Year-off after M3

[Fleur de Me]

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I'm curious if it is OK with residencies if you take a year-off to do research or organize your own "fellowship" type thing. I want to apply for a few of the super-competitive year-long programs, but I'm curious if I don't get them, if I can still take advantage of contacts I have overseas to do a cool research/health outreach project.

Does anyone know what happens with loans in this case (or actually, in any case where you're a research fellow and not a full-time medical student)?

 

[WellWornLad]

It should be viewed favorably as long as you are doing something productive with your time and aren't taking an "unscheduled" break due to 3rd year problems.

Check with your school, but usually you remain on the books of your school as an enrolled student during excused research years, meaning that repayment and grace periods don't kick in. Of course, interest will continue to accumulate on your non-subsidized loans.