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Taking time off from med school


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Hi there,

 

I'm a 3rd year med student currently considering taking time off (ie. 1 year) from med school. I am debating between taking time off now (during med school) vs. taking time off after finishing med school (before starting residency). I was wondering if anyone can help me go over the pros and cons of each choice with regards to implications on residency applications, etc...

 

Thanks!

Majestic

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I think it is really dependant more on the reason you are taking time off than the time period. Some people from the group that just matched took a year off after fourth year to match with their spouse. I think research and having a baby would also be looked at favourably as a "good" reason to take time off. I don't think any reasonable program director would see you as a less desireable candidate if you had a solid reason for taking a year off after you have your MD.

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  • 2 weeks later...

what about 'because i need to do a few things that i wonder if i'll be able to do again?' or 'because i don't think i'm quite ready for another year, yet?'

 

i came online to ask more or less the same question, but between 2nd and 3rd year.

 

does that count as a reason? has anyone reading this actually taken time off, and what was that like?

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what about 'because i need to do a few things that i wonder if i'll be able to do again?' or 'because i don't think i'm quite ready for another year, yet?'

 

i came online to ask more or less the same question, but between 2nd and 3rd year.

 

does that count as a reason? has anyone reading this actually taken time off, and what was that like?

 

I spoke to someone who took off time before 3rd year. I think it was totally not a problem for her, but one thing you need to take into consideration is that you'll end up joining a new class right before clerkship. She didn't like her original class (a bit strange, if you ask me- in a class of 200 she couldn't find anyone to be friends with?) but made a bunch of friends during clerkship that she really likes. Seems like it would be annoying to be the new kid, but if that doesn't bother you, I guess it's as good a time as any to take off. Preclerkship is different enough from clerkship that a bit of time off shouldn't harm you too much.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Thanks everyone for all the advice.

 

Just one more question... If I take a year off between the end of med school and the beginning of residency, I understand that one of the downsides is that I wont be able to do any clinical electives during this time because I wont be covered by medical school's clerkship elective medical insurance. Now, my question is, I am wondering if its possible for me to be able to purchase this clerkship-type medical insurance *myself* after medical school (bypassing the medical school, because I have already graduated by this point) in order to be able to do some clinical electives in my year off before residency starts?

 

Thanks again!

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Someone I know had to get out of a residency contract and opted to "not graduate" - redid a couple of rotations in their 5th year. Wasn't exactly a year "off," but that person had a good half a year off in total in between these rotations, and they didn't have to worry about paying back student loans, either, since they didn't graduate.

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I definitely think it's all in how you are able to spin it to the interview panel IF they ask. If you present it as a positive experience in that you are now heading into residency 100% ready and certain that you have chosen the right career and the right specialty (and you mean it of course) then I'd say kudos to you for stepping back, reflecting, and realizing that you were jumping in too quickly.

 

what about 'because i need to do a few things that i wonder if i'll be able to do again?' or 'because i don't think i'm quite ready for another year, yet?'

 

i came online to ask more or less the same question, but between 2nd and 3rd year.

 

does that count as a reason? has anyone reading this actually taken time off, and what was that like?

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