Delaying Graduation

[thelullaby99]

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I'm thinking a lot lately about delaying my graduation by one semester. The thing is, if I graduate by the end of this year, I would be forced to go back to my home country. I can't apply to med schools yet because of my lack of clinical experience. I'd also like to take Human Physiology, which I think will be very interesting (since I have to take Anatomy and Microbio also).

If I delay:
- Can take more classes, e.g. Biochem and Physio
- Can volunteer at local hospital with one-year contract commitment
- Can research with a professor for a year (already underway, but obviously will get a nice recommendation letter if I stick around until next year)
- Can shadow physicians
- Can prepare for my graduate school admission, instead of rushing to apply this September (I screwed my GRE, and got only a single letter this far)
- I can structure my schedule a bit more nicely, currently sitting on a 19-credit-hours-schedule (and in return CHEAPER tuition since I won't hit a flat rate)

If I don't delay:
- I'll have to pay more in terms of cost of living
- I'll need to have a chat with the immigration about the delay
- My boyfriend opposes to it (he's graduating but not leaving)

Is this a good idea?

 

[CodeBlu]

I'm thinking a lot lately about delaying my graduation by one semester. The thing is, if I graduate by the end of this year, I would be forced to go back to my home country. I can't apply to med schools yet because of my lack of clinical experience. I'd also like to take Human Physiology, which I think will be very interesting (since I have to take Anatomy and Microbio also).

If I delay:
- Can take more classes, e.g. Biochem and Physio
- Can volunteer at local hospital with one-year contract commitment
- Can research with a professor for a year (already underway, but obviously will get a nice recommendation letter if I stick around until next year)
- Can shadow physicians
- Can prepare for my graduate school admission, instead of rushing to apply this September (I screwed my GRE, and got only a single letter this far)
- I can structure my schedule a bit more nicely, currently sitting on a 19-credit-hours-schedule (and in return CHEAPER tuition since I won't hit a flat rate)

If I don't delay:
- I'll have to pay more in terms of cost of living
- I'll need to have a chat with the immigration about the delay
- My boyfriend opposes to it (he's graduating but not leaving)

Is this a good idea?

I think you should delay. Also, you should never do anything because a significant other doesn't want you to. That's just stupid.

 

[aSagacious]

I have nothing valuable to add to this thread, I just wanted to say that I like your avatar OP (Boondock Saints, right?)

 

[CodeBlu]

I have nothing valuable to add to this thread, I just wanted to say that I like your avatar OP (Boondock Saints, right?)

Then y u post? 😛

 

[thelullaby99]

I have nothing valuable to add to this thread, I just wanted to say that I like your avatar OP (Boondock Saints, right?)

ha, thanks for the like 👍
yes it's from the movie. my favorite actor.

 

[thelullaby99]

I think you should delay. Also, you should never do anything because a significant other doesn't want you to. That's just stupid.

you're right. I'm just not really sure what to expect from the Immigration office...I'd have to extend my visa until April 2012 at least, but with significant benefits. I guess I'll pay them a visit tomorrow.

 

[paul411]

From what I've seen in the MSAR and elsewhere, being an international applicant to medical school makes it super-competitive. Be sure to carefully evaluate your competitiveness before making these important long-term decisions.