I know that this has been treated upon before, but I have acquired conflicting information after talking to the dean of the medical school attached to my university and also looking at online information. I understand about the "missing out" of that crucial additional year in undergrad (cf. sarcasm), but I am willing to accept any and all detriments to my character that will be rendered as a result of not being in college one year longer. what I am concerned about, however, is how this three years vs. four years is viewed by those who make decisions in the admissions process. By being in college for three years as opposed to four gives me less time to engage in such things as shadowing, research, volunteering, occupations, etc. Will this be considered holistically, in the sense that the volunteering, shadowing, etc. will be viewed as more of a ratio to time in college than the total amount, or is it a matter of quantity over quality? I've gone through many MDapplications and tried to find a pattern with those who were accepted to the more prestigious institutions and it's really quite difficult to do so.

In short, if my GPA and MCAT numbers are good in the sense that they are at least on par with the school's average or above, and I've done as much volunteering and research and such as possible, will my three year plan hinder the overall process?

I apologize for the wordy thread-beginner.

It depends on your case. For example, it will be in your favor that you have taken a heavy course load and, thus, have worked very hard. At the same time, you will probably have less ec's and experience, which will hurt you. Even if you were brilliant and didn't study much, the excess classes combined with one less year will decrease your ability to have done other things. Which will win out really depends on how much you have done. Post your resume for a better analysis. It seems to me though, in my opinion, that working a fourth year and doing impressive things because you already completed all of your courses is beneficial. That is what I did, I finished my degrees in three years but stuck around during the fourth to do a senior research project, teach a class, and otherwise build up my resume. In the grand scheme of things, one year early isn't going to make that much a difference when you've got 8

Don't do it. Enjoy your senior year. College only comes once, and is meant for more than just getting a GPA and MCAT score. I nailed both of those categories while still having a hell of a time in college with my friends.

I would say that it's definitely a disadvantage at some schools. While quality of experiences is valued, quantity undoubtedly matters just as much. Losing that one year of potential research, volunteerism, and leadership does not help.

I've heard directly from the Dean of Admissions at the University of Michigan that unless you've had a good reason to graduate in three years (e.g. financial constraints), not staying demonstrates to them a lack of maturity. He opines that if you're giving that extra year, even if you're done with all of your required coursework, you should explore and broaden your horizons by taking a foreign language or doing something purely out of interest - in essence, having the full undergraduate experience (without the sarcasm). In that sense, if you are going to go ahead and graduate early, you really have to prove to them that you're ready for medical school and that you have no regrets about going. There are too many people willing to delay starting their medical education by taking gap years and demonstrating their growth and maturity to think that it won't be a factor when you apply. However, if you've been consistently involved and you have excellent grades and a good MCAT score, you'll very likely be accepted somewhere. The only question may be, where?

How about graduate in 3 yrs and then do something phenomenal and different for what would have been that 4th year in school. I finished my undergrad in 3 and then served with Peace Corps in W. Africa. Sure Peace Corps is a 2 yr commitment which may not be your thing but there's Teach for America or you could get a clinical/research type job for that 4th year. Don't burn yourself out with all the intense years of school. I'll be applying next cycle and super-psyched to go back after being away from school for 2 yrs.

Who knows. This keeps coming up over and over, try searching for it. I did it and am applying straight out of my 3rd year and am sitting on 4 acceptances and 8 interviews. However, I had a double major in two very different subjects, and EC's that are way and above the normal 4 year grad. I'm not saying this to brag, but to say that if you do it, be aware that you can't leave any doubt that you didn't live your 3 years as much as anyone else did 4. Also, you have extra pressure to get good grades/MCAT and appear mature in interviews and LOR's. Good luck.

There seems to be so much emphasis on experiences outside of class that it's hard for me to endorse spending all your time on getting through undergrad quickly. Sure, it's possible that you would still be accepted to a number of medical schools, but why take that chance? Is there any particular reason why you want to finish UG in three years?

Well it's partly money and partly that I don't see the point staying here any longer than necessary to obtain the degree.

