Medical Does graduating in 5 years rather than 4 look bad to med schools?

[BC_89]

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Just in general, does completing your undergrad in 5 years rather than 4 reflect poorly on you? I changed my major this past semester and it's looking like graduating in 4 years won't be an option for me. Will medical schools consider this a negative thing?

Do you have any reason of switching that may reflect negatively on your academics (failed or withdrew courses and now repeating certain classes while taking time off)?

Many people graduate later from going to major A to major/minor B. Example I’ve seen from past classmates are those in Business/Finance majors while trying to accomplish all necessary pre-requisites for med school (thus an extra semester or two).

Others may have realized halfway through school that a stem degree is what they want so they make a 180 degree turn towards a Biology major. Even the more driven decide to get a masters in molecular bio or do a DYI postbac to make themselves a more competitive applicant.

Professional Program acceptances are a marathon not a sprint (albeit a shorter marathon so long as you don’t need academic remediation).

 

[lord999]

In my experience, no. There are implied five year degrees (try finishing any of the engineering ones without starting with Calc I the first year in 4, it's basically impossible) by their design. Some people take gap years or spend time elsewhere. Some people realize that their original majors at 18 aren't really what they want to do and change, like you. Some people don't even start planning for medical school until after years working as something else!

All that you need to worry about is that you have used your time "wisely", as in, you can account for the time that you have taken on your academic journey. But your story is a common one, and honestly, the ability to acknowledge that you can change your mind and pay the price willingly is something that you can easily represent in a rational manner to any adcom. I would come with a narrative about why you picked your original major, how you came to realize that another major was for you (more so than what you were in), and that change had a cost that you were willing to pay for the reasons that you changed.

Only people who cannot explain or have bad explanations for their time (I spent my junior year in prison for assaulting someone...) need to worry about it more.

 

[Goro]

Pre-meds have this delusion that med schools want you to finish in four years straight.

We simply want you to do well.