graduating a quarter early?

[purplelightning]

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Hi all,

I've been trying to map out my next few years. My school is on the quarter system (more like trimesters!). During my senior year, if I attend the first 2 quarters and finish all of my requirements, can I graduate a quarter early (this would be from spring break to mid june)? With the admissions process going/almost done would medical schools look down on this?

I want to do this because it would save money which I can use towards a summer prereq.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Thank you 🙂

 

[penguinism]

I'm graduating a quarter early. People finish their degrees in three years, so I don't see why they would have a problem with someone graduating a few months early (especially since quarter system schools tend not to finish the spring term until mid-June).

 

[HumbleMD]

For most rolling admissions schools, they won't even know. For non-rolling spring decision ones, they don't see spring semester grades, let alone when you graduate. People take years off before starting in med school, so a semester won't be a big deal. It's funny, I thought you were going to be asking if it made you a more competitive applicant.

If it'll save you cash, do it. If it'll cause you more stress and lower your GPA, don't.

(Also, how far ahead are we talking? Planning ahead is a good thing, but give yoruself some flexibility to change things up)

Hi all,

I've been trying to map out my next few years. My school is on the quarter system (more like trimesters!). During my senior year, if I attend the first 2 quarters and finish all of my requirements, can I graduate a quarter early (this would be from spring break to mid june)? With the admissions process going/almost done would medical schools look down on this?

I want to do this because it would save money which I can use towards a summer prereq.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Thank you 🙂

 

[purplelightning]

For most rolling admissions schools, they won't even know. For non-rolling spring decision ones, they don't see spring semester grades, let alone when you graduate. People take years off before starting in med school, so a semester won't be a big deal. It's funny, I thought you were going to be asking if it made you a more competitive applicant.

If it'll save you cash, do it. If it'll cause you more stress and lower your GPA, don't.

(Also, how far ahead are we talking? Planning ahead is a good thing, but give yoruself some flexibility to change things up)

Planning ahead the next 3 years for the premed reqs. Sophomore year is pretty much set in stone for me, its bio and orgo.

I'm having trouble allotting time for physics + mcat studying. So I'm planning on taking physics next summer, and plan on paying for that by graduating early. I'm going to be stuck having coursework while I study for the MCAT no matter what b/c my school is on the quarter system.

Thanks so much for the advice!