<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size="2">Originally posted by Katie:
Kimberli,
I have a question for you and need some advice if you don't mind and have some time. I seem to remember that you were a grad student who switched over to med school before completing a degree (if I remember correctly?).. Well, I see that you got in and are now an intern. I am in a similar situation where I am enrolled in grad work for enrichment and to get some better research experience and clearly indicated on my AMCAS that I wouldn't get a degree from it. I have had no trouble getting interviews this time applying, but I am waitlisted at several schools and worried that the fact that my "non-degree" status is really hurting me. But if it was a problem to begin with, I have NO idea why the schools are even bothering to interview me! (sorry, attack of pre-med frusturation there ) I'm in a position where I could pull off an M.S. in July before med school since I'm finishing up the coursework and have some decent data for a thesis; but I'd have to do a bit of stepping on toes around here to get it done. My advisor thinks that the "no degree before med school" thing is not an issue and that I should just plan to go for a Ph.D. and continue in grad school during the summers I'm in med school if I get in. Then again, he can be a bit spacy at times and has never been on an admissions committee. On the other hand, some other people are telling me I should haul some serious butt to finish up my M.S in July (and with some sleep deprivation I believe I can) and might be able to use that to pull my way off the waitlists (or into schools I haven't yet heard from). As someone who has been in this situation before (apologies if I've got the wrong person here); which course do you think I should take? thanks so much for any advice! Sorry to go on so long; it's just that this is a big stressor for me these days. good luck to everyone applying for residencies, med school, etc.. •
Hi Katie...
Sorry it took me so long to reply. My home computer is old and can't read the script allowing for responses.
I agree with the observation that your degree status was not an issue, hence the interview offers. It would be *extremely* difficult for me to ascertain the reason(s) why you haven't been offered a spot at this time - perhaps they are concerned that you won't finish the degree, but IMHO its more likely that other issues stand in the way (ie, the number of competitive candidates for those spots).
Obviously nothing is as good as the word from the "horse's mouth". I might suggest that you contact the person(s) who interviewed you at each program and ask their opinion and advice. I might go ahead and complete the degree for myself, knowing that it was done, even if I didn't get into medical school (and even better if I did).
I don't think it likely that finishing the degree will make a substantial difference in your waitlist movement, unless your interviewer was willing to go to "bat" for you on this issue. Some schools have policies that prohibit or limit the amount of additional material you can submit in favor of your application (ie, an additional degree). Check your programs as to their policy.
Finally, completion of a PhD "during your summers off in medical school" made me LOL. Yes, you do have time off - but it lessens each year, and depending on your school and schedule, may be practically non-existent during 3rd and 4th year. Its a noble idea and it might be practical to start work on it, but this gal here would have a hard time doing it in that time alloted. Then again, I likes me sleep.
I realise this probably isn't the "do this" roadmap you were hoping for. "Pre med frustration/paranoia" is probably what you've got a good case of. Finishing the degree will not hurt your application in anyway, and it *may* help, so that would be my choice (after I called the schools to see what they thought).
Good luck!!
