too much time off?

[exeunt]

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i'm currently interested in pursuing a joint degree between 3rd and 4th year, and i was wondering how taking time off during med school is perceived by residencies? i get the feeling that research years are generally okay, but i don't know if that perception is also true for joint degrees? i might even take 2 years off, depending on the degree i decide to pursue. also, if i take 2 years off, i'm worried i'll lose the connections i've been building in my home dept.

my friends who have interviewed (and took research years) told me that while some programs looked at it favorably, others criticized them for "interrupting their medical education." obviously MSTP's take a lot more years off, but they're basically spending their entire time doing research. i still plan on shadowing and doing research, but obviously it wouldn't be the same as working towards a phd. would taking time off (especially 2 years) ultimately end up hurting my application?😕

 

[dermathalon]

i'm currently interested in pursuing a joint degree between 3rd and 4th year, and i was wondering how taking time off during med school is perceived by residencies? i get the feeling that research years are generally okay, but i don't know if that perception is also true for joint degrees? i might even take 2 years off, depending on the degree i decide to pursue. also, if i take 2 years off, i'm worried i'll lose the connections i've been building in my home dept.

my friends who have interviewed (and took research years) told me that while some programs looked at it favorably, others criticized them for "interrupting their medical education." obviously MSTP's take a lot more years off, but they're basically spending their entire time doing research. i still plan on shadowing and doing research, but obviously it wouldn't be the same as working towards a phd. would taking time off (especially 2 years) ultimately end up hurting my application?😕

No way! Take the year off if you want to and do what you find interesting. I'm skeptical of information where people were criticized for taking a year off. I have yet to come across ANYONE that has ever been criticized for doing so. Probably, the ones that were criticized were unproductive...but then this goes back to how hard they worked during that year off.

Taking time off WILL NOT hurt you. You can continue to maintain relationships with your home department, especially if you have already made connections to work on projects.

Joint degrees are great. If you have a way to build it into your derm interests that will be looked upon well and not held against you.

The "interrupting your medical education" is a bunch of hogwash and if that was truly accurate, find out where those comments occurred and put them at the bottom of your rank/preference list.

Sore eyes would have a field day on this topic!!

 

[exeunt]

thanks for the input! that's really great to hear🙂 i'm thinking doing a degree at a different university, which is why i'm worried about losing my relationships at my home institution..

 

[sore eye asses]

Career-wise, I think your best bet is probably an online degree from the University of Phoenix. Ideally, you'd earn this degree in either underwater basket weaving or stuffed animal craftsmanship. I hear derm programs are going gaga for these sorts of accolades. Good luck!