When is it okay to finish gap year experience?

[ShabbaRanks]

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Hi all! My interview season is coming to a close and I was just wondering when it would be appropriate for me to finish my gap year experience. I am currently doing research in a place that I am not originally from. I really enjoy the lab I am working for but I am hoping to spend quality time with my family and friends before school starts. I also hope to travel and relax before classes begin.

So my question is.. When would it be appropriate for me to stop my gap year position? I was thinking sometime in March because this would give my work around a six weeks notice and it would also give me 3-4 months to have a break.

Does this seem fair?

 

[AlteredScale]

Hi all! My interview season is coming to a close and I was just wondering when it would be appropriate for me to finish my gap year experience. I am currently doing research in a place that I am not originally from. I really enjoy the lab I am working for but I am hoping to spend quality time with my family and friends before school starts. I also hope to travel and relax before classes begin.

So my question is.. When would it be appropriate for me to stop my gap year position? I was thinking sometime in March because this would give my work around a six weeks notice and it would also give me 3-4 months to have a break.

Does this seem fair?

That seems fair to me. Just give em a heads up (2 weeks notice). Congrats on the acceptance!

 

[hoihaie]

depends on whether you wanna keep investing in that relationship you got going on at your current lab. Maybe in the future, they could be of help with residency stuff or if you want to come back to the lab for research during your summers.

For exmaple, My PI, who is a major player in his field, will be helping me with residency/fellowship in any way if I ever decide to pursue the same field as he is.

 

[toastytoastie]

depends on whether you wanna keep investing in that relationship you got going on at your current lab. Maybe in the future, they could be of help with residency stuff or if you want to come back to the lab for research during your summers.

For exmaple, My PI, who is a major player in his field, will be helping me with residency/fellowship in any way if I ever decide to pursue the same field as he is.

Yeah, this is key. I'm staying with my PI until June just so I can get a full year with him and the project. That way he'll know me even better--he's been a fabulous mentor so far--and be likely to open even more doors down the road for me.

 

[Omppu27]

I'll be done working in my lab at the start of June.

 

[dellprecision]

I plan on ending my gap year research experience asap mostly because I don't really like the nature of the research that much, and because there are things I'd rather do with my time before med school. Since I'm working a fairly independent and non-crucial (dead-end) project, I have little to no qualms about leaving.

 

[Catalystik]

Hi all! My interview season is coming to a close and I was just wondering when it would be appropriate for me to finish my gap year experience. I am currently doing research in a place that I am not originally from. I really enjoy the lab I am working for but I am hoping to spend quality time with my family and friends before school starts. I also hope to travel and relax before classes begin.

So my question is.. When would it be appropriate for me to stop my gap year position? I was thinking sometime in March because this would give my work around a six weeks notice and it would also give me 3-4 months to have a break.

Does this seem fair?

It's not clear from your post, but do you have an acceptance in hand? If not, consider that if you need to reapply, you might regret prematurely terminating your relationship with your current PI.

 

[ShabbaRanks]

It's not clear from your post, but do you have an acceptance in hand? If not, consider that if you need to reapply, you might regret prematurely terminating your relationship with your current PI.

I actually do not have an acceptance, which makes this scenario tricky. I have interviewed at 7 schools, and have 3 more scheduled in the upcoming weeks. I am really hoping to get good news sooner rather than later.
I was just wondering if I should inform them that I'm thinking of stopping at the end of March/April. I don't want to get an acceptance letter in April and then feel like I am going to quit on the spot. Like I said, I really like my PI and the people I work with. I want to give them as much warning as possible so they don't feel surprised.
Also, it should be noted that I have a sick parent (cancer) and this is part of the reason for wanting to stop a few months early. I want to spend as much time as possible with him before school starts (if I do get accepted)

 

[Catalystik]

Also, it should be noted that I have a sick parent (cancer) and this is part of the reason for wanting to stop a few months early. I want to spend as much time as possible with him before school starts (if I do get accepted)

If your AMCAS Experiences section projected that you'd remain with the research through the onset of med school, this sounds like a more PC explanation for premature termination than wanting to "travel and relax," should you be asked about your activities during upcoming interviews. (Though personally, I'd be fine with someone recharging their batteries by spending time with friends and family prior to matriculation, in practice, one gets bored without more focus over 3-4 months.)

So what is your backup plan if you don't get an acceptance, if you don't mind my asking?

 

[ShabbaRanks]

If your AMCAS Experiences section projected that you'd remain with the research through the onset of med school, this sounds like a more PC explanation for premature termination than wanting to "travel and relax," should you be asked about your activities during upcoming interviews. (Though personally, I'd be fine with someone recharging their batteries by spending time with friends and family prior to matriculation, in practice, one gets bored without more focus over 3-4 months.)

So what is your backup plan if you don't get an acceptance, if you don't mind my asking?

Hi Catalystik,
I tried PMing you to keep some anonymity, but I was unable to send you a message. I do have a few back up plans if I am unable to gain an acceptance. Both of these plans focus on me improving my weaknesses and reapplying.

 

[ShabbaRanks]

depends on whether you wanna keep investing in that relationship you got going on at your current lab. Maybe in the future, they could be of help with residency stuff or if you want to come back to the lab for research during your summers.

For exmaple, My PI, who is a major player in his field, will be helping me with residency/fellowship in any way if I ever decide to pursue the same field as he is.

Yeah, this is key. I'm staying with my PI until June just so I can get a full year with him and the project. That way he'll know me even better--he's been a fabulous mentor so far--and be likely to open even more doors down the road for me.

I'll be done working in my lab at the start of June.

Looks like the consensus thinks I should wait until May/June! Thanks for the replies!

 

[Catalystik]

I do have a few back up plans if I am unable to gain an acceptance. Both of these plans focus on me improving my weaknesses and reapplying.

I'm glad you've thought about it and your approach sounds appropriate. Though to inject a note of reassurance, with 10 interviews, if you don't get at least two acceptances, I'd be surprised. And in such a case, interview skills would be a priority for you to work on, as well.