Decision help

[phillybum]

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Hey guys,

I'm currently in the second year of my non-thesis masters program with an ultimate goal of attending med school. I've gotten numerous interviews and have an acceptance already. I am living away from home and its starting to put a burden on me financially. Also, I'm having some family trouble back home. So my question to you is, would it look bad to withdraw from my program right now? I did very well last year, and the school I got into doesn't care if I finish or not, neither do the others that I've interviewed at.

What do you guys think? I am worried of financial problems, family problems and burnout before med school. If I did withdraw I would continue my summer research project that is on the brink of a couple publications (I was gonna finish them this summer) so I wouldn't just be sitting around.

Thanks

 

[anon y mous]

Hey guys,

I'm currently in the second year of my non-thesis masters program with an ultimate goal of attending med school. I've gotten numerous interviews and have an acceptance already. I am living away from home and its starting to put a burden on me financially. Also, I'm having some family trouble back home. So my question to you is, would it look bad to withdraw from my program right now? I did very well last year, and the school I got into doesn't care if I finish or not, neither do the others that I've interviewed at.

What do you guys think? I am worried of financial problems, family problems and burnout before med school. If I did withdraw I would continue my summer research project that is on the brink of a couple publications (I was gonna finish them this summer) so I wouldn't just be sitting around.

Thanks

Do you even get $$ back from a program you started? But if no one cares and you'd be happy going where you got accepted, I'd withdraw if it helps you financially and mentally.

 

[Chocolate Bear]

Hey guys,

I'm currently in the second year of my non-thesis masters program with an ultimate goal of attending med school. I've gotten numerous interviews and have an acceptance already. I am living away from home and its starting to put a burden on me financially. Also, I'm having some family trouble back home. So my question to you is, would it look bad to withdraw from my program right now? I did very well last year, and the school I got into doesn't care if I finish or not, neither do the others that I've interviewed at.

What do you guys think? I am worried of financial problems, family problems and burnout before med school. If I did withdraw I would continue my summer research project that is on the brink of a couple publications (I was gonna finish them this summer) so I wouldn't just be sitting around.

Thanks

If med school is the goal, you have an acceptance, and you need to drop out with no ramifications, then is there really a question? I mean, I'd be absolutely sure that your acceptance won't be affected, but it sounds like you are.

Drop the program, and take care of business. 👍

I hope everything works out well with the family.

 

[Chocolate Bear]

Do you even get $$ back from a program you started? But if no one cares and you'd be happy going where you got accepted, I'd withdraw if it helps you financially and mentally.

Probably no refunds, but there may be upcoming tuition/fees that haven't been paid yet that the OP won't be burdened with.

 

[engineeredout]

Yeah I'd say drop the masters as long as the acceptance at the school you want to go to doesn't care. You'll be able to go home, work things out, and make some money while you're waiting for med school to start.

 

[phillybum]

thanks for the quick reply, you guys are awesome!

Yeah, the two things influencing my decision towards staying in the program was the fact that I had invested 2 years into this and leaving without the masters (albeit it is a weak one being non-thesis) left a bad feeling in my stomach; also, the money I put into this semester will not be refunded. That being said however, I will save money on living, food and all the extras since I'd be living at home.

I really want to finish that research I was doing also. Man this is tough...but I got into a school at least...this is making me bi-polar hahaha

Again thanks guys!

 

[JaggerPlate]

Make sure the medical school doesn't care. Med schools are notorious for wanting you to complete any masters work before entering their program. They really don't like it when people enroll in a program just to get into medical school, then drop out. Creates a bad image. Of course, if they don't care, and you don't care about the MS behind your name ... then go for it. Best of luck.

 

[engineeredout]

thanks for the quick reply, you guys are awesome!

Yeah, the two things influencing my decision towards staying in the program was the fact that I had invested 2 years into this and leaving without the masters (albeit it is a weak one being non-thesis) left a bad feeling in my stomach; also, the money I put into this semester will not be refunded. That being said however, I will save money on living, food and all the extras since I'd be living at home.

I really want to finish that research I was doing also. Man this is tough...but I got into a school at least...this is making me bi-polar hahaha

Again thanks guys!

True, and if I were in your position I'd probably finish out the masters. That being said though, you said that you have family problems and economic hardship so it might not be worth it. You don't want to have to deal with these problems after beginning med school. You just gotta balance out which is more important.

 

[umean2tellme]

If the med school doesn't care then drop out and save your money. If you really like the research and want that master's can't you apply some of those courses to a master's somewhere else or finish it later? Maybe you can even do the research at your medical school and publish it or something. You're not dropping out b/c you got accepted you're leaving because of financial and family issues, which is ok. Congrats on your acceptance.

 

[cliquesh]

I think most medical schools expect you to complete the program you are enrolled in. But if you are having money problems, who knows if they will care or not.

 

[stonewall22]

Hey guys,

I'm currently in the second year of my non-thesis masters program with an ultimate goal of attending med school. I've gotten numerous interviews and have an acceptance already. I am living away from home and its starting to put a burden on me financially. Also, I'm having some family trouble back home. So my question to you is, would it look bad to withdraw from my program right now? I did very well last year, and the school I got into doesn't care if I finish or not, neither do the others that I've interviewed at.

What do you guys think? I am worried of financial problems, family problems and burnout before med school. If I did withdraw I would continue my summer research project that is on the brink of a couple publications (I was gonna finish them this summer) so I wouldn't just be sitting around.

Thanks

I'm in a similar situation and grad school is dang hard. I wouldn't throw away the work I'd done unless there's no way to complete it. Also, if you decide you want to do academic medicine in the future, having a masters will help.

 

[phillybum]

Thanks for the input guys. I initially went into the program for a one year post-bacc, after doing well and having a lag year between (currently) I decided to come back for the second year (also a post bacc year) and get a masters out of this time between undergrad and med school.

As for academic medicine, I don't think thats for me. Even if it was I don't know how helpful a non-thesis masters would be.