Current 7 year accelerated BS/MD student in need of immediate advice!

neelyboy · Oct 13, 2011

Hey everyone, I'm a junior at UCF. I'm in an accelerated 7 year (3+4) medical program between UCF-USF. I got the MCAT score I needed to matriculate to USF's medical school (needed a 30 or greater, got a 31; 11/10/10). As long as I keep my GPA above a 3.7 this year (I have a 3.92), I'll be accepted into USF's medical school next year (the missing credits I have won't matter as my degree would be conferred after my 1st year at USF). However, I have the option to decelerate and stay for my 4th year at UCF, and I would only have 5 classes left overall to take for my senior year and my acceptance would still be valid at USF following my hypothetical 4th year if my GPA again stayed above a 3.7.

The deadline to tell my advisor for the program whether I'm starting med school next year or staying one more year is in 2 days. I've thought about it a lot, and I started to learn towards starting at USF next year but then I realized I was only thinking that because my parents and relatives/doctor friends have been telling me "just to get it over with" and to "save money in the long run". These are valid points, but then again I think staying one extra year would allow me to not be burnt out and even take a few fun, unique "college" classes I haven't had the chance to take since I've been pigeon-holed into being a Molecular Biology & Microbiology major by my program. I've taken pretty much 3 science classes and a couple labs every semester and a gen ed. Therefore, I'm wondering if you all could give me any advice or input on my current situation. I know it is a good problem to have, and I'm not trying to gloat or sound like I have a huge dilemma...I just want to know if it's worth sacrificing a year of your youth to start medical school early. I don't know what I want to specialize in yet, so I can't totally factor in the years an intensive one would take into my decision.

As for what I would be planning to do if I stayed an extra year:
-Take 1 class in the summer, then 4 in the fall and have the spring semester off to study abroad or volunteer/take chill classes
-Possibly apply elsewhere, but I'm truly fine with going to USF as it's in a great location for me (only 2 hours away from home) and their integrated curriculum/pass-fail system seems ideal and not cut-throat at all to me.

Any advice/anecdots/opinions are more than welcome! Thank you.

aSagacious · Oct 13, 2011

If it were me I'd take the guaranteed seat and just take this summer off to be a blob.

Stumpyman · Oct 13, 2011

Yeah I recommend you take the spot.

Drrrrrr. Celty · Oct 13, 2011

If you decelerate an you maintain a good gpa then why not? The acceptance will remain valid after your 4th year. I mean it might be good for you and let you take a few extra classes for fun.

TheRadiologist · Oct 13, 2011

I would take the spot. You can always take a year off in medical school do research etc. You can also finish your training early and work in an underserved area etc. The options to spend a year are much better once you are in medical school. You can also get a masters degree in something that interests you during medical school.

Morsetlis · Oct 13, 2011

I echo the advice of those people above me.

Cinclus · Oct 14, 2011

It sounds like you feel that a more relaxed year would be a good thing for you. Don't rush into med school if you don't want to, especially if you've still got a seat waiting for you a year later.

quiltlady · Oct 14, 2011

Take the option for international study/travel. That time won't come again .

JESSFALLING · Oct 14, 2011

You don't need to take extra classes to expand your mind. Pick out some good books on topics that fascinate you. Even the most interesting classes can get weighed down by poor professors, exam pressures, grade pressures, etc. Find something fun to do next summer (like travel!) and enroll in MS1...that's my $.01 advice, good luck. 🙂

45408 · Oct 14, 2011

TheRadiologist said:
I would take the spot. You can always take a year off in medical school do research etc. You can also finish your training early and work in an underserved area etc. The options to spend a year are much better once you are in medical school. You can also get a masters degree in something that interests you during medical school.

Nope.

quiltlady said:
Take the option for international study/travel. That time won't come again .

Bingo.

Like I said in your other thread...

I say take the year off. As a guy who blasted through college, med school and right into residency, I wish I'd had some more time to smell the roses. Get a job doing something you kind of like, go on a sweet vacation to Europe or something, spend time with friends, etc.

Everybody complains about throwing away your 20s for this career - and there's plenty of validity to that - so reclaim some of it.

neelyboy · Oct 14, 2011

Thanks everyone for the replies. I have until tomorrow now and I still don't know what to do! I think my dad would be extremely disappointed if I didn't start this upcoming year, and I actually am lucky enough that my parents have enough money to likely pay for most if not all of my medical school tuition. Therefore, I'm thinking I should just be grateful and start now. I'm pretty sure he'd "accept" that I wanted to wait another year but I don't think he'd be happy.

I don't really have a burning desire to do a ton of research or apply elsewhere, but I am interested in studying abroad or, as I said, taking it easy for my last year before transitioning in. Then again, I still have this upcoming winter break and summer if I were to start next year.

This is a hard decision :/

Shakespeare37 · Oct 14, 2011

As someone who spent his 20's doing cool stuff other than school, and will (hopefully) be starting medical school next year at 32, I would say do it. One year off to do something cool (study abroad, travel, volunteer, whatever) is totally worth it. You will most likely never have that chance again. Backpack across Europe. Study Australian culture. Keep bees. Do something that you want to do. It is your life, not your parents. I can almost garuntee you you won't regret taking the time off.
When you finish medical school, you will go straight to residency. By the time you finish that, you will most likely have relationship and financial obligations that will keep you from taking a full year to do something cool. If it were me, I'd take the time. Listen to Prowler... sounds like he went straight through and wishes he would've done something like you have the chance to. So long as your seat is still there.... you're still gonna be a Doc, so take the time.

tiedyeddog · Oct 15, 2011

Dude, travel abroad for a semester or two. You will never be able to do that again.

If you want to take a year to sit on your ass and pound brownies and cupcakes.... no. Do something you will never be able to do again. (there will be parties in medical school, so don't just party during that time.)

235009 · Oct 16, 2011

so what was the ultimate decision?

i didn't weight in earlier but i also would've recommended you take the extra year in undergrad.

VenusinFurs · Oct 16, 2011

Take a year off and get a demanding job. Preferably one in which they yell at you. Do something that makes you more mature.

Current 7 year accelerated BS/MD student in need of immediate advice!

neelyboy

Full Member

aSagacious

Full Member

Stumpyman

Full Member

Drrrrrr. Celty

Osteo Dullahan

TheRadiologist

Full Member

Morsetlis

I wish I were a dentist

Cinclus

Vitamin H Purveyor

quiltlady

Full Member

JESSFALLING

Full Member

45408

neelyboy

Full Member

Shakespeare37

WINNING

tiedyeddog

Full Member

235009

VenusinFurs

I am tired, I am weary

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