year off before MS 1?

[sk1684]

Hello med students!

This is my first time posting here. I had posted this thread in pre-allo earlier but did not get any response. I really need your feedback. i am thinking about taking a year off before med school starts. If you did take a year off could you tell me:
-excatly when you told the school about ur decision
-in how much detail did you have to tell the school about ur plan for the year off.

i have a vague idea of what i want to do but i am not sure how specific the plan has to be. Like do you need an acceptance letter from the institute u will be joining for a year? Also any of you currently at BU?

Thanks in advance. Would appreciate this

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[skypilot]

Hello med students!

This is my first time posting here. I had posted this thread in pre-allo earlier but did not get any response. I really need your feedback. i am thinking about taking a year off before med school starts. If you did take a year off could you tell me:
-excatly when you told the school about ur decision
-in how much detail did you have to tell the school about ur plan for the year off.

Definitely go for the year off! Sounds like a great opportunity. Med school will always be there when you are ready and the 7 year slog will take all your enthusiasm.

 

[mfleur]

There are so many people in my class who wish that they had taken a year off. Fortunately I did so I am not one of them. I'd say work a little, travel a little. You will only be this age once and med school will be there later. Plus, you will probably be more interesting to the med school with a little experience under your belt. Good luck!

Hello med students!

This is my first time posting here. I had posted this thread in pre-allo earlier but did not get any response. I really need your feedback. i am thinking about taking a year off before med school starts. If you did take a year off could you tell me:
-excatly when you told the school about ur decision
-in how much detail did you have to tell the school about ur plan for the year off.

i have a vague idea of what i want to do but i am not sure how specific the plan has to be. Like do you need an acceptance letter from the institute u will be joining for a year? Also any of you currently at BU?

Thanks in advance. Would appreciate this

 

[sparky5]

Hello med students!

This is my first time posting here. I had posted this thread in pre-allo earlier but did not get any response. I really need your feedback. i am thinking about taking a year off before med school starts. If you did take a year off could you tell me:
-excatly when you told the school about ur decision
-in how much detail did you have to tell the school about ur plan for the year off.

i have a vague idea of what i want to do but i am not sure how specific the plan has to be. Like do you need an acceptance letter from the institute u will be joining for a year? Also any of you currently at BU?

Thanks in advance. Would appreciate this

go for it!! i did it, worked in a research lab at UCSF, and it was a great year off to relax, save a little, remind myself of what the real world is etc. I applied during my year off, I take it you are wanting to defer since you are talking about when to tell the school? Some schools have a deadline of when you can ask for deferment, and some have specific reasons, but money, finishing up something else, or just about anything is an acceptable reason i think in the school's eyes.

 

[Vincristine]

You should also do a search because I know this has been discussed many times before.

I applied straight through however had every intention of defering once I was accepted. It seems (I have no real data) that one has to explain less about your year off if defering than were you to apply later (in which case you are more or less defending your time off). As soon as I recieved my acceptance, I phoned and asked what I need to do to defer. They told me it most likely wouldn't be an issue, but I need to submit a formal petition in writing. My letter wasn't much more than a paragraph pretty much saying I was firm in my committment to medicine but that I had an opportunity to continue the work I had started as an undergrad and that I needed to sleep for while. (I worked at a small pharmaceutical co as a chemistry undergrad and continued there full time after I graduated.) In the mean time, I had to go through the motions of matriculating including filling out financial aid and the like. I was granted my deferal on the grounds that my site assignment would not change (kind of specific to my ridiculous school), and that they wanted a letter confirming my job. It all went off without a hitch.

I know a number of people who did the same thing. A friend of mine traveled around South America in her year off, though I have no idea what she official said she was going to do.

And if you're the same person whom I had this discussion with yesterday at the Gap, it is a VERY small world!

 

[Marvin O'Connor]

I am in the middle of my year off right now, and I am very glad I made this decision. I worked some (I have my MS in Chem. Eng.) and got to see that I definitely could not EVER be happy as an engineer. But now I have quit my job and I am living on my savings from that job. I'm gonna go to Europe in a month and half and then do who knows what for the next six weeks after that until school starts. So, yes, take a year off, you'll never have a better chance!

 

[siempre595]

I wish i'd taken a year off. I got really bored/annoyed in 1st year cause it was a big repeat of undergrad bio so I basically had little interest in what I was doing most the time. I think some time away from this would have been helpful before diving back into it. Good news is second year is a lot more interesting and seems sooooo much more worthwhile. Anyhow, I'd take the year off and do something cool (don't do research unless you really do love it!).