Who knows. This keeps coming up over and over, try searching for it. I did it and am applying straight out of my 3rd year and am sitting on 4 acceptances and 8 interviews. However, I had a double major in two very different subjects, and EC's that are way and above the normal 4 year grad. I'm not saying this to brag, but to say that if you do it, be aware that you can't leave any doubt that you didn't live your 3 years as much as anyone else did 4. Also, you have extra pressure to get good grades/MCAT and appear mature in interviews and LOR's. Good luck.
I intend to do as much as possible and see where that gets me. *snicker* The more information I get, the more dire the future is looking. My advisor says that I'd be competitive *shrug*. I suppose it's a natural thing to lose hope during this process.

I still vote for staying and enjoying undergrad / getting more done.

I know that this has been treated upon before, but I have acquired conflicting information after talking to the dean of the medical school attached to my university and also looking at online information. I understand about the "missing out" of that crucial additional year in undergrad (cf. sarcasm), but I am willing to accept any and all detriments to my character that will be rendered as a result of not being in college one year longer. what I am concerned about, however, is how this three years vs. four years is viewed by those who make decisions in the admissions process. By being in college for three years as opposed to four gives me less time to engage in such things as shadowing, research, volunteering, occupations, etc. Will this be considered holistically, in the sense that the volunteering, shadowing, etc. will be viewed as more of a ration to time in college than the total amount, or is it a matter of quantity over quality? I've gone through many MDapplications and tried to find a pattern with those who were accepted to the more prestigious institutions and it's really quite difficult to do so.

In short, if my GPA and MCAT numbers are good in the sense that they are at least on par with the school's average or above, and I've done as much volunteering and research and such as possible, will my three year plan hinder the overall process?

I apologize for the wordy thread-beginner.

graduate early and get a job. that is way more valuable than anything else.

It depends on your case. For example, it will be in your favor that you have taken a heavy course load and, thus, have worked very hard. At the same time, you will probably have less ec's and experience, which will hurt you. Even if you were brilliant and didn't study much, the excess classes combined with one less year will decrease your ability to have done other things. Which will win out really depends on how much you have done. Post your resume for a better analysis. It seems to me though, in my opinion, that working a fourth year and doing impressive things because you already completed all of your courses is beneficial. That is what I did, I finished my degrees in three years but stuck around during the fourth to do a senior research project, teach a class, and otherwise build up my resume. In the grand scheme of things, one year early isn't going to make that much a difference when you've got 8
I don't want to seem stubborn...but I am. I more or less intend on finishing in three years. I'm not trying to upset anyone, I'm really mainly trying to present a hypothetical situation in which someone is going to essentially be doing either schooling, work, or volunteering almost all the time (some days it's going to be 24 hours because my work schedule has me on overnight shifts). I have full credits (18 per semester) I intend on volunteering at every opportunity as well as getting a healthcare related job during the summer, as well as shadowing doctors, etc. I intend to do as much as the average 4-year-er if not more. I've planned on being a doctor since about 12. I know this is difficult for most of you because the statistics say 'no' but I think I can do it. I just want to know what I should do to balance out any issue of my being in one year less than most. Please.

By taking a year and doing something awesome, pretty much. That's how you do it. You say you can do it, but 18 creds a semester isn't enough unless you do all of the easy classes during the summer (don't count on upper division classes being available on the summer). And its presumptious of you to assume that we can't do it because the stats tell us no. I just told you that I did it, but I spent my fourth year building up my resume. I averaged 21 credits a semester, no summer courses. The reason I didn't do it was because of what everyone else is telling you, theres not enough time. Basically, you can get in in three years, but in four years you can get in somewhere better. Sure, a really driven and intelligent person can do as much as the AVERAGE pre med matriculant, but not as much as the same person could do in four years. And don't expect to keep a good GPA if you are working all nighters. I did 24 creds one semester and worked. I was averaging 5 hours of sleep a night and forgot how to speak I was so nonsocial. In short, I was miserable. A little less debt isn't worth suffering in undergrad, its supposed to be fun.

