Graduating Early??

[PharmTexas]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Despite my member name, I'm considering applying to medical school. Because the schooling is sooooo long, I'm thinking about graduating early. Many people don't think that it's a good idea, because some medical schools may not think you are "mature enough." Any thoughts on the issue?? I would love to graduate early cause med schooling is long enough, I just don't want to put myself in a "bad position." I have also considered applying without a degree, just with the hrs. that are required. Any thoughts on that?? Thanks in advance!!

 

[drizzt3117]

There's been a number of posts on this topic. The consensus is that graduating early isn't really recommended (although some people do it and are successful), and applying without finishing a degree is highly frowned upon.

 

[Textuality]

It's a personal choice. Personally, I graduated a year early with 2 majors, and I've found interviewers to like the fact that I graduated early (haha, they think it's a reflection of how smart I am, but in reality, I was just lucky and got some good advice on planning my class schedules) Although, so far I've only had one person ask about it.

I think you can back up graduating early. My primary reasons were: I don't need any more debt going into med school! And that I was offered a great job that I couldn't really turn down, which offered much more experience than another year of classes would. (And that I had a nice upward GPA trend that I didn't want to jinx, this obviously wasn't a reason I ever gave to an interviewer).

I think as long as you can convey your maturity at an interview, and don't graduate a year early just to party (since they will ask you what you're doing with that year), it shouldn't play a huge factor one way or another I don't think. Good luck either way though!

Just to clarify, you probably shouldn't try to matriculate straight after 3 years of college though. Since you'd have to apply summer of sophomore year, and you'd be competing with people who've taken harder classes, and had more EC's than you most likely.

Just my two cents.

 

[drizzt3117]

It's a personal choice. Personally, I graduated a year early with 2 majors, and I've found interviewers to like the fact that I graduated early (haha, they think it's a reflection of how smart I am, but in reality, I was just lucky and got some good advice on planning my class schedules) Although, so far I've only had one person ask about it.

I think you can back up graduating early. My primary reasons were: I don't need any more debt going into med school! And that I was offered a great job that I couldn't really turn down, which offered much more experience than another year of classes would. (And that I had a nice upward GPA trend that I didn't want to jinx, this obviously wasn't a reason I ever gave to an interviewer).

I think as long as you can convey your maturity at an interview, and don't graduate a year early just to party (since they will ask you what you're doing with that year), it shouldn't play a huge factor one way or another I don't think. Good luck either way though!

Just to clarify, you probably shouldn't try to matriculate straight after 3 years of college though. Since you'd have to apply summer of sophomore year, and you'd be competing with people who've taken harder classes, and had more EC's than you most likely.

Just my two cents.

I'd agree with a lot of these comments. Obviously graduating early (especially with two majors and an upward trend) is a sign of strength (whether or not the OP agrees).

I guess my thoughts are that once you get into medical school, you're pretty much going to be working non-stop (with M4 as a potential exception) for 7-10 years, and afterwards, you'll likely be working equally hard for however many years because you have loans to pay off. Your college years are more or less the last time you'll have vacations and a significant block of free time. I'm not sure a lot of people wouldn't be best served in traveling, studying abroad, and generally enjoying the last break they have. It might also make them a more well-rounded person depending on what they actually do.

 

[Textuality]

Oh yeah, and while another 4 years seems like a lot more school, the last two years of med school are clinical rotations and don't really resemble "school" as it is in undergraduate 🙂 You really only spend the first 2 years (at most schools) in the classroom with your nose in a book. At least, that's the impression I get.