 

[Vitamin_Ng]

i too am in my year off. your school should have a specific cut-off date for requesting deferral. in my case, nymc required a petition by june 1st-- but i was having trouble deciding precisely what to do in my year off (teach english in china or stay in the states and work in a research lab) so i ended up calling the admissions office after the deadline and later sending in a written statement-- i don't recall writing anything too specific, just a broad outline of my two options and an affirmation of my plans to attend nymc and commit to medicine.

all in all, i would highly recommend taking a year off-- take some time to live life, step outside the bubble of school, and be able to take a deep, refreshing breath before jumping back in. i was able to pick up some new lab skills and save up money for school, and i'll be heading off to japan soon before school starts-- so i'm happy with my choice to defer!

 

[Iamajew]

I'm in a year off right now and it's great. It is definitely a little difficult to get a job outside of science (what i was looking for) as most places can smell that you're going to medical school in a year from a mile away and don't want to take the risk to hire you. It has been great though - i would definitely take some time out of school before diving back in for life.

 

[quideam]

I'm currently a 1st year, and i'm planning on taking a year off between 2nd and 3rd. In retrospect I really, really wish that I had taken a year off before starting 1st year, so if you're thinking about it - and especially if there's something you really want to do - then definetely go for it. The average age of my class is 24, so most people have taken at least some time off before starting, and i think that they're better off for it.

As for ideas about what to do, there are a thousand things out there - you can travel, teach abroad, learn a foreign language, do research, etc.... follow your heart, I guess, and try not to worry about the practical applications this will have later on - you have plenty of time for that during medical school.

(Btw, if interested in my plans for year off, PM me)

Good luck, and let us know what you decide!!

Quid

 

[PowderHound]

DO IT! It was the best thing I ever did...definitely enabled me to be fresh for medical school. I told my school that I needed some time off to recover from "burnout" (in much more fancy language) and that I wanted to get some more clinical experience. I did some volunteer work with mentally challenged adults, worked 1 night a week in a medical clinic, and then just had a regular job and traveled and it was great. I think if you plan to stay involved in medicine or do something even remotely worthwhile for some of your time off, schools should be down with it. Good Luck!

 

[trouta]

I assume you are talking about deferring not taking a year off before applying. I took a year off before applying to travel, volunteer and make some money but most importantly to relax. It was the best decision I have made. I was able to hit the ground running without feeling burnt out from college.

I have a friend also who deferred for a year. AFTER HE ACCEPTED his acceptance he just told the school that he would be deferring and why. As long as you tell them in advance and they allow deferring it shouldnt be a problem. Just be sure to give them plenty of warning.

 

[rhorak]

I personally took a year off to catch up on my reading, my friendships, my family and to do some traveling. I have not regretted it for a moment. I was able to put extra time into my applications and my interview prep and I think it made all the difference. Now I feel completely ready to tackle medical school. Also, a good friend of mine is deferring this year and she only had to send an e-mail saying she wanted to "travel and work" an additional year to have her deferment granted. But be forewarned you will probably have to fill out another AMCAS and supplemental during your deferment year and at least pay the supplemental fee again.

 

[Shorti3181]

Absolutely take the year off if you have the opportunity. I did...moved to New Zealand for 9 months to work and do some soul searching...best thing I could have ever done. Some schools are really flexible about deferring and will take whatever reason you give them. Talk to the admissions office and see what they say. Enjoy the time off...you won't regret it!

 

[Mutt]

So what would you all suggest to do if you are currently applying for 2006 and have a year off as it is?

 

[werd]

i'd say just go straight in - it's long enough until you'll be a fully independent doctor anyway... 4 years of school, 3+ in residency... might as well get started down the path if it's what you want to do with your life. that's what i did anyway, and i'm glad i did. having said that, some people adamantly support taking time off, and i don't deny it was right for them. your intuition is probably the best indicator for what you ought to do. regarding the process for deferring, i would talk to the admissions office about it, i think it can be pretty different from school to school.

 

[medstyle]

a year off is a big thing...i am in the middle of one now, and it has its ups and downs. It sucks seeing your friends go off and be 25% done with school faster than you. You realize that you basically fall back a year in life, which means a year later to get married, divorced, etc.

But if you do PLAN PLAN PLAN your year off first, its a pretty good experience. If you just want a year off to work in a lab, you should just go to school. That experience is nothing more than wasting time, because you could take a year off in med school to do med research, not the stuff you're doing now that won't even help your career at all. In addition, you have the summer off if you're only planning some weak two week or even two month vacation experience.

I suggest you try study abroad. Its the only experience i think that justifies the time off. You learn a whole lot, have a lot of fun, and know at the end of your fun time you will be back into the realworld with somewhere to go and something important to do.

Would I take my year off again? Yes, but i am pretty aware of what I am giving up to take it, so i try to make the most out of ever minute i am here.

To take an effective year off, you need to have money and the motivation to do something. If you're thinking about working some crap job to pay for the year off as you're taking it, you may as well go to school, because you're essentially going to wind up just making enough to stay afloat and you'll regret it. No point in taking a year off if you're basically saving money to pay for rent and food.

