Effect of not finishing masters?

[medemic]

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I just completed a semester for getting a masters in biotechnology, but it's really industry focused-something I'm not at all interested in. I'm strongly considering just dropping the program, taking this semester to study and take the mcat, and maybe apply for an SMP program if needs be. I'm a URM with a 3.2 cum and sci GPA, spectacular extracurricular s including founding a pre health org for URMs, two conference research presentations, and volunteering. I graduated in 2010. If I don't finish this program, will it look bad? I finished last semester with a 3.3.

Any input is appreciated

 

[CrimsonKing]

Finish your Masters program. Adcoms hate to see a lack of commitment.

 

[medemic]

Dang. Not what I wanted to hear. My train of thought was that if I'm going to spend money I might as well spend it on a program that will prep me for med school ie SMP program.

 

[medemic]

It's a two year program btw, so if I do finish it that'd be tens of thousands of dollars I'd be in debt. I'm thinking I made a wrong decision...

 

[Josh7]

Why did you start a masters program when you didn't even know what it was about? Not wanting to compete a masters because you weren't aware that it was industry focused is a pretty bad reason. It makes it look like you made a two year commitment without even realizing what it was about. Definitely a red flag.

 

[medemic]

I suppose I wasn't clear. I knew it was industry focused, and I wasn't quite sure whether I wanted to go that route or not. It's one of those things where I didn't know I didn't like it until I was in it

 

[WildEMDoc]

I'm in a biotech masters program right now too, and I hate it, but I am not going to quit the program. I think a lot of programs will tell you that "our program is X way" but in reality it is not.

Even though you haven't applied I would say that it would look very bad to leave a program. You don't want to show you aren't committed to education (which you are going to get a lifetime of as a doc).

 

[Josh7]

I suppose I wasn't clear. I knew it was industry focused, and I wasn't quite sure whether I wanted to go that route or not. It's one of those things where I didn't know I didn't like it until I was in it

That's unfortunate. I feel like it would still be a major red flag to withdraw from the program. If you do withdraw from the program you should take a gap year or something so it doesn't look like you're just quitting to apply for medical school. At least in that scenario you could play it off like you had some financial concerns

 

[medemic]

Thanks for your input guys. If there is no one else that thinks withdrawing from the program won't hurt my chances I suppose I know what I have to do.

 

[wholeheartedly]

You'll have to do some explaining regardless, in the nontrad forum there are some other posts about people starting another program and realizing it's not what they want to do. At the same time, if you know you don't want to use the degree and have actually done your homework about becoming a physician, I'm not sure it's worth sinking all of that money and time into finishing.

How many semesters have you completed?

 

[medemic]

Just one semester. It's a two year program

 

[Planes2Doc]

That's unfortunate. I feel like it would still be a major red flag to withdraw from the program. If you do withdraw from the program you should take a gap year or something so it doesn't look like you're just quitting to apply for medical school. At least in that scenario you could play it off like you had some financial concerns

This is too funny. Is it not obvious to medical schools that people are doing this to get in? Are they really that oblivious to people doing masters programs, stuff like Peace Corps or Teach for America, or getting entry-level clinical jobs for application purposes? 🙄

 

[medemic]

Well I wasn't quite sure about medical school or going into the industry. I figured if I applied and got into medical school the dropped it, that'd be a far bigger and more costly mistake than going into a masters in biotechnology. So I enrolled in a masters in biotechnology to feel it out. Just not for me. I just find it hard to throw away 50K+ dollars on a degree I'm not going to use

 

[Josh7]

This is too funny. Is it not obvious to medical schools that people are doing this to get in? Are they really that oblivious to people doing masters programs, stuff like Peace Corps or Teach for America, or getting entry-level clinical jobs for application purposes? 🙄

I would assume most adcoms realize this sort of behavior exists (and is prevalent). I guess the admissions committees are often too optimistic to think about this sort of application padding? 😕

Stuff like TFA and Peace Corps would be pretty intense application padders though. There's no way you would want to get involved in a commitment like that unless you're truly interested in the experience/program. With masters it becomes more obvious when you're using it as an app padder though since you can just quit 😉

Well I wasn't quite sure about medical school or going into the industry. I figured if I applied and got into medical school the dropped it, that'd be a far bigger and more costly mistake than going into a masters in biotechnology. So I enrolled in a masters in biotechnology to feel it out. Just not for me. I just find it hard to throw away 50K+ dollars on a degree I'm not going to use

Tell that to the judge 😀

 

[Planes2Doc]

I would assume most adcoms realize this sort of behavior exists (and is prevalent). I guess the admissions committees are often too optimistic to think about this sort of application padding? 😕

Stuff like TFA and Peace Corps would be pretty intense application padders though. There's no way you would want to get involved in a commitment like that unless you're truly interested in the experience/program. With masters it becomes more obvious when you're using it as an app padder though since you can just quit 😉

Tell that to the judge 😀

Haha well it doesn't really make sense though when you think about it. For example, if you have a premed that became a CNA, does that mean that the premed wants to either be a CNA for life or become a nurse? It doesn't make any sense. Sure stuff like TFA or Peace Corps are intense, but then again, this is SDN, where completely sacrificing your college years and wearing it as a badge of honor is the cool thing to do.