By taking a year and doing something awesome, pretty much. That's how you do it. You say you can do it, but 18 creds a semester isn't enough unless you do all of the easy classes during the summer (don't count on upper division classes being available on the summer). And its presumptious of you to assume that we can't do it because the stats tell us no. I just told you that I did it, but I spent my fourth year building up my resume. I averaged 21 credits a semester, no summer courses. The reason I didn't do it was because of what everyone else is telling you, theres not enough time. Basically, you can get in in three years, but in four years you can get in somewhere better. Sure, a really driven and intelligent person can do as much as the AVERAGE pre med matriculant, but not as much as the same person could do in four years. And don't expect to keep a good GPA if you are working all nighters. I did 24 creds one semester and worked. I was averaging 5 hours of sleep a night and forgot how to speak I was so nonsocial. In short, I was miserable. A little less debt isn't worth suffering in undergrad, its supposed to be fun.


I don't think that's totally true, graduating in 3 years was one of the best things I ever did! And I had lots of fun doing it!!! Also, I think graduating early but applying the same cycle as my class mates gives me more time to do stuff I want to do.

First of all...if you need to graduate in three years, do it. The people who are saying "stay for your senior year, you don't want to miss it" probably didn't pay their way through school and don't have a grasp on the crippling effects of debt. Especially since you're going to be investing in four years of medical school, it doesn't hurt to pay one less year's worth of tuition.

Second of all, I also think that if you choose to graduate in three years you should do something unique and incredible for your would-be senior year and beyond. I graduated in three years and have also served in Americorps as a teacher, and wouldn't trade my experience for anything in the world. I feel so much more prepared for medical school than a 4-year undergraduate student, having had my teaching experiences.

Most importantly, you need to avoid focusing on the negative aspects of your application. Yes you should be prepared to defend your decision, but not in the sense that you need to rationalize a "bad" decision. Justify it! Emphasize the strengths in your application and what makes you uniquely qualified.

By taking a year and doing something awesome, pretty much. That's how you do it. You say you can do it, but 18 creds a semester isn't enough unless you do all of the easy classes during the summer (don't count on upper division classes being available on the summer). And its presumptious of you to assume that we can't do it because the stats tell us no. I just told you that I did it, but I spent my fourth year building up my resume. I averaged 21 credits a semester, no summer courses. The reason I didn't do it was because of what everyone else is telling you, theres not enough time. Basically, you can get in in three years, but in four years you can get in somewhere better. Sure, a really driven and intelligent person can do as much as the AVERAGE pre med matriculant, but not as much as the same person could do in four years. And don't expect to keep a good GPA if you are working all nighters. I did 24 creds one semester and worked. I was averaging 5 hours of sleep a night and forgot how to speak I was so nonsocial. In short, I was miserable. A little less debt isn't worth suffering in undergrad, its supposed to be fun.
I came in with 36 credits.

I entered college with 30 semester hours of credit and graduated in three years for economic reasons. I did not find myself at a disadvantage compared with older applicants, but I had every bit of the usual research, shadowing, clinical experience, leadership, and volunteerism as a typical applicant. Demonstrating maturity and readiness for the med school experience is the way to balance out the fact that you are younger. If you have the maturity for medical school, it will be reflected in your experiences, essays, and the way you present yourself during interviews. In these financially more difficult times, I don't think any adcomm will argue that you should have stayed in college an extra year for the social experience, to have fun, or to learn an extra language. Considering that you have a clear idea of what you need to accomplish to get an acceptance somewhere, I don't think you will be at a disadvantage, Corvus Riley.

I entered college with 30 semester hours of credit and graduated in three years for economic reasons. I did not find myself at a disadvantage compared with older applicants, but I had every bit of the usual research, shadowing, clinical experience, leadership, and volunteerism as a typical applicant. Demonstrating maturity and readiness for the med school experience is the way to balance out the fact that you are younger. If you have the maturity for medical school, it will be reflected in your experiences, essays, and the way you present yourself during interviews. In these financially more difficult times, I don't think any adcomm will argue that you should have stayed in college an extra year for the social experience, to have fun, or to learn an extra language. Considering that you have a clear idea of what you need to accomplish to get an acceptance somewhere, I don't think you will be at a disadvantage, Corvus Riley.
I appreciate that. Thank you.

