Trying to schedule a study abroad

[Juicec]

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Hey folks, I've been looking at a few similar threads but it seems we don't have an "up to date" discussion and I was hoping to perhaps get some input from LizzyM or another qualified individual who can help me get a good grasp of what is or is not possible.

I'll be entering my junior year this coming fall and will be applying to med school on June first (a year from now basically). With that application date in mind, I would hope that all or at least most of my interviews would take place prior to spring semester of my senior year. I was wondering if anyone had any input on if there would be any negative repercussions of a study abroad in the spring of my senior year assuming I apply early. I wasn't sure how strict the interview process really is. I know its rolling admissions on the most part and I most definitely want to be here as I am called for, but if a outlying interview was to call for me in spring is there any "phone" interviews or rescheduling that can be done? -- Perhaps allow me time to return to the states to do my interview before heading back overseas again?

I don't really have any real reason for studying abroad other then a little resume padding and the fact I love traveling, having done it quite often in the past.

Any input is welcome, thanks in advance!

 

[LizzyM]

If your application is really good (gpa > 3.8 and MCAT > 35), you are likely to get interviews between September and the end of January. If you are lucky, you'll have an offer by Thanksgiving and can blow off the rest of the interviews if you are so inclined.

Everyone else, the process can drag out through March with regard to getting interviews. Offers can drag on through late May (from the waitlist).

If by Spring you mean after March 20, you should be fine.

 

[NeuroKidd]

A friend of mine who applied last cycle was in essentially the same position as you. She ended up scheduling her spring interviews as close together as possible so she could come back for a short period of time and knock them all out. I think it resulted in her pushing them all to the very end of the season, which may have hurt her.

Good luck and have fun studying abroad.

 

[Juicec]

A friend of mine who applied last cycle was in essentially the same position as you. She ended up scheduling her spring interviews as close together as possible so she could come back for a short period of time and knock them all out. I think it resulted in her pushing them all to the very end of the season, which may have hurt her.

Good luck and have fun studying abroad.

That doesn't sound very promising :S

I currently fit the GPA > 3.8 situation but as for the MCAT we shall find out this coming April. Perhaps that is a good motivator for MCAT studying. If I do well enough on the MCAT it can ensure me a early admission decision and thus allow my study abroad.

Any adcoms have any opinion on this situation?

 

[LizzyM]

That doesn't sound very promising :S

I currently fit the GPA > 3.8 situation but as for the MCAT we shall find out this coming April. Perhaps that is a good motivator for MCAT studying. If I do well enough on the MCAT it can ensure me a early admission decision and thus allow my study abroad.

Any adcoms have any opinion on this situation?

Don't apply "early decision" but hope for an early decision from among the schools to which you apply. (Early decision ties your hands and hurts your chances of getting a sweet scholarship as the school has no need to woo you as you've pledged to attend if accepted as an "early decision".)

 

[metaphase]

Or you could go after you graduate, not on an official study abroad program. You'll get more time to travel, it's only slightly more expensive, and you'll already be into medical school.

 

[Juicec]

Or you could go after you graduate, not on an official study abroad program. You'll get more time to travel, it's only slightly more expensive, and you'll already be into medical school.

Well I actually have a insanely cheap arrangement, its an exchange actually if I do it through my school so it would be worth while to do so during my senior year if I can swing it. Ideally I would actually be into medical school by then also :S

It seems like the consensus is just hope for the best! I shall do just that.

As a quick follow up, if I was to receive an interview request while abroad, do medical schools allow rescheduling and do they look down on that at all? Either earlier or later for that matter.

 

[raltima07]

Well I actually have a insanely cheap arrangement, its an exchange actually if I do it through my school so it would be worth while to do so during my senior year if I can swing it. Ideally I would actually be into medical school by then also :S

It seems like the consensus is just hope for the best! I shall do just that.

As a quick follow up, if I was to receive an interview request while abroad, do medical schools allow rescheduling and do they look down on that at all? Either earlier or later for that matter.

Some schools allow you to choose your interview date

 

[Tappinfool66]

Good question. I'm going to be a junior and was wondering about this too. I'd like to study abroad but I don't know if I should go this coming spring, if I should study abroad in my senior year and try to apply during my time abroad or if I should go whenever and just apply to med school a year late.

I'd like to see what advice anyone has.

 

[slammer922]

My advice is do all you can to go study abroad. It was one of the best decisions/times of my life. I ended up pushing back my app year and I would do it all again in a heart beat.

 

[Juicec]

Good question. I'm going to be a junior and was wondering about this too. I'd like to study abroad but I don't know if I should go this coming spring, if I should study abroad in my senior year and try to apply during my time abroad or if I should go whenever and just apply to med school a year late.

I'd like to see what advice anyone has.

I agree with slammer, if you've never done it before without question push your app back a year and do it up, it will be the best experience of your life. Having already studied abroad I am wanting to do it again! I just can't seem to find the time. I wouldn't suggest to do it during your junior year given all the med school preperations, at least I know I will be swamped. If you found a few months of free time well then all the power to you. As it currently stands the only time I can find is spring of my senior year, I am hoping I can make something happen. If not perhaps I will look forward to research programs abroad during med school 🙂

 

[Ursa]

Hey folks, I've been looking at a few similar threads but it seems we don't have an "up to date" discussion and I was hoping to perhaps get some input from LizzyM or another qualified individual who can help me get a good grasp of what is or is not possible.

I'll be entering my junior year this coming fall and will be applying to med school on June first (a year from now basically). With that application date in mind, I would hope that all or at least most of my interviews would take place prior to spring semester of my senior year. I was wondering if anyone had any input on if there would be any negative repercussions of a study abroad in the spring of my senior year assuming I apply early. I wasn't sure how strict the interview process really is. I know its rolling admissions on the most part and I most definitely want to be here as I am called for, but if a outlying interview was to call for me in spring is there any "phone" interviews or rescheduling that can be done? -- Perhaps allow me time to return to the states to do my interview before heading back overseas again?

I don't really have any real reason for studying abroad other then a little resume padding and the fact I love traveling, having done it quite often in the past.

Any input is welcome, thanks in advance!

Some people get offers before January. Others are still interviewing in the spring because schools that they interviewed with in the fall haven't gotten back to them. Having absolutely everything wrapped up and solidified before the spring semester requires, as LizzyM said, a stellar application.

Also, it can get more complicated than just getting an acceptance. You may receive an offer from your last choice school in the fall, but get an interview to your first choice in the spring. That would be a heavy decision to make while abroad. Just be prepared for extreme situations like that!

Oh and BTW, study abroad was one of the best things I've ever done, so if you can make it work, do it!