graduating a year early

[vanillabear55]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I'm entering my junior year with 91 credits- I only need 33 more to graduate.

I was originally double minoring and getting a degree from the honors college at my school, BUT if I dropped my 2 minors and didn't finish the honors requirements, I could graduate this upcoming June with a BA in Psych and have all my pre-reqs done.

The main pro is the amount of money I'd save.
I would still apply the same cycle for med school though, just have no classes during my would-be senior year for interviews.
I'd have a year off to do...whatever, hopefully a job of some sort or paid research position.

The cons are I wouldn't be able to do an honors thesis, which would've involved research...which I currently have none of. In addition I would be skipping 7-8 credits of extra science classes I wanted to take during my junior year to bump up my sGPA ( classes for my minor ).

Thoughts?

 

[Perrotfish]

I'm entering my junior year with 91 credits- I only need 33 more to graduate.

I was originally double minoring and getting a degree from the honors college at my school, BUT if I dropped my 2 minors and didn't finish the honors requirements, I could graduate this upcoming June with a BA in Psych and have all my pre-reqs done.

The main pro is the amount of money I'd save.
I would still apply the same cycle for med school though, just have no classes during my would-be senior year for interviews.
I'd have a year off to do...whatever, hopefully a job of some sort or paid research position.

The cons are I wouldn't be able to do an honors thesis, which would've involved research...which I currently have none of. In addition I would be skipping 7-8 credits of extra science classes I wanted to take during my junior year to bump up my sGPA ( classes for my minor ).

Thoughts?

What is your GPA? How much do you need bumping?

Also, have you looked into one year masters degrees for the Gap year? An MPH is always a good investment if your future is in medicine, and it gives you a 4th year of college-ish life. Money is good too, of course, just a thought.

 

[vanillabear55]

What is your GPA? How much do you need bumping?

Also, have you looked into one year masters degrees for the Gap year? An MPH is always a good investment if your future is in medicine, and it gives you a 4th year of college-ish life. Money is good too, of course, just a thought.

cGPA is a 3.68
sGPA is a 3.66

The only science classes I would take this year are Organic Chem I & II



I really haven't looked into the MPH option at all, do you know of any schools that offer the 1 year MPH?

 

[HH Holmes]

cGPA is a 3.68
sGPA is a 3.66

The only science classes I would take this year are Organic Chem I & II



I really haven't looked into the MPH option at all, do you know of any schools that offer the 1 year MPH?

Have you taken your MCAT yet? I'm assuming you haven't since you haven't taken Orgo yet. MPH programs require some type of professional exam. I believe most 1 year programs are for existing health professionals, but my guess is there are a few MPH programs out there for non-docs.

 

[vanillabear55]

Have you taken your MCAT yet? I'm assuming you haven't since you haven't taken Orgo yet. MPH programs require some type of professional exam. I believe most 1 year programs are for existing health professionals, but my guess is there are a few MPH programs out there for non-docs.

I have not taken the MCAT yet.

I was looking at programs at my school and they have a masters in community health..would that be helpful at all?


I'm leaning more towards graduating a semester early now, that way I can finish my thesis, finish a minor and get to walk at graduation with people I know.

Or maybe finishing my degree on a part time basis for all of senior year, not sure yet. Gotta look into a bunch of options

 

[paul411]

I'd recommend finishing a semester early instead of a year early.

 

[vanillabear55]

I'd recommend finishing a semester early instead of a year early.

Yeah I'm leaning towards this now, that way I can finish my honors thesis & maybe a minor or two.

 

[desi0chick]

It's possible to graduate a semester early?

 

[vanillabear55]

It's possible to graduate a semester early?

Yes

I don't know how it works out with the actual graduation and walking though

 

[Buttermellow]

Yes

I don't know how it works out with the actual graduation and walking though

At my school if you graduate a semester early, you have the option of walking in May with everyone else.

 

[NewYorker9]

I like the compromise of one semester early too

 

[paul411]

My school had a December graduation ceremony. Maybe most large state schools do this.

 

[vanillabear55]

At my school if you graduate a semester early, you have the option of walking in May with everyone else.

I would definitely choose to do this.

 

[StrongWork]

Thoughts?

what will you do with a semester or year of time off?? A semester/year of tuition wont' be much more compared to the mountain of debt you will accumulate in medical school.

but medical schools will ask you this in your interviews: what did you do with your time off?

not that it has to be an academic endeavor. But do something worthwhile. Travel 🙂

 

[robbieflick]

As a nontrad, I found a great 1-year clinical service opportunity via the Global Healths Corps: http://ghcorps.org/

The organization I'll be working with has allocated me time to return for interviews, so IMO it's a great fit for the year before med school, if you enjoy adventure and service.