It seems the people who are against it are the ones who spent 4+ years in undergrad.

I was just wondering if there were biases.

Again, thanks!

I appreciate that. Thank you.

It seems the people who are against it are the ones who spent 4+ years in undergrad.

I was just wondering if there were biases.

Again, thanks!

Their not biases, It has been said by Adcoms and schools that older applicants are prefered, the Adcoms I have talked to where from very highly ranked schools though, so im not sure if its the same for all the other schools.

Drop your AP, some schools don't accept it and it gives you an easy GPA boost.

Drop your AP, some schools don't accept it and it gives you an easy GPA boost.
Drop my AP?

-- ignore wrong post

Drop my AP?

He's telling you not to take your AP credit, take the classes and an extra year. Probably not the best idea. The only schools that don't take it are the UC's and Vandy, and that's only if you don't take upper level classes. Besides, it would be dreadfully boring to sit through intro chem and intro bio twice.

A good friend of mine graduated from college the same time I did last year - she was 19, I was 21. She finished high school in 2 years, college in 3. She started applying at 18. She's absolutely brilliant and has done really well in all our classes together, has a decent MCAT score, 2+ years of research with one publication, volunteered abroad, etc.. She applied to 15-20 programs and ended up getting into 2, both off a waitlist. She had 5 interviews and she told me that a couple of instances her interviewers asked about why she didn't want to take a year off, etc...

Even with her amazing stats our pre-med counselor at school encouraged her to take a year off. If you do decide to apply that early and at a relatively young age, just be prepared to address questions about year off, maturity, readiness, etc.. in your interviews.

A good friend of mine graduated from college the same time I did last year - she was 19, I was 21. She finished high school in 2 years, college in 3. She started applying at 18. She's absolutely brilliant and has done really well in all our classes together, has a decent MCAT score, 2+ years of research with one publication, volunteered abroad, etc.. She applied to 15-20 programs and ended up getting into 2, both off a waitlist. She had 5 interviews and she told me that a couple of instances her interviewers asked about why she didn't want to take a year off, etc...

Even with her amazing stats our pre-med counselor at school encouraged her to take a year off. If you do decide to apply that early and at a relatively young age, just be prepared to address questions about year off, maturity, readiness, etc.. in your interviews.
I'll be twenty by the time I'm interviewing.

He's telling you not to take your AP credit, take the classes and an extra year. Probably not the best idea. The only schools that don't take it are the UC's and Vandy, and that's only if you don't take upper level classes. Besides, it would be dreadfully boring to sit through intro chem and intro bio twice.
agreed. luckily, my high school credits (Mostly IB, just a few in AP btw) were all directed towards the liberal arts requirements and I'm taking all of my science and math courses from the ground up (with the exception of being opted out of college algebra, thank god).

A good friend of mine graduated from college the same time I did last year - she was 19, I was 21. She finished high school in 2 years, college in 3. She started applying at 18. She's absolutely brilliant and has done really well in all our classes together, has a decent MCAT score, 2+ years of research with one publication, volunteered abroad, etc.. She applied to 15-20 programs and ended up getting into 2, both off a waitlist. She had 5 interviews and she told me that a couple of instances her interviewers asked about why she didn't want to take a year off, etc...

Even with her amazing stats our pre-med counselor at school encouraged her to take a year off. If you do decide to apply that early and at a relatively young age, just be prepared to address questions about year off, maturity, readiness, etc.. in your interviews.
but yes, i see your point. i'll have to have some rigorous mock-interviews *snicker*

By being in college for three years as opposed to four gives me less time to engage in such things as shadowing, research, volunteering, occupations, etc. Will this be considered holistically, in the sense that the volunteering, shadowing, etc. will be viewed as more of a ration to time in college than the total amount, or is it a matter of quantity over quality?

