

Take the time to do what you want to now, you won't have the chance later once you start med school.

 

[AAKRAZY]

The *only* thing that would dissuade me from applying fresh out of school is this alarming increase in applicants to medical school. I say alarming only because it just makes the competition stiffer for me, ha, ha, (but better to have too many than too few ultimately). This increase will probably continue through the next few years.

BUT, being a good RA will be an enriching experience that will most likely make you an even better applicant, medical student, and future doctor. When I was an undergrad, I loved my RA, and I spent a lot of time either hanging out or asking for his advice, which was always pretty good. I had the chance to become an RA and didn't for similar reasons that are currently giving you doubts. Not one of my best decisions

Just do your best either way. If you decide on the MCAT, give it your all. If you decide on being an RA, try to be the best RA you can be.

AAK

 

[finnpipette]

Taking a year off is always good. if you have massive debt hanging over your head, you should find out how much interest will accrue during your year off...you might have to start paying off your loans during that time, which will suck. Either way, I'd advise taking the April mcat if at all possible. Taking the august mcat puts you at a huge disadvantage, cuz the earlier you get seen the better, especially if you're not a superstar. good luck.