 

[Josh7]

Haha well it doesn't really make sense though when you think about it. For example, if you have a premed that became a CNA, does that mean that the premed wants to either be a CNA for life or become a nurse? It doesn't make any sense. Sure stuff like TFA or Peace Corps are intense, but then again, this is SDN, where completely sacrificing your college years and wearing it as a badge of honor is the cool thing to do.

Good points, lol

 

[medemic]

I'm going to drop the program I've decided. I'm going to take the mcat during my six month grace period before I have to pay back the loan from the first semester. Relearn how to be conversational in Spanish. Volunteer. Maybe even become a translator. Find a part time job to pay the monthly dues. Move back to the parents house :/ and go from there. Ill apply June of 2014 and June 2015. I figure the alternative would be in $50K+ in debt and have a masters in biotechnology to which I would have little use of in the future.

 

[tc4523]

Even if you completed the program, you would still have to explain why you switched your career path. If you are really concerned, just explain it in AMCAS so the adcoms see your reasoning. I agree with others that quitting the program would look bad, but why waste time and money doing something you know you don't like?

 

[music2doc]

I would assume most adcoms realize this sort of behavior exists (and is prevalent). I guess the admissions committees are often too optimistic to think about this sort of application padding? 😕

Stuff like TFA and Peace Corps would be pretty intense application padders though. There's no way you would want to get involved in a commitment like that unless you're truly interested in the experience/program. With masters it becomes more obvious when you're using it as an app padder though since you can just quit 😉



Tell that to the judge 😀

Honestly, I think has more to do with feeling they must pick "the best" applicants. It's hard to turn down a TFA grad or someone with advanced coursework for someone who is less "qualified." I was actually talking just tonight w/ a former clerkship director and residency director who has sat on both med school and residency adcoms and the whole having to say the right stuff in interviews came up. He was laughing about how "we" expect "you" to say how sure you are about what you want to do and why you're going into it and blah blah blah that really applicants are completely ignorant of. It's really more of a joke to at least some adcom members.

 

[eagles22]

There's a common mindset on SDN that switching from one healthcare career to medicine is a huge red flag because is shows "lack of commitment". That's bogus. Med schools don't want the most committed students. They want the students who will be the best doctors. If they wanted those most committed to being doctors, they'd value thousands of volunteer hours, people with 3-4 extra semesters of undergrad to slightly boost GPA, and those who have applied several cycles. Usually this extra training (even if incomplete) will give the person skills that easily translate to being a better doctor. Don't let anyone try to tell you it's a red flag.

Additionally, it's OK to change careers paths. I did it and didn't finish my previous program. It came up in interviews but I had a real answer and it was fine. No one accused me of being fickle. They understood my desire to change fields.

 

[saveourpens]

Guys quit masquerading as Adcoms and scaring the OP. Every situation is different and dropping something that doesn't have to do with a path towards medicine may actually be a good thing.

 

[music2doc]

There's a common mindset on SDN that switching from one healthcare career to medicine is a huge red flag because is shows "lack of commitment". That's bogus. Med schools don't want the most committed students. They want the students who will be the best doctors. If they wanted those most committed to being doctors, they'd value thousands of volunteer hours, people with 3-4 extra semesters of undergrad to slightly boost GPA, and those who have applied several cycles. Usually this extra training (even if incomplete) will give the person skills that easily translate to being a better doctor. Don't let anyone try to tell you it's a red flag.

Additionally, it's OK to change careers paths. I did it and didn't finish my previous program. It came up in interviews but I had a real answer and it was fine. No one accused me of being fickle. They understood my desire to change fields.

That's great you got in, but you're the exception in terms of having quit in the middle of a program. (Otherwise, what you are saying is totally correct, IMO.) Some programs actually have this written into their Admissions policy (i.e., "Acceptance offers to students currently in a graduate program is contingent upon their expected completion of that program"). While I am sure exceptions can be made, one shouldn't really advise people based upon exceptions, IMO.

Guys quit masquerading as Adcoms and scaring the OP. Every situation is different and dropping something that doesn't have to do with a path towards medicine may actually be a good thing.