It will not be looked at as a ratio of your time in college. Less is less. If you have less experience, you have less experience. Schools aren't going to give you any benefit for having gone to a year less of college. At some places it may hurt you, but it will never help you. It isn't an issue of quantity over quality though, because if you have 25% less time to do ECs, you are going to be lagging behind some folks on both those counts. But no, schools don't care that you spent 10% of your time doing ECs -- it comes off better if it's something you did as an important activity over more years.

It will not be looked at as a ratio of your time in college. Less is less. If you have less experience, you have less experience. Schools aren't going to give you any benefit for having gone to a year less of college. At some places it may hurt you, but it will never help you. It isn't an issue of quantity over quality though, because if you have 25% less time to do ECs, you are going to be lagging behind some folks on both those counts. But no, schools don't care that you spent 10% of your time doing ECs -- it comes off better if it's something you did as an important activity over more years.
Understood, however I intend to level the field, as it were, as much as possible.
Thank you!

I don't mean to be rude to you, because I think you're gung ho and thats great, but I really think you're making rookie mistakes. Just like the rookie MCAT mistake of assuming a 37-40 score, etc etc. I don't think you realize what you are getting yourself into in terms of time commitment, stress level, etc. Maybe you're smart enough to do it, but if I had a dollar for every pre-med student who walked in Freshman year with a similar level of confidence as you I'd be able to buy a pretty decent lunch at least ;). Do what you have to do, if you're good enough you're good enough and a year isn't going to stop you from getting into med school somewhere. Just don't kill yourself, and don't delude yourself if you start falling behind, getting tired, or not accomplishing nearly as much ec's as you thought you would. If its too much, do it in four years, don't try to struggle through it all. I know you think you're exceptional, above the curve, etc etc. Everyone does, but just because you think you are doesn't mean you are. Everyone has limits, don't think you don't. I haven't reached mine yet, and you might be just fine doing it in three years too like I was. But don't let your ego kill you if it turns out your limit isn't as high as you think it is. College isn't like High School, no matter how exceptional you were. It's a different mind set, a different work load, and its the time you realize how long cooking dinner or doing laundry takes out of your schedule, even if you've been doing it for years!

I don't mean to be rude to you, because I think you're gung ho and thats great, but I really think you're making rookie mistakes. Just like the rookie MCAT mistake of assuming a 37-40 score, etc etc. I don't think you realize what you are getting yourself into in terms of time commitment, stress level, etc. Maybe you're smart enough to do it, but if I had a dollar for every pre-med student who walked in Freshman year with a similar level of confidence as you I'd be able to buy a pretty decent lunch at least ;). Do what you have to do, if you're good enough you're good enough and a year isn't going to stop you from getting into med school somewhere. Just don't kill yourself, and don't delude yourself if you start falling behind, getting tired, or not accomplishing nearly as much ec's as you thought you would. If its too much, do it in four years, don't try to struggle through it all. I know you think you're exceptional, above the curve, etc etc. Everyone does, but just because you think you are doesn't mean you are. Everyone has limits, don't think you don't. I haven't reached mine yet, and you might be just fine doing it in three years too like I was. But don't let your ego kill you if it turns out your limit isn't as high as you think it is. College isn't like High School, no matter how exceptional you were. It's a different mind set, a different work load, and its the time you realize how long cooking dinner or doing laundry takes out of your schedule, even if you've been doing it for years!
*snicker* No, I don't take it as rude. But I really don't consider myself as above the curve or anything. I hated high school and I can only hope that the rest of my life is not comparable to it. I do understand, fully, what I need to do. This is not just some over-confident punter who thinks that they can breeze through three years of near-solid science and math courses, while doing a thesis/research/working/volunteering during school and using breaks to shadow and work and volunteer. I am managing my time better than I used to and I will continue to try and improve that. I know that I have limits. I'm sorry if I came off as egotistical and over-confident. I truly didn't mean to.

I know this will be difficult and I'm preparing for it. If I fail, then there are other options, but I do feel that I can do it.

Thank you, though.

*snicker* ... This is not just some over-confident punter who thinks that they can breeze through three years of near-solid science and math courses, while doing a thesis/research/working/volunteering during school and using breaks to shadow and work and volunteer.... I'm sorry if I came off as egotistical and over-confident. I truly didn't mean to.