 

[vanillabear55]

what will you do with a semester or year of time off?? A semester/year of tuition wont' be much more compared to the mountain of debt you will accumulate in medical school.

but medical schools will ask you this in your interviews: what did you do with your time off?

not that it has to be an academic endeavor. But do something worthwhile. Travel 🙂

hm, we'll I finished an internship as a medical scribe- I suppose I could max out on hours doing that for a job

 

[StrongWork]

hm, we'll I finished an internship as a medical scribe- I suppose I could max out on hours doing that for a job

doesn't sound like a good reason to graduate early to me. you'd REALLY want to graduate early from college (the best time in your life) so you can work like a dog for mediocre pay?

take it from a 4th year, enjoy your life before med school. do something FUN

 

[paul411]

but medical schools will ask you this in your interviews: what did you do with your time off?

If you're going to graduate a semester early, med schools won't really know about it since you'll still be in school while interviewing.

I graduated 1.5 years early and was never asked about it.

 

[vanillabear55]

doesn't sound like a good reason to graduate early to me. you'd REALLY want to graduate early from college (the best time in your life) so you can work like a dog for mediocre pay?

take it from a 4th year, enjoy your life before med school. do something FUN

it wasn't my reason for wanting to do so- it was the first thing that I thought of haha I appreciate the advice though

 

[zamzee]

honestly, I don't think med schools will care either way if you graduate a year early as long as you spend that 4th year doing things you care about. If what you care about it is exploring other interests before medical school and challenging yourself academically/intellectually, then stay in school. You're going to be in a mountain of debt by going to medical school anyway, so an extra year of undergrad isn't that bad comparatively. Also, you have your entire life to work, dude - but you only get 4 years as a relatively carefree undergraduate student, and the community that goes with that.

Conversely, if you would rather get a taste of life outside of school and get a job/travel/volunteer, then by all means do that. It really helps mature you in a way that undergrad cannot.

I was in your position during my junior year as a psychology major, and if I didn't declare another major I would be forced to graduate a year early. I really loved college and pursuing interests I would otherwise not have a chance to, so I did end up declaring another one. If you go to a state school though, this is much easier to justify.

This is your life. Do what you feel is best for you, not what medical schools want.

 

[Morsetlis]

I'm entering my junior year with 91 credits- I only need 33 more to graduate.

I was originally double minoring and getting a degree from the honors college at my school, BUT if I dropped my 2 minors and didn't finish the honors requirements, I could graduate this upcoming June with a BA in Psych and have all my pre-reqs done.

The main pro is the amount of money I'd save.
I would still apply the same cycle for med school though, just have no classes during my would-be senior year for interviews.
I'd have a year off to do...whatever, hopefully a job of some sort or paid research position.

The cons are I wouldn't be able to do an honors thesis, which would've involved research...which I currently have none of. In addition I would be skipping 7-8 credits of extra science classes I wanted to take during my junior year to bump up my sGPA ( classes for my minor ).

Thoughts?

I graduated early and regretted it.

First, consider your competitiveness when graduating early. Will you, with just a single degree, and an MCAT score, and your EC's, be a competitive candidate for medical school?

Two double minors would be interesting and a plus, but unless they raise your GPA appreciably, or you have a real affinity for them, they will not realistically help you. A second MAJOR would.

An even better idea is an integrated BS/MS (or BA/MA) program. Why not do some research, get a publication, and get a Master's while you're still in school? Research Master's are harder to get into after graduation.

However, if you already have a high MCAT and good EC's and a good GPA, go for it. Just remember that some people like me graduated early and failed. There's no extra points for being young.

 

[bajastapler]

This is your life. Do what you feel is best for you, not what medical schools want.

^ what this person said. 🙂

You graduated early meaning you earned a year to yourself. Make the most of it

 

[vanillabear55]

honestly, I don't think med schools will care either way if you graduate a year early as long as you spend that 4th year doing things you care about. If what you care about it is exploring other interests before medical school and challenging yourself academically/intellectually, then stay in school. You're going to be in a mountain of debt by going to medical school anyway, so an extra year of undergrad isn't that bad comparatively. Also, you have your entire life to work, dude - but you only get 4 years as a relatively carefree undergraduate student, and the community that goes with that.

Conversely, if you would rather get a taste of life outside of school and get a job/travel/volunteer, then by all means do that. It really helps mature you in a way that undergrad cannot.

I was in your position during my junior year as a psychology major, and if I didn't declare another major I would be forced to graduate a year early. I really loved college and pursuing interests I would otherwise not have a chance to, so I did end up declaring another one. If you go to a state school though, this is much easier to justify.

This is your life. Do what you feel is best for you, not what medical schools want.

what major did you add?

