Early graduation

[UpQuark]

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Since my university still follows the quarter system, I have the choice of graduating early in March after completing my necessary credits. Before I do indeed choose to do this, I'd like to know how med schools will look upon this, because essentially, I'll have 5.5 months to do absolutely nothing! Fortunately, I did indicate on my AMCAS that I attended my current university from Sept 2008 to March 2012.

I just want to make sure that by graduating early (which potentially saves me $7000 in tuition, housing, and food), that I will not have my acceptance rescinded on any silly grounds. Also am I expected to do work during that extra quarter? Do I have to update schools on things other than my final transcript? Any other insight is welcomed.

I'm planning either to visit family overseas (most likely decision) or getting a job (filled apps but not in a position where anything is guaranteed).

Cheers 🙂

EDIT: Already accepted.

 

[Isoprop]

Since my university still follows the quarter system, I have the choice of graduating early in March after completing my necessary credits. Before I do indeed choose to do this, I'd like to know how med schools will look upon this, because essentially, I'll have 5.5 months to do absolutely nothing! Fortunately, I did indicate on my AMCAS that I attended my current university from Sept 2008 to March 2012.

I just want to make sure that by graduating early (which potentially saves me $7000 in tuition, housing, and food), that I will not have my acceptance rescinded on any silly grounds. Also am I expected to do work during that extra quarter? Do I have to update schools on things other than my final transcript? Any other insight is welcomed.

I'm planning either to visit family overseas (most likely decision) or getting a job (filled apps but not in a position where anything is guaranteed).

Cheers 🙂

EDIT: Already accepted.

I am sure they won't care as long as you graduate and keep your grades above a certain level.

 

[penguinism]

Since my university still follows the quarter system, I have the choice of graduating early in March after completing my necessary credits. Before I do indeed choose to do this, I'd like to know how med schools will look upon this, because essentially, I'll have 5.5 months to do absolutely nothing! Fortunately, I did indicate on my AMCAS that I attended my current university from Sept 2008 to March 2012.

I just want to make sure that by graduating early (which potentially saves me $7000 in tuition, housing, and food), that I will not have my acceptance rescinded on any silly grounds. Also am I expected to do work during that extra quarter? Do I have to update schools on things other than my final transcript? Any other insight is welcomed.

I'm planning either to visit family overseas (most likely decision) or getting a job (filled apps but not in a position where anything is guaranteed).

Cheers 🙂

EDIT: Already accepted.

I'm doing the same thing. None of the adcoms have mentioned anything negative about it. I usually just get asked what my plans are (though they recently changed). As long as you have your degree, that's all that matters. If you're already accepted to a school, either relax or take a trip somewhere! 🙂

 

[UpQuark]

I'm doing the same thing. None of the adcoms have mentioned anything negative about it. I usually just get asked what my plans are (though they recently changed). As long as you have your degree, that's all that matters. If you're already accepted to a school, either relax or take a trip somewhere! 🙂

Yea, I'm looking forward to bumming out for a while 😀. Really want to visit my family abroad so I'll probably end up doing that!

 

[wisewoman]

A lot of places expect you to get at least As or Bs during that time. If you're not in school, you're not getting any grades which is much worse. I would sign up for some classes, even if it's in a community college, if I were you.

 

[UpQuark]

A lot of places expect you to get at least As or Bs during that time. If you're not in school, you're not getting any grades which is much worse. I would sign up for some classes, even if it's in a community college, if I were you.

I dunno if you read the entire post (or I may be misinterpreting yours) but I am enrolled this quarter taking 17 hours (even though I need 9/180 hours left to graduate) along with research, volunteer, tutoring and community service so I'm not entirely slacking 😀. As for the As and Bs, I'm still in contention for Summa Cum Laude, which is why there is no way I am letting my grades slip.

It doesn't make financial sense for me to stay and spend another $7000 or take additional meaningless classes at a community college which accomplish nothing to my application when I already have my degree and have proven my aptitude for med school. I mean, how much more bio, chem, or physics am I going to learn anyway? Just my take anyway.