Gotta tell you the arrogance that comes through from you throughout this thread (particularly with the "snicker"-ing, and "(cf sarcasm)", even when you are purporting to apologize for being egotistical, is exactly the kind of arrogance that always keeps a person or two out of med school each year. I'd try to lose it like a bad cold. Be humble --You don't know everything about the process, which is evident to anyone reading this thread. You probably know far less than some of your less ambitious peers. Your goal shouldn't be to rush through college as fast as you can. The light at the end of the tunnel here is a train. And this is a race where the person who does it fastest usually loses. College is considered very valuable in our professional training, and you learn a lot more during your four years of college (both in and out of class) than you are giving credit to. Not only is it the formative place for learning socialization skills -- medicine is a service industry where you deal with people, not a science -- but also it is your last chance to get a broad education, to try new things, maybe consider other paths. When you cut that short by a year, you inhibit your opportunities to do all that. You are acting like there is some advantage to getting to med school faster. In fact the only valuable reason I can think of for doing this is if you had financial issues, because the obvious question for someone rushing through what are supposed to be among the best 4 years of your life is "why?". It's sort of like rushing through the new years eve party to get started on the next year -- foolhardy because you will get there anyway and you give up some good times for no real value.

Doing 4 years of college will give you time to do more ECs, try out more courses and disciplines, enjoy life during a period of education when you have more free time and less responsibility than you will ever have in your life again, and most importantly, it gives you time to really think through your decisions before making a leap that puts you on a set career path for the next 45 years. Most people make better decisions in their 20s than teens, so the longer you wait and contemplate, the less likely you are going to get hit with the "first year angst" where you are toiling and struggling through biochem for an enormous number of hours per day, or something similarly non-practical, and wondering "is this really what I want to do for the rest of my life".

I hated high school and I can only hope that the rest of my life is not comparable to it.

Med school is pretty much exactly like high school, or maybe even middle school. You see the same 150-200 people every single day, there are cliques galore, and knowledge about who is dating/shagging whom spreads within minutes.

Despite all this, I like my medical school. But your mileage may vary.

Gotta tell you the arrogance that comes through from you throughout this thread (particularly with the "snicker"-ing, and "(cf sarcasm)", even when you are purporting to apologize for being egotistical, is exactly the kind of arrogance that always keeps a person or two out of med school each year. I'd try to lose it like a bad cold. Be humble --You don't know everything about the process, which is evident to anyone reading this thread. You probably know far less than some of your less ambitious peers. Your goal shouldn't be to rush through college as fast as you can. The light at the end of the tunnel here is a train. And this is a race where the person who does it fastest usually loses. College is considered very valuable in our professional training, and you learn a lot more during your four years of college (both in and out of class) than you are giving credit to. Not only is it the formative place for learning socialization skills -- medicine is a service industry where you deal with people, not a science -- but also it is your last chance to get a broad education, to try new things, maybe consider other paths. When you cut that short by a year, you inhibit your opportunities to do all that. You are acting like there is some advantage to getting to med school faster. In fact the only valuable reason I can think of for doing this is if you had financial issues, because the obvious question for someone rushing through what are supposed to be among the best 4 years of your life is "why?". It's sort of like rushing through the new years eve party to get started on the next year -- foolhardy because you will get there anyway and you give up some good times for no real value.

Doing 4 years of college will give you time to do more ECs, try out more courses and disciplines, enjoy life during a period of education when you have more free time and less responsibility than you will ever have in your life again, and most importantly, it gives you time to really think through your decisions before making a leap that puts you on a set career path for the next 45 years. Most people make better decisions in their 20s than teens, so the longer you wait and contemplate, the less likely you are going to get hit with the "first year angst" where you are toiling and struggling through biochem for an enormous number of hours per day, or something similarly non-practical, and wondering "is this really what I want to do for the rest of my life".
Ok. First off, I know that I don't know everything, especially about this process. I do know, however, that it is going to be the most difficult thing I've done thus far. Is believing that I can do it where my faults lie? Is that the point of this forum? To discourage people? Assuming that I don't know what I'm doing simply because I'm not necessarily giving every detail that may give tangible evidence to you or anyone else that maybe I have more experience than the average gung-ho pre-med. It seems to be more arrogance on your part (and I'm not saying this as a bad thing) to assume these things. Yes, I snicker. That's more of a habit of typing than anything else. Yes, I'm sarcastic. Have you met many people who don't have a sarcastic streak? Again, you assume that I'm in truth quite arrogant and that this will inevitably keep me out of med school. I'd have to be pretty insufferable. In real life, I'm as self-depricating as it gets. Assuming that you know everything about me based on an internet forum sounds just plain silly to me. I regret even posting the question in the first place

