Downsides of graduating a semester early

[whoadude]

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[theseeker4]

I'm thinking about graduating after my first semester senior year. I applied to schools this cycle. I plan to work full time in a research lab the following semester. Are there any downsides to doing this? Maybe if I'm not accepted this cycle, it could be a negative for future cycles? I would be saving about $10K and making money through research.

No negatives at all. If your GPA is on the low side, it might make sense to keep getting A's in additional classes before you graduate, but assuming your GPA is solid, there is absolutely no need to keep taking classes.

 

[Time Table]

Yeah, apparently graduating a year early doesn't look too good as per the advice of LizzyM, gore and gyngyn. But I've yet to hear any negatives about graduating a semester early. I don't see how it could hurt you as long as you keep doing something in case you need to take a gap year.

 

[Lamel]

You'll have to explain it in like every secondary, which takes more time to fill them out. So I guess no real disadvantages haha.

 

[whoadude]

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[allantois]

You might have to start making loan payments 6 month after you graduate. But it seems that you would actually save money by graduating early.

 

[whoadude]

Thanks for all the input. Any other comments?

 

[Catalystik]

By graduating will you lose access to student-run organizations important to your application updates, like leadership gigs, nonmedical community service, TA or tutoring (though it sounds like you might still be on the same campus)?

 

[whoadude]

By graduating will you lose access to student-run organizations important to your application updates, like leadership gigs, nonmedical community service, TA or tutoring (though it sounds like you might still be on the same campus)?

I think I would be able to continue doing extracurriculars, and medical and non-medical volunteering. Yup, I will be on the same campus.

 

[Catalystik]

You just asked about downsides. On the positive side of the balance, after I graduated a semester early, I found that 8 months off from the classroom recharged my enthusiasm for academics, as well as my checking account.

 

[ndafife]

I am graduating a semester early as well... At my lab you have to be a student or continuing your education (AKA I'll have to be accepted somewhere by December to continue to work there). I believe this is the case for most university run research labs. So I would recommend checking it out to make sure you can work there after graduating. Its not a huge deal but actually having to find a job might make things a little bit more difficult