 

[chemistryguy]

If you can graduate early and feel that your coursework is strong to be an applicant, then you should do it.

Dont add another major your not interested in and waste your time studying something youll probably never need anyway. Only stay if you think youll get something out of it, other than simply impressing schools with another major.

 

[CodeBlu]

i'd recommend finishing a semester early instead of a year early.

+1

 

[SisterDisco08]

There are a lot of threads on this, just so you know.


But my experience: I graduated a year early and it screwed me over when applying to med school. Almost every school I applied to said they would have preferred I did 4 years. Evidently I don't have enough "life experience"

 

[mvenus929]

doesn't sound like a good reason to graduate early to me. you'd REALLY want to graduate early from college (the best time in your life) so you can work like a dog for mediocre pay?

take it from a 4th year, enjoy your life before med school. do something FUN

Undergrad was not the best time of my life. My first year in medical school was. I realize that not everyone has this experience, but not everyone enjoys their time in undergrad for various reasons (work, family, etc). Medical school was really my first opportunity to really do what I wanted with my life; I've always been too close to family to have that opportunity in the past. And I appreciate school more after working out in the 'real world' for a year and a half before school.

You're going to be in a mountain of debt by going to medical school anyway, so an extra year of undergrad isn't that bad comparatively.

I really hate this reasoning. Just because a portion of debt is small compared to medical school doesn't mean you should rush after it. Buying a new car will put you $20K (ish) in debt, which is small compared to the cost of attending medical school, but I don't see many financial aid offices suggesting you go buy a car.

If you'll enjoy the last year in undergrad, stay for it. If not, go find something else to do. Even if that something else sucks, it'll be an experience for you and you can appreciate being a student a little more.

 

[paul411]

But my experience: I graduated a year early and it screwed me over when applying to med school. Almost every school I applied to said they would have preferred I did 4 years. Evidently I don't have enough "life experience"

However, there are obviously some candidates who graduated early and made it to medical school.

In the end, it comes down to whether you're a "strong candidate" or not. For most people, graduating early results in reduced competitiveness just because you haven't had as much time to do stuff. Doesn't mean it's impossible, it's just makes it harder for some.

I, personally, empathize with the poster who was held at a disadvantage for graduating early. I graduated early but now feel that I could have been a stronger candidate had I taken an extra year in undergrad.

 

[SisterDisco08]

However, there are obviously some candidates who graduated early and made it to medical school.

In the end, it comes down to whether you're a "strong candidate" or not. For most people, graduating early results in reduced competitiveness just because you haven't had as much time to do stuff. Doesn't mean it's impossible, it's just makes it harder for some.

I, personally, empathize with the poster who was held at a disadvantage for graduating early. I graduated early but now feel that I could have been a stronger candidate had I taken an extra year in undergrad.

Yeah, like I said, just my experience. I also applied very late (primary complete in october)...so that didn't help either. But I can tell you (after having had meeting with adcoms) that the med schools in michigan prefer 4 year applicants.

OP, you could always schedule advising appointments with the schools you're interested in, and see how they feel about it. Or you could anonymously call. I gained a lot of insight from advising appointments with adcoms.

 

[vanillabear55]

However, there are obviously some candidates who graduated early and made it to medical school.

In the end, it comes down to whether you're a "strong candidate" or not. For most people, graduating early results in reduced competitiveness just because you haven't had as much time to do stuff. Doesn't mean it's impossible, it's just makes it harder for some.

I, personally, empathize with the poster who was held at a disadvantage for graduating early. I graduated early but now feel that I could have been a stronger candidate had I taken an extra year in undergrad.

Though I'd graduate early, I'd still apply the same cycle, I'd be doing ECs, volunteering, working...something to pass the time, thats life experience no?

Undergrad was not the best time of my life. My first year in medical school was. I realize that not everyone has this experience, but not everyone enjoys their time in undergrad for various reasons (work, family, etc). Medical school was really my first opportunity to really do what I wanted with my life; I've always been too close to family to have that opportunity in the past. And I appreciate school more after working out in the 'real world' for a year and a half before school.



I really hate this reasoning. Just because a portion of debt is small compared to medical school doesn't mean you should rush after it. Buying a new car will put you $20K (ish) in debt, which is small compared to the cost of attending medical school, but I don't see many financial aid offices suggesting you go buy a car.

If you'll enjoy the last year in undergrad, stay for it. If not, go find something else to do. Even if that something else sucks, it'll be an experience for you and you can appreciate being a student a little more.

I agree, plus if I saved the money from that year I could validate/have money for studying abroad too.













I'm actually looking into becoming an RA at my school now, because its actually cheaper to do that for me and stay my entire senior year, than it is to just graduate a semester early without becoming an RA.