Hey Corvis R,

Law2Doc is a long-time, well-respected poster here (and assistant mod) who is not trying to attack you, but only offer observations (occasioanally harsh) and trying to give another view to balance yours. His/her opinion is given from the perspective of an older person who had a previous career before getting into med school. You've gotten lots of opinions, both pro and con, by people who generally mean well. Please don't be offended.

If you feel the discussion is complete, you can ask a moderator to close the thread.

Gotta tell you the arrogance that comes through from you throughout this thread (particularly with the "snicker"-ing, and "(cf sarcasm)", even when you are purporting to apologize for being egotistical, is exactly the kind of arrogance that always keeps a person or two out of med school each year.

Doing 4 years of college will give you time to do more ECs, try out more courses and disciplines, enjoy life during a period of education when you have more free time and less responsibility than you will ever have in your life again, and most importantly, it gives you time to really think through your decisions before making a leap that puts you on a set career path for the next 45 years. Most people make better decisions in their 20s than teens, so the longer you wait and contemplate, the less likely you are going to get hit with the "first year angst" where you are toiling and struggling through biochem for an enormous number of hours per day, or something similarly non-practical, and wondering "is this really what I want to do for the rest of my life".


Law2Doc made the post I was going to make, and did it with a refreshing, scathing tone common to SDN. Really, if you *snicker* in real life, you better cut that mess out or no interviewer is going to let you in. Judging by your "is that the point of this forum, to discourage people?" post, it seems you didn't take it well. That alone shows you don't know exactly what you're getting yourself into. If you can't take that little bit of rough advice over the internet well, how can you expect to respond to an aggressively-toned interview or a billigerent advisor/teacher/patient/boss? You can do it, DEFINITELY, but you haven't even started all of these activities yet and you can't expect to have enough knowledge already to lay it all out at once.


Just immediately attempt to work and volunteer and shadow and research as you are planning to do, and all of this advice will very quickly seem to make more sense. There are 24 hours every day, even for the extra-motivated, and you need to sleep and relax and enjoy yourself or you'll quickly become the kind of person that noone wants as their doctor. You've got a lot of AP Credit which will help trying to get done in three years - but a LOT of med schools I looked at applying to only accept 1 AP/IB/anything not done at an undergraduate institution course (English included) to be counted. So you would definitely have to retake these courses to go to those places.

We aren't trying to discourage you, just give you our opinions. Someone mentioned the "rookie mistake" of assuming a 37-40 MCAT. Making all these assumptions about how you'll do is actually a pretty newb move. You're never going to know what is feasible until you start doing all of the things you're planning on doing. It sounds like you've investigated, now go do it while you have time to realize the situation that you've put yourself in and cut back and extend to 4 years if necessary. By all means, show us we're wrong and that you're a well adjusted person and have wonderful scores and ec's and experience after 3 years. It's just not something that we would recommend trying and not backing down from.

Again, you assume that I'm in truth quite arrogant and that this will inevitably keep me out of med school. I'd have to be pretty insufferable. In real life, I'm as self-depricating as it gets.

Don't be self-deprecating, it sounds like you've worked hard and have done well, so be proud of your accomplishments. All this advice, as harsh as it sounds occasionally, is only meant to help, I assure you. Spend a bit more time on the forums and it won't bother you so much, it's just how we talk 'round here I think that's off-putting to you. We mean well, we want people to become doctors.

save the year and apply it to a fellowship.

Requesting close of thread.