Graduating in 3 years

[zinciest]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I've used the search function, but I couldn't find a situation that was really comparable to mine. During my last year of high school, I was a full time student at a state university (not a CC). I'm in my sophomore year now, and I can graduate next year without really packing my schedule. I'll have a couple of 20 hour semesters, but I've handled 18 ones fine, so I don't think it'll hurt my gpa too much.

I've had a clinical job for the past couple years, and I've been involved in a volunteer program for awhile too. So, will an applicant who graduates in 3 years be at a disadvantage if

a) they are essentially taking four years because of credits obtained in high school

b) they don't have a jam packed schedule throughout college

c) they have a ton of experiences?

I'll also have taken a few general ed summer classes, if that makes any difference.

 

[J ROD]

As long as the rest of your app is good, no problem!

 

[MDToBeInNC]

I graduated in 3 yrs but then went on to do Peace Corps and other things prior to applying to med school. I received favorable comments on my 3 yr successful college experience. I think the key is to make sure you have sufficient clinical/research/life experience. I didn't after graduating in 3 yrs hence the peace corps and other experience but if you've got enough go for it!

 

[Knitress]

I'm graduating after 3 years, in a situation very similar to yours. They asked about it at my interview, but it wasn't a problem. Just be ready to talk about it if you do decide to go down that path.

 

[sgtbrushes]

And of course, you have to fit the MCAT somewhere in there. If you didn't take any med school pre-reqs during your senior year of high school, you had better be taking them now.

 

[BerlinDude]

It will be a problem if you are perceived as having less "life experience" than other applicants.