Got into med school, drop out of grad program?

[a du bsp]

So here's the situation, I'd appreciate any feedback.

I was a non-traditional applicant (architecture undergrad w/ prereqs) and didn't get in my first cycle applying. In my year off, I enrolled in a master's program for bio, which would take two years and is basically a program reserved mainly for pre-dental students who need a GPA boost. I never had an intention of finishing the program and it would be impossible to before med school starts next year.

So, I was wondering if there'd be any negative repercussions to dropping out before spring semester and taking all the time off until August. I also was wondering about whether other schools which are still considering me (or so I assume, cause I haven't been rejected yet) would possibly require me to stay in the program if by some chance I get accepted by them.

Any ideas? thanks.

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[Cinclus]

It's very possible that they will rescind the acceptance if you do not complete your grad program. Dropping out of grad programs isn't looked upon very favorably by med schools, and many flat-out state that they won't take you if you don't finish your current program.

 

[mipp0]

They will reconsider your acceptance. Your gamble did not pay off, and you should have enrolled with every intent to complete the program.

This DOESN'T apply to you if you didn't mention it in your AMCAS or update letters, as was the case for one VERY lucky fellow some time ago.

Suck it up and finish the program if you can. If this is impossible, call Admissions and give them the situation. I would do this sooner than later.

Good luck.

 

[Brachyury]

So here's the situation, I'd appreciate any feedback.

I was a non-traditional applicant (architecture undergrad w/ prereqs) and didn't get in my first cycle applying. In my year off, I enrolled in a master's program for bio, which would take two years and is basically a program reserved mainly for pre-dental students who need a GPA boost. I never had an intention of finishing the program and it would be impossible to before med school starts next year.

So, I was wondering if there'd be any negative repercussions to dropping out before spring semester and taking all the time off until August. I also was wondering about whether other schools which are still considering me (or so I assume, cause I haven't been rejected yet) would possibly require me to stay in the program if by some chance I get accepted by them.

Any ideas? thanks.

I'm confused: the school you were accepted at should have known (as described in your application) that you still had a year left in your program. Did you not tell the school you were enrolled in a masters program, or did you tell them that you were in your final year of the program?

 

[dmf2682]

You should have matriculated as a biology undergraduate - lots of people in your situation do that sort of thing

 

[IMSingular]

... I never had an intention of finishing the program and it would be impossible to before med school starts next year.

...

This situation must have come up in interview. Did they ask you when you will finish? Did you tell them that you will finish? This sort of thing needs to be discussed during interview. They generaly ask last qusetion "do you have any questions?, and that is the time to discuss. Well now, if you promised them during the interview or the application taht you will finish, you have to ask their permisssion not to finish or get a differment.

 

[Isoprop]

Sounds like an SMP. You might be able to drop. Go ask the school you got accepted to if you need to finish the program. Otherwise, you'd have to defer.

 

[BHaus9]

I don't really understand how this could happen. It seems that:
a) it's almost impossible to get away with not listing schools you've attend, and b) the majority of med schools require a letter from a director/advisor of any graduate program in which you are currently enrolled describing both your status in the program and cognizance of your intent to pursue medical studies.

 

[sirenomelia]

I could understand leaving at the end of the academic year in May/June because you are starting medical school in August but wanting out for the whole spring so you can sit around with your thumb up your ass because you have been accepted for the fall is a major character red flag. I dont understand how/why people like you get into medicine. It should be a given that you fulfill your responsibilities atleast until med school started.

 

[Neurosis]

I could understand leaving at the end of the academic year in May/June because you are starting medical school in August but wanting out for the whole spring so you can sit around with your thumb up your ass because you have been accepted for the fall is a major character red flag. I dont understand how/why people like you get into medicine. It should be a given that you fulfill your responsibilities atleast until med school started.

that's hilarious, and the first time I've heard that expression.

 

[Isoprop]

I don't really understand how this could happen. It seems that:
a) it's almost impossible to get away with not listing schools you've attend, and b) the majority of med schools require a letter from a director/advisor of any graduate program in which you are currently enrolled describing both your status in the program and cognizance of your intent to pursue medical studies.

It's easy. Apply to MS program and get accepted. Apply to med school before first day of MS class. Get acceptance in the middle of your first year.

 

[Charles_Carmichael]

Sounds like an SMP. You might be able to drop. Go ask the school you got accepted to if you need to finish the program. Otherwise, you'd have to defer.

I agree with this. It's the most logical route to follow.

Just curious OP, but why'd you change your status to 'Medical Student' already when you're at least half-a-year away from starting med school...?

 

[SellerAl]

I agree with this. It's the most logical route to follow.

Just curious OP, but why'd you change your status to 'Medical Student' already when you're at least half-a-year away from starting med school...?

Ask them!!

 

[BHaus9]

I could understand leaving at the end of the academic year in May/June because you are starting medical school in August but wanting out for the whole spring so you can sit around with your thumb up your ass because you have been accepted for the fall is a major character red flag. I dont understand how/why people like you get into medicine. It should be a given that you fulfill your responsibilities atleast until med school started.

What responsibilities would those be? How is dropping out after a fall semester any different from dropping out after a spring semester, and why should OP be obligated to pay another sixteen weeks' worth of tuition for an education he no longer wants?

It's easy. Apply to MS program and get accepted. Apply to med school before first day of MS class. Get acceptance in the middle of your first year.

I'd been operating under the assumption that the OP was using this program to boost his/her GPA and/or complete pre-reqs, but I suppose OP wouldn't be considering dropping out if either of those were the case. That said, are these circumstances not likely to surface prior to matriculation? At the very least, I would think "What have you done / will you do with your gap year?" is a question that would have come up in an interview.

 

[Cinclus]

I don't really understand how this could happen. It seems that:
a) it's almost impossible to get away with not listing schools you've attend, and b) the majority of med schools require a letter from a director/advisor of any graduate program in which you are currently enrolled describing both your status in the program and cognizance of your intent to pursue medical studies.

I was a master's student during this application cycle, and of the 15 schools at which I was complete, only one (Wake Forest) required confirmation from my advisor that I would graduate in time. On the AMCAS, you can just put the date of your anticipated graduation, just like for undergrad degrees (even if you don't actually anticipate graduating by that date). If I hadn't graduated in time, Wake Forest would rescind my acceptance, and I would have to fight for deferral at other schools. Though I imagine that schools would not like me trying to defer after I had previously informed them that I'd be graduating with plenty of time to spare. Either way, I don't know of any schools that will let you begin without first finishing your graduate program.

 

[a du bsp]

So many responses! I appreciate the non-rude-as-hell ones. So, I have to apologize, I wrote this late when I was kinda sleepy, not thinking.

Basically, in order to finish the degree on time, a lot of things would have to go right. It can be a 3 semester program (fall, spr, summer) if the right classes are available during the summer. As for dropping out, I'm not planning to sit around with my thumb anywhere as some people may believe. I just don't want to spend thousands of dollars (on top of the thousands I've already spent on applying) on tuition.

At the interview, there was no questioning about my gap year, my master's program or anything of that nature.

As for the 'medical student' status, I was just overzealous about my status changing at 1 in the morning. If it really bothers you, I'll change it back right...now.

Yeah, so I sent them an email, along with several of the faculty in my program. Thanks for all the advice and no thanks for all the rude.