Applying without a degree?

[StevieRay]

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Hi, I just stumbled upon this site--so much great info! I'm not sure if this has been adressed at length before, but I was wondering if anyone has any experience/thoughts about applying to medical school without a bachelor's degree (as most, if not all, med schools seem to only require 90 credit hours). I just finished up my first semester (BME major) at my university (not very well-known, if that matters). However, I took quite a few courses while in high school at a local junior college and as of now I already have 56 credit hours (counting the 16 I earned this semester), with a 4.0 cumulative GPA for all college coursework completed. I've finished the gen. bio sequence, but I'm taking cell bio next semester for good measure, and I could finish up the chem pre-reqs by the first semester of my second year. And, of course, as an engineering major I'll have more physics than you can shake a stick at by that time. Is it feasible that I could apply a year early and simply not earn an undergraduate degree? Assuming my MCATs are up to snuff would it be foolish to go ahead and apply to a few of the schools I know I would like to attend, and if I don't get in apply to a more broad spectrum of schools while I'm finishing up my degree? I'm not in a terrible hurry or anything but while I do enjoy engineering I am quite sure I wouldn't want a career in it. I'm not sure about any other particular pre-reqs that I would have to fufill, but I will have two semesters of english and already have 3 of math (through diff eq). I guess I'm rambling but I guess what I'm asking is if the 90 credit rule is ever used in reality and would it be feasible for me if any of those of you in the know happens to have any experience with this. Thanks!

 

[CatsAreKillers]

Hi StevieRay,

I thought that most medical schools required a Bachelor's? I don't know this for sure, so please don't go by what I wrote, but I would check into the website:
www.aamc.org

You might be able to find something helpful there.

And...there are probably SDN'ers that know a lot more than I do on this subject. Good luck! 🙂

Originally posted by StevieRay
Hi, I just stumbled upon this site--so much great info! I'm not sure if this has been adressed at length before, but I was wondering if anyone has any experience/thoughts about applying to medical school without a bachelor's degree (as most, if not all, med schools seem to only require 90 credit hours). I just finished up my first semester (BME major) at my university (not very well-known, if that matters). However, I took quite a few courses while in high school at a local junior college and as of now I already have 56 credit hours (counting the 16 I earned this semester), with a 4.0 cumulative GPA for all college coursework completed. I've finished the gen. bio sequence, but I'm taking cell bio next semester for good measure, and I could finish up the chem pre-reqs by the first semester of my second year. And, of course, as an engineering major I'll have more physics than you can shake a stick at by that time. Is it feasible that I could apply a year early and simply not earn an undergraduate degree? Assuming my MCATs are up to snuff would it be foolish to go ahead and apply to a few of the schools I know I would like to attend, and if I don't get in apply to a more broad spectrum of schools while I'm finishing up my degree? I'm not in a terrible hurry or anything but while I do enjoy engineering I am quite sure I wouldn't want a career in it. I'm not sure about any other particular pre-reqs that I would have to fufill, but I will have two semesters of english and already have 3 of math (through diff eq). I guess I'm rambling but I guess what I'm asking is if the 90 credit rule is ever used in reality and would it be feasible for me if any of those of you in the know happens to have any experience with this. Thanks!

 

[Ryo-Ohki]

Most won't accept you w/o a BS or BA.

 

[StevieRay]

Every website I've looked at thus far (specifically my state schools) only list the general pre-reqs and something along the lines of (from UVa's website) "All applicants must have completed a minimum of 90 semester hours of course work in an accredited U.S. or Canadian college or university." I'm not sure if this is the exception or the rule, but at least at the ones I would apply to should I apply early it is possible in theory to enter without a degree it seems. Although one explicitly states it is not usually done and I'm assuming this would be the experience with most schools.

 

[Lady MD]

How many more classes would you need to get a BA or BS?

If it will take years, then I would call all of the admissions departments of all of the schools to which you want to apply and talk to them about your status and ask them about it.

Originally posted by StevieRay
Every website I've looked at thus far (specifically my state schools) only list the general pre-reqs and something along the lines of (from UVa's website) "All applicants must have completed a minimum of 90 semester hours of course work in an accredited U.S. or Canadian college or university." I'm not sure if this is the exception or the rule, but at least at the ones I would apply to should I apply early it is possible in theory to enter without a degree it seems. Although one explicitly states it is not usually done and I'm assuming this would be the experience with most schools.