The fact of the matter is that some schools have the OP's situation written against as a policy. Sure, s/he might get an exception, but especially if the OP is already doing poorly in the program (and anything below a 3.5 in a graduate program is pretty bad), failing to finish doesn't exactly put his/her name in lights to an evaluator.


TLDR; there's a big difference between switching fields after success in one (or at least successful training but deciding it wasn't for you) and switching out after performing poorly in the middle of training. Great essays and LORs would be critical.

 

[gravitywave]

That's great you got in, but you're the exception in terms of having quit in the middle of a program. (Otherwise, what you are saying is totally correct, IMO.) Some programs actually have this written into their Admissions policy (i.e., "Acceptance offers to students currently in a graduate program is contingent upon their expected completion of that program"). While I am sure exceptions can be made, one shouldn't really advise people based upon exceptions, IMO.



The fact of the matter is that some schools have the OP's situation written against as a policy. Sure, s/he might get an exception, but especially if the OP is already doing poorly in the program (and anything below a 3.5 in a graduate program is pretty bad), failing to finish doesn't exactly put his/her name in lights to an evaluator.


TLDR; there's a big difference between switching fields after success in one (or at least successful training but deciding it wasn't for you) and switching out after performing poorly in the middle of training. Great essays and LORs would be critical.

I have to disagree. If OP was applying while still in grad school, with no intention to complete the grad program, then you'd have a point. OP did one semester, realized that it wasn't a good fit, and dropped out. The new plan is to prep an application for med school now that the biotech question has been answered.

Far from being a hindrance, there will be some adcoms who will be pleased that OP engaged with another interest outside of medicine before settling on med school.

OP, if you are certain the grad program is not for you, then don't hesitate to drop it. I think your plan is fine. I'd also say that your AMCAS personal statement is not the place to address this when you apply to med school, except perhaps in a passing manner. Nearly every school will give you the chance to provide details about your decision on their secondary.

 

[music2doc]

I have to disagree. If OP was applying while still in grad school, with no intention to complete the grad program, then you'd have a point. OP did one semester, realized that it wasn't a good fit, and dropped out. The new plan is to prep an application for med school now that the biotech question has been answered.

Far from being a hindrance, there will be some adcoms who will be pleased that OP engaged with another interest outside of medicine before settling on med school.

OP, if you are certain the grad program is not for you, then don't hesitate to drop it. I think your plan is fine. I'd also say that your AMCAS personal statement is not the place to address this when you apply to med school, except perhaps in a passing manner. Nearly every school will give you the chance to provide details about your decision on their secondary.

If you interpret the statement that way, I agree. It sounds to me like he plans to drop while applying. He has not yet dropped. Ultimately, it depends upon how the situation is presented in essays, LORs, and (ultimately) the interview. That's why I said good LORs and essays will be critical.

I do agree that you should not make this the center point of PS/AMCAS. Mention it in secondaries and make sure to get supportive letters from the faculty of your program. (You may want to find someone you can trust on faculty who won't -- intentionally or unintentionally -- throw you under the bus.)

 

[deleted357625]

Finish your Masters program. Adcoms hate to see a lack of commitment.

Exactly. Also, might as well finish up the program then to drop thousands down the toilet. Finish it then apply. Your GPA is sub-par accompanied with an average MCAT you should be good to go if everything else is fine considering the URM status. Good luck.

 

[medemic]

Hey guys,

Thanks for the support. It means a lot. I should also add that I even interned at a company during my first semester. So I have experience in the industry. And suffice to say, it sucked. Why it sucked? Ill spare you but you get the point. And I didn't quit midway, I'm dropping the program a quarter way through. If one continues in something that you know is not going to get to you closer to where you want to go, and it's going to cost you tens of thousands of dollars, I say don't continue and I'm sticking to my guns. Yeah I'm going to have to start volunteering, take the mcat, and probably won't be ready to apply until the 2014-2015 cycle, but such is life. It took me doing something that I didn't want to do to figure out what I wanted to do.

 

[VictorAlpha]

I can't say with total certainty what the effect of not finishing the program would be. I would probably finish, just because I decided to start it. Maybe you could minimize the negative effect of dropping the program if you explained it well, which it sounds like you could. To me, though I would just worry any ADCOM might wonder if there was another reason that they should be worried about that I was dropping a program.

 

[fahimaz7]

Finish your Masters program. Adcoms hate to see a lack of commitment.

what he said

 

[kimposibl]

Finish your biotech. Find a job to pay down some debt, and apply to SMP in a year. Might as well put your biotech degree to good use. SMP's are $$$$$. Plus, the job experience will look nice, too.