Some applicants who choose to apply to professional school the summer after they graduate from U.Va would like to spend some time abroad during the application cycle. Many times these students will come to us asking when is the best time to leave the country during the application process. Answering this question can be tricky. During the months of June, July and early August applicants are primarily responsible for responding to e-mail in a timely manner. Applicants will be completing secondary applications during most of this period, and beginning in mid to late August will be responsible for corresponding with schools to accept interview dates. Individuals who choose to visit a developed country with consistent internet access may be okay with a short trip during this time frame, however, we encourage applicants to consider the likelihood that they will be in an environment where they can sit and write numerous secondary application essays.
During the time period of late August through the end of March, applicants have the potential to be offered an interview spot. Applicants often ask us how flexible schools are with the dates that they assign to applicants for interviews. While it may depend on the health profession, many of these schools are interviewing hundreds of applicants, and the ability to accommodate individual applicants is almost impossible. Interviewing remotely though options like Skype are also highly unlikely as schools strongly rely on in-person interactions to determine your fit for the program.
In general it is usually safe to make travel arrangement in April. However, we want to remind you that everyone's application timeline is different. Some applicants will be lucky enough to be admitted to their preferred program as early as October, while others will not know the final outcome of their candidacy until mid to late June (sometimes even the first day of classes!) Ultimately, the application process is a time where it's important to be diligent and available. Applicants who feel that an extended time abroad is a critical experience that they need before attending a health professions program may want to consider taking more than one bridge year before commencing their studies. If you have specific questions about an opportunity abroad that you are considering, feel free to schedule an appointment or discuss it with us during a drop-in slot at Monroe Hall!
During the time period of late August through the end of March, applicants have the potential to be offered an interview spot. Applicants often ask us how flexible schools are with the dates that they assign to applicants for interviews. While it may depend on the health profession, many of these schools are interviewing hundreds of applicants, and the ability to accommodate individual applicants is almost impossible. Interviewing remotely though options like Skype are also highly unlikely as schools strongly rely on in-person interactions to determine your fit for the program.
In general it is usually safe to make travel arrangement in April. However, we want to remind you that everyone's application timeline is different. Some applicants will be lucky enough to be admitted to their preferred program as early as October, while others will not know the final outcome of their candidacy until mid to late June (sometimes even the first day of classes!) Ultimately, the application process is a time where it's important to be diligent and available. Applicants who feel that an extended time abroad is a critical experience that they need before attending a health professions program may want to consider taking more than one bridge year before commencing their studies. If you have specific questions about an opportunity abroad that you are considering, feel free to schedule an appointment or discuss it with us during a drop-in slot at Monroe Hall!
