Graduating Early

[once]

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What's the general consensus around here for graduating early. I could pretty easily graduate at the end of next year. I have been considering graduate programs / research programs / volunteering programs, but I also would like to start applying ASAP. My application stats will be pretty good and I'll probably take the MCAT in the spring. So, whatdya guys think? Look more into further education / application boosters or start getting ready to apply? Money is no issue in terms of the programs after graduation also.

 

[Catalystik]

The general consensus seems to be to stay in college 4 years if money is no object. If one graduates a year early, it is preferred that one spend the extra time continuing to beef up one's application, work, have some fun, and recharge the academic batteries. Grad school is another option.

You could also successfully apply after finishing your second year with the intent of attending med school after you graduate in three years, provided you have the same density, variety, and longevity of ECs that your competition will have, but I'm guessing that isn't one of the options you're exploring.

 

[Seven of Nine]

i think i remember seeing a secondary (i forget which school) that asked you to defend why you did/are graduating early. it seemed implied on the secondary/their website that an acceptable reason was significant financial limitations.

think about it... that's an entire YEAR of experiences you won't be having or lessons you won't be learning that could help shape you into a successful medical school student.

i could be totally wrong, but certain things i've witnessed in undergrad makes me think the "ability to graduate in 3 years" is a gimmick schools use to seduce parents who will be financing their kid's college education. at first consideration, it sounds impressive that you were able to successfully complete the degree at an accelerated pace. but when you think about it, nowadays, advanced undergrads (at least at my undergrad institution) have the opportunity to take graduate-level classes. there's also the option of pursuing intensive research or valuable activity. so personally, i think it's best to spend four years doing something, before starting medical school.

 

[BigRedBeta]

It's a competition thing. The standard applicant is going to have 3 years of experiences, grades, and time to develop relationships for LOR's. You'd be going in with only 2. That's a 50% temporal advantage they have over you. If you were to take a "gap year" and do something significant during that time and apply "on-time" so to speak, then you'll at least be even.

 

[StephBee]

It's a competition thing. The standard applicant is going to have 3 years of experiences, grades, and time to develop relationships for LOR's. You'd be going in with only 2. That's a 50% temporal advantage they have over you. If you were to take a "gap year" and do something significant during that time and apply "on-time" so to speak, then you'll at least be even.

I think you slightly misunderstand the timeline. From what I gathered, the OP is currently working on their junior year (already have 2 done) and is considering graduating at the end of their junior year, Or something like that. Meaning, they'd have the same 3 years everyone else has, he/she just isn't in undergrad during the application process. Like, graduate May, apply june-october or whatever.

😛 Whenever anyone asks me this, I always end up telling them the same thing.
I was ready to graduate after 5 semesters (thanks to AP credit) but opted to take slightly lighter course loads junior year and take on a minor (english <3). Even with that, I'm still at well over 120 credit hours (took 18 credit hoursevery semester except junior year and came in with ~30). Rather then spend 25 grand on another semester, I'm graduating in December (<60 days, yayayayay). The key is what you plan on doing with your gap time. For me, I am having a fairly intensive knee surgery in Dec/Jan so I'm taking 2 months to heal then try to find a job as an EMT-b. As long as you have something to say about your gap time, go ahead and do it!
The biggest regret I have from undergrad is not graduating early. I could in medical school now if I hadn't listened to everyone telling me to "slow down!". As a result, I've spent unnecessary money taking classes I don't really need or want to take. 🙁 C'est le vie.

On a lighter note, I'm watching the newest episode of castle and this made me laugh histerically:
"She [victim, a resident at the local hospital] started making payments on her 440,000 dollar student loan."
"That's how much it takes to become a doctor?! Glad I became a cop!"