Calling All Grad School Drop-Outs!

[sunmoon6689]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

I am considering leaving graduate school. Before making such a big decision, I wanted to know if anybody else on this site has left graduate school without a degree and still been accepted to medical school. I just want to know if there are any success stories of this kind out there! Thanks.

 

[snowkhat]

I was thinking the very same today. LOL. I don't know some schools consider it a "contractual" obligation. For instance, if you are accepted and you stated on your application/interview that you were degree seeking. I would call the school you are accepted at or interested in and see what they say.

Good luck (or hang in there!).

 

[supersash]

sunmoon-
i would hold off on dropping grad school until you see what happens this application cycle. if you don't get in this cycle, more graduate work, and possibly a graduate degree could make you more competitive next time.

but as to whether a school would make you finish the program, it probably depends. i dont think many would force you to finish, but call and ask! or make a fake email account and email 😉

but dont drop until you see how things go this cycle

 

[aishoo84]

the best way would just be to wait for an acceptance from med school..and ask them if its mandatory for u to complete ur grad work...i know for a fact that some school require u to finish..

 

[Steiner]

I was in gaduate school duriong an application cycle and was told it is looked down on to drop out of a graduate school program to enter medical school. They see it as a sign of indecisiveness. They'll think of you as a risk because what's to stop you from deciding you want to drop out of med school in a few years. Finish the program and use it as a strength to your application. Completing a graduate degree is a sign of maturity to most admissions committees, and you'll have opportunities to get involved with annoying research, which they love for some reason. Tough it out and it will pay off.

 

[NRAI2001]

If you are in a phd program and are early in the program and know that you dont want to do it anymore. You could save yourself 3 or 4 years of having to waste time to finish a degree that you wont be too happy with and go directly to some of the lower ranking DO schools and maybe some of the carribean schools.

 

[sunmoon6689]

I am only seven weeks into the program, and I definitely plan on finishing the semester. I would never leave half-way through classes, but I am very unhappy. I have not yet applied to medical school and plan to wait until next year to apply. I will probably apply solely to osteopathic schools as I really like their approach to both medicine and applicants. However, I am considering a different graduate program that I am actually interested in that could be completed in around 18 months. Thanks for the helpful advice everybody!

 

[supersash]

sun-
could u transfer the credits from this program to the new one? that would be great...

also, try to find a master's program at a school you are interested in. they might be more likely to not mind you skipping out early on the program, or might be able to help you finish while in med school.

good luck!!! 🙂

 

[NRAI2001]

I am only seven weeks into the program, and I definitely plan on finishing the semester. I would never leave half-way through classes, but I am very unhappy. I have not yet applied to medical school and plan to wait until next year to apply. I will probably apply solely to osteopathic schools as I really like their approach to both medicine and applicants. However, I am considering a different graduate program that I am actually interested in that could be completed in around 18 months. Thanks for the helpful advice everybody!

Why did u decide on medicine now? Are you currently in a phd or masters program? Have you done the prereqs? Mcat?

 

[sunmoon6689]

I have always been interested in medicine actually! I completed the prereqs during my first two years of college, but began getting nervous when I took the MCAT for the first time (as I scored very low)! I have volunteered at local hospitals and shadowed physicians, as well as graduated with honors and participated in many school groups and activities. I suppose I got cold feet when it came down to applying, plus I am a constant procrastinator. When I realized I missed the prime times to apply for medical school last year, I decided to try for graduate school. This was obviously a huge mistake. Now I am miserable. On the plus side, I am more excited for medical school now than ever!! I am in a Masters program. I know that doesn't seem like a long committment, but I was recently informed that it may take three years. Not to mention that I am not getting to take any of the electives I was interested in. Instead, my boss has written out my schedule for me (despite telling me I would have options when I initially accepted the offer). It is very frustrating.

 

[NRAI2001]

I have always been interested in medicine actually! I completed the prereqs during my first two years of college, but began getting nervous when I took the MCAT for the first time (as I scored very low)! I have volunteered at local hospitals and shadowed physicians, as well as graduated with honors and participated in many school groups and activities. I suppose I got cold feet when it came down to applying, plus I am a constant procrastinator. When I realized I missed the prime times to apply for medical school last year, I decided to try for graduate school. This was obviously a huge mistake. Now I am miserable. On the plus side, I am more excited for medical school now than ever!! I am in a Masters program. I know that doesn't seem like a long committment, but I was recently informed that it may take three years. Not to mention that I am not getting to take any of the electives I was interested in. Instead, my boss has written out my schedule for me (despite telling me I would have options when I initially accepted the offer). It is very frustrating.

You could still apply this cycle to US MD, DO, Carribean.

How low was your mcat? Might give us a better idea of where you maybe competitive.

 

[Toohotinvegas33]

From schools ive talked to , they make you finish grad school and then they let you matriculate. They dont let you drop!

 

[NRAI2001]

From schools ive talked to , they make you finish grad school and then they let you matriculate. They dont let you drop!

Ya most US MD schools probably do. But i think many of the DO and carribean schools are more forgiving and open to situations like this.

 

[sunmoon6689]

Most DO schools are very forgiving. They (each DO school I have contacted) have all said that it would not be a problem or raise any red flags on my application. My MCAT score was a 22. I took it a couple years ago, so I am prepping to take it this April. I did not study prior to taking it the first time, which was obviously a big mistake! I am sure I will do much better this time if I study and review vital material. My GPA is currently a 3.45 and my science GPA should be around 3.2-3.25. I have some work to do, but my interest is in DO schools. With that said, I think I will have a somewhat decent shot when I apply. Any opinions?? I welcome all feedback and advice. Thanks!

 

[NRAI2001]

Most DO schools are very forgiving. They (each DO school I have contacted) have all said that it would not be a problem or raise any red flags on my application. My MCAT score was a 22. I took it a couple years ago, so I am prepping to take it this April. I did not study prior to taking it the first time, which was obviously a big mistake! I am sure I will do much better this time if I study and review vital material. My GPA is currently a 3.45 and my science GPA should be around 3.2-3.25. I have some work to do, but my interest is in DO schools. With that said, I think I will have a somewhat decent shot when I apply. Any opinions?? I welcome all feedback and advice. Thanks!

Your gpa is pretty good. Probably at the average or slightly above average at some of the better DO schools. Your mcat is low for the better regarded DO schools (PCOM, NYCOM, CCOM, Western..), though it maybe ok for some of the lower ranking DO schools.

Your stats are probably ok for the carribean schools, though your mcat might be a little low for SGU.

 

[MiesVanDerMom]

I dropped out of grad school and my AACOMA is in the process of being verified right now. I'll return to this thread to report my success rate. Good luck to all my fellow drop-outs.

I know social studies grad programs have a 60% drop-out rate, so I would hope med schools wouldn't hold it against me.🙄