A Unique Student in a Unique Situation

[Sparxx17]

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Hi, first time poster here. I'm in a bit of a different situation in applying for undergrad and planning for my future. I am simultaneously a high school senior and a college sophomore. I live in a residential high school on the campus of a public state university. I take regular and honors university courses just like any other undergrad does. I currently have 33 hours of college credit and will have over 60 by the time I graduate. I'm applying to universities and asking myself questions like

1) Should I go to a school that takes all of my earned credit hours (public, in-state universities)? I have already completed about half of the regular requirements for med school admission. Or should I try to go to a more prestigious school (Vanderbilt, Johns Hopkins, WashU, etc.) even though they'll take little-no credit? This also takes me to my next dilemma:

2) Public in-state university where I am guaranteed full tuition (and there are other scholarships I am highly competitive for) or private universities where I am much less likely to have full tuition? My goal has been to get out of undergrad debt-free because I'm not sure if going to a more prestigious institution would be worth the money I'd pay back later.

3) Assuming all my credits transfer to the university to choose, I could finish my bachelor a year or two early (others have done this from my school). Should I try applying for medical school early or should I take the traditional 4 year route and do something like a double major?

I've had a lot of exposure to medicine (parents in health care, shadowing, some undergrad research) and as such medical school is my main goal. Input is appreciated; what do you guys think?

 

[deleted480308]

i would go debt free, but that's just me

 

[DesertPT]

I think you would be out of your mind to pay tens of thousands of dollars in tuition and take as much as 2 years longer to get a bachelor's degree just to go to a "more prestigious university". I'd stay where you were, knock out that bachelor's as fast as possible and graduate with no debt. You are in a position that very few are fortunate enough to be in. Just kill the rest of your undergrad classes, graduate with at least a 3.8 an you'll be able to apply to any sort of graduate or professional education you want.

 

[superpom_7]

I agree with the above posters.

 

[Sparxx17]

I think you would be out of your mind to pay tens of thousands of dollars in tuition and take as much as 2 years longer to get a bachelor's degree just to go to a "more prestigious university". I'd stay where you were, knock out that bachelor's as fast as possible and graduate with no debt. You are in a position that very few are fortunate enough to be in. Just kill the rest of your undergrad classes, graduate with at least a 3.8 an you'll be able to apply to any sort of graduate or professional education you want.

One of my big concerns is also the time I should take to finish my bachelors. I've talked to several people and gotten both sides of the advice. Some encourage me to take the full four years in undergrad (no matter where I go) instead of rushing into professional school (enjoy the time you have, explore more careers, etc.), while others tell me it would be advantageous to start early if I'm really sure of the path I choose. This is where I'm most conflicted.

 

[DesertPT]

Or finish undergrad faster and save yourself a crapload of money and do any of a million different things for a year or two before professional school. You could volunteer abroad, get a job and save up for med school, do a masters, etc etc.

I see pros and cons to both sides but I personally think it comes down to the fact that, in my opinion, you would be a fool to put forth additional work just to be in a position of having a substantial amount of student debt when you could just simply keep doing what you're already doing and avoid debt completely.

Remember, you can't eat prestige.

 

[JuanPabloCastel]

Apply broadly. I was in your position as a senior. I only applied to my state school where I got 45 credits. I'll be graduating in 3 years. If you're set on medicine, the costs of going to the more prestigious schools you mentioned seem don't seem worth it. HYPS and other Ivy League schools are another story.

 

[Winged Scapula]

One of my big concerns is also the time I should take to finish my bachelors. I've talked to several people and gotten both sides of the advice. Some encourage me to take the full four years in undergrad (no matter where I go) instead of rushing into professional school (enjoy the time you have, explore more careers, etc.), while others tell me it would be advantageous to start early if I'm really sure of the path I choose. This is where I'm most conflicted.

I see little downside to taking the entire 4 years to finish a your undergraduate degree (outside of cost); college is more than just the academic experience. You should gain valuable life and social skills, explore new friendships and other fields of study. It is invaluable IMHO.

