Graduate Early?

[pwnjabi1]

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Hi all,

I am a political science major (GPA 3.75 science GPA 3.86) and am finishing all my major requirements as well as my premed requirements next semester (end of junior year). I am registered to take my MCAT in April and will be applying next cycle. Do you think I should spend another semester or two raising my GPA, or would it even matter considering I would be applying in June/July? I am deciding whether to graduate early or not (in which case I would spend time after graduation getting more experience in the medical field as well as working). If it is relevant I am on a 4 year scholarship which is covering my tuition.

Thank you in advance.

 

[SterlingArcher]

I say just do what you think you'll enjoy most. If you want to stay in college and raise your GPA, that's probably not a terrible idea, but your GPA in no way seems like it should significantly affect your chances to get into medical school. Either way (since you are done with your major and will probably have less school work), you should be able to set aside a decent chunk of time to gain medical exposure/seek out other interests. Personally, I like college, and since it's free for you why not take it (semi) easy at school during the interview season and just try and enjoy yourself. However, if you're itching to go into the work force and have a job lined up, go for it, but make sure you're using your time wisely so that when you're inevitably asked "what did you do with your time off?", you have a good reply.

If it was me, I'd stay in college and chill with my jealous friends taking harder classes.

 

[deleted357625]

No need to improve the GPA, you sound set, but yea do whats best and i think if you graduate early you will have time to do all the other EC's you need to finish up on etc.

Also, graduating early is not seen as negative, some people like to think so.

 

[Barcu]

Hi all,

I am a political science major (GPA 3.75 science GPA 3.86) and am finishing all my major requirements as well as my premed requirements next semester (end of junior year). I am registered to take my MCAT in April and will be applying next cycle. Do you think I should spend another semester or two raising my GPA, or would it even matter considering I would be applying in June/July? I am deciding whether to graduate early or not (in which case I would spend time after graduation getting more experience in the medical field as well as working). If it is relevant I am on a 4 year scholarship which is covering my tuition.

Thank you in advance.

You certainly do not need to raise your gpa.

Do what you would what you would like. If you want to stay in school and take some fun classes (since you wouldn't have to pay), I say do it. That's probably what I would do. I planned my ugrad so I was taking the minimum number of credits my senior year. If you want to graduate early and get some more experience, go ahead and do that. I don't think it would look bad, and you could make some more time for some cool activities.

Since you are taking your MCAT in April, you want to have a lighter schedule in the spring, whatever you decide to do. You want to make sure you do it right the first time (because taking it twice sucks and you wouldn't have much time to do so).

 

[pwnjabi1]

It seems my first post has uncovered quite a helpful and supportive community.

Thank you all for your valuable insights... Looks like I'll spend the next few weeks reflecting on which way to go.

 

[pwnjabi1]

Another quick question... if applying in June/July, will adcoms for the upcoming cycle even be able to see my grades for the next fall semester? I am assuming most June/July applications will already have been processed by then.

 

[CollOnTheRoll]

Not going to matter - your GPA's pretty abysmal and more units aren't going to save you buddy. =/

 

[pwnjabi1]

Not going to matter - your GPA's pretty abysmal and more units aren't going to save you buddy. =/

Oh come on! I thought my post was serious enough that I wouldn't get bit by SDN sarcasm :/

 

[CollOnTheRoll]

Oh come on! I thought my post was serious enough that I wouldn't get bit by SDN sarcasm :/

I'm not being sarcastic. Your GPA's a joke.



<-- click to see what a real GPA should look like

 

[orthomyxo]

I'm not being sarcastic. Your GPA's a joke.



<-- click to see what a real GPA should look like

LMFAO

It's a Cole impostor!!! Holy crap this is the most epic troll ever!!!!!

ColeOnTheRoll = real
CollOnTheRoll = troll

10/10 bro

 

[DoctaFuture]

I'm not being sarcastic. Your GPA's a joke.



<-- click to see what a real GPA should look like

cool story brah.

 

[transfec]

LMFAO

It's a Cole impostor!!! Holy crap this is the most epic troll ever!!!!!

ColeOnTheRoll = real
CollOnTheRoll = troll

10/10 bro

Another!?

Geesh

 

[Barcu]

Another quick question... if applying in June/July, will adcoms for the upcoming cycle even be able to see my grades for the next fall semester? I am assuming most June/July applications will already have been processed by then.

They will see your grades at some point.

Some schools will request fall grades once they become available. Some people like to send the grades (in an update letter, also talking about why they want to go to that school) as a way to keep the school updated and aware of their interest.

Most likely, however, a med school will make a decision to interview you (and possibly accept you) before your fall grades are even available.

Whichever way it works out, any med school will see your final transcript before you matriculate, and they have they right to rescind your acceptance if you slack off too much. Some drop in gpa seems to be ok however once you receive an acceptance.