I guess the best route would be to inform the school to be on the safer side.

 

[Isoprop]

A lot of places expect you to get at least As or Bs during that time. If you're not in school, you're not getting any grades which is much worse. I would sign up for some classes, even if it's in a community college, if I were you.

hahahahhahahahahhahahahhahahahahhahahahahahhahahhaahhaha

 

[UpQuark]

Would appreciate if Catalysitic (spelling?) or LizzyM could comment! 🙂 🙂 🙂

 

[UpQuark]

hahahahhahahahahhahahahhahahahahhahahahahahhahahhaahhaha

👍

 

[texastaco]

During my interviews no school ever asked me about graduating early (I graduated 1 year early). So as long as your grades are good, I don't think they care. 😀

 

[Isoprop]

Would appreciate if Catalysitic (spelling?) or LizzyM could comment! 🙂 🙂 🙂

they know you're graduating. it's in your application. if you feel so paranoid about it, then ask your school instead to see if they have some sort of bizarro policy.

 

[wisewoman]

I dunno if you read the entire post (or I may be misinterpreting yours) but I am enrolled this quarter taking 17 hours (even though I need 9/180 hours left to graduate) along with research, volunteer, tutoring and community service so I'm not entirely slacking 😀. As for the As and Bs, I'm still in contention for Summa Cum Laude, which is why there is no way I am letting my grades slip.

It doesn't make financial sense for me to stay and spend another $7000 or take additional meaningless classes at a community college which accomplish nothing to my application when I already have my degree and have proven my aptitude for med school. I mean, how much more bio, chem, or physics am I going to learn anyway? Just my take anyway.

I guess the best route would be to inform the school to be on the safer side.

I think I understood. You're enrolled in winter quarter until March and then you graduate. Which leaves you with another quarter in which you won't be taking any classes. And that's probably fine but why take the risk?

 

[Ilovewater]

I don't exactly see what's the problem. I also graduated a semester early (fall graduation) during my application cycle...and none of the schools asked about it or mentioned it. As long as you meet all of the prereqs and get a degree, it's OK. I was a bum for almost 8 months, and it was the best preparation for med school. I'd suggest taking the extra few months of break and do something fun.

I'm also a student interviewer for my school, and I've never heard of anyone asking about early graduation.

 

[Asyouwereatrio]

Since my university still follows the quarter system, I have the choice of graduating early in March after completing my necessary credits. Before I do indeed choose to do this, I'd like to know how med schools will look upon this, because essentially, I'll have 5.5 months to do absolutely nothing! Fortunately, I did indicate on my AMCAS that I attended my current university from Sept 2008 to March 2012.

I just want to make sure that by graduating early (which potentially saves me $7000 in tuition, housing, and food), that I will not have my acceptance rescinded on any silly grounds. Also am I expected to do work during that extra quarter? Do I have to update schools on things other than my final transcript? Any other insight is welcomed.

I'm planning either to visit family overseas (most likely decision) or getting a job (filled apps but not in a position where anything is guaranteed).

Cheers 🙂

EDIT: Already accepted.

It's ABSOLUTELY no big deal! I graduated in Fall 2010 (December 2010) with a medical school start date of Aug 2011. No one questioned me about it...well, in a negative way. Part of the reason is probably because I interviewed during my last quarter in university. When asked what my plans were, I just told them I would continue to volunteer at my current research group, etc. and possibly find a job.

 

[LizzyM]

I suspect that as long as you earn the degree and don't slack off and earn bad grades (< B-) , the med school won't have any issues with you scooting out a semester early... some of us adcom members wish our kids would do the same and save us some $. 😉

 

[UpQuark]

I suspect that as long as you earn the degree and don't slack off and earn bad grades (< B-) , the med school won't have any issues with you scooting out a semester early... some of us adcom members wish our kids would do the same and save us some $. 😉

Thank you! Good to know some ADCOMs still think of us as human (with very shallow pockets!) 😀.