Unconventional Residency Availability

[prospectiveApp]

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I am a US medical student in my third year and I was wondering if I wanted to take some time off between III and IV year, how would this impact my residency chances as this would not make me eligible to apply for the Match? Are there residencies available, how does find out more about these opportunities, etc?

As far as I know, there is one match in March but I have heard from some that there is a match in october/november for people in my situation or the unconventional student.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
ProspectiveApp

 

[Museless]

There is a match in March, there are also a handful of early matches releasing results... well, earlier. 😉 I've never heard of a fall match.

Not sure why you think you'll be ineligible to apply for the match. You can do your third year, take your year off, then start your fourth year and apply to the match with all the other then-fourth years.

 

[mackie]

Plenty of folks take time off between years three and four -- to do research, get an MPH or other degree, etc. As long as it's something meaningful, it doesn't hurt your chances of getting into a good residency. You wouldn't actually apply for a residency slot anyway until you start your fourth year of medical school. You would apply for and go through the match like everyone else who is a fourth year student at the time.

 

[fantasty]

I don't know the logistics, but one can go "outside of the match". I believe frieda lists the possible start dates for each residency program, and some will allow you to start off cycle. But, I think most people most people who take time off between 3rd & 4th year still graduate on the regular cycle (as mackie stated). But, those who I know who are truly 6 months off (usually due to maternity leave or other situations that caused them to extend school a little) just wait until the following match (one of my close friends just finished her final med school rotation, but she's just going to the time off for interviewing, working half time, and having her 2nd baby).