Work load when applying? (part-time, full-time)...

[brainsforlunch]

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I will be graduating in May, and applying this summer. I hope to only take one year off...

I hear that the application process continues to be -a lot- of work following the primary submission, and that it is good to be flexible in terms of interviews. Is this true?

I currently have a job lined up as a researcher in a pediatric stroke study, but it is part-time. I hope to supplement this with learning Spanish (community college) and phlebotomy. This job gives me greater freedom for traveling to interviews. Also, if I end up needing to re-apply and take the MCAT again, I can easily study in time for the next application cycle if I have a part-time job, versus full-time.

For those who have applied, does this sound like a reasonable way to spend a gap-year?

I am a workaholic, and scared of student debt, so it is tempting to want to work full-time, but all the research options I know like that require at least a 2 year commitment.

Thoughts?

 

[mic2377]

Working full-time is quite doable during the application process, just be ready to drop everything when secondary application time comes around.

Also make it clear for your work that you may need the occasional day off for interviews. That was a problem with the job I worked - it was not flexible.

It sounds like you have a good plan for your gap year, if it is slightly scattered. The phlebotomy thing sounds like an interesting plan, I don't have any first-hand experience. One warning - make sure it actually something that is employable. I don't really believe it is that helpful to just get a credential or take a class, that doesn't constitute "good" healthcare experience.

Also, if you want to REALLY learn phlebotomy, pursue some sort of ALS certification in EMS. You are truly a master when you can start a large-bore line while bouncing down the road at 70 mph with the lights flashing! The time and $$$ dedication to pursue such a path is VERY high, though.

 

[med11323]

I worked full-time during the application process and was required to work 40+ hours per week regardless of taking time off etc. It was crazy, and tiring but overall doable (worked many weekends, traveled late many nights to interviews, and stayed up many nights to do secondaries). Good practice for being a physician right? If you can do medical school, I feel like you can figure out balancing out a gap year. Good luck!

 

[WaterBird]

I had a full-time as well as a part-time job while applying. The part-time gig I could do from anywhere, which helped when it came to interview season, but not very much since there isn't much downtime during interview trips.

So yes, working full time is totally doable, particularly if your job(s) are flexible. I would say flexibility is more important than # of hours. But your plan also sounds great - I often wished I had more time since this is kind of the last chill year.