If you've got some cash from your savings or folks and want to do something abroad for a couple months at least, i suggest doing it. Or teaching english in japan or something like that, which pays well and is relatively painless.

Goodluck. You can PM me if you want.

 

[Mutt]

medstyle,

clear your PMs - your box is full....

 

[sk1684]

hello all,

sorry i disappeared for a while. to update you, i did get permission to defer for a year. what i really want to do is immerse my self in religious/spiritual learning at a suitable center/monastery. I had made plans for this one center in India (my homeland). However, my parents freaked out at the idea. They do not want me to pursue any sort of religious learning since they think it has nothing to do with medicine and the center was located in an unsafe city. So that got cancelled and i found a unique research position in the area of spirituality and health in the U.S. However, being an international student, i am having major Visa issues which make the job very unlikely. So i am basically stuck with two options-either goto med school in the fall (yes, they can still give me a spot) or go back to India and somehow fight with my parents to let me do what i want to do. Finding a suitable religious learning center would require a lot of travelling and taking risks. I am dependent on my parents financially and its unsafe to travel all alone in India and probably the whole Indian subcontinent. However, i feel this something i have to do because i won't get to do this any other time in my life and i need to prove to my parents that i am serious about spirituality. So what would you do if you were me?

(sorry for the one big paragraph..i couldn't figure out where to split it!)

 

[lightnk102]

hello all,

sorry i disappeared for a while. to update you, i did get permission to defer for a year. what i really want to do is immerse my self in religious/spiritual learning at a suitable center/monastery. I had made plans for this one center in India (my homeland). However, my parents freaked out at the idea. They do not want me to pursue any sort of religious learning since they think it has nothing to do with medicine and the center was located in an unsafe city. So that got cancelled and i found a unique research position in the area of spirituality and health in the U.S. However, being an international student, i am having major Visa issues which make the job very unlikely. So i am basically stuck with two options-either goto med school in the fall (yes, they can still give me a spot) or go back to India and somehow fight with my parents to let me do what i want to do. Finding a suitable religious learning center would require a lot of travelling and taking risks. I am dependent on my parents financially and its unsafe to travel all alone in India and probably the whole Indian subcontinent. However, i feel this something i have to do because i won't get to do this any other time in my life and i need to prove to my parents that i am serious about spirituality. So what would you do if you were me?

(sorry for the one big paragraph..i couldn't figure out where to split it!)

i have a feeling i'll be in the minority opinion, but if i were in your shoes, i'd go to india. it's always hard to go against your parents' wishes, and it's even harder to do something that you know will disappoint them, but it sounds like this is something you really want to do. i'm sure your parents are worried for you and they want you to be happy. the problem is that sometimes their idea of the way to happiness is different from your idea. but if going to india will make you a happier and better person in the long run, and you decide not to go because your parents don't want you to, you'd be doing both of you a disservice.

travelling as a solo female always has its risks, but so does living in a major city as a single female. i've traveled alone in south africa (and tomorrow - central america!), and found that as long as i kept my head on my shoulders, it was perfectly fine. also, like you, my parents are very conservative. they absolutely flipped out when i told them i was travelling for a month in africa alone (my mother didn't speak to me for three weeks). it was the first time i'd ever gone against my parents wishes and it was a little scary, but when i came home, the relationship between me and my parents had changed for the better. they had more respect for me and gave me more leeway in decision making, and i had a newfound appreciation for them. their worry about my safety went away because obviously - i had come home in one piece. if you do go, reassure your parents of your safety by calling them every night (regardless of how annoying it is).

i tend to be a 'seize the moment' type of girl. besides, very few people ever regret taking a year off to travel. many do regret going straight into med school. i believe in living life without regrets.

regardless, there's no bad decision here. i know it's tough, but whatever choice you end up making will be for the best. good luck!

 

[Philo Beddo]

i have a feeling i'll be in the minority opinion, but if i were in your shoes, i'd go to india.

Not at all. Travel, learn, pray, retreat from academia and the rediculous pressure to perform and compete that you will soon be under for a good number of years.

Philo

hippocritis.com <--- medical satire for residents and medical students

 

[sk1684]

Hey all,
Thanks for all your responses and encouragement. After giving this a lot of thought, I decided to take the year off and go to India. I just had to listen to my gut! I hope to work with some NGOs, do some research, some travelling and some religious learning. We'll see... For those of you in your year off, let me know if you are coming to visit India!

 

[xanthines]

I liked your idea of studying spirituality. Since you're going to India anyway, why not do that? I generally think it's a good thing when people get in touch with God, Buddha, nature, or whatever. Not in a freaky fundamentalist way, though.

-X

Hey all,
Thanks for all your responses and encouragement. After giving this a lot of thought, I decided to take the year off and go to India. I just had to listen to my gut! I hope to work with some NGOs, do some research, some travelling and some religious learning. We'll see... For those of you in your year off, let me know if you are coming to visit India!