While many of the University of Utah medical students complete their degree in four years, it is not uncommon for students to take a leave of absence whether it is to pursue a year of research, a PhD program, or a Master’s degree.
The traditional time for students to take a leave of absence to pursue research or another degree is after completion of their second year in medical school. Students who take time away from the MD program can still stay involved with, and utilize, the program’s resources, programs, events, etc. We encourage students to, specifically, stay engaged in the below activities during a leave of absence. These activities, in particular, can help the student stay connected to classmates and mentors as well as continue conversations about their professional goals and questions.
- RealMD lunch sessions
- RealMD kickbacks
- Meeting with advisor
- Meeting with RealMD coach
Student’s returning to the MD program from a leave of absence can refer to the timeline of the medical school year they best associate with upon their return. For example, if a student takes a leave of absence after completion of their second year in medical school, when they return from their leave of absence, the MS3 Timeline will be the timeline this student will want to refer to.