The drawback of finishing early, regardless if you *know* (and I'd take that with a grain of salt) what you want to do, is that there may be some bias against very young medical students. My experience is that there is a great deal of maturation that occurs in the early 20s and that some of the younger medical students have difficulty interacting with their fellow students, with faculty and most importantly with patients. Every year I am still amazed at the students who giggle when we talk about sexuality or genitalia.

 

[skierbum]

I think that the pros and cons of finishing in four years has been well covered, but I just wanted to chime in on one of your points:
2) Public in-state university where I am guaranteed full tuition (and there are other scholarships I am highly competitive for) or private universities where I am much less likely to have full tuition? My goal has been to get out of undergrad debt-free because I'm not sure if going to a more prestigious institution would be worth the money I'd pay back later -

I think you are on the right track trying to get out debt free-any health professions school (med, pharm, dent, or podiatry) will cost you about 160-200k. Hence, you will be a lot happier of a med student I think without the expensive debt from undergrad hanging over you. Going to a cheaper state school was one of the best choices I made. At the end of the day, credits with decent grades are what they are and don't let someone sell you on some fancy university. Heck, if you want to spend some $ in college, go traveling or study abroad to broaden your horizons to enjoy yourself because you won't have that kind of flexibility later. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Sparxx17]

Apply broadly. I was in your position as a senior. I only applied to my state school where I got 45 credits. I'll be graduating in 3 years. If you're set on medicine, the costs of going to the more prestigious schools you mentioned seem don't seem worth it. HYPS and other Ivy League schools are another story.

I have 5 schools on my list currently, and I tend to be pretty picky about choosing which places I apply to. Even of those five, though, there are only three that I can really see myself attending.

I see little downside to taking the entire 4 years to finish a your undergraduate degree (outside of cost); college is more than just the academic experience. You should gain valuable life and social skills, explore new friendships and other fields of study. It is invaluable IMHO.

The drawback of finishing early, regardless if you *know* (and I'd take that with a grain of salt) what you want to do, is that there may be some bias against very young medical students. My experience is that there is a great deal of maturation that occurs in the early 20s and that some of the younger medical students have difficulty interacting with their fellow students, with faculty and most importantly with patients. Every year I am still amazed at the students who giggle when we talk about sexuality or genitalia.

Thanks for the perspective on that. My thoughts were that the only real advantage I could have starting early was just being a younger student (and somehow that would make me unique, different, etc.) When I go back and weigh the pros and cons of each situation I realize, for the most part, that logically it makes much more sense to take the full 4 years. Cost would not be an issue if I stay in state (KY) as all public universities that offer full tuition will provide it for up to 4 years. I could double major so that I have a fall back plan and so that I can discover other interest I might have, as well as evaluating if medical school is really what I am sure about doing.

I think that the pros and cons of finishing in four years has been well covered, but I just wanted to chime in on one of your points:
2) Public in-state university where I am guaranteed full tuition (and there are other scholarships I am highly competitive for) or private universities where I am much less likely to have full tuition? My goal has been to get out of undergrad debt-free because I'm not sure if going to a more prestigious institution would be worth the money I'd pay back later -

I think you are on the right track trying to get out debt free-any health professions school (med, pharm, dent, or podiatry) will cost you about 160-200k. Hence, you will be a lot happier of a med student I think without the expensive debt from undergrad hanging over you. Going to a cheaper state school was one of the best choices I made. At the end of the day, credits with decent grades are what they are and don't let someone sell you on some fancy university. Heck, if you want to spend some $ in college, go traveling or study abroad to broaden your horizons to enjoy yourself because you won't have that kind of flexibility later. Just my 2 cents.

Flexibility sounds appealing. I studied abroad this past summer in England (3 weeks) and had a blast.

Really the only things I worry about in choosing an in-state public university over private out of state/ivy leagues are that I might be missing out on unique opportunities or experiences that might set me up for bigger/better things (preferences to their med schools, residencies afterward, etc.) Please correct me if I'm wrong, as this is just something I don't know a lot about. I don't necessarily want to plan too far ahead for the future (if there is such a thing) but I feel like these are things I should at least be considering if I think medicine is the life I want.