 

[Tuesday Weld]

That's interesting. I had always thought it was a prereq. Please post the results of what the requirements are after you speak to the schools about this matter. I'm curious and would be surprised to hear that they don't make it a requirement.

Originally posted by StevieRay
Every website I've looked at thus far (specifically my state schools) only list the general pre-reqs and something along the lines of (from UVa's website) "All applicants must have completed a minimum of 90 semester hours of course work in an accredited U.S. or Canadian college or university." I'm not sure if this is the exception or the rule, but at least at the ones I would apply to should I apply early it is possible in theory to enter without a degree it seems. Although one explicitly states it is not usually done and I'm assuming this would be the experience with most schools.

 

[Tuesday Weld]

Something's wrong. I just posted this and the thread didn't register this as the latest submission on the main page?

Originally posted by Tuesday Weld
That's interesting. I had always thought it was a prereq. Please post the results of what the requirements are after you speak to the schools about this matter. I'm curious and would be surprised to hear that they don't make it a requirement.

 

[StevieRay]

It would be a little early to start calling medical schools, but the more I look the more it seems like the 90 credit hour is the norm. I'll post some of my research from random med school websites I went to:

Duke University:
"Admission requires at least 90 hours of approved college credit, including:
One Year of College English or a university writing course
One Year of Inorganic chemistry
One Year of Organic chemistry
One Year of Physics
One Year of Biology and/or zoology
One Year of Calculus "

University of Virginia:
"All applicants must have completed a minimum of 90 semester hours of course work in an accredited U.S. or Canadian college or university. Applicants who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. are eligible to apply provided they have completed at least 90 semester hours of coursework in a U.S. or Canadian college or university."

Medical College of Virginia:
"Applicants may be admitted on the basis of 90 semester hours of outstanding achievement; however, the majority of students admitted are completing their baccalaureate programs. A premedical curriculum should be selected in accordance with the individual student's aptitude and interest. The prerequisites for the School of Medicine have been reduced to a minimum in order to permit the widest possible latitude in preparation for medical education. Prerequisites for admission include a minimum of 90 semester hours (or the equivalent) in a U.S. college or university accredited by the regional accrediting agency."

University of Maryland:
"The MCAT and at least 90 semester hours of accredited arts and science college credit are required. Credit hours must have been earned in colleges or universities whose names appear on the current list of Accredited Institutions of Higher Education as compiled by the National Committee of Regional Accrediting Agencies of the United States. Preference is given to applicants who will have earned a bachelor?s degree"

University of North Carolina:
"Requirements for admission are under review and are subject to change. At this time a minimum of ninety-six semester hours of accredited college work is required. Students are encouraged to pursue one or more scholarly interest in depth during the undergraduate years but course work must demonstrate proficiency in the natural sciences."

West Virginia University:
"Minimum of 3 years of College - (90) Hours"

I've yet to find an exception, maybe things are different on the west coast, but who wants to go there

If you have questions about a specific school just look at their website and check admissions requirements; if you have a paralyzing fear of medical school admissions websites, post the school here and I'll check for you.

 

[Tuesday Weld]

Maybe I'm looking too much into this, but when the school's requirements say that "applicants" must have x number of credits, perhaps that's in reference to those who want to apply before they graduate. But the schools may have a further requirement to actually accept them. Some definitely say "acceptance is based on blah,blah,blah", so those schools sound like they'd accept you, but as far as UVA's and MCV's requirements, I would check into the fine print. 😉

Originally posted by StevieRay It would be a little early to start calling medical schools, but the more I look the more it seems like the 90 credit hour is the norm. I'll post some of my research from random med school websites I went to:

University of Virginia:
"All applicants must have completed a minimum of 90 semester hours of course work in an accredited U.S. or Canadian college or university. Applicants who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. are eligible to apply provided they have completed at least 90 semester hours of coursework in a U.S. or Canadian college or university."

Medical College of Virginia:
"Applicants may be admitted on the basis of 90 semester hours of outstanding achievement; however, the majority of students admitted are completing their baccalaureate programs. A premedical curriculum should be selected in accordance with the individual student's aptitude and interest. The prerequisites for the School of Medicine have been reduced to a minimum in order to permit the widest possible latitude in preparation for medical education. Prerequisites for admission include a minimum of 90 semester hours (or the equivalent) in a U.S. college or university accredited by the regional accrediting agency."


I've yet to find an exception, maybe things are different on the west coast, but who wants to go there

If you have questions about a specific school just look at their website and check admissions requirements; if you have a paralyzing fear of medical school admissions websites, post the school here and I'll check for you.

 

[Sweet Tea]

Hey Stevie Ray--

There might be some exceptions, but I'm pretty sure you need to finish your BS or BA before matriculation... that is, you can APPLY before you graduate as long as you have 90 credit hours, but to actually START, you have finish your degree. My friends who were accepted their senior year of college all received letters saying "acceptance is contingent upon graduation from (insert your undergrad here)", and they had to send in a final transcript. And most of my friends went to UNC, Duke, or UVA for med school (thought you'd be interested b/c you listed those schools). Also, med schools usually require students in masters and PhD programs to finish their degree before they can matriculate into the med school.

If I'm wrong, someone please correct me. But I'm pretty sure you need your degree.

 

[2badr]

I would venture to say that you need a degree.Most-if not all?-the schools here require a degree.You are right tho sweet tea.
I think you should look into the schools you wish to attend stevie and ask specifically about their requirements.And if they do accept applicants without a degree I believe your application has to be "outstanding".I dunno this process is hard enough as it is.It just seems like you would have to an extraordinary application to be excepted w/o a degree.

 

[tms]

some schools will allow you to matriculate without a bs/ba. i'm sure it is school specific. the idea is that the basic science courses in the first two years will "complete" your degree. most of these situations involve some kind of agreement between the med school and your undergrad institution.

i would suggest contacting the admissions offices of schools you are interested in directly. they can give you the best advice.

 

[CatsAreKillers]

Originally posted by Tuesday Weld
"applicants" must have x number of credits, perhaps that's in reference to those who want to apply before they graduate. But the schools may have a further requirement to actually accept them. Some definitely say "acceptance is based on blah,blah,blah", so those schools sound like they'd accept you, but as far as UVA's and MCV's requirements, I would check into the fine print. 😉

I knew someone would come up with something! That sounds correct.

I'll bet some schools will accept you, but most only let you apply without a degree and nothing beyond that.

 

[gold&black2005]

Stevie Ray,

First off, if you're BME and in state at UVa, I can only assume you go to VCU 😍 If that's the case, send me a private message (PM); I can give you some pretty specific advice.

Regarding applying without a degree, it pretty much doesn't happen at UVa or VCU/MCV ...both of those schools' admissions deans hate it when one tries to apply after finishing a degree in three years, so applying in 2-3 years without having finished ANY degree probably wouldn't win their favor. So...with that...they'll let you apply...and hopefully you'll be stellar and amazing and all that and they'll interview you 😀...but the odds of it happening? Slim.

Hope this helps. IM me if you need more info.

 

[Rampart]

My lab partner from intro biology was accepted after 2 years+ 2 courses during summer school w/ a 3.96 overall and 12+ on each part of the MCAT (Canadian). Of 125 students admitted, 3 had the minimum requirements, all 3 had 3.95+ overall GPA's. I think his science GPA was 3.99.

Rampart

 

[AlternateSome1]

For the most part, if you are going to have 90 credits by application, you might as well finish up the other 30 credits toward the degree in the year before you matriculate. It would be a little hasty to stop taking courses at 90 credits on the assumption that you will be accepted. It also might look a little odd to the schools if they want to know what you are currently doing...since you might have trouble finding work without the BA/BS.

~AS1~

 

[San_Juan_Sun]

I've interviewed with no intention of getting my bachelors. I'll let you know if I get in, but I've never had an interviewer say a thing about it. But, I did try to see what schools don't require a degree, and have been disappointed in that many schools wanted me to graduate. But plenty (maybe 50%) accepted students without degrees. Most of those do make a point about saying "most successful applicants have completed their degree programs".

I can't say how many actually look for the degree, and how many say so, but don't care all that much. Good luck to you. Best thing to do is call the schools you are interested in.