Will Time Off hurt my chances in Anesthesia?

[Baki]

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Thanks guys for all the useful info on this forum! I am in a bit of a dilemma, I am thinking about taking time off between second and third year to do research or something else medicine related. But in honesty its also cause I feel really burnt out. I talked to the Dean, who seemed against the idea. My question is do you guys know if taking time off will make my application look bad and hurt my chances of matching into Anesthesia? Do you think I could get a bad recommendation from the Dean? I figure time off would also allow me to kick butt on the boards; wouldn't this more than make up for any blemish on my application?
Please help if any of you have experience or advice with this.---Thanks!

 

[jennyboo]

I did not take a year off during med school, but deferred a year before entering med school.

When I was on the interview trail, they did ask me what I had done during that year. If you take time off, you'll be asked what you did and, if applicable, why it seemed reasonable at the time. But I don't think that means they're scrutinizing your time off as suspicious -- it's up to you to tell a good story and explain what you did, and why that time off makes you an even stronger candidate. It's not what you did but how you sell it that really matters.

Arrange for your experience early to make sure you get something to do (you'll spend forever apologizing for doing nothing during your time off!). Some people use that time off as an opportunity to get to know people in the field -- for example, by doing research in a department you may eventually apply for residency in. I've known a person or two who matched at a place where they did research doing their time off.

 

[aredoubleyou]

If you want to take time off, do it - theres more to life than looking good on paper. Being burnt out and unmotivated wont help during the 3rd yr anyway.

 

[djipopo]

If you want to take time off, do it - theres more to life than looking good on paper. Being burnt out and unmotivated wont help during the 3rd yr anyway.

yes, but if i remember correctly, you may need to pay back loans during this period since you aren't enrolled in school 😎

 

[chicamedica]

If you go for another degree, like MPH, or do one of those research fellowships (NIH, Doris Duke, etc) depending on your school, you'd still be considered a full-time student, so your loans should get in-school deferments as usual.