Graduate early and do a one year program, or stick it out?

[livelifexlove]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hey,

I was wondering what you guys think of this situation. Right now, I'm gonna be a sophomore in college in the fall, and I have ~70 credits (which technically qualifies me as a junior). So, if I take classes in the winter/summer, I may be able to graduate by the end of my junior year.

Would it be worth it for me to graduate early, and do a short medical program? I really don't know what kind of things are a year, but I heard some programs such as; MRI tech, X-Ray tech, Medical Lab Tech, etc. may or may not be a year long. I don't know if these are a year long for sure, I'm just guessing.

Or should I stick it out through college and graduate on time?

Also, if I wanted to graduate early, when would I need to take my MCAT's so that I can get my application in for the time I was originally supposed to graduate.

Sorry if this is confusing. Thanks! 🙂

 

[WildEMDoc]

What's your rush?

 

[mvenus929]

Would you want to use the stuff you learn in your year long program? Why not just go for a simple certification (phlebotomy, EMT-B, CNA) over a summer or as an extra class one semester and work, taking the full four years to graduate?

 

[2050vlsb]

.. I'm sure you have to consider individual circumstances, but I had a friend who was in a similar boat ..

Graduated in 3 years from UoA, 4.0 c/sGPA, 29 MCAT (this might have hurt her as well), solid ECs .. she got in a few places, but got rejected from UofA .. when she called the admissions office to see what happened, they specifically told her that having graduated early worked against her, and that since theoretically she could apply the next year (as an actual senior), they gave preference to students who graduated in 4 years

Take it with a grain of salt.. but it seems like a lot of schools like students who, if not having tons of life experience/being untraditional, have really given their decision to pursue medicine some serious thought

In regards to the MCAT, you should try and take it (at latest) by the August of the year you're applying to med school, though the earlier you take it, the more time you have to retake it and such if needed. I applied this past June, and took my MCAT at the end of January of this year

G'luck!