Time Off Before Medical School

Summary

Taking Time Off Before Medical School

Traditionally, there was one way of applying to medical school; taking the MCATs sometime during junior year and then applying to medical school as seniors to go directly from college to medical school. Recently, this has changed because students now have the opportunity to take time off between college and medical school. Several reasons for taking time off include taking more classes to improve their academic standing, pursuing non-academic goals such as a Fulbright fellowship or the Peace Corps, earning money before medical school by working, or exploring the medical profession further to make sure it is the right choice for them. Regardless of the reason, students who take time off before medical school can gain valuable life experiences or improve their academic records. This section includes suggestions of how to make the most use of the year (or more) off in between college and medical school.

-Peggy Wong, U.C. Berkeley

Taking a Year Off

Additional Resources

Works Cited

Amherst College, “What do Pre-meds do if they take off a year or two before medical school?”, Accessed August 15, 2008.

This article gives a selection of different options students can take on as they take a year or two off medical school. It states internships, fellowships, and/or work in areas such as: clinical research, public health, teaching and education, consulting and business, laboratory research, laboratory work, coursework, and many more.

https://www.amherst.edu/campuslife/careers/

Princeton University, “Health Professions Advising, Volunteering, what youdo on your year off,” Accessed August 16, 2008.

This article gives suggestions given by alumni and other students on opportunities for students who wish to take time off before entering medical school. It states the two main reasons why students decide to take a break before entering medical school and also ideas on how to improve your application.

http://www.princeton.edu/hpa/QofW_internships.html

Genes, Nicholas MD, PhD, “Med Student Chronicles the Ins and Outs of Training,” Accessed August 18, 2008.

This academic journal features an interview that Genes gave to a medical student and asks him his experience as a pre-med.

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/559669

James, Phillips. “Concurrent Undergraduate and Preclinical Education.” Accessed August 18, 2008.

This article highlights the important decisions students make before entering into the “pre-medical field.” It illustrates alternative health positions students can take before dedicating four years of their education to medicine.

http://ehp.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/3/2/211