Declaring a major w/o intent to finish it

[darlesthecharwin]

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Hi, I am a university graduate who is now back in school working towards medical school. Unfortunately, I am currently unable to get financial aid due to not having a major. I am thinking of declaring like a biology or chemistry major without the intent of finishing it, just so I can get the financial support I need to get through medical school pre-reqs. I was wondering if this could have any drawbacks? And would a medical school I'd be applying to see that I picked up a major and dropped it shortly before applying?

My concern is that I don't want to seem like someone whose mind is all over the board with multiple different programs before medical school, as since returning to school I truly have been full steam ahead towards medical school.

Thanks in advance for any replies!

 

[DarklingThrush]

Nope. My advisor recommended I do this for multiple reasons. 1. Financial aid 2. Class scheduling (you'll have senior status and can register for easily filled classes earlier than freshman) 3. Given access to a Biology advisor.

It's not looked down upon as far as I know

 

[esob]

It can be done, the only time it would become a problem I think is if you were trying to graduate and switch majors (or drop a 2nd major), in which case some schools require you to make that change at least 1 semester prior to graduation.

 

[Goro]

Hi, I am a university graduate who is now back in school working towards medical school. Unfortunately, I am currently unable to get financial aid due to not having a major. I am thinking of declaring like a biology or chemistry major without the intent of finishing it, just so I can get the financial support I need to get through medical school pre-reqs. I was wondering if this could have any drawbacks? And would a medical school I'd be applying to see that I picked up a major and dropped it shortly before applying?

My concern is that I don't want to seem like someone whose mind is all over the board with multiple different programs before medical school, as since returning to school I truly have been full steam ahead towards medical school.

Thanks in advance for any replies!

Med schools don't care what your major or minor is, only that you do well.

 

[darlesthecharwin]

Thanks for the replies. I guess my follow up question would be: what kind of financial aid were y'all able to get at this point?

Obviously this would vary case by case, but I am trying to figure out a plan of how to piece this all together.

 

[Magus5454]

Thanks for the replies. I guess my follow up question would be: what kind of financial aid were y'all able to get at this point?

Obviously this would vary case by case, but I am trying to figure out a plan of how to piece this all together.

You aren't eligible for Pell Grants after you have a bachelor's. Loans likely your only option

 

[DarklingThrush]

Thanks for the replies. I guess my follow up question would be: what kind of financial aid were y'all able to get at this point?

Obviously this would vary case by case, but I am trying to figure out a plan of how to piece this all together.

If you're starting for the 2018-2019 school year, I would fill out a FAFSA soon. I believe it's due in March, but check into that. You'll get options for subsidized and unsubsidized. I'd stay away from unsubsidized.

 

[Phil McCracken]

When I did my pre-req's in my 30's, I found a loophole to get financial aid. You have to declare yourself as a fifth-year undergrad and then you have to personally contact your financial aid office and tell them that you are applying to a post-baccalaureate program for future admission to a graduate program. It's a case-by-case basis but they fill out some paperwork and you can get loans for 12-months of schooling. I paid for two courses in the summer and then I got federal loans for the one year of the pre-req's.

Post-bacc certificate programs don't qualify for loans to my understanding so you have to essentially take the courses in a "do-it-yourself" program. Interestingly, my program gave me the loans but also gave me priority registration and advising so I got a good deal.

Also, find a way to do this the cheapest way possible.

 

[RNthenDoc]

Thanks for the replies. I guess my follow up question would be: what kind of financial aid were y'all able to get at this point?

Obviously this would vary case by case, but I am trying to figure out a plan of how to piece this all together.

1. I declared a major for all of the reasons above.

2. I received half of my tuition in academic scholarships for maintaining Dean’s List etc. without that support I would not have been able to pay out of pocket, which is how I financed my school (working long shifts in a hospital during premed).

 

[persistenceofmemory]

Would you still qualify for free $ based on a high transfer GPA/ low SES ? Also looking into going this route.

 

[rabbott1971]

Financial aid is available for the taking of professional school prereqs for one year, post-bacc, no major needed.

 

[alexlex143]

.

 

[persistenceofmemory]

I matriculated into an MA program without intention of completing the degree for the sole purpose of getting pre-med requirements done with financial aid. I was only able to pull out loans and I think maybe I was also offered work study? No Pell grants or free money that I can recall being offered. I started the 2 year program 6 years ago and I haven't been asked about it at all during my interviews and I am holding one acceptance currently. I can update later in the cycle in case it comes up.

I'm not going to lie, I did think that it might come back to haunt me or that I might be questioned about it! I'm still prepared to explain in the event that they inquire. Hopefully it's understandable. For the amount of classes I had to take for requirements and transcript repair, I easily paid out $40-50,000 for tuition!

Wow thats a lot of $$$ ! Can you share which school you were accepted into?

 

[darlesthecharwin]

Financial aid is available for the taking of professional school prereqs for one year, post-bacc, no major needed.

More information about this? I have been told otherwise by student services at my university, but it wouldn't be the first time they've given me poor information.

 

[rabbott1971]

More information about this? I have been told otherwise by student services at my university, but it wouldn't be the first time they've given me poor information.

Not sure what more I can give, this was my experience during post-bacc at my community college. Maybe call the Department of Education.

 

[persistenceofmemory]

Not sure what more I can give, this was my experience during post-bacc at my community college. Maybe call the Department of Education.

How was your experience with a cc post bacc? Have you applied?

 

[rabbott1971]

How was your experience with a cc post bacc? Have you applied?

My post-bacc was a mixture of community college and university. At the time of my med school app I completed 41 hours, and I'm in another 8 now with app pending. I feel that community college is OK but I wouldn't want anything less than an A. The academics are less demanding for sure. My local programs are OK with the particular (large) community college I attend; not applying out of state so I can't tell